Liong Hok Bio Temple, Magelang

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A. Overview

Chinese civilization is a picture of a great people with remarkable culture. The people always cherish their tradition. Their places of worship symbolize holiness and greatness of the prayers and the Gods. Liong Hok Bio Temple in Magelang reflects all of those characteristics.

Liong Hok Bio is a historical temple. It was built in 1864 by Captain Be Koen Wie (Tjok Lok). According to the stories of Chinese elderly in Magelang, in 1740, many Chinese people from Batavia were robbed and killed. Those who managed to survive run away to different places up to Klangkong Jono Villlage, south of Kutoarjo which was then called Semarang.

They lived in the village peacefully. There they set up many kinds of business such as making shrimp paste and woven cloths. Then in 1825, the War of Java broke out with the Javanese army led by Pangeran Diponegoro. The Chinese people took part in the war, siding on the inlanders and moving from one place to the other. Several years after the war ended in 1830, Be Tjok Lok from Solo was appointed lieutenant by the Dutch colonial government and moved to Magelang, where he became a man of wealth. Once he was promoted to become captain, he gave a piece of his land for a temple, which is now known as Lion Hok Bio.

Beside being a place of worship, the temple is also used by the local Chinese people as a place for wedding and holding Chinese ceremonies such as Imlek (Chinese New Year) which features Liong and Barongsai dance. In its 97^th year now, this temple has become one of Chinese prides in Magelang.

B. Features

Liong Hok Bio temple is not only a place of worship for it keeps the memory of Indonesian struggle for independence. It is of course a very special point as it shows that Chinese people did have a role in the struggle. Those who are studying the history of Chinese people in Indonesia should consider the place an important source of knowledge.

Aside from that, it is also special because the architecture is unique and still in a good condition with only few parts of the building having been renovated. For architecture lovers, this grand temple could be a good object of research.

C. Location

Liong Hok Bio Temple is situated on Alun-Alun Selatan Street, No. 2, Magelang, Central Java.

D. Access

It is very easy to reach the place. You can go by your own vehicle or public transport. Using public transportation from Yogyakarta, you should start from Jombor Bus Station. You should take a bus heading for Magelang and get off at Tidar Bus Station. After that, you can take a minibus for Alun-Alun and stop in front of the temple.

E. Ticket

There is no admission charge in Liong Hok Bio Temple.

F. Accommodations and Other Facilities

Liong Hok Bio Temple provides standard accommodations and facilities for visitors, aside from the main temple, such as parking lot, lavatory, and also information service by the temple custodian.

Text: Yusuf Efendi
Photo(s): Collection of Jogjatrip.com
Translation: Reza Daffi
(Primary data and various sources)

Read : 2789 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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