Recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site, the Borobudur temple at Magelang, Central Java, can be regarded as a must-see for travelers visiting the area.  Along with the temple’s royal beauty, the natural landscape supplies a view unlike any other. After visitingthe Borobudur temple, even exploring the surrounding area is the next option for travelers. Conventional lives with customary rituals, performances, arts, and handicrafts are still intact in villages nearby.  Several activities also await, like the ones listed below.

1. Villages Around Borobudur

With the support of horse-drawn packs or safari jeeps, tourists can gaze at villages across Borobudur temple. Bikes are also available for visitors to rent. Tourists are invited to drop by balkondes (village economy halls) at 20 distinct villages in the region.  Among the popular destinations in the area include the Chicken Church and Punthuk Setumbu hill. Balkondes also serve as rest places for tourists to try the village’s culinary specialties, purchase handicrafts, or stay overnight in cottages featuring architecture of the past.

2. Tasting Menoreh coffee

In the past, Menorah Hill was known as the hideout of Prince Diponegoro’s troops during the war against the Dutch. After the war, the Dutch government used the hill to grow coffee as well as until today, and java is still a commodity of the area. The coffee production center can be found in Sidoharjo and Gerbosari cities in the Kulonprogo regency, while places like Kerug Batur and Majaksingi will also be known as coffee manufacturers. Coffee cultivated from Menoreh Hill could be enjoyed in coffee shops near Borobudur temple. In coffee shops located on Menoreh Hill, tourists may appreciate cups of java with traditional bites amid the beautiful scenery.

3. Visiting art galleries

Lately, resorts around the Borobudur temple have begun to provide their places as art galleries showcasing musicians from several cities in Indonesia. Paintings, sculptures, and additional art are often exhibited in hotel lobbies, restaurants, cafes, and corridors. The area is also home to several art spaces that frequently host art exhibitions or events. There are Galeri Unik dan Seni Borobudur Indonesia (Borobudur Particular and Art Gallery Indonesia) along with Lima Gunung Museum, belonging to veteran performer Sutanto Mendut at Mungkid, located 4 km from Borobudur. Other art studios and galleries include Padepokan Apel Watoe, Limanjawi Art House, and Eloprogo Art House.

4. Rafting along the Elo and Progo rivers

To appreciate rafting along the Elo and Progo rivers using their strong currents and beautiful scenery, to lease a rubber ship costs Rp 1 million (US$71). The Elo River is rated Grade II (moderate) in problem degrees, which is acceptable for beginners. The rafting path begins from Pare village and ends at Ngentak. The standard duration for the course is just two to three hours, covering a distance of 11 kilometers.

Throughout the annual Elo River Festival, rafters can enjoy lots of traditional art performances and decorated ships in a parade. While around the Progo River, rafting can be completed in two locations: the upper and lower routes.  The top path is Grade III and 9 kilometers in space, taking two hours to complete.  The decrease route includes a higher difficulty level, ranging from Grade III and Grade IV downstream of Temanggung regency. The route is approximately 26 km long and takes five hours to complete. These activities are conducted under the supervision of specialist guides.

5. Making earthenware at Klipoh

Klipoh, situated about 5 km from Borobudur, is a village famous for its earthenware merchandise. People here have generated kitchenware, cups, plates, ashtrays, and home decorations out of clay for generations. Approaching the village, one can easily see smoke coming out from furnaces while women work with clay in front of their houses.  Back in Klipoh, tourists are advised to create their very own earthenware products. A range of production centers also provides classes for tourists to understand how to make them.

Whether your trips take you on a long stroll on beaches, delicious cuisines, relaxing spas, and resorts or urban attractions, extra research will give you the best experience for your visit. Get to know more about Borobudur by visiting Wonderful Indonesia.