Double Sunrise at Dieng Plateau: Central Java

Dieng Plateau, which extends over two districts in Central Java — Banjarnegara and Wonosobo — offers a beautiful sight.

The plateau, located 2,093 meters above sea level, offers two sunrises, the golden sunrise and the silver sunrise. Both are equally amazing natural phenomena.

The golden sunrise refers to the first sunrise between 5:30 and 6 a.m. It is said to be golden because of its sparkling golden red color. You can enjoy this sunrise from a viewing post at a height of 1,700 meters above sea level in Wonosobo. The place, located in a mountainous area, is easily accessible because the roads leading to this area are all paved.

When the sun rises, the golden red color slowly appears in an amazing manner. Meanwhile, the lights from the towns below look like complementary accessories that only lend greater beauty to this morning sight. The dome of a mosque in the distance sparkles amid the roofs of houses. The beauty of nature up there freshens the mind in the same way the cool weather of the plateau freshens the body.

Hundreds of hills form a vast expanse like a gathering of living creatures. Their shadows move as if chasing one another from one hill to another. The hills look like giants moving in unison on the golden red horizon.

The golden sunrise lasts between 20 and 30 minutes. But don’t return home just yet because the Dieng Plateau can give you another sunrise, the silver sunrise. You can savor the panorama under this silver sunrise from the Dieng Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Java, located in Banjarnegara.

It takes only 10 to 15 minutes to travel comfortably from the viewing post on Dieng Plateau to Dieng Temple.

The silver sunrise got it name because during this particular sunrise the dominant color is that of silver-white. When at Dieng Temple, built between 700 and 800 A.D., enjoying the silver sunrise, you’ll feel as though you’re in another world.

The moment the sun appears from behind the hills to the east of the temple, you will see the Dieng Temple in all its glory. Its shadow moves about. From the hills around the temple, there are also millions of sparkling dots. They are dewdrops sparkling in the morning sunlight.

Drinking a cup of coffee or tea to warm yourself adds enjoyment to watching the silver sunrise. Coffee and tea are available close to Dieng Temple for between Rp 1,500 and Rp 3,000 a cup.

After savoring the beauty of the double sunrise, a natural phenomenon perhaps found only on Dieng Plateau, you can still enjoy the beauty of the surrounding nature. Walk about 10 minutes over a distance of some two kilometers to the southeast of the temple where there is a colorful lake. From the top of a hill the lake reflects a greenish yellow color, the reflection of the sulfate acid that the lake water contains.

Beside this colorful lake there is another lake with pristine water. Locals call it the mirror lake because the water is very clear. The surface of the lake water also reflects sunlight.

Unfortunately, this beautiful morning panorama is slightly impaired by the rampant felling of trees around the lakes. Unless the tree feeling is checked, this beautiful panorama will soon vanish for good.

The trip back from Dieng Temple is pleasant over the next 25 kilometers. There is beauty to be seen all along the way. Thousands of hectares of vegetables grow fresh and green in the morning light. The winding road only intensifies this natural beauty.

Slamet Susanto