Dieng Plateau

Introducing Dieng Plateau

The lofty plateau of Dieng (2093m above sea level) is home to the oldest Hindu temples in Java. Its name comes from Di-Hyang (Abode of the Gods), and it’s thought that this was once the site of a flourishing temple-city of priests.

More than 400 temples, most of which were built between the 8th and 9th centuries, covered the highland plain, but with the mysterious depopulation of Central Java, this site, like Borobudur, was abandoned and forgotten. It was not until 1856 that the archaeologist Van Kinsbergen drained the flooded valley around the temples and catalogued the ruins. The eight remaining temples are characteristic of early Central Javanese architecture – stark, squat and boxlike.

These simple temples, while of great archaeological importance, are not stunning. Rather, Dieng’s beautiful landscape is the main reason to make the long journey to this isolated region. Steep mountainsides terraced with vegetable plots enclose the huge volcanically active plateau, a marshy caldera of a collapsed volcano. Any number of walks to mineral lakes, steaming craters or other lonely places can be made around Dieng, including a walk to the highest village in Java, Sembungan.

To really appreciate Dieng, it’s best to stay in Dieng village, although Wonosobo has better facilities and can be used as a base. The temples and the main ‘natural’ sights can be seen in one day on foot – arrive in Dieng in the morning before the afternoon mists roll in.

It is a pleasant three- or four-hour loop south from Dieng village to Telaga Warna (Coloured Lake), Candi Bima (Bima Temple), Kawah Sikidang (Sikidang Crater), and then back to Candi Gatutkaca, the Arjuna Complex and the village. Many other lakes and craters around Dieng are scattered over a large area and are difficult to reach.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009