Magelang
Magelang, Central Java
Rice-field landscapes studded with volcanoes make Central Java’s Magelang region a gorgeous spot for a hike or even a bike ride. However, most travelers head here for one reason alone; Borobudur, the 8th-century temple crafted from two million blocks of stone that’s Indonesia’s single most famous sight.
The basics
The town of Magelang is an unremarkable cluster of street stalls, simple eateries, and souvenir vendors; but local accommodation choices run from hostels through to the uber-luxe Amanjiwo retreat. Basing yourself here—or joining a multi-day tour of Central Java that includes time in Magelang—lets you appreciate Borobudur at both sunset and sunrise, and enjoy the subsidiary temples of Mendut and Pawon. You can also hike rice fields, experience village life, raft the Progo River, or tour the bizarre multi-faith structure known as the Chicken Church.
Things to know before you go
- Borobudur is a must for anyone visiting Java but spending the night in Magelang lets you experience it at a more mellow pace. Magelang is a fairly conservative town and Borobudur is a religious site. Cover legs, shoulders, and upper arms to show respect.
- Steep steps at Borobudur and the Chicken Church; uneven, high sidewalks in Magelang town; and narrow tracks in the rice field make Magelang a poor choice for wheelchair users.
How to get there
Magelang sits among the volcanoes of Central Java about a 27-mile (43-kilometer) drive north of Yogyakarta railway station and a similar distance northwest of Yogyakarta Airport. Regular buses run to and from Yogyakarta’s Jombor terminal to Magelang and Borobudur from morning until afternoon.
When to get there
More people live on the island of Java than in all of Japan, so there’s no quiet time to visit Magelang and Borobudur. Crowds can be especially intense in July and August, but Magelang comes alive in a good way for the Buddhist festival of Waisak, which generally falls in May or June.
From Yogyakarta to Bali Overland
Planning Java travel can be tough. But one classic route begins in Yogyakarta with the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Prambanan and Borobudur, then, travels from Magelang across to Surabaya for sunrise over Mt. Bromo volcano. From Bromo, the classic next stop is the Ijen Crater (Kawah Ijen)—known for its blue fire. It’s just an hour to Bali on the boat from the port of Banyuwangi east of the Ijen Crater.
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