For those of you who really enjoy traveling to pristine rural areas and yet still want to get world-class facilities and travel experiences, you must visit this “hidden-gems”. It’s called Karangrejo Tourism Village at Borobudur-Magelang, Central Java.
The village was certified as a Sustainable and Independent Tourism Village by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia on March 1, 2021. It’s located only about 3 kilometers from the world-famous Borobudur Temple. Before the pandemic, this tourist village was recorded as having been visited by more than 20,000 foreign tourists and 50,000 of local Indonesians. I think the number might be even higher, if considering current visit statistics.
I’m writing this article because I had the opportunity to visit with my family and was convinced that this tourist village area really has potential for authentic, world-class tourism. At that time we only wanted to visit Borobudur Temple and were looking for overnight accommodations because it’s too late for return to Yogyakarta. However, our two-day experience there exceeded our expectations.
World-Class Attractions and Homestays.
The tourist village of Karangrejo, Borobudur-Magelang, boasts a variety of world-class attractions and homestays, in my opinion. Although it was small, the Karangrejo located within the Borobudur District, is incredibly beautiful, with authentic Javanese rural characteristics, and it’s a real challenge to explore.
For tourist attractions, you can visit and explore the following:
1. Borobudur Temple
2. Stone Carving Crafts
3. Sunrise Spot at Punthuk Setumbu
4. Chicken Church at Doa Rhema Hill (Dove Hill)
5. VW Safari Tour of the Village
6. Karangejo Fruit Garden
7. Farming, Plowing fields, and Rice Planting Packages
As for homestays, you can stay at:
1. Gopalan Borobudur
2. Balkondes Karangrejo, Borobudur
3. Plataran Borobudur
4. 22 other homestays in Karangrejo Village
Tourist Attraction Experience
The tourist attractions offered here are both captivating and challenging. Borobudur Temple is a must-visit destination and is renowned worldwide. It’s only about 3 km from the village.
If you want to enjoy a spectacular natural sunrise while witnessing the majestic panorama of Borobudur Temple and Mount Merapi from a high hill in the countryside, you should visit the Punthuk Setumbu Sunrise Spot. Plan or schedule your visit to watch the sunrise with a tour guide and confirm to homestay manager who will inform and guide you to the location.
The best time to visit is around 5:00 a.m. Adjust the distance between Punthuk Setumbu sunrise hill and your accommodation to ensure you don’t miss the breathtaking beauty of Top Borobudur Temple and Mount Merapi at sunrise.
Afterward, you can visit the Bukit Rhema Chicken Church by rental Volkswagen Safari Tour or with your private vehicle. The Rhema Hills Chicken Church is an ancient building perched on a hill in the village’s interior, holding its own story about the village’s social history and uniqueness.
Next, you can enjoy the unique stone carving craftsmanship and the beauty of the fruit orchards managed by the villagers.
The panoramic beauty of Karangrejo Village, including rice paddies, hills, and rivers, can also be enjoyed by bicycle, jeep, or horse-drawn carriage.
The ideal time to explore the entire Karangrejo Tourism Village along with Borobudur Temple is 3 days and 2 nights. Next plans you can continue your journey by visiting and exploring the city of Yogyakarta and nine’s beautiful natural beaches at Gunung Kidul region if you have enough time.
World-Class Homestays.
For a comfortable retreat to unwind while enjoying unique rural cuisine, you can stay at a wide selection of homestays. There are around 22 homestays managed by local villagers, some of which offer world-class service.
Why do I dare to say world-class? Because I experienced it myself. I stayed and received exceptional service at one of the homestays there, Gopalan, while enjoying the available facilities.
I stayed in a place that combined modern amenities with the unique natural characteristics of a village in Java. The rooms are small, beautiful, and it was a clean joglo-house, furnished with teak wood. There are single or double beds, cable TV, and wardrobes.
The interiors of the rooms are decorated with modern lighting. The bathrooms are simple and clean, with hot and cold water, a shower, a sitting toilet, a washbasin, clean-soft towels, and other amenities like hotel services.
The rooms I stayed in were in front of a beautiful swimming pool overlooking a panoramic view of lush rice fields. But what amazed me was besides the panoramic view of expansive rice fields from the pool, we could also see a glimpse of the top of Borobudur Temple’s stupa from a distance.
While enjoying an afternoon swim in the pool, you can enjoy a glass of your favorite cold drink and the magnificent panorama of the top of Borobudur Temple’s stupa and the vast, beautiful rice fields. It’s truly breathtaking.
This simple inn also offers a choice of traditional Indonesian or Western-style dinner and breakfast. One morning, I had the opportunity to meet with a tourist named Lars in the restaurant area.
Lars, an Aussie father of two, said the food and services were exceptional. He was planning to enjoy sunrise with families from Tumpuk Setumbhu spot to view the top of Borobudur’s Temple stupa tomorrow morning.
For international tourists visiting Java, or locals looking for a vacation, it’s worth setting aside time to visit and explore the beauties of a world-class tourist village, Karangrejo Tourism Village, Borobudur-Magelang, Central Java.
Have a great holiday in the Tourism Village! 😊
