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Bandung's Kawah Putih
Photo: Plantations outside Bandung.
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Bandung's Kawah Putih
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Bandung's Kawah Putih
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Bandung is one of those cities that people visiting Java tend to skip through rather quickly,
mainly because the surrounding activities all seem like too much of a hassle to get to. Kawah
Putih to the south of Bandung is a case in point, but those with persistence will find a crater lake
of staggering beauty.
A strange coloured lake 35 kilometres from Bandung -- who would have known?
Kawah Putih is located near the dusty market town of Ciwidey about 35 kilometres south of
Bandung. Meaning white crater in Indonesian, the main attraction of Kawah Putih is the
surreal turquoise coloured lake which fills this vast dormant volcanic crater. On sunny days, the
colour of the lake is stark and bright and on cloudy days, the entire crater can be shrouded in mist
making for an utterly eerie experience. The tree-clad cliffs surrounding the crater reach around
2,500 metres above sea level and make for a stunning backdrop, especially when those clouds
start rolling in. Similarly, the altitude here brings with it chilly temperatures and a light sweater
is a must, a thicker jacket preferable.
It really is a thing of beauty, no?
Kawah Putih is incredibly popular with local daytrippers and this will impact on when is best to
visit. Sunday is by far the busiest day of the week, closely followed by Saturday. The rest of the
week proves to be nigh-on dead and chartering vehicles will inevitably enter the mix of transport
used that day.
The easiest way to get to Kawah Putih from Bandung is with your own transport. Hiring a
motorbike from your guesthouse should cost around 50,000 rupiah for the day and hiring
motorcycle taxi should cost about 100,000 rupiah plus lunch for the driver. Private tours in cars
may also be possible, but these tend to cost in the region of 400,000 rupiah for the day.
By public transport, travellers must get to the Leuwi Panjang bus terminal in the south of
Bandung. Its possible to get to Leuwi Panjang with two angkots from the train station by asking
drivers for the best option (2,000 rupiah per angkot). From Leuwi Panjang, catch a Ciwidey bus
for 6,000 rupiah for the hour journey south. At Ciwidey, it is possible to catch an angkot to the
front gate of Kawah Putih for 7,500 rupiah, but you will be offered a charter which when all
things are considered, may well be the best option depending on the day of the week and the sort
of deal you can get.
So bright it stings your eyes.
Once at the Kawah Putih entrance, it is a long haul up hill to the crater and you wont see anyone
attempting to walk it. Instead, a fleet of open-air angkots ferry groups to the top for 15,000
rupiah per person. Generally, the angkots wait until they are full, but this can sometimes be a
problem when visitor numbers are low. Chartering one will cost 100,000 rupiah for the round
trip which might make the charter option from Ciwidey seem more sensible.
Tea plantations abound just past the Kawah Putih turnoff.
The entire journey by public transport takes three hours from Bandung, but it is a day worth
spending, particularly when you consider that you can add on a side trip to Situ Patengan and
some stunning tea plantations just around the corner.
By Adam Poskitt .
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What next?
Browse our independent reviews of places to stay in and around Bandung.
Check prices, availability & reviews on Agoda or Booking
Read up on where to eat on Bandung.
Check out our listings of other things to do in and around Bandung.
Read up on how to get to Bandung.
Do you have travel insurance yet? If not, find out why you need it.
Planning on riding a scooter in Bandung? Please read this.
Browse tours in Indonesia with Tourradar.
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See below for more sights and activities in Bandung that are listed on Travelfish.org.
Bandung's Tangkuban Parahu
Factory outlet shopping in Bandung
Geological wonders around Garut, Java
Kawah Putih
Maribaya forest walk
Situ Patengan
Tangkuban Parahu
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