A pale turquoise crater lake high on Mount Patuha, ringed by bleached white earth.
Kawah Putih, 'White Crater', is a sulphuric crater lake on Mount Patuha, south of Bandung near Ciwidey, sitting at around 2,400 meters. The water shifts between milky turquoise, green, and grey depending on sunlight and sulphur levels, and the surrounding ground and dead tree stumps are bleached pale, giving the basin an otherworldly look. A short path and viewing decks bring you right down to the shore.
The catch is the air. The crater gives off strong sulphur fumes, and signs advise limiting your time near the water to around 15 to 30 minutes, especially for anyone with breathing problems.
It is one of the most popular day trips from Bandung, so weekends and holidays bring heavy crowds and slow traffic on the mountain road.
Getting there
Kawah Putih is about 50 km south of Bandung near Ciwidey, around 2 to 3 hours by car given Bandung's traffic and the winding mountain road. You drive (or take a tour) to the lower entrance, then transfer to an onsite shuttle (the 'ontang-anting') or pay a premium to drive your own vehicle up to the crater car park.
Best time
Go early on a weekday in the dry season (April to October) for clearer water, thinner crowds, and the most reliable road conditions. Mornings are cooler and the colors read best in soft light. Rain can make the path slippery and dull the lake's color.
Good to know
Bring a light jacket for the altitude and a scarf or mask to soften the sulphur smell, and keep your shoreline time short. Note that you pay a foreign entrance fee plus a separate shuttle or upper-parking charge, so carry extra cash.
Foreign visitors pay around IDR 80,000 entrance, as of 2025, plus a shuttle fee from the lower gate or a higher charge to drive up to the crater car park. Bring cash for both.
The fumes are strong, and signage recommends staying near the water only about 15 to 30 minutes. Healthy visitors are usually fine for a short look, but anyone with asthma or heart issues should keep well back and limit exposure.
No. It is an acidic, sulphuric crater lake and swimming is not allowed. You view and photograph it from the shore and the viewing decks.
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