What and Where is Tangkuban Perahu Mountain
Indonesia has many active mountains, one of them is Tangkuban Perahu Mountain which is located in North Bandung. The precise location is in between Sagalaherang village, Sagalaherang district, Subang regency, and Cikole village, Lembang district, Bandung regency. It’s about 30 km north of the city of Bandung. It is a tourist destination that is very popular in Indonesia.
The name of “Tangkuban Perahu” originated from Sundanesse which means “Upturned Boat”, referring to the local legend of its creation.
Legend
The story tells of “Dayang Sumbi”, a beauty who lived in West Java. She cast away her son “Sangkuriang” for disobedience, and in her sadness was granted the power of eternal youth by the gods.
After many years in exile, Sangkuriang decided to return to his home, long after the two had forgotten and failed to recognise each other. Sangkuriang fell in love with Dayang Sumbi, his mother, and planned to marry her, only for Dayang Sumbi to recognise his birthmark just as he was about to go hunting. To prevent the marriage from taking place, Dayang Sumbi asked Sangkuriang to build a dam on the river Citarum and to build a large boat to cross the river, both before the sunrise.
Sangkuriang meditated and summoned mythical ogre-like creatures -buto ijo or green giant(s)- to do his bidding. Dayang Sumbi saw that the tasks were almost completed and called on her workers to spread red silk cloths east of the city, to give the impression of impending sunrise. Sangkuriang was fooled, and upon believing that he had failed, kicked the dam and the unfinished boat, resulting in severe flooding and the creation of Tangkuban Perahu from the hull of the boat.
Unlike the usual volcano’s peak, Tangkuban Perahu Mountain is elongated and resembles an inverted boat. On the slopes of the mountain, there is also a stretch of tea plantations that makes you want to stay and enjoy its beauty.
Tourist Destinations
Tangkuban Perahu mountain has an altitude of 20,084 meters above sea level or around 6,873 feet. The temperature on this mountain is 17 degrees Celsius during the day and can reach 2 degrees during the night.
Ciater
There are some signs of this active mountain are sulfur gas and hot springs that flow at the foot of the mountain, for example in Ciater. It is located 26 Km from the capital of the Subang Regency to the southwest. And is famous for being the ultimate hot spring junction for tourists and locals alike.
Three Craters
Of the several craters owned, there are three of the most famous craters on Mount Tangkuban Perahu, among others: Upas Crater, Domas Crater, and Ratu Crater.
Kawah Ratu (Ratu Crater) is the largest crater of the three most famous craters on Tangkuban Perahu Mountain. It can be seen from a higher plain with a wooden guardrail for the safety of tourists. Beautiful scenery you can see here. The soil around the crater is generally white with yellowish stones due to sulfur content. In addition, you can see smoke rising from the crater.
Kawah Upas (Upas Crater) is next to Ratu Crater. To achieve this, you must go through steep and sandy roads. Maybe this is what makes the number of tourists visiting here less when compared to Kawah Ratu. In addition, Upas Crater is also smaller and shallower.
Kawah Domas (Domas Crater) is in the lower plains of Kawah Ratu. Unlike in Kawah Ratu which is only allowed to see from a distance and limited by wooden fences, in Kawah Domas, you can see more closely. You can even test the heat of the crater by boiling eggs here.
Transportation
One of the interesting things about Tangkuban Perahu Volcano is that vehicles are allowed to enter and ride to the crater area and there is ample parking available for your vehicle. This is not much happening in other mountains in Indonesia which are tourist attractions.
Final Thoughts
There are so many tourist spots that you can go to, and if you are not contented enjoying the beauty of Tangkuban Perahu in just a day, you can also spend the night and continue sightseeing the next day. Around this mountain, there are many hotels that you can use to stay, ranging from those that charge affordable rates to expensive hotels with the best quality service.