Tulungagung: Temples, Hills and Coastal Scenery

Travelers who choose Tulungagung as a destination will find a wide variety of things to explore: three-tiered temple architecture, a heritage site on a hill, the bay at Pantai Popoh and a recurring tradition at Telaga Buret. When looking for a hotel, you can first decide whether culture, scenery or the coast will shape your stay.

Temples and Hill Country

Candi Penampihan, a three-tiered temple complex, is located in Dusun Turi, Desa Geger, Kecamatan Sendang, Kabupaten Tulungagung. Its three terraces give the complex a clearly tiered form. In contrast, Candi Dadi is defined by its hilltop location and views; the two temple destinations offer different points of interest for travelers interested in culture.

Candi Dadi, a heritage site near Desa Wajak Kidul, stands on the Wajakkidul hills in Boyolangu, Kabupaten Tulungagung. From this hill, you can see the Wilis Mountains, the city of Tulungagung and the surrounding countryside. The site can only be reached on foot along a path through the hills. The climb takes about an hour; vehicles cannot reach the site. As trail conditions can vary by season, check them before your visit. Include the climb as a fixed part of your day’s plans.

Coast, Fish and Stone Craftsmanship

Pantai Popoh is a beach destination in Kabupaten Tulungagung, in a bay surrounded by green hills. Visitors can buy fresh fish there and eat seafood at nearby stalls. Offerings may vary from stall to stall; if you plan to have a meal, compare the options locally.

In Kabupaten Tulungagung, marble and onyx craft centers are located along the road to the Pantai Indah Popoh recreation destination. They make souvenirs such as tables, lamps, statues, vases, dining tables and chairs, as well as natural-stone mosaics. Individual workshops may change. To help you navigate, it is useful to distinguish between the two: fish offerings are found at Pantai Popoh, while the craft centers are along the road to the Pantai Indah Popoh recreation destination.

Traditions and Other Interests

The Ulur-Ulur tradition takes place regularly every Selo month of the Javanese calendar at Telaga Buret in Desa Sawo, Kecamatan Campurdarat, Kabupaten Tulungagung. Telaga Buret is increasingly recognized not only in Kabupaten Tulungagung but also nationwide as a nature and cultural tourism destination with historical value and a strong tradition of local wisdom.

A regional tourism inventory from 2020 listed batik in Kecamatan Kauman and Kecamatan Kedungwaru as an offering for visitors with special interests, and Kampung Susu Dinasty in Desa Sidem, Kecamatan Gondang, as an educational travel destination. These add two different themes: batik and an educational destination.

Planning Your Trip

From Tulungagung Terminal or Tulungagung Station, you can take public transportation toward Pantai Popoh and then take an ojek. Check transport availability before setting out. This means there are different ways to get around: Candi Dadi requires a climb of about an hour on foot, while Pantai Popoh can be reached by public transportation followed by an ojek. Choose your priorities based on the places and themes you want to shape your stay.

Discover more destinations: Lumajang, Nganjuk, Pasuruan, Sidoarjo, Situbondo, Cilacap, Banyuwangi, Probolinggo City

For the broader travel overview: East Java.