You might not be familiar with the name Kembanglimus Tourist Village, but if you've heard of the Chicken Church, you're probably aware, thanks to its fame from the movie Ada Apa Dengan Cinta 2 (AADC2).
The building that became the backdrop for Rangga's longing for Cinta is located in Kembanglimus Tourist Village, Borobudur District, Magelang Regency; precisely on Bukit Rhema. What's even more exciting is that when you visit here, you can also embark on an adventure to enjoy the village's panoramic views and its rich culinary offerings.
The Sunrise from the Chicken Church, which Isn't a Chicken
In fact, the building is not shaped like a chicken but rather a dove, a symbol of peace. The name "Chicken Church" is said to have come from the local residents and gained popularity after AADC2.
Pak Nuba (Agustinus Nubatonis), the guide there, explained that this building is essentially a prayer house for all people. Because it's located on Bukit Rhema, it is also known as the Prayer House of Bukit Rhema. It was built by Daniel Alamsyah in 1992 and also serves as a rehabilitation center for troubled children, those with physical disabilities, and drug addicts. So, it's not a church.
“This place is for gathering, socializing,” said Pak Nuba, who was born in NTT and had taught in various places across Indonesia before becoming the caretaker and guide at Bukit Rhema.
Nuba mentioned that the best time to visit this prayer house is in the morning to enjoy the sunrise from the top of the building, also called the crown of the bird. To do so, visitors should reserve the Sunrise Package at Bukit Rhema, priced at Rp150,000 per person. This package includes access to the Chicken Church, sunrise viewing from the crown, shuttle service to the parking lot, a guide, and breakfast.
Since only one sunrise tour is available each day with a minimum of 4 participants, those who book this package will have the opportunity to enjoy the sunrise and explore the Chicken Church in peace, without the disturbance of other visitors.
“Regular visitors can enter starting at 7 AM. Usually, by that time, the sunrise package tourists are done and can enjoy breakfast below,” Pak Nuba explained.
If you book this package, you should arrive around 5 AM. The guide will pick you up at the parking area and take you up to the Chicken Church in a special vehicle. If you'd rather walk, you can, but be sure to prepare physically and wear comfortable footwear, as the climb can be quite challenging.
The peak of the sunrise experience is when you reach the spiral staircase and step onto the flat surface of the crown. The 380-degree panorama just before sunrise, with fog, mountain silhouettes, and the distant Borobudur Temple, is truly mesmerizing. Bukit Rhema is part of the Menoreh Mountains, and from the top, you can see several mountains such as Merapi, Merbabu, and Sumbing.
Don’t rush to descend; wait for a moment until the sun rises. Around 6 AM, when the sun breaks between two mountains, the beauty of the scene becomes even more apparent. The warm golden light bathes the landscape, creating a beautiful natural painting at the foot of the mountains.
After enjoying the sunrise and exploring the prayer house, you’ll be guided to a restaurant where breakfast awaits, including a choice of noodle or fried rice dishes, along with warm fritters, coffee, and tea.
Exploring Dusun Bumen
Aside from Bukit Rhema, Kembanglimus Tourist Village offers a variety of other attractions, including a visit to Dusun Bumen. This area is interesting because it’s home to several culinary and agro-tourism spots.
One of the highlights is Tiwul Lava Merapi, managed by Mr. and Mrs. Mura. Tiwul is a dish made from steamed cassava, served with toppings like grated coconut and palm sugar syrup. What makes Tiwul Lava Merapi unique is its presentation, shaped to resemble a mountain, with a "crater" on top where you can add the toppings.
They offer a variety of flavors, including the popular palm sugar, as well as brown sugar, chocolate, cheese, banana, chocolate cheese, and more. The Tiwul with palm sugar is priced at Rp25,000 per serving, with options for packaging in bamboo baskets or boxes. This dish stays good for 20 hours at room temperature or 2 days in the fridge. It's best enjoyed warm, so feel free to steam it again after taking it out of the fridge.
The creation of Tiwul Lava was a result of the pandemic. According to Mrs. Erni, who was met at the kiosk, Mr. Mura's work as a guide at Borobudur Temple had slowed down due to the pandemic. As a result, they innovated with local culinary creations, and now Tiwul Lava has become a well-known souvenir and snack from Kembanglimus Tourist Village. Tourists can even watch the preparation process by appointment.
After filling up on Tiwul, visitors can head to the educational pineapple farm of Mr. Nurofik, where they can explore the pineapple plantation and listen to his insights on the Benggolo Pineapple.
The pineapple farm is spread across 4 locations, one of which is close to his house, making it easy for visitors to stop by. In addition to learning about pineapple cultivation, tourists can also buy pineapple seedlings for Rp10,000 each.
Mr. Nurofik is also developing agro-tourism with his pineapples. Known for their sweet yet slightly sour and juicy taste, Benggolo pineapples are perfect for agro-tourism visits. For pineapple picking tours, it's recommended to make a reservation with Mr. Nurofik (081390302045) to ensure there are ripe pineapples available.
The Iconic Elephant Gate of Kembanglimus
Kembanglimus Tourist Village is home to one of the four entrances to the Borobudur Temple Super Priority Tourism Area. The Elephant Gate of Kembanglimus not only serves as a monument but also features a rest area with ample parking space and kiosks, making it a convenient addition to Borobudur’s tourism from the western side. It’s the largest of the four gates to the temple.
The choice of an elephant for the gate was made because the animal is also depicted in the reliefs of Borobudur.
So, if you're heading to Borobudur or Magelang, don't forget to stop by Kembanglimus Tourist Village and explore the area. Let’s continue to support the local tourism industry, so they can keep developing the attractions here!
