Candi Sukuh & Candi Cetho

Ancient temples

What we say:

Located some 40 kilometres from Solo and set high among breathtaking tea plantations and lush green farmlands on the dramatic peaks of Mount Lawu, sit Candi Sukuh & Candi Cetho.

These two ancient temples are little visited compared to Borobudur and Prambanan, but worth the sometimes precarious trip.

Candi Cetho is probably the most beautiful of the pair, set in often misty heights more than 900 metres above sea level up a very steep hill... so steep, that on our visit the motorcycle that our guide had earlier nicknamed the "mighty horse" barely made it. The Javanese-Hindu temple dates from the 15th century and is still largely intact, complete with carved stone reliefs.

About a 15-minute drive away, or three-hour hike, Candi Sukuh has a reputation as a "porn temple" for its rather prominent carvings of genitalia. Also built in the 15th century, this Hindu temple depicts life before birth as well as sex and was believed to be used by fertility cults.

The main statue of a phallus at the temple has been moved to the National Museum in Jakarta, however quite a few others are still around the place. Candi Sukuh is also set up high and offers sweeping views of the surrounding area, all the way back to Solo city. The temperature is dramatically cooler in the hills compared to the heat in Solo city, so bring something warm to wear.

More details

Opening Hours: from early morning until 16:00
How to get there: The temples are very difficult to access without a car or motorbike. Many guesthouses in town organise tours but it's also possible to hire freelance guides around the streets in Solo for less.

Expect to pay 120,000-180,000 rupiah for a motorbike tour or 300,000-500,000 rupiah for a tour with a car and driver. Bargain hard, or try and find others to share the cost of a car.

Alternatively, you can access the Sukuh Temple by taking the local bus from Solo to Pulur, then to Karang Pandan, then to Kumining. Sukuh Temple is then a 10-minute steep walk away, or motorcycle taxis can take you up for around 10,000 rupiah.Â Ceto is a three-hour hike from Sukuh, or a local ojek may take you for around 30,000 rupiah.

Travelfish reader reviews

There have been no reviews written by Travelfish readers so far.
Why don't you start the ball rolling?

Have your say

Review title

Snappiness encouraged ;-)

When did you visit here?

This gives your review a bit of context - especially if you were last visited in 1932.

Your review

(Remotely sensible, non-ranting comments are much appreciated. If you don't like somewhere, please explain why -- it's all far more helpful for others that way.) Serial ranters, loons and spammers will be banished!
And please, no self-promotional URLs -- that's what your signature field is for.

So how does it rate?

On a scale of one to ten (with 10 being outstanding and 1 being bloody awful) how would you rate here?
Rating (out of 10):

Please note reviews are now pre moderated. Not all reviews will be published and submissions may be edited for clarity, typos and style before they appear. Ranting tirades, spam and anything else that really belongs somewhere else won't make the cut. If you want to rant, go to Thorntree.

Please login and refresh this screen before writing your review -- thanks!