Cultural Gems and Local Wisdom Near Borobudur
For those of you planning a vacation to Yogyakarta and Magelang, making time to visit Borobudur Temple is certainly high on the agenda. However, did you know that just about 3 kilometers southeast of the world’s largest Buddhist temple, there’s a village that offers a truly authentic glimpse into Javanese life?
Candirejo Tourism Village, a pioneer of community-based tourism in Magelang, is ready to immerse you in rural tranquility, noble traditions, and deeply preserved local wisdom.
Why Is It Named “Candirejo”?
Philosophically, the name Candirejo comes from a combination of two Javanese words: Candi and Rejo (which means fertile or prosperous). Literally, Candirejo can be interpreted as a fertile rural village rich in historical and cultural heritage. Its green natural landscape, set against the backdrop of the Menoreh Hills, provides the village with exceptionally clean, cool, and soul-soothing air.
Authentic Activities You Must Try in Candirejo:
1. Explore the Village by Traditional Horse-drawn Carriage or Bicycle
Experience the slow, peaceful rhythm of village life by touring in a traditional horse-drawn carriage (Andong) or renting a bicycle. You’ll be taken along rural paths, past lush green rice fields, and see the well-maintained joglo houses of the local residents.
2. Learn the Art of Traditional Gamelan Music
In this tourist village, you won’t just be a spectator. The locals will graciously invite you to sit with them in their pavilions to learn the basics of playing Javanese gamelan instruments. This is a cultural experience highly sought after by tourists, especially international ones.
3. Learn About Organic Farming & Handicrafts
Candirejo is renowned for its agro-tourism system. You can go directly to the fields to learn traditional farming methods, pick seasonal fruit, or observe the process of making local handicrafts. One of the distinctive crafts here is andesite stone carvings (the same material used in Borobudur Temple) and the use of bamboo to create highly artistic weavings.
4. Witness the Processing of Local Culinary Specialties
You’ll be invited to observe up close how local residents process traditional agricultural products, such as making cassava chips, processing local Menoreh coffee, and sampling authentic manggar gudeg.
