Dieng Plateau
From Wikitravel
The Dieng Plateau is a caldera in Central Java, famous for its scenery and ancient Hindu temples.
[edit] Understand
The Dieng Plateau is a caldera complex formed by the eruption of ancient Mountain Prau. The caldera was once filled up water and then dried up, but volcanic activity continues to this day, with sulphuric fumes and poisonous lakes. Located at an altitude of 2000m, it's also much cooler than the surrounding lowlands.
The ancient Javanese Hindus built up temples and made Dieng Plateau as a sacred place. The word Dieng word was formed from Sanskrit words Di (Abode) and Hyang (Gods), so Dieng means Abode of the Gods. The Javanese Hindus built hundreds of temples in this place, but only eight are left. The temples were built from 8th century to 13th century by Sanjaya Dynasty and resemble those of Prambanan, but on a smaller scale. The local people named the temples based on the characters in the ancient Javanese Hindu legend which has similarity to famous Hindu story Mahabharata and Ramayana.
[edit] Get in
The only way to reach the Dieng Plateau is by land. The main town on the plateau, Wonosobo, can be reached from Yogyakarta by stopping in Magelang. Yogayakarta to Magelang cost Rupiah 15000. In Magelang, take another bus to Wonosobo. Magelang to Wonosobo takes 2 hours journey cost only Rp 11000. Wonosobo can also be reached from Purwokerto by bus. There are frequent train schedule from Jakarta to Purwokerto. There are also night buses from Jakarta to Purwokerto. There is only one bus direct to Wonosobo cost Rp 75000.
[edit] Get around
A minibus from Wonosobo to the temples costs Rp 9000.
[edit][add listing] See
[edit][add listing] Do
Motorbike trips to a bunch of the geothermal sites and temples can be arranged for about $6/person. Sunrise is beautiful from up the mountain.
[edit][add listing] Buy
[edit][add listing] Eat
Try the banana sweets at one of the street stalls!
[edit][add listing] Drink
[edit][add listing] Sleep
[edit] Stay safe
This is an active volcanic region and all visitors are urged to regularly check geological reports. In late September 2009 for example, a new period of signinficant eruptive activity was reported [1].
[edit] Get out
Heading to Jakarta, hop on a bus to Wonosobo (10,000rp), and switch buses to Semarang, which is on a main train line to Jakarta, or Surabaya.
- Yogyakarta, home to the far grander temples of Prambanan and Borobudur
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