Enjoying Beautiful Sunsets and the World’s Largest Buddhist Temple at Karangrejo
If you are familiar with Borobudur and its surroundings, you must have heard of Setumbu Hill, the most magnificent spot to witness the sunrise after visiting the temple. Situated in the beautiful Karangrejo Village, Setumbu Hill is just one of the many attractions this village has to offer. From its rich rice fields landscape to the Tegalan River and surrounding mountains, Karangrejo is a hidden gem waiting to be explored.
Karangrejo Village is located about 4 kilometers from the Borobudur Temple Complex. With its unspoiled nature and magnificent landscape of Menoreh Hill, this tourism village has gradually earned itself a spot among Borobudur’s most popular things-to-do. The village is divided into six smaller villages, each possessing different norms and characteristics. By immersing yourself in Karangrejo’s soils, you will experience a variety of enlightening local wisdom.
Local Wisdom in Karangrejo
Karangrejo offers more than just scenic views. The locals take pride in their cultural heritage and offer various products and attractions that will enhance your experience in Borobudur. Local cuisines such as Jetkolet cassava chips, Gethuk cassava dish, and Javanese palm sugar will tantalize your taste buds. Additionally, you can enjoy ancient cultural performances like Jathilan Dance, Kobro Siswo Dance, Obat Abit and Sembur Geni theatrical performance, and Gambyong Dance.
The villagers rely on agribusiness and vegetable farming for their livelihoods. Rambutan, Mangosteen, various vegetables, Albizia trees, teak trees, ginger plants, and turmeric dominate the fields of Karangrejo. With these potentials, Karangrejo Village has transformed into a tourism village where visitors can observe organic agricultural activities from planting to harvesting.
Exploring Natural and Man-made Attractions
Aside from the cultural and agricultural experiences, Karangrejo is also known for its natural beauty. There are several famous spots that you can explore, such as Punthuk Setumbu Hill, Widodaren & Puspitosari Pond, Cemuris Hill, Asam Pandawa Lima, and Barede Hill. These locations offer breathtaking views and opportunities for outdoor activities.
If you’re interested in man-made attractions, don’t miss Rema Hill, also known as ‘Gereja Ayam’ or Chicken Church. This unique structure resembles a chicken and provides a fascinating backdrop for memorable photos.
How to Get There
Getting to Karangrejo Village is easy and hassle-free. First, you need to travel to Yogyakarta. From there, you can take a bus to Borobudur which takes about 60 to 90 minutes. At the Jombor Bus Station in Yogyakarta, you can find buses that will take you directly to Borobudur. The station staff are friendly and will guide you to the correct buses.
Once you arrive at Borobudur, exit the station and head left towards Jalan Pramudyawardhani. You can then take a taxi from Jalan Pramudyawardhani to Karangrejo Village which is approximately 12 minutes away. Alternatively, you can choose other means of transportation according to your preference as the ride is only about 4 kilometers long.
Where to Stay
Around Karangrejo and the Borobudur Temple, you will find a variety of accommodation options including hotels, cottages, and homestays. The cottages are artistically designed with cool outdoor shades, while the village’s homestays offer a variety of exotic cuisines to complete your experience.
Contact Information:
- Address: Jl.Borobudur Ngadiharjo KM3, Kurahan, Karangrejo, Borobudur,Karangrejo, Borobudur, Magelang, Jawa Tengah 56553
- Phone: +62812-8281-901 (Yazid)
