Located on the Dieng Plateau, the magnificent Gedung Songo temples are the highlight of many people’s trip to Indonesia, attracting visitors with their majestic beauty.
Situated on the picturesque slope of mount Ungaran, about 900 meters above sea level, there are nine main ancient Hindu temples in the complex. Several have been painstakingly repaired, while others remain in ruin. Dating back to the 8th century, the temples are all located fairly near to each other, with just two kilometers between them.
The fact that there are nine temples is significant as the number nine has a particular connotation in the Javanese culture, in which there is a strong connection to numbers. The temples are deliberately located at about the same distance from each other and would have been mystically significant to the ancient Javanese people.
There are a number of well-marked trekking trails near the temples of Gendung Songo and many people visit the area to walk around this cool, hill retreat, taking in the spectacular views of the gently smoldering volcanoes of Merapi and Merbabu.
Although it is possible to walk between most of the temples, a great way to see them all and explore the surrounding countryside is by hiring a bicycle. It is also possible to ride in a horse and cart beside rice fields up to the temples.
Getting There & Away
The nearest town to the temples is Wonosobo, which is 26kms away. There are regular buses to Wonosobo from city of Yogyakarta (3 hours), which hosts an airport with connections to other cities in Indonesia including the main international airport in Jakarta.