1. Borobudur Temple
The world’s largest Buddhist temple which is one of the masterpieces among the Seven Wonders of the World is located in the Borobudur Village, Borobudur district, approximately ± 3 km from Mungkid city. Borobudur was built by King Samaratungga, one of the kings of Ancient Mataram Kingdom, from the descendant of Wangsa Syailendra. Based on the Kayumwungan inscription, an Indonesian named Hudaya Kandahjaya revealed that Borobudur is a place of worship which was completely built on May 26th, 824 almost a hundred years since they first started the construction. According to several sources, the name of “Borobudur” means as a mountain with terraces (budhara), while others say that it means monastery located on the high ground.
Borobudur temple was designed as staircase consisting of 10 levels. Before Borobudur was renovated, the height of the temple was 42 meters and 34.5 meters after the reconstruction because the lowest level functioned as a barrier to being renovated. The six lowest square and top three circles and one of the highest levels of Buddhist stupa is facing to the West. Each level represents the stages of human life. In accordance with Mahayana Buddhism teaching, every person who wants to reach the level as the Buddha must be passed through every level of human life. Kamadhatu, the lowest part of Borobudur (basement) symbolizing human beings that are bound by lust. Whereas the other four levels above referred as Rupadhatu who symbolizes the ability of human being to break free from his/her lust yet bound with the manner and human form itself. On this terrace, the statue of Buddha is placed in an open space. Meanwhile, the other three levels above where the Buddhist stupas are laid in holes is called Arupadhatu, symbolizing human being who has been freed from lust, appearance, and human form. The highest part is called Arupa symbolizes nirvana, where Buddha is residing.
2. Karimunjawa National Park
Comprised of 27 pristine tropical islands scattered along the Java sea, Karimunjawa island is one of the districts under Jepara regency of Central Java Province. Some islands are formed by coral reefs and covered with the sand layer. These islands conceal various potential of the enchantment of natural beauty, mountain range, white sand beaches, and the underwater world.
Karimunjawa National Park lies about 45 nautical miles from Jepara and 80 nautical miles from Semarang. It can be accessed by boat from Jepara (KM Muria and Bahari Express) or from Semarang (KMC Kartini) and chartered plane from Ahmad Yani Airport in Semarang (operated by Kura-Kura Resort).
3. Dieng Plateau
To the northwest of Borobudur, beyond the peaks of Sumbing and Sindoro Mountain, lies the Dieng Plateau, an area of great natural beauty. In Sanskrit language, Dieng means a hill of heaven. Administratively located in Wonosobo and Banjarnegara Regency at altitude 2093 m above sea level with an average temperature of 15 o C, Dieng has mountainous landscape and deep valleys, as well as picturesque scenery and cool fresh air.
Some tourism highlights you may experience in Dieng Plateau are scenic view in Kledung pass, a cluster of Hindu temples, Candradimuka & Sikidang crater, Warna Lake, Menjer Lake, Jalatunda Well, Tambi Tea plantation, and Dieng Plateau Theatre. Tourists also can see sunrise shining in golden and silver color.
4. Rafting Adventure
Rafting or whitewater rafting is a challenging recreational activity utilizing a raft to navigate a river or other bodies of water. This is usually done on whitewater or different degrees of rough water, in order to thrill and excite the raft passengers. The development of this activity as a leisure sport has become popular since the mid-1970s.There are three temples in Borobudur. Mendut is the first. Pawon is second and the main temple is Borobudur.
The location of these three temples is in straight row separated by two rivers and surrounded by five volcanoes. The two rivers are Elo and Progo. The Elo has more debt that is very good for rafting. The start point is around 5 KM from the Borobudur temple and end just nearby the Mendut temple. Normal rafting takes 2 to 3 hours.
Below are some useful links to know more about tourism in Jawa Tengah
http://www.central-java-tourism.com
http://www.visitjawatengah.com/
http://www.indonesia-tourism.com/central-java/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g2301793-Central_Java_Java-Vacations.html
http://www.indonesia.travel/en/discover-indonesia/region-detail/32/central-java