If you’re tired of the same tourist spots, you can try this one on the border of Kulon Progo Regency and Bantul Regency. The Bendungan Kamijoro is the name of this place where tourists go. Every day, many tourists from around the world come to this spot.
As its name suggests, the Bendungan Kamijoro is a dam that slows the flow of the Progo River and drains some of the water to water rice fields. But the Bendungan Kamijoro isn’t just any dam. A 161-meter-long and 3-meter-wide bridge goes over this dam.
The Bendungan Kamijoro Bridge connects Bantul and Kulon Progo, specifically Plambongan Hamlet, Triwidadi Village, Pajangan District, Bantul Regency, and Kaliwiru Hamlet, Tuksono Village, Sentolo District, Kulon Progo. People would have to travel a long distance without the bridge. This bridge marks the beginning of a new landscape for Bantul and Kulon Progo. Its shape is similar to the Ampera bridge in Palembang, complete with towering pillars and ornate steel ropes that appear to support the bridge’s weight. This dam has become a tourist attraction as well as a source of income for the surrounding community’s micro-economy. Because there are so many visitors, locals take advantage of the opportunity to sell a variety of snacks and food. The Kamijoro Dam was inaugurated by President Joko Widodo at the end of 2019 and has since become a tourist attraction in Kulon Progo and Bantul.
Aside from the beautiful bridge, there is also Bendungan Kamijoro Park, where you can relax, sit, and enjoy the dam’s breeze. This park is located on the west side or in the Kulon Progo area. We can take pictures of the bridge and the magnificent dam in the background from here. There is an organized, sophisticated, modern irrigation system on the east side or when entering the Bantul area. There are several electric-controlled sluice gates. There is a large plaza in the park area where people can take pictures, relax, or gather for mass activities. One of the most popular photo spots for visitors is on the plaza’s highest steps, with the words “Bendungan Kamijoro” in the background. If you want to come here with your family, you will be satisfied because Bendungan Kamijoro is very family-friendly. Various children’s toys are nearby, such as swings, seesaws, and sleds. By planting a variety of fruits such as durian, longan, sapodilla, and crystal guava, the park is also packaged as an educational tour for families. The park area has been designed for pedestrians, making walking easy.
Every day, you can go to the Kamijoro Dam. The best time to go is in the morning or evening. During the day, the sun will hurt and be very hot. You don’t have to pay anything to enjoy the pleasant atmosphere here, or it’s free. You only have to pay IDR 2,000 to park a motorcycle and IDR 5,000 to park a car.
Bendungan Kamijoro offers a wide range of amenities. There are restrooms, prayer rooms, a pocket park, and food stalls with various menus ranging from pecel to lethek noodles. There are also hawkers selling traditional Javanese snacks such as arem-arem, pancakes, and boiled peanuts throughout the park. If you want to go there, remember to follow the health protocols, OK?
