Bandungan

Bandungan is a small town and district in Central Java.

Understand

Bandungan is a small mountain town on the shoulder of Mount Ungaran, an easy day trip from Semarang. It is well known as a centre for horticultural products and flowers. One of the coolest areas in the Semarang area. There is also a swathe of villas and karaoke bars.

Get in

By car

Allow an hour from Semarang or Salatiga. The road to Bandungan is narrow and winding, but you can see beautiful scenery on the way.

Get around

By bemo

An Indonesia bemo called Angkot serves around the main road of Bandungan.

By horse

Only in the Gedong Songo temple area.

By ojek

Using ojek (motorcycle taxi) is more flexible to go to tourists or public objects.

On foot

Some streets are walking-friendly for pedestrians. Beware of walking along the street without a sidewalk.

See

Gedong Songo: complex of nine temples set high on the shoulder of Mount Ungaran

• 1 Gedong Songo temple complex (Candi Gedong Songo), Candi, Krajan, Banyukuning (off the road from Bandungan to Sumowono). 07:00-17:00. A group of restored Hindu temples was built during the early period of the Medang Kingdom which controlled Central Java during the 8th and 9th centuries. Similar to the temples on the Dieng Plateau, they are some of the oldest Hindu structures in Java, predating both Borobudur and Prambanan. They are placed across the mountainside, and in clear weather, there are good views down across the surrounding plain and neighboring volcanoes, thanks to the 1,200 m above sea level elevation. Go early in the day to get the best chance of good views. On-site there is a volcanic fumarole with hot spring bathing, and horse rides. Rp5,000 for Indonesian nationals, Rp25,000 for non-Indonesians. (updated Nov 2017)
• Fruit farms, vegetable farms, and flower gardens.

Do

Swimming

• 1 Umbul Sidomukti. There is a swimming pool that offers beautiful views of the mountains since it is 1,200 m above sea level. You can do flying fox, rappelling down the valley, ATV, trekking, and horseback riding. Rp13,000 admission fee. (updated Nov 2017)

Mountaineering

The landscape from Mount Ungaran

• 2 Mawar Camp, Jl. Goa Jepang, Kluwihan, Sidomukti, ☏ +62 813 288 73541. 09:00-23:00. One of the gateways to reach Mount Ungaran peak (2,050 masl). (updated Jul 2022)

Buy

• 1 Pasar Bandungan. The traditional market of Bandungan. It is clean and neat, unlike dirty markets in other parts of Indonesia. Primarily sells vegetables, fruits, and local foods. (updated Nov 2017)

Food souvenirs

• Torakur candied tomatoes.

Eat

• 1 Pemancingan Suharno 1, Blater, Krandengan, Jimbaran, Bandungan, ☏ +62 298 711402. 07:00-21:00. Eat grilled or fried freshwater fish taken freshly from fishing in their ponds. It is served with sambal and lalapan (raw fresh veggies). Mid-range price, spend minimum Rp50,000. (updated Jul 2022)
• 2 Tahu Bandungan Oom Shin, Jl. Raya Bandungan - Sumowono, ☏ +62 298 711694. 08:00-18:00. Eat Bandungan fried tofu call Tahu serasi. Also, try their Susu kedelai (Soy milk). Start from Rp5,000. (updated Jul 2022)
• 3 Warung Sate Kelinci Pak Kenthus, Nglarang, Candi (near Alun-Alun Bandungan), ☏ +62 819 319 75749. 08:00-21:00. Eat a specialty of Bandungan district, Sate kelinci (Rabbit satay). Start from Rp20,000. (updated Jul 2022)

Drink

Coffee shops

The view from Pondok Kopi Umbul Sidomukti

• 1 Pondok Kopi Umbul Sidomukti, Manggung, Jimbaran, Bandungan, ☏ +62 298 7137010. 09:00-21:00. A coffee shop with a breathtaking view. Start from Rp 5,000. (updated Jul 2022)

Sleep

There are some villas for rent and also hotels and resorts.

Campground

• 1 Bantir Hills, Sumowono. 08:00-17:00. Forestry area camp. The location is near the old 2 Bantir Military Barrack which was built by the Dutch in 1938 as a military training complex for soldiers of the Koninklijke Nederlandsch Indische Leger (KNIL). (updated Jul 2022)

Hotel and resort

• 2 Amanda Hills Bandungan, Jl. Nusa Indah, Jetak, Kenteng, ☏ +62 298 711245. Start from Rp170,138. (updated Jul 2022)

• 3 Louis Kienne Bandungan, Jl. Nusa Indah Dsn. Golak, ☏ +62 298 6073888. Start from Rp750,000. (updated Jul 2022)

• 4 Susan Spa & Resort, Jl. Gintungan Utara Piyoto, Deso, Jetis, ☏ +62 818 295 011 (WhatsApp). Start from Rp678,072. (updated Jul 2022)

Connect

Telephone

The area code for Bandungan is 0298.

Internet

Several hotels provide free Wi-Fi. Some cellular providers cover 3G and 4G in Bandungan.

Go next

All of the following places are accessible in less than an hour by car, as well as having bus services that connect.

• Semarang, the capital of Central Java
• Ungaran, the capital of Semarang Regency
• Salatiga, a small University town
• Ambarawa with its Indonesia Railway Museum and the Rawa Pening lake. 8 km away. 30 min drive.
• Kendal
• Temanggung