Ancol Bligo

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2 ( 3 Voter(s) )

A. Overview

Ancol, hearing that word you must be thinking of a tourism area which lies in Jakarta. Indeed, that is true. Ancol is an area providing tens of tourism attractions in the capital city of Indonesia. However, besides Ancol, Kulon Progo Regency also has Ancol as its tourism icon.

Ancol Bligo. That is the name of the tourism object in Kulon Progo. Ancol is a place in which there is a water intake of Selokan Mataram, literally means Mataram Ditch. In other words, Ancol is the starting point of Selokan Mataram which is a ditch built to suffice water demand in Yogyakarta. Selokan Mataram starts from Ancol (Progo River) and flows eastwards crossing the city of Yogyakarta.

Ancol Bligo history stretched back into the period of Japanese occupation in 1942-1945. That time, the Japanese government commenced an irrigation project known as “Yoshiro Canal” or “Selokan Mataram”. On the agreement between the Japanese government and Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono IX, Yogyakarta people were involved in the project so that they were not sent outside Java as forced labor (romusha). The project was meant to irrigate rice farms in Yogyakarta, a function which still prevails until today.

The stream, whose water is obtained by damming in Progo River in Bligo village and channeling it through irrigation ditches across Yogyakarta, ends in Opak River. Progo River has a spring in the forest in Merapi slope, which aside from flowing through Selokan Mataram also going to the South Sea. The river borders Sleman Regency and Kulon Progo Regency. The dam itself is actually also the source for Van der Wijck channel constructed by the Dutch colonial in 1914 to irrigate farms and estates in Moyudan area, Bantul Regency, which at that time was a special area for sugarcane industry.

B. Features

Nowadays, Ancol Bligo has become a busy tourism object, especially in holidays. In addition to enjoying the scene of Selokan Mataram, tourists can also take pleasure of the natural atmosphere of the area, which is beautiful to say the least. Magelang regional government provides a playing ground for kids, making them like it to spend time there. In dry season, it cannot help having less water. However, even in that time, people should not play around in the dam ground because Progo River can be flooded anytime.

Tourists can also go alongside the stream of Selokan Mataram which splits Yogyakarta area. Of course, it can be a challenging adventure. Tourists can take the route for outbound activity, recreation, and so on.

C. Location

Ancol Bligo is situated in the border of Central Java and Yogyakarta, precisely between Magelang and Kulon Progo Regencies.

D. Access

To get to Ancol Bligo, you can take route Magelang – Muntilan – Ngluwar – Ancol Bligo; or Sleman – Tempel – Sendangrejo – Ancol Bligo; or Yogyakarta – Jombor – Balangan – Sendangrejo – Ancol Bligo; or Yogyakarta – Godean – Gedongan – Balangan – Sendangrejo – Ancol Bligo.

E. Ticket

The entrance ticket to Ancol Bligo is only Rp 2.000,00 (February 2010). The charge is used to cover maintenance expense.

F. Accommodations and Other Facilities

Near to Ancol Bligo, tourists can find food stalls lining up offering common menu such as bakso (meatball) and chicken noodles. Another facility is a mosque not far from the stalls. After visiting Ancol Bligo, tourists can continue their trip to Maria Sendangsono Cave, which is relatively close to the area.

Text: Adi Tri Pramono
Photo(s): Collection of Jogjatrip.com
Translation: Reza Daffi
(Primary data and various sources)

Read : 3638 time(s).

If you are from outside Yogyakarta and want to visit this place by travel agency services,
please contact:

Maharatu Tour and Travel

Jl. Sisingamangaraja No. 27 Yogyakarta.
Telp. +62 274 8373005. Fax. +62 274 379250
Email : maharatu@maharatu.com -maharatu257@yahoo.com
Website : www.maharatu.com

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