WHITE CRATER LAKE
WHITE CRATER LAKE
Travelling south from Bandung, capital city of West Java
you will find yourself surrounded by mountains with magnificent
sceneries, a rolling evergreen landscape of neatly cropped tea bushes,
clumps of tropical forests, and misty hilltops. Amidst this fascinating
setting, a surreal beauty radiates from an enchanting crater lake known
as Kawah Putih or literary translated means the White Crafter.
Kawah Putih is located near the charming little market town of Ciwidey, approximately 50 Kilometers south of Bandung. The Crater Lake is one of two craters of Mount Patuha, with the dry Kawah Patuha or the Patuha Crater located 600 meters to its northwest, being the other.
Stepping into Kawah Putih is like
entering a different realm. As the name suggests, the Crater Lake and
its surroundings are dominated by a pale white color which radiates a
rather hypnotizing ambience. The vast dormant volcanic crater is filled
with surreal turquoise-colored water. On sunny days, the color of the
lake is stark and bright, while on cloudy days, the entire crater can
be shrouded in mist, which presents its own mystical beauty. The
tree-clad cliffs surrounding the crater reach around 2,500 meters above
sea level and make for a stunning backdrop, especially when the clouds
start to roll in. The altitude here brings with it chilly temperatures,
which in a way, will add to the magical splendor of Kawah Putih.
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The lake is said to have been first documented in 1837 by Dr Franz Wilhelm Junghuhn,
a German botanist who carried out a considerable amount of research in
Indonesia until his death in 1864 in Lembang, located just north of
Bandung.
At the time, there were various local
stories about the history of the area. Birds were said to avoid flying
near the region and some were even found dead after flying above the
lake. Villagers in the area tended to regard the forest around the lake
as eerie and somewhat mysterious. These stories prompted Dr Junghuhn to
investigate, and so discovered Kawah Putih. He concluded that the birds
flying over the Crater Lake died due to its high concentration of
sulfur.
Upon this discovery, a sulfur plant known as the Zwavel Ontginning Kawah Putih
was established by the lake during Dutch rule on Java. In World War
II the plant was taken over by the Japanese military and was operated
under the name Kawah Putih Kenzanka Yokoya Ciwidey. Today the
plant no longer exists , however, entry points to its tunnels,
remnants of these mining activities can still be seen at several points
around the current site.
First opened for visitors in 1987,
nowadays Kawah Putih is a favorite destination for tourists and day
trippers who are simply stunned by its mesmerizing ambience. On weekends
and on holidays, quite large numbers of visitors frequently visit the
area just to immerse themselves in the mystical beauty of nature.
The
spellbinding scenery and surreal ambience of Kawah Putih offer their
own unique sensation. This is truly the best place to refresh one’s mind
and soul and get re-energized from the stress of daily activities. The
dramatic setting of Kawah Putih also makes it a perfect place for those
who enjoy the art of photography. The place has long been known as a
favorite site for photographic sessions.
Leading up to the mountainous area of Kawah Putih you will be presented with a number of houses surrounded by strawberry fields. You can buy fresh strawberries or even pick them yourself. Not only do they make great souvenirs, you will also have fun experiencing this with your family.
Ciwidey is also famous for its Sundanese traditional drink called Bandrek. Made from Ginger and brown sugar, the warming beverage perfectly fits Ciwidey's cold climate. As a souvenir, you can buy bottled bandrek in the many shops in Ciwidey with prices ranging from IDR8000 to IDR 16000.
Another signature snack of Ciwidey is the Kalua Sweets. Made from dried Pomelo skin, the Kalua comes in a variety of colors such as brown, red, green, and white.
Get There
Kawah Putih is located approximately 44 Kilometers south from the center of Bandung City. Depending on the traffic in and around Bandung, the trip will take a little over two hours. The main road is the busy road south from Bandung through the town of Soreang, capital of the Bandung Regency, continuing down to the town of Ciwidey.
The turn from the main road to Kawah Putih is hard to miss
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The spellbinding scenery and surreal ambience of Kawah Putih offer their own unique sensation. This is truly the best place to refresh one’s mind and soul and get re-energized from the stress of daily activities. The dramatic setting of Kawah Putih also makes it a perfect place for those who enjoy the art of photography. The place has long been known as a favorite site for photographic sessions.
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