Visiting Gereja Ayam (Chicken Church) Near Borobudur Indonesia
On my second trip to Yogyakarta, I finally made time for one of the most gloriously unhinged attractions in Indonesia: a giant bird-shaped church sitting on top of a hill.
I first heard about Gereja Ayam (literally “Chicken Church”) years ago, either from a TV show or a YouTube video. I honestly can’t remember which, but I do remember my exact reaction: There’s absolutely no way that’s a real place.
A giant concrete bird. That’s actually a church. In the middle of Central Java.
But if you’ve followed my travels and bucket list for a while, you’ll know this is exactly the kind of sentence that activates every curious little gremlin in my brain.
The weirder, more random, and bizarre a place sounds, the more I feel personally obligated to go see it. So when I returned to Yogyakarta, I knew Gereja Ayam had to make it onto my itinerary.
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The story behind Gereja Ayam: why is there a giant chicken on a hill?
The story behind Gereja Ayam is just as fascinating as its appearance.
The building was the vision of a Christian man named Daniel Alamsjah, who wasn’t actually an architect by profession.
In 1988, he said he experienced a vision during prayer in which he saw a snow-white dove resting on top of a hill, along with a message to build a house of prayer for all people, regardless of their religion.
At first, he dismissed it as just a dream. But sometime later, when he visited Bukit Rhema near Magelang, he was convinced he had found the exact hill from his vision.
Determined to bring that vision to life, Alamsjah bought the land and personally designed the building himself, despite having no formal architectural training.
Construction finally began in 1992 after years spent obtaining permits. The plan was never to build a church exclusively for Christians.
Instead, he envisioned a multi-faith prayer house where Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and people of any belief could come to pray, meditate, or simply find peace.
Ironically, it wasn’t supposed to be a chicken at all.
The building was designed to resemble a dove, a universal symbol of peace. However, during construction, Alamsjah decided to add a crown on top of the bird’s head to symbolize holiness and God’s sovereignty.
Unfortunately, the crown ended up looking remarkably similar to a rooster’s comb, the fleshy crest on top of a rooster’s head.
Once people saw it, they couldn’t unsee it. Before long, locals began referring to it as Gereja Ayam, or “Chicken Church,” and the nickname has followed it ever since.
Construction continued throughout the 1990s but was plagued by challenges.
Funding became increasingly difficult to secure, and the project also faced resistance after media reports mistakenly portrayed it as a Christian church being built in a predominantly Muslim area.
Eventually, work stopped around 2000 before the building was fully completed. For years, it sat abandoned, slowly being reclaimed by nature.
Its fortunes changed unexpectedly in the 2010s.
Curious travelers began sharing photos online, and its appearance in the Indonesian film Ada Apa Dengan Cinta? 2 introduced it to an even wider audience.
Today, Gereja Ayam has been restored as a tourist attraction, complete with exhibits explaining its history, a small café, and the panoramic viewpoint inside the bird’s head that has become one of the highlights of visiting Bukit Rhema.
How to get to Gereja Ayam
Although Gereja Ayam is often associated with Yogyakarta, it’s actually located in Magelang, Central Java, about 45 to 60 minutes from downtown Yogyakarta, depending on traffic.
It’s also just a 10 to 15-minute drive from Borobudur Temple, making it easy to visit both attractions on the same day.
The easiest way to get there is by renting a scooter or hiring a private driver, which is what most travelers do.
The roads are generally in good condition, though the final stretch climbs uphill through a small village and can be quite steep in places. If you’re riding a scooter, take your time, especially after rain.
If you’re relying on public transportation, getting there is a little more complicated.
You can take a bus from Yogyakarta to Borobudur, then continue by ojek (motorcycle taxi) or a ride-hailing service for the remaining few kilometers, which was what my friend and I did.
Once you arrive at the parking area, you’ll notice attendants who can help direct visitors.
From there, you have two ways to reach the entrance. You can either walk uphill for about five to ten minutes along the paved path, or hop on one of the shuttle jeeps for a small additional fee.
The jeep ticket covers a round-trip ride, so you only pay once and keep your ticket for the return journey back to the parking lot.
We chose the jeep, and it was a fun little ride that also saved us from tackling the uphill walk in the afternoon heat.
If you’re using Grab or Gojek instead of renting your own vehicle, keep in mind that finding a ride back to Yogyakarta isn’t always guaranteed.
We were fortunate enough to get a Grab around sunset, but I wouldn’t count on being as lucky, especially later in the evening when there are fewer drivers in the area.
If you’re depending on ride-hailing apps, it’s best to leave before it gets too late or arrange your return transportation in advance.
Gereja Ayam operating hours & admission fee
Gereja Ayam is open daily from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM. I’d recommend going in the morning or late afternoon when the weather is cooler and the lighting is better for photos.
At the time of our visit in May 2024, the admission fee was Rp25,000 for foreign visitors. However, online sources indicate that the price has since increased to Rp30,000.
The ticket includes access to the entire building, including the exhibitions that tell the story behind Gereja Ayam, and the panoramic viewpoints at the top. During our visit, it even came with a complimentary serving of cassava snacks.
The round-trip jeep ticket was Rp15,000 per person.
Since admission fees and operating hours occasionally change, I recommend checking the latest information on Google Maps or the church’s official website before your visit.
Inside the Chicken Church
Walking inside Gereja Ayam is a completely different experience from admiring it from the outside.
The building has seven levels connected by staircases, and each floor tells a different story through murals, exhibits, and installations rather than traditional church interiors.
The murals weren’t just painted for decoration. Many were created by local artists together with people undergoing drug rehabilitation at a nearby rehab center established by the founder of the church.
The paintings touch on topics like addiction, mental health, hope, and making better choices, while other floors celebrate Indonesia’s cultural diversity.
It gave the building much more character than if it had simply been an empty shell with a nice view.
Climbing to the top of the chicken
Of course, the highlight for many visitors is making the climb to the top of the bird.
After working your way through the different floors, you’ll eventually emerge onto the crown of Gereja Ayam, where you’re rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
From up here, you can look out over rolling hills, lush forests, rice fields, and, on a clear day, even catch a glimpse of Borobudur Temple in the distance.
It’s easy to see why many people come early, when the morning mist blankets the landscape and the view is at its most magical.
At the top of the building is a small café with open-air seating overlooking the scenery, making it the perfect place to slow down after the climb.
We grabbed a table, enjoyed our complimentary cassava snacks, and paired them with refreshing fruit tea while soaking in the view.
It ended up being one of my favorite parts of the visit. Instead of rushing back down after snapping a few photos, we had an excuse to linger for a while and enjoy the cool breeze, the peaceful surroundings, and the snack break.
Tips for visiting Gereja Ayam
- Timing makes a big difference. Early morning is ideal for softer light and mist that rolls through the hills; midday can feel hotter and more crowded, while late afternoon brings warm golden tones but slightly tighter timing.
- Because Gereja Ayam is located just a few kilometers from Borobudur, I recommend visiting both on the same day to make the most of your time. But make sure you start early.
Final thoughts
When I first heard about Gereja Ayam, I was expecting nothing more than a bizarre photo stop.
Instead, I ended up spending much longer there than I expected.
Yes, the unusual architecture is what gets people through the door, but once you step inside and learn about the story behind the building, it feels like much more than just a giant “chicken” perched on a hill.
You don’t have to be religious to appreciate it, either. Go with an open mind, take your time exploring the different floors, and don’t rush straight to the rooftop.
If you’re already planning to visit Borobudur, I’d definitely recommend adding Gereja Ayam to your itinerary. It’s close enough to make an easy side trip, and it offers something completely different.
One is an ancient UNESCO World Heritage Site, while the other is one of Indonesia’s quirkiest modern landmarks, and together they make for a memorable day trip from Yogyakarta.
Love finding places that are a little out of the ordinary? Take a look at my travel bucket list for more unique experiences worth adding to yours.
