Madiun East Java

Madiun, a Transit City Rarely Known by Foreign Tourists

I, mr.hotsia, had the opportunity to travel from Surabaya to Madiun city in Banyuwangi province, East Java, Indonesia. This city is located halfway between Surabaya and Yogyakarta. Honestly, before coming here, I hardly saw any foreign tourists stopping or visiting this city. Most people using Madiun are locals who use it as a transfer point to nearby attractions like Magetan city and Sarangan Lake, which is famous for its mountain views and cool weather.

From my direct experience taking the train from Surabaya to Madiun in the late afternoon, the city was not as quiet as I expected. Although foreign tourists are very few, the roads are wide, there are large malls, and full facilities, showing that Madiun is a major and important city on Java island in terms of local community and transportation.

Transportation and Accommodation in Madiun

Upon arrival, I tried to find a car to the hotel which cost about 90 Thai Baht, but no cars passed by. So I chose to walk to the accommodation myself, which took two hours because there was a government conference at that time causing many hotels to be fully booked. But eventually, I stayed atHotel Pondok Indahat a price of 1,100 Baht per night including breakfast, which is more expensive than accommodations in other Indonesian cities I have visited.

I noticed that hotel prices in Madiun are higher than the average of other cities, possibly because it is a large city with development and frequent important conferences. Additionally, I found that internet service in this city is still inconvenient, making communication rely more on phone networks.

Madiun, the Gateway to Sarangan Lake

One reason Indonesian tourists come to Madiun is to travel onward to Sarangan Lake, located on a mountain in Magetan city about 15 kilometers from Madiun. I also wanted to visit there, but when I asked about the taxi fare from Madiun to Sarangan, the price was as high as 150,000 Rupiah or about 450 Thai Baht, which was more expensive than the initial quote of 120,000 Rupiah. I recommend friends planning to visit here to clearly note down the fare to avoid misunderstandings like I experienced.

Sarangan Lake is a popular tourist spot for Indonesians. There are about 40 hotels with reasonable prices ranging from 300-500 Baht per night. The atmosphere around the lake is beautiful with mist and mountains, suitable for those who love nature and tranquility. I will detail Sarangan Lake in a separate article, but I can say it is one of the worthwhile destinations to experience when visiting East Java.

Lifestyle and Atmosphere in Madiun City

While walking around the city, I saw the simple daily life of Indonesians here. The streets were lively with fresh markets and local restaurants filled with the unique spices and herbs typical of East Java. I tried some local dishes at small roadside stalls; the flavors were new and intense with seasonings, different from the main dishes I had in Jakarta.

For those interested in tourism in Banyuwangi province, also in East Java, I have previously shared the atmosphere and attractions of that city in earlier articles.Banyuwangi Province, East JavaKnown for highlights like The Ijen Plateau with its blue flames at the volcano crater. But if you want to experience a big city life without the crowd, Madiun is another interesting option.

Summary of Experience from mr.hotsia

For me, Madiun is a city located midway between major tourist cities on Java but still clearly retains its local community character. It is moderately developed but not heavily targeted by foreign tourists. I was impressed by the sincerity of the locals and the unhurried atmosphere of the city. Although I faced issues with accommodation and taxi fares, it was a good lesson and added color to the journey.

If you are planning a trip in East Java, don't forget to stop by Madiun as a rest point or use it as a base to travel to Sarangan Lake. I guarantee you will experience peace, natural views, and the genuine lifestyle of Indonesians.

For those who want to see the atmosphere and taste Indonesian food fully, I recommend watching the videos I have compiled, such asEating Indonesian Crispy Pork Skin RiceorEating Indonesian Fried Bananasto enhance your enjoyment and understanding of the local food culture here.

Thank you for following the stories from mr.hotsia. See you in the next article. Enjoy your travels!