For 48 hours, you can embrace the world of Muarajambi a seldom explored Sumatran destination. Venture into its culture through food and activities in a new experience hyper-focused on the area’s unique cuisine and culture. Set upon the riverbanks of Sumatra’s Batang Hari River, this new program is an immersive escape for travellers of all tastes.

Muarajambi temples

The Muarajambi Temple Complex

Intersected by wetlands and winding tributaries, Muarajambi is a 6th-century Buddhist Temple in the Jambi Regency. With a strong connection to the Buddhist scholar, Suvarṇadvipi Dharmakīrt, its grounds have served for over 8 centuries as a Buddhist learning centre. Even more notably, a recent study has proposed that Muarajambi was the initial capital of the Srivijaya Empire, a polity critical to the spread of Buddhism throughout Southeast Asia. As such, the grounds boast a collection of 113 Buddhist temples and an expansive 2,062-hectare footprint, putting this temple complex on the map as one of the region’s largest. Despite its rich historical and cultural significance, Muarajambi remains largely unrecognized as a destination, both locally and internationally.

Even so, the Indonesian Ministry of Culture nominated the complex to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009 where it currently remains on the tentative list. Knowing something must be done to elevate the temples and sanctuaries to a world-class level like Wat Arun, Angkor Wat, or our very own Borobudur, the ministry has invested in the area, supporting excavation efforts, and setting aside funds to develop Muarajambi into a must-experience tourism ecosystem. Their recent initiatives enlisted the expertise of two cultural revitalisation organisations, Javara Indigenous Indonesia and Seniman Pangan, to develop a plan to bring tourists from other islands and countries to Jambi.Before it opens to the rest of the world.

A New Era of Immersion: A Two-Day Gastronomic & Cultural Exploration

Muarajambi's Pasar Paduka

One question that budding tourist destinations ask themselves is “How do we get tourists to come?” A common, but ultimately unhelpful, answer is to copy what works in other places and adapt it to the local environment. However, this isn’t true for Muarajambi’s new Explorasa Negeri Rawa SUVARNADVIPA program, which is completely unique and developed based on the area’s fascinating history.

Unfortunately, much of Muarajambi’s history remains shrouded in mystery. What we know of the temple’s past comes from foreign records – much of it Chinese historical accounts during visits to their empire at that time. Nevertheless, the one thing that has persisted beyond empires, kingdoms, and governments is the food; Much of Muarajambi’s cuisine is highly local, often depending on what’s caught during floods or trips into the forest. Thus, the local produce and the relevant cooking knowledge have provided an opportunity to experience the area through all five senses.

The idea behind it is straightforward: draw inspiration from the unique aspects of the temple, its history, and its surrounding community to create a truly distinct cultural destination. What’s come out of this collaboration is a two-day, one-night cultural getaway. Over 48 hours, guests are invited to participate in the colourful juxtaposition of museum pieces vs living heritage through an exploration of the temples, village sites, and the local cuisine.

What better way to connect with history than by tasting the indigenous foods once enjoyed by their ancestors?

Experiencing Muarajambi

The adventure begins at Jambi’s Sultan Thaha Airport, an hour-and-a-half flight from Jakarta. Arriving in the morning, you’re welcomed by members from Komunitas Paduka (the Muarajambi Indigenous community) with a basket of handmade goodies to whet your appetite for the forthcoming trip. After an hour’s journey by air-conditioned minibus, you arrive at the complex’s entrance, rested for a full day of activities ahead.

Since the complex covers a massive 2,062 hectares, you use an electric motorbike to navigate the many riverbanks and jungle roads of the complex. Then following your initial foray into the jungle, you’re ushered into an open forest clearing where twenty Paduka community members have prepared a pop-up market and a hearty lunch.

Welcome to your first taste of real Muarajambi cuisine. With a fresh coconut in hand, tuck into a spread of local dishes is presented on your table. Your first surprise is that there isn’t any rice for this meal, it’s been replaced with a sweet potato dish cut into small grains – perfect to accompany your Gulai Terjuh – a beef dish cooked in coconut milk only reserved for special ceremonies or occasions. To add a sweet and nutty twist, combine it with a spoonful of Acar Timun – shaved cucumber drenched with a tangy peanut sauce – a delectably light and addictive dish. But the star of the show is Ikan Mudik. Directly translating to “Homecoming Fish”, this doesn’t refer to particular species of fish but rather any fish caught during the flood season in Jambi. When the wetlands expand and water levels rise, fish migrate upstream where they’re eaten or cured for the drier months.

Muarajambi cuisine 4: Evening dining

This day is all about exploration. So you’re led into herb gardens to try their homegrown jamu (Indonesian herbal potion), sample a variety of durian, and weave through the streets on the back of a motorbike. The day finishes with the ‘SUVARNADVIPA Cultural Dinner’, which opens with a barefoot, torchlit walk to an outdoor dining hall under the stars. Shortly after an introduction by the village elder, you’ll be served Rempah Ratus Belut, a spiced soup garnished with a grilled eel, accompanied by homegrown vegetables. The sounds of the forest fade as an 80-year-old maestro serenades your party with Jambi folk songs.

Folk songs from a Jambi local.

The second day opens with a hearty plate of steamed sweet potatoes, cassava, and fresh rice with chilli and coconut shavings as garnish. This meal is a prelude to the day’s ‘Ancestral Wellness Session’ taking place inside the temple grounds. There, you’ll take in the sunlight and sounds of the complex and try ancient well water – supposedly water to either cleanse your mind or if applied externally, your skin.

With the morning slipping away, you can peer into the complexes other archaeological sites and unexcavated ruins. This brings you to the ‘Pasar Paduka Cooking Class’, a close-up chance to observe (and attempt) the villagers’ cooking techniques for their various meals. While trying their latest creations, a pop-up market is prepared allowing time to get souvenirs to bring back home to share with your friends and colleagues.

The trip closes with an enthralling lunch on a floating dock; five canoes carve towards the platform, each loaded with a different menu item. Start with the Nasi Gemuk, a rice dish cooked with coconut milk and pandan. Next move on to sweet treats like Kue Gomak, Kue Padamaran, and Kue Bingko while you sip on a strong cup of Kopi Paduka.

The gastronomic getaway is, at least to start with, only a weekend affair: guests fly into Jambi on Saturday morning and are back at home on Sunday evening. But that may not seem like enough time – so you’re always welcome to move your flights and make the trip the start to an even more extensive Sumatran holiday.

Muarajambi Temple Complex
Candi Muara Jambi: @candimuarajambi

Javara Indigenous Indonesia
javara.co.id || @javaraindonesia
Experience Inquiries: 0812 1065 922 (Javara)