Kawah Wurung, Enjoying the Emerald Green Savannah
If you thought your adventure in the Ijen highlands was all about hunting for Blue Fire, then you should definitely check out this exotic destination. Located only about a 15-minute drive from Paltuding Post (the entrance to Ijen Crater), lies a stunning natural landscape called Kawah Wurung.
Administratively located in Kalianyar Village, Ijen District, Bondowoso Regency, East Java, Kawah Wurung offers a dramatic landscape of green hills. Unlike most volcanic craters, which are arid and filled with sulfur, this place is a “dead crater” that has been transformed into a vast savannah.
The Meaning Behind the Name “Wurung Crater”
In Javanese, the word “Wurung” means “failed” or “didn’t happen.” So, Wurung Crater literally means a crater that failed to form.
Geologically, this place is a hill with a wide depression in the center that resembles a volcanic crater. However, because there is no active volcanic activity emitting magma or sulfur gas, the basin is instead covered in lush grass, creating a truly iconic giant green bowl.
Main Attractions of Kawah Wurung
Kawah Wurung offers the gentle, photogenic nature of the Ijen Highlands. Here are some of the best things to see here:
1. The “Teletubbies Hill” Landscape and the Giant Green Bowl
The main attraction is Bukit Cincin, a circular mound of earth surrounding the extinct crater basin. During the rainy season, the entire surface of this hill is covered in lush green grass, resembling the hills in the fictional series Teletubbies or the grassland landscapes of New Zealand.
2. “Puncak Jallany” Photo Spot
To fully enjoy the view, visitors can climb the stairs to the observation post at Puncak Jallany. From this highest point, you’ll be treated to a stunning 360-degree panorama: the expanse of green savannah on one side of Kawah Wurung, and the majestic caldera walls of the Ijen Mountains on the other.
3. Exotic Color Gradient of Two Seasons
Just like Baluran, the face of Kawah Wurung is strongly influenced by the seasons, making it unique throughout the year.
