Gereja Ayam: Your 2025 Guide to the Chicken Church Ticket in Karangrejo Village

You have likely seen some pictures floating around the internet, right? I mean, it’s a pretty hard thing to miss. We’re talking about that gigantic, sort of bird-shaped building just chilling on a hilltop in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by a sea of green trees. In fact, people often call it the ‘Chicken Church’, but honestly, that’s just a nickname that sort of stuck. Its real name is Bukit Rhema, or Rhema Hill, and to be honest, it is one of those places that is just so much stranger and more amazing when you see it with your own two eyes. You kind of have to be there to really get it. This structure is located in the heart of Java, not too far from the famous Borobudur temple, and, you know, it draws people in for a lot of different reasons. For some, it is sort of a spiritual pilgrimage, a place for quiet thought. For others, it’s a curiosity, a bit of an architectural wonder that they just have to see up close. Anyway, no matter why you feel like you need to go, this guide will basically walk you through everything you might need to know about getting your 2025 admission ticket and what you can really expect from a day spent here.

What Exactly is the “Chicken Church”? A Little Backstory

So, the whole story behind this pretty incredible place is, frankly, just as unique as the building looks. Basically, it all began with a dream. Seriously, it was a literal dream had by a man named Daniel Alamsjah back in 1989. As the story goes, he apparently received a vision, almost like a direct message, you could say, telling him he had to construct a prayer house on a hill. But, you know, it couldn’t just be any old building. This structure needed to be shaped like a dove, which is, of course, a symbol of peace. So, he went looking for the spot he saw in his dream and, pretty much miraculously, he found this exact hill in Karangrejo Village. Local folks actually owned the land at the time, and they sold it to him for a fairly low price after he explained his sort of divine mission.

Now, construction started in the 90s, and it was, you know, a huge community effort. Locals and people from all over really pitched in to help build this thing. As a matter of fact, it was meant to be a house of prayer for people of all faiths, a place where anyone could come for peace and reflection, which is a really beautiful idea, right? So, why the nickname ‘Chicken Church’? Well, apparently the shape of the crown on the building’s head sort of looked like a chicken’s comb to local people. Over time, that name just caught on, you know, and now everyone pretty much calls it that, at the end of the day. The building was never completely finished because of high costs, and for a while, it just sat there, more or less abandoned. But then, obviously, thanks to some viral photos online and a feature in a popular Indonesian film, it suddenly became this massive tourist destination. It’s a pretty amazing story of a dream becoming this strange, beloved landmark.

Breaking Down the 2025 Admission Ticket: What’s Included?

Alright, so let’s get into what your ticket actually gets you when you visit in 2025. Your admission pass is basically your key to pretty much the whole experience at Bukit Rhema. Honestly, the price is really reasonable, you know, especially for everything that’s packed into the visit. The main thing, obviously, is that the ticket gives you full access to explore the inside of the giant dove-slash-chicken building. You are free to wander through the main hall on the ground floor, and then, you know, make your way up through its body, floor by floor. But, you know, there’s a little extra something that comes with it. At the end of the day, your ticket stub can typically be exchanged for a free snack, which is usually a small portion of locally made fried cassava, called singkong goreng. It’s a really nice touch, to be honest, and it’s a pretty delicious treat after you’ve done a bit of walking.

The ticket cost itself also acts as a donation, which is kind of cool to think about. That money directly supports the upkeep and the ongoing restoration projects for this very unique structure. It helps pay for the maintenance of the grounds, the art inside, and, you know, supports the local people who work there. So, you can feel good knowing your visit is helping to preserve this special place. Sometimes, you’ll find that there are a couple of different ticket options, like, one for domestic visitors and one for international tourists, which is a fairly common practice in Indonesia. Both options give you the exact same access, it’s just a difference in price. In that case, you just need to make sure you have your passport or ID handy if they ask for it. It’s a very simple process, and the people at the ticket counter are usually quite helpful.

The Climb to the Crown: Is the View Worth It?

Okay, let’s talk about the main event for many people who come here, which is, of course, the journey up to the very top, to the crown of the dove’s head. So, is that climb really worth the effort? Absolutely, it seriously is. Now, I have to be honest, the trip up is a bit of an adventure in itself. You have to go up a series of fairly tight, winding staircases that spiral up through the neck of the structure. It can feel a little bit narrow at times, and you might have to squeeze past people going in the other direction, you know? It’s not a super tough climb, but it will get your heart rate up a little. There are some small windows along the way that offer you little sneak peeks of the view to come, which is a kind of nice motivation to keep going.

But then, you finally reach that last step and walk out onto the viewing platform in the crown. And wow, you just get this incredible, almost 360-degree panoramic view of the entire landscape. It’s actually breathtaking. From up there, you can really appreciate just how deep in the lush, green Javanese countryside you are. On a very clear day, the view is just phenomenal. You can see rolling hills, thick forests, and tiny villages dotted all around. You can even, like, spot the massive, ancient structure of Borobudur Temple in the distance, and sometimes you can see the smoky peak of the very active volcano, Mount Merapi. Seriously, seeing those huge landmarks from this unique vantage point is a completely different experience. You will definitely want to have your camera ready, because you are going to want to take a lot of pictures from up there. It really makes the whole visit feel complete, in a way.

Exploring the Lower Levels: The Prayer Rooms and Art

After you have soaked in those incredible views from the top, you should really take your time to explore the lower levels of the building. The basement area, you know, has a completely different feel to it. It’s much quieter and feels more contemplative. This is where you will find what the building was originally meant for, basically: the prayer rooms. They are sort of like little caves, each one dedicated to a different faith. So, you might find a space with iconography for Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and others, side by side. It really honors the creator’s original vision of this place being a house of prayer for everyone, which is honestly quite a moving concept to see in practice.

What makes these lower levels really special, though, is the art. The walls down here are covered in these really vibrant and emotional murals and tile mosaics. Many of these pieces were apparently created by local artists and they often tell stories, you know? They depict tales of spirituality, of struggles and healing, and messages about peace and tolerance. You can actually spend a fair bit of time just walking through these dimly lit corridors and looking at all the different art pieces. Each one kind of has its own little story to tell. There’s also a small cafe area on one of the middle floors where you can sit down and have a drink, and, as I was saying, there’s even a place where you can write your own personal prayer or message on a piece of tile to add to the walls. It is a really interactive and personal experience that makes you feel just a little bit connected to the building’s history and its purpose.

Tips for Your Visit: Making the Most of Your Day

Alright, so to make sure you have a really great time, here are a few practical tips for your visit. First, you should really think about what time of day you want to go. The most popular time is definitely for sunrise, when the whole area is just bathed in this amazing golden light. However, that also means it’s the most crowded time, obviously. If you prefer to have a quieter experience, going on a weekday morning, like, right after the sunrise crowd has left, is a really good idea. It will be much more peaceful, you know? As for what to wear, well, just opt for something comfortable and light. The weather in this part of Java tends to be pretty warm and humid. And seriously, you will want to wear good, comfortable walking shoes. There is a short but slightly steep walk up the hill from the parking area to the church itself, plus all those stairs inside.

You should also definitely bring a water bottle to stay hydrated, and, of course, your camera with a fully charged battery. You are going to be taking a lot of photos, that’s almost a guarantee. Getting there is fairly straightforward; it’s a pretty well-known spot, so you can easily hire a car with a driver from Yogyakarta or Magelang, or just use a ride-hailing app. They all know where to go. And by the way, remember to hold on to that little ticket stub. That’s what you exchange for your free cassava snack at the small shop inside the building, and trust me, you will not want to miss out on that tasty little treat. Lastly, just be respectful. This place is, at its heart, a house of prayer for many people, so just try to keep your voice down, especially in the prayer rooms downstairs, and be mindful of other visitors who are there for a moment of quiet reflection.

Beyond the Church: What Else is Near Karangrejo Village?

One of the really great things about visiting the Chicken Church is its location. You’re actually in a part of Central Java that is just packed with other amazing sights, you know? So, you can easily turn your trip to Bukit Rhema into a full day of exploring. As a matter of fact, it’s located right next door to another very famous viewpoint called Punthuk Setumbu. This is the classic spot where photographers and tourists go to watch the sunrise appear over Borobudur Temple. So, a really popular plan is to start your day at Punthuk Setumbu in the super early morning, like, before dawn. You can watch that stunning sunrise, and then, as soon as the sun is up, you can just take a short walk or a quick motorbike taxi ride over to the Chicken Church right as it opens for the day.

And, of course, the main attraction in the area is Borobudur Temple itself, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and just a short drive away. You could easily spend a whole morning or afternoon just wandering around that immense and ancient Buddhist monument. There are also smaller, less-visited temples nearby, like Mendut and Pawon, which are definitely worth a quick look. Or, if you are feeling a bit more adventurous, you could even organize a jeep tour to get closer to Mount Merapi. At the end of the day, you can pretty much create a whole itinerary centered around this area. You can find plenty of local restaurants, or warungs, nearby to grab a delicious and authentic Indonesian lunch. It really is a fantastic area to just immerse yourself in the natural beauty and rich culture of Central Java.

Read our full review: Chicken Church Karangrejo Village Full Review and Details
See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Chicken Church Karangrejo Village Tickets)