Alas Purwo National Park is located in Java. Precisely in Tegaldimo District and Kalipuro District, Banyuwangi, East Java. Alas Purwo is about 14 km south of Banyuwangi. This place has an area of about 43,420 hectares and and people call it the oldest forest in Java.
Alas Purwo consists of 4 zones, namely the core zone, jungle zone, utilization zone, and buffer zone. This place has beautiful nature, there are lots of flora and fauna. Some of the flora that can be found are ketapang, sapodilla kecik, kepuh, herbs, etc. While some of the fauna that can be found are wild boars, gray monkeys, leopards, deer, bison, Javanese lizards, hornbills, etc.
Mystery Alas Purwo
Alas Purwo means Alas = forest, Purwo = beginning, which means the first forest. That’s why people call it the oldest forest in Java. Locals believe that this place is sacred. They believe in the palace of the jinn which is a gathering place for the spirit of all Java.
Places you can visit in Alas Puwo
Sadengan Savanna
Visitors can see various wild animals in their natural habitat. Visitors can also see birds from the monitoring tower. The best time to see the beauty of birds is around 06.00 – 09.00 WIB.
Bamboo Forest
Bamboo Forest has an good environment and cool air. This place has a mysterious and magical atmosphere, plus there is no guard post in this place. Many interesting places can be used as photo spots with various types of bamboo backgrounds.
Plengkung Beach
This beach has unique waves, namely 3-layer waves which are suitable for surfing. Various surfers around the world often go to Plengkung Beach to enjoy the natural beauty and play with the waves.
Pancur Beach
Visitors usually use this beach for camping. Pantau Pancur has a very beautiful nature because this place is a white sand beach with extraordinary views. There is river water flowing to the beach to form a unique shower. This beach has a freshwater estuary. Myth says that the water in this estuary can keep you young.
Caves
Alas Purwo has three caves, namely Palace Cave, Padepokan Cave, and Mayangkoro Cave. Usually people who visit this cave aim to meditate and explore certain knowledge.