Kuningan Regency

Kuningan Regency

Kuningan is a city in eastern West Java, Indonesia, between Cirebon and Tasikmalaya, about 200 km east of Jakarta. The area is near Mount Cereme/Ciremai (3.078 m), the highest mountain in West Java. The mountain is located in the western part of the region. The eastern part is a valley. The city's landmark is a horse, called Kuda Kuningan and its motto is Kuningan Aman (Safe) Sehat (Healthy) Rindang (Leafy) Indah (Beautiful) which always be called Kuningan ASRI.

Kuningan is bordered by Cirebon to the north, Majalengka to the west, Ciamis to the south and Brebes, Central Java to the east. The regency capital is Kuningan city. Its elevation is 768 metres (2,520 ft) above sea level. The regency's landscape is one of volcanic mountains, steep terrain, forest, mountains rivers and fertile agricultural land. The highest mountain in the province, Ciremai (3,076 m) is located in this regency. There are numerous tropical rainforests in Kuningan, with such tree species as Pinus (pinus Merkusii), Jati Artocarpus elasticus (Moraceae), Dysoxylum caulostachyum (Meliaceae), langsat Lansium domesticum (Meliaceae), and Planchonia valida (Lecythidaceae), being represented.

Ciremai Mountain

Mount Ciremai (3.078 Meter) (or Ciremay) is a dominating symmetrical star to volcano in West Java, Indonesia. It is located to the southwest of the major town of Cirebon. Mt Ciremai is strikingly visible towards the south from the main west-east (Jakarta-Surabaya) rail link along the north coast of Java. At the summit of Mt Ciremai there is a 4.5 × 5 km wide caldera. Eruptions are relatively infrequent in historical time but explosive activity and lahars from the summit have been recorded. Mount Ceremai is especially significant because it is the highest mountain in the province of West Java. The name Cereme or Ciremai is derived from Sundanese word for Otaheite gooseberry. There are numerous recreational and tourist sites on the slopes of Mt Ciremai. Various sites, including parks and cafes, attract crowds of visitors from Cirebon. The museum at Linggajati on the slopes of Mt Ceremai which records the important historical event of the Linggardjati Agreement during the struggle for Indonesian Independence in 1946 attracts many visitors during weekends. The Mt Ciremai National Park extends for a considerable distance around the slopes of the mountain.

On Mount Ciremai, as on many other mountains up and down Java, there has been serious deforestation in recent decades. It was reported in late 2012 that forest destruction on Mt Ciremai had reached 4,000 ha out of a total of 15,000 ha. Causes are said to include illegal logging, sand quarrying (often for construction purposes in nearby areas), and forest fires.^[2] Some of the consequences of deforestation of this kind, evident in the Cirebon area close to the sea near Mt Ciremai, include extensive siltation of the rivers which flow northwards into the Java sea and more frequent flooding in lowland areas.

Mt. Ciremai with 3,078 m high is West Java's tallest mountain and is still an active volcano; the barren upper part of its cone bears witness to recent eruptions, the last being in 1805.The climb, starting from either Cipari or Linggarjati, is strenuous and takes about eight hours, the descent five hours. It seems to be advisable to climb from Apui on the western flank and descend to Linggarjati. The crater rim is sometimes so narrow that you cannot walk on it but have to detour through the thicket. Junghuhn reported in the 19th century that the Javanese used to hunt rhinos here by placing sharp blades in their paths through the bush.

Linggarjati

Linggarjati, a village in Kuningan Region at the foot of Mount Ciremai (3,078 m from sea level) is place to go for those interested in the history of Indonesian Independence. This was where the negotiations between the Dutch and Indonesian was held after independence in August 17, 1945. The house, which was a former hotel owned by a Dutch entrepreneur, where the Linggarjati agreement was signed, has undergone renovation and is preserved as historical building. Photos taken during the negotiation and the signing of the agreement decorate it’s walls.

Linggarjati is also a good starting point for mountain climbers. The Ciremai Mountain is the highest mountain in West Java and beautiful views. This has wild animals such as Java Tigers and Snakes. Also Kuningan Regency famous with “Kuda Kecil” (The Little Horse) as Kuningan Regency Symbol, known “Kecil-kecil Kuda Kuningan”. The horses here  are littles but also strongs.

Sangkan Hurip

Sangkan Hurip, opposite the junction of the road to Linggarjati is a hot spring resort in this area. The hot-spring is from Ciremai Mountain grounds. And Darma Reservoir near to the Kuningan City Regency, the way to Tasikmalaya.

The Cave of Bunda Maria

The Cave of Bunda Maria atau yang disebut “Gua Maria” terletak di Cisantana Kabupaten Kuningan, Kaki Gunung Ciremai. Disebut Gua Bunda Maria karena di dalam cekungan bangunan tedapat Patung Bunda Maria, tempat beribadat dan ziarah kaum nasrani / kristen dengan sebutan “Sawer Rakhmat”. Sebelum mendekati Patung Gua Bunda Maria, peziarah harus melaksanakan Jalan Salib, kemudian mendekati 14 perhentian yang menggambarkan “Duka – Sengsara” Yesus. Tempat berdo’a adalah pelataran terbuka di bukit di kaki Gunung Ciremai. Peziarah mengunjungi Gua Bunda Maria sesuai dengan keinginan kaum nasrani. Namun kalender tahunan ibadat tetap disamakan seperti Liturgi, pada bulan Mei dan Oktober, ini dilakukan untuk menghormati Bunda Maria. Seperti pada umumnya berdo’a dan beribadat pada bulan Mei dan Oktober,  disertai berziarah ke tempat-tempat suci lainnya. Sama yang dilakukan kaum nasrani di dunia berkunjung ke “Lourdes”, Gua Bunda Maria terdapat di Francis yang terbesar dan pertama.

Cipari

Cipari and Linggarjati, driving 30 minutes South from Cirebon will get us to Kuningan area. It has a natural beauty of it’s own and a cooler climate. Spots to go includes Cipari, where pre-historic site was found from which items are displayed in a small museum there.

Seren Taun

Each year, the Seren Taun ceremony is held in Cigugur, in the foothills south of the port city, to honor Dewi Sri, the goddess of the paddy. The area around Cigugur has an assortment of holiday resorts and a modest archaeological park.Far from the sophistication of modern metropolitan cities, hundreds of people have turned up for the Seren Taun festival procession in the small Cigugur village in Kuningan regency, West Java.Held in the 12th month of the Sundanese calendar, that this year fell on Feb. 2, the thanksgiving festival marked the end of harvest season and the beginning of a new year. The event culminated on Wednesday with the ngajayak dance, a procession to welcome farmers. The event was also used by local farmers to show off agricultural products as well as other attractions. The festival attracted visitors from outside the regency, including former president Abdurrahman Wahid, Minister of Trade Andung A. Nitimihardja, as well as representatives from the Surakarta royal families and leaders of local communities from across the country.

An elder of the Sundanese Cigugur community, Prince Djatikusumah, said the Seren Taun festival was meant to demonstrate farmers' gratitude for a good harvest. “The Seren Taun festival reflects Sundanese farmers' gratitude to God for the blessings that we received and hope for good a harvest in the coming year”. The festival is rich in human values, social solidarity as well as reflecting the strong work ethos of the farming community. The Seren Taun festival is not a merely an attraction but also reflects how people should always feel grateful to the Creator who gives us generous blessings.

Located at the foot of Mt. Ceremai in West Java, the village is renowned as a model of religious harmony where Muslims, Christians and those of other faiths have long lived together in peace. Seren Taun reflects the people's religious and cultural values, passed on from generation to generation. The festival could be further developed to support tourism. Wednesday's opening procession was continued with three colossal performances - the Buyung dance, and Angklung Baduy and Angklung Buncis musical performances - which were performed by members of the community coming from different religions and faiths. After the performances, the event ended with a procession. Rice paddy was given to the people by the community leaders, who then pounded it together.

Darma Lake

This is an artificial reservoir called Waduk Darma or Lake Darma after the nearest village. It makes for a good stopover and place for a family picnic. Waduk Darma is a dam with 425 Ha in large and 39.000.000m3 water capacity. Besides functioned as a dam, Waduk Darma also nice place for recreation purpose and it has a magnificent sunset view. The glory of sunset over Waduk Darma will be adding your enhancement experience.Just after passing the dam, turn right into the recreation grounds, where a small admission fee is charged. To makes your gratify vacation a few motor boats offer one hour ride around the lake.