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City in Central Java, Indonesia
Photo: handy.darklord, FAL via Wikimedia Commons
Magelang is an administrative and military academy city in the mountains in Central Java province in Indonesia.
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The private collection of modern Indonesian art of Oei Hong Djien. There are two parts to the collection. This museum hosts the changing exhibitions. The permanent collection is housed in a separate building attached to his home, also in Magelang. It may be possible to see the permanent collection by asking at the museum.
Gereja Ayam
A chicken-shaped church with a peculiar history. In response to what he claimed was a divine vision in 1988, Daniel Alamsjah, a devout Christian spent every weekend over nearly a decade overseeing the construction of this multi-dominical bird-shaped prayer house. Alamsjah’s vision had been of a dove, but its resemblance to a giant chicken has earned it its better-known moniker, Gereja Ayam – Chicken Church. Alamsjah ran out of funds in 2000 to complete it and left it to fall into decay. However over the next 15 years, curious visitors to nearby Borobudur began seeking it out. Increasing visitor numbers encouraged Alamsjah to return and begin work on completing the structure. The interior has been decorated in a style that may not be to everyone’s taste. From the parking lot it is a 15-minute walk up a steep hill to the building (for which it is advisable to bring closed footwear). Shuttle rides are offered up the hill but these can be expensive. It is often included in tours to Borobodur.
Museum Diponegoro
Featuring Prince Diponegoro, a national hero.
Kyai Langgeng Park
An educational-cum-recreational park which features rare plants, dinosaur statues, and airplane prototypes. It provides a playground with some facilities. Rafting can be organised (when the nearby Progo River is in full flow).
Candi Selogriyo
This Hindu temple is estimated to have been built in the 9th century AD, during the Mataram Kingdom, and is at an altitude of 740 meters above sea level.
Whitewater rafting on the Elo river.
Strolling around the hilly urban forest.
Local Magelang cuisine, bakso krikil (small gravel-shaped beef ball).
Local Magelang cuisine, bubur blendrang (local chicken porridge)
Local Magelang cuisine, kupat tahu Magelang (tofu with rice cake in peanut sauce)
Local Magelang cuisine, mangut beong (fish in curry soup).
Chinese. Serves pork.
A roadhouse run by the state-owned plantation company whose coffee plantations flank the road at this point. An acceptable place to pull in for a quick break if on a long road trip or if the road is jammed. Bathrooms are kept clean, food is standard plates of rice and chicken etc served quickly and hot. And the coffee isn't bad either.
Depot Es Semanggi
A well-known beverage from Magelang, with a recipe handed down since the 1960s.
formerly Losari Coffee Plantation
Individual traditional Javanese houses serve as villas in a high-altitude coffee plantation landscape. Volcano views and yoga retreats. Hammam and spa.
In the middle of nowhere apart from a smoky internet cafe nearby, so it is not the most convenient location. However, it is a good option when the closer hotels are booked out, as they frequently are. It is a nice property for the price, and they can organise taxis to Borobudur. 24-hour restaurant service.
A 4-star hotel. They have a pool and spa.
Many stalls selling carved stone items, including statues, garden lamps, mortar and pestles.
Fashion, department store, supermarket, food court, and cinema.
By bus
From Yogyakarta, you can get to Magelang by bus for about Rp35,000. The trip takes an hour. Buses are also available from Semarang and other major cities in Java like Solo, Surabaya, and Jakarta.
The basic price is Rp5,000 and Rp2,500 per km. You can also get around by bus, minibus, horse cart, or by pedicab.
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Yogyakarta · International · YIA
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