Gandrung is a traditional Indonesian dance that is popular in many regions within the country, but its most adored variation by far comes from Banyuwangi, so much so that it is sometimes referred to as the city of gandrung.
This ritual dance was originally dedicated to the goddess of rice and fertility, and it was only later that it was adopted as a social dance of love and courtship in many social events. What’s so special about the dance is that it goes on for hours on end from evening until just before dawn.
At the Gandrung Terracotta Park which sits at the foot of Mount Ijen, hundreds of terracotta dancer statues emulating different dance moves from gandrung have been crafted and orderly arranged. As bizarre at it seems in the beginning, visitors often get very creative with the pottery for photos.
To complete your experience, the Gandrung Terracotta Park also hosts actual dance performances regularly at its outdoor amphitheatre, allowing visitors to enjoy their little slice of Banyuwangi culture alongside terrific views of the nearby paddy fields and Mount Ijen.
Discover and experience the beautiful scenery around our Banyuwangi hotels.