4 Unique Things in Wonosobo

Wonosobo is just a small town in Central Java, Indonesia. This regency is indeed not as famous as Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, or some other big cities in Indonesia. Yet, it is exceptional since it has several unique things other cities don’t have. Here are 4 unique things in Wonosobo.

1.      The Highest Village in Java

Sembungan is an exotic village in Kejajar sub-district, Wonosobo Regency. It is also named as The Village of Sun. It rises 2,300 meters above sea level makes it the highest village in Java island. Many tourists visit this village as it has an attractive tourist object named Golden Sunrise on Sikunir hill. On this hill, you can see the magnificence of sunrise among some high mountains. Besides the hill, you can also enjoy Cebong Lake in Sembungan village. This lake has clear water and stunning panorama. At this lake, you can see the beauty of the lake on a boat.

Golden Sunrise in Sikunir Hill (sikunir.com)

2.      The Dreadlock Kids

In Dieng plateau, Wonosobo regency, you can find numerous kids with dreadlock hair. These kids are born normal, but at one point; their hair weirdly turns dreadlock by itself. The locals believe that the kids are by some means chosen by their ancestors to receive and keep the gifts, and that the dreadlocks should not be cut off until the kids ask for it, otherwise the hair will grow back.

Dreadlock Kids in Dieng Plateau (tumblr.com)

When the dreadlock kids agree to have their hair trimmed, the parents and locals celebrate it in a series of ceremonies. It is known as the Ruwatan Anak Gimbal or the shaving of the dreadlocks. These days, the rituals are elaborated into a majestic cultural fiesta celebrated yearly as the Dieng Cultural Festival. Apart from the dreadlock shaving ceremonies, the event also features Dieng’s own traditional performances like the Lengger Dance, Rampak Yakso, Barongsai, Warokan, and Wayang Kulit show or the Javanese leather puppets show.

The Dreadlock Being Shaved in Dieng Cultural Festival (jelajah.valadoo.com)

3.      The Night Life Ends Earlier

As the average temperature in Wonosobo regency is normally low and the rain falls down almost on a daily basis, the night life in this town ends earlier. At about 9 pm, the town has already been quiet since most of the people are already back their own home. Even so, you can still find places to warm up in the evening such us coffee shops and cafe with live music. When you go out, don’t forget to bring jacket with you otherwise you can suffer from cold.

The Town Square in the Evening (diengplateau.com) 

4.      Carica

Carica is a kind of fruit which can only grow in tropical highlands like Wonosobo Regency. The shape of the fruit is just like papaya as they are still in the same family, caricaceae. People say, carica can only be found in a few places in the world, one of them is Dieng Plateau, Wonosobo Regency.  You can’t eat this fruit directly since it still contain latex sap that can make you itchy and hurt your tongue. In Wonosobo, carica is processed into a syrup or some other processed food. Nowadays, this fruit has been packed into a ready-to-eat food and available in many stores in Wonosobo.

Carica in Syrup (candidieng.com)

Those are 4 unique things you can find in Wonosobo. Just come and visit Wonosobo if you want to see, experience, or just photograph those exceptional things. (fila174)