Borobudur (Borobudur Temple) is one of the greatest Buddhist ancient sites in the world built during the 8th–9th century under the Sailendra Dynasty. The stupa is located in Central Java province near Yogyakarta city, Indonesia, standing prominently on a hill surrounded by volcanoes and green valleys, making the atmosphere beautiful and peaceful suitable for visiting.

The architecture of Borobudur was built from over 2 million volcanic stones designed according to the Buddhist Cosmology plan divided into 3 important levels Kamadhatu Base Level displays carvings about Karma and human life, Rupadhatu Middle Level 4 tiers has 1,400 bas-relief carvings showing the Buddha’s life, Arupadhatu Topmost Level consists of 72 bell-shaped stupas surrounding the large stupa in the center.

The most prominent features of Borobudur are more than 2,600 bas-relief carvings which tell the story of ancient Buddhist art in detail, and the bell-shaped stupas from which Mount Merapi can be seen on a clear day. Furthermore, it is also one of the most beautiful places to view the sunrise in Asia, making it popular with tourists worldwide. Currently, Borobudur has been registered as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1991 C.E. and is considered an important learning source of history, religion, and art in the Southeast Asian region.

Even though it was abandoned and hidden under volcanic ash and vegetation for many hundreds of years, after the major restoration during the 1970s under the supervision of UNESCO, Borobudur returned to vitality again. Currently, this great stupa is not just an ancient site but still remains an important pilgrimage center for Buddhists in Indonesia, especially during Vesak Day when Buddhists gather to perform the circumambulation ritual and chant prayers around the stupa, which reflects the intense faith inherited from ancient times. The architecture of Borobudur also symbolizes the journey towards liberation according to Mahayana principles, where the base level Kamadhatu conveys the world of defilements, the middle level Rupadhatu conveys the partial relinquishing of defilements, and the topmost level Arupadhatu, which has an empty stupa, conveys emptiness and the ultimate state of Nirvana.

With the structural greatness that is complex, combined with the profoundness of religious philosophy, Borobudur is not just a historical tourism landmark but is a living lesson about the faith, art, and engineering of ancient civilization in Southeast Asia. Visiting this place is therefore a journey that helps connect people to the invaluable spiritual heritage and is a confirmation of the creative power of humankind which resides side-by-side with the serenity of the surrounding nature, making Borobudur still one of the Buddhist wonders that continues to captivate people worldwide.

• TransJogja Bus : Line 2B or 9 up to Jombor station then transfer bus to Borobudur
• Rent/Hire Private Car : Duration 45–60 minutes.

Best Visit Time :

• Viewing the Sunrise is the most popular, requiring arrival before 04:30 AM or come during the Evening to view the sunset.

Dress Code :

• Should dress politely and the temple will provide a sarong to wear before entering the park area.
• Should wear comfortable shoes because there are many stairs to climb.

To Be Practiced :

• Climbing to view on the main stupa requires booking a Structure ticket and having a guide, including having to wear special shoes that the temple has prepared.

Restriction :

• Climbing to view the stupa has a limited quota (1,200 people per day / 8 rounds per day). Should book in advance.

Admission Fee :

• Outer view ticket (Access only to the surrounding garden area) : Foreigner (Adult) Price 375,000 IDR / Child Price 225,000 IDR
• Stupa climb ticket (Stupa climbing fee, guide, special shoes) : Foreigner (Adult) Price 455,000 IDR / Child Price 455,000 IDR
• Sunrise Package : Foreigner (Adult) 1,000,000 IDR / Child Price 650,000 IDR 

Opening Hours:

• Surrounding Garden Area : Open daily 06:30 AM. – 17:00 PM.     
• The Great Stupa: Open Tuesday – Sunday 08:30 AM – 17:00 PM (Limited quota) Monday closed, no entry allowed to the stupa  
• Sunrise Viewing Round: Daily entry to the area from 04:30 AM (Must buy a special package)