Dieng Plateau

Central Java, Indonesia

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The Dieng Plateau in Central Java is a mystical highland realm where volcanic drama meets ancient spirituality. Perched at over 2,000 meters above sea level, this caldera complex is often called the “Abode of the Gods” (Di Hyang in Old Javanese), and it’s easy to see why. Shrouded in mist and surrounded by mountains, Dieng offers a surreal blend of natural wonders and cultural heritage.

You’ll find steaming sulfur craters like Sikidang, multicolored lakes such as Telaga Warna and Telaga Pengilon, and some of Java’s oldest Hindu temples—like the Arjuna complex—dating back to the 8th century. The plateau’s cool climate (sometimes dipping below freezing) gives it a rare alpine feel in tropical Indonesia, and during July and August, frost known as bun upas can blanket the fields in a silvery sheen.

Sunrise from Sikunir Hill is a must, offering panoramic views of Mount Sindoro and the surrounding volcanic peaks. The region is also famous for its terraced potato fields, carica fruit (a papaya-like delicacy), and the unique Ruwatan Anak Gimbal ceremony, where children born with dreadlocks undergo a sacred hair-cutting ritual.