Location: Tegal Waru Village, Plered District, Purwakarta Regency, West Java Province
Map: Click Here
HTM: Motorcycle Rp. 3,000, Car Rp. 5,000
Open and close: 24 hours

Not only Jatiluhur Reservoir, Purwakarta also has Cirata Reservoir which is the pride of this district. If Jatiluhur is listed as the largest dam in Indonesia, then Cirata Reservoir is the largest hydropower dam (Power Plant) in Southeast Asia.

Electricity capacity of 1,428 GWH per year is generated, channeled through the interconnection system to Jamali (Java, Madura and Bali Islands) via a high-voltage transmission of 500 kV.

The brief description of the Cirata Reservoir can give an idea of ​​how magnificent this dam is, so that even though it is not directly used as a tourist attraction, this dam still provides an attraction for tourists.

In fact, this hydropower plant is not only magnificent, but also presents a beautiful natural panorama like other giant dams in Indonesia. In addition, there are several interesting activities that can be done in this place which are the allure and value of Cirata Reservoir.

History Description

Cirata Dam was built in 2 stages, namely in 1983 – 1988 and 1995 – 1997. Topographically, this dam was built between the hills connecting 3 districts, namely Cianjur, Bandung and Purwarkarta Regencies.

However, administratively the Cirata Reservoir location is included in the Purwakarta area with the address in Tegal Waru Village, Plered District, Purwakarta Regency, West Java Province.

This dam area has a total area of ​​43,777.6 hectares which is divided into 37,577.6 hectares of land area and 6,200 hectares of water area. Hydroelectric Cirata is located in the Citarum Watershed (DAS) and the puddle comes from the Saguling Reservoir which is higher up.

Meanwhile, the water flow from Cirata Dam will then go to Jatiluhur Dam. So that the water from the Saguling Dam is used continuously to generate electricity, starting from the Saguling Dam, Cirata to Jatiluhur.

Hydroelectric Cirata is divided into 4 main buildings, namely a dam or reservoir which is used to accommodate water, water channels, a powerhouse or a switchyard, which is a transmission unit to distribute electrical energy.

This hydropower plant is also equipped with a tunnel that is used as a road access to the powerhouse in the bowels of the earth.

Unlike other giant multi-functional dams, this dam was built with the main function of being a hydropower plant with the initial aim of meeting the electricity needs of Java and Bali.

However, over time, other activities developed and colored. Starting with the application of floating net cultivation in 1986 with the aim of providing employment for local residents.

These floating cages are growing even with the amount that exceeds the threshold so that it has a negative effect on water quality. Therefore, in 2016, the waters of the Cirata Reservoir were made clean from floating net ponds (KJA), including those in the Jatiluhur Dam.

This policy only applies temporarily, because farmers are still allowed to make KJA, but in a limited amount. It is impossible for the marine cage to be completely closed, because in addition to being the economic land for the surrounding community, it is also a supplier of 30 percent of freshwater fish in West Java Province.

Not only are marine cage activities that color the dam area, but also tourism activities. Although there is no special area that is used as a tourist spot, the natural beauty in this area has great potential to be developed as a tourism industry.

Cirata Reservoir as with other giant dams in Indonesia, is also covered with mystical stories and mysteries that illustrate that this area is a haunted area, where visitors must pay attention to a number of taboos which are one of local wisdom.

Some of these mystery stories include the existence of a nice hotel in the form of an old villa near a dam with a low cost. However, no one dared to stay at the hotel unless forced to because it is said that apparitions often appear.

The local people also believe that the reservoir area, both on land and in the water, is inhabited by various types of spirits in large numbers and in various forms. The ghost figure that is said to appear most often is a banaspati who looks like a human but his body emits fire.

Another peculiarity that exists in this area is related to the discharge of water which can suddenly overflow and in a short time recede in an extreme manner. This event often occurs during the full moon.

Route to Location

It is not difficult to get to the largest hydropower plant in Southeast Asia, even if you don’t have a map and open google maps, you will definitely not get lost, because it is located on the main Bandung – Jakarta crossing. In addition, almost all Purwakarta residents know where the PLTA is.

Tourists who come from Jakarta can take several routes to arrive at the location, either by using private vehicles or public transportation. The first route is through Bogor to Puncak to Cianjur and Cikalong Kulon before arriving at the location.

The second route is passing Jonggol to Cikalong Kulon and then arrives at Cirata. Another way is to pass through the Cikampek Toll Road and exit at the Jatiluhur Toll gate before continuing the journey towards Plered.

Tourists coming from Bandung can pass the Cipularang Toll Road and exit at the Cikalong Wetan Toll Gate before heading towards Plered. For visitors from Cianjur, you can pass Cikalong Kulon. Those who come from Purwakarta can go along the Cikalong Wetan street.

Because it is in a hilly area, the road that must be traversed is uphill and full of bends, so it needs to be careful and alert. It’s just that there is no need to worry because the road conditions are smooth paved and with a wide road body so that large vehicles can pass through.

Allure

An expanse of water surface decorated with floating net fish breeding sites and fishing boats, offers a soothing view when viewed from the edge of this artificial lake.

The beauty is still added by the green hills that fence it. Especially in the afternoon, the sunset seen from the edge of the reservoir offers a very stunning view.

The enjoyment of traveling in this place will be more complete by exploring the water area using a boat, as well as seeing up close the floating net fish breeding sites. For 2 – 3 hours of boating around the reservoir waters, it costs only Rp. 30,000.

For those who have a hobby of fishing, Cirata Reservoir is the right place to satisfy their hobby, because in this place live a large number of various types of freshwater fish of various sizes.

There are many fishing spots that are familiar to fishing mania who often come to this area, including Calincing, Jangari, Palumbon, Pasir Ucing, Palalangon and Babakan Garut as well as Pasir Geulis or Cipicung.

One more thing that shouldn’t be missed when visiting Cirata Reservoir is enjoying the special culinary delights of this place. On the sides of the road along the tourist sites, you can find many stalls selling food, including the typical Purwakarta food, namely Sate Maranggi.

However, if you want to dine at the culinary center of Cirata Reservoir, tourists can head to Buangan. In this area there are many stalls and restaurants that serve various dishes. It’s just that, even though it provides various menu choices, there are the same menus found in all the stalls here, namely Liwet Rice and Grilled Fish.

The uniqueness of these special culinary delights is not calculated per proportion, but how many liters of rice are for the liwet rice and how many kg of fish are ordered. Once finished ordering, visitors still have to wait for the food to be processed for about 30-40 minutes, because all the ingredients for cooking are really still fresh.

Before frying or grilling, the fish are still alive, and the vegetables are directly picked from the tree.

The uniqueness does not stop there, but also from the way of presentation. The food that is served for visitors who come in groups, is not placed on a plate or bowl, but on a large tray.

In the tray, the rice is placed according to the amount of rice ordered, along with processed fish, vegetables and chili sauce. So, visitors in a group eat together on a large tray, so that when dining, it will remind anyone of the festive atmosphere.

The price of liwet rice with grilled fish depends on the type of fish ordered as well as other additional side dishes, such as tofu, tempeh or eggs. If calculated globally, for 5 people to eat by ordering 1 liter of rice and 1 kg of fish plus drinks, the average price is IDR 140,000 – IDR 150,000. The price is the same for all the stalls in Buangan.

For a tourist area with fresh fish, the price of food in Cirata Reservoir is relatively cheap plus the taste is delicious.

Price of admission

To enter the Cirata Reservoir area, the admission price charged is not based on the number of people entering the area but is calculated based on the type of vehicle used.

Visitors who ride motorbikes are charged an entrance ticket for Rp. 3,000 while a car is Rp. 5,000. Although it is calculated based on the type of vehicle used, it does not include parking fees. So parking is subject to your own fee which is the same as the entrance ticket.

The very cheap admission price is due to the fact that Cirata Reservoir is not intended as a tourist area, although in the end this area is currently visited by many tourists.

Amenities

Because it is not a tourist area, the facilities provided are not as complete as the existing facilities in tourism objects. However, tourists do not need to worry about basic necessities such as bathrooms, toilets and prayer rooms, because everything is available on site.

To fill the stomach and get rid of thirst, in the Cirata Reservoir area there is a culinary place called Buangan. As for tourists who want to spend the night around the dam, there are a number of hotels with varying facilities and rates. Even BPWC (Cirata Reservoir Management Body) also has its own hotel which is rented out to tourists.

If you want to rent lodging at a low rate, residents’ houses that are used as homestays can be selected with the overnight room rental rate of IDR 75,000 – IDR 100,000.