The small town of Batu is located about 15 km northeast of Malang, and is a popular place for vacation and recreation among the local population on East Java, at least those who can afford such a luxury. The climate up here can be very pleasant. There may not be so much to do in Batu itself, but the surrounding landscape is beautiful. The town is situated among high mountains, and can be a good alternative as a base for further exploration of this area.

There are several hotels and restaurants in Batu. In Songgoriti 3 km west of Batu there are some well known hot springs, to take a bath here is said to have healing effects. There is also a small Hindu temple nearby.

5 km southwest of Songgoriti you can see the Air Terjun Cubanrondo waterfall. You can also visit the two small villages of Selekta, which has a large pool, and Sumber Brantas where the Brantas river has its source. Another hot spring there is called Air Panas Cangar.

Batu sits along the mountainous road from Malang to Kediri. From here the way to Mojokerto and Trowulan is relatively short, Trowulan was once the seat of the mighty Majapahit kingdom.

See also:

• More photos from Batu and East Java
• Maps of Indonesia

Satellite photos:

• SPOT Batu and the nearby volcanoes

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