White Crater is a lake formed by the eruption of Mount Patuha. As the name implies, the land in this area is white due to the mixing of sulfur elements. In addition to the white soil, the lake water Kawah Putih area also has a whiteish-green color and can change color according to sulfur content contained, temperature, and weather.
Ciwidey White Crater is located in a mountainous area that has a height of more than 2,400 meters above sea level. With these altitudes, the air temperature in the White Crater area is of course cold with a temperature of 8 degrees Celsius to 22 degrees Celsius, therefore do not forget to bring a jacket or wear thick clothes.
In addition to the beauty enjoyed by the tourists, Ciwidey White Crater is also often a place of other activities, such as shooting films, painting, wedding photos, up to climbing and horseback riding.
The story of the White Crater began in the 10th century where a great eruption by Mount Patuha occurred. After this eruption, many people assume that this location is a haunted area because every bird that flies through the area will die.
As time went on, the belief about the haunted place began to fade, until finally in 1837 there was a botanist with a German nationality coming to this area to do research. The researcher named Dr. Franz Wilhelm Junghuhn was deeply attracted by the lonely mountain areas that no birds even flew over him so he went around the village to search for information. At that moment, all the information he got was that the kasawan was haunted and inhabited by the spirits.
For Dr. Franz Wilhelm Junghuhn, the statement of the local community does not make sense. Not believing in the stories, he went into the jungle to find out what was there. Long story short, finally Dr. Franz Wilhelm Junghuhn made it to the top of the mountain, and from there he saw the existence of a beautiful white lake with a stinging smell of sulfur.
Since then, the existence of the White Crater of Ciwidey became famous and started from 1987 the government developed this area as a tourist place that offers a unique experience of seeing the lake that can change color.
Thank you for sharing Infirmason and the pictures @vonnaputra