On the island of Java, just an hour from Yogyakarta – the coolest student cultural city – stands the world’s largest Buddhist temple. I remember seeing Borobudur in a documentary about Indonesia when I was a child, never imagining I would one day visit it. Yet, there I was, not only watching the sun set over the Buddhas but also witnessing a grand ceremony that gathered thousands of Buddhist devotees in a procession.
Here is all the practical information you need to know about visiting Borobudur temple.
1. PREPARING YOUR TRIP TO INDONESIA – USEFUL INFORMATIONS
First of all, if you’re planning to visit Indonesia, it’s worth checking out some useful information.
Visa: A visa is required to enter Indonesia. You can obtain one on arrival at the airport, valid for 30 days and renewable at an immigration office. Alternatively, you can apply for an e-visa on the official website, which can also be renewed online for an additional 30 days if needed.
Book Your Flight: Make sure to book both your outbound and inbound flights (or , as Indonesian customs require proof of your departure from the country. Be aware of higher prices during peak periods like July and August, which are local school holidays, as well as during the New Year.
SIM Card: To use internet and apps like Grab & Gojek, buy a SIM card outside the airport for better prices, or get an eSIM beforehand.
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is highly recommended in this kind of countries where bally belly, dengue fever and scooter accident are usual. I regretted not having it after a scooter accident that ended up costing me a small fortune.
Health: Tap water is not drinkable in Indonesia. It’s best to use a filtering flask, small purifying tablets, or refill your bottle from the water dispensers often available at hostels and hotels.
Language: Indonesian is the country’s national and official language, but Indonesians also speak their own local language. So the dialect in West Java will be different from that in East Java. During my trip, I made sure I knew a few words of politeness in the local language: Hello, Thank you, Goodbye. These are just 3 sentences to learn, but it will greatly please the locals who will be more likely to help you or give you a good price when you negotiate. Indonesians in the big cities speak basic English, but it’s enough to understand each other, especially if you use Google Translate.
2. GETTING TO BOROBUDUR TEMPLE
- By scooter: From Yogyakarta, I took a scenic morning ride to explore the area around the Merapi volcano. The route is very beautiful, passing through various villages with the most dangerous vulcano of Indonesia in the background. This active volcano frequently releases volcanic ash, which serves as a natural fertilizer for the surrounding rice fields. Expect around 10 euros in total : 100k for scooter rental, 50k for a full tank, 30k for parking near the temple.
- By tour : Many travelers opt for a combo tour, catching sunrise at Borobudur and sunset at Prambanan, located east of Yogyakarta. With a full week in the city, I decided to take my time, especially as these tours often don’t include access to the top of the temple due to the 1,200-visitor daily quota. If your schedule is tight, though, this option is convenient and usually costs 600-800k rupiah (about 40 euros) when booked through a hostel, hotel, or on Traveloka.
- By public bus : Head to the Jombor Bus Terminal and catch a bus to Candi Borobudur. It takes around an hour, dropping you just a few minutes walk from the entrance, with a fare around 30k rupiah.
3. THE TEMPLE’S BRIEF HISTORY
There’s actually no texts explaining why the temple was built or who built it. However, historians and archeologists assumed it has been constructed in the 9th century AD, during the height of the Sailendra dynasty. The temple was subsequently abandoned and remained hidden until its rediscovery buried under vocalnic ash and vegetation, by a British administration officer in 1814. Major renovations, primarily funded by UNESCO, took place in the 1970s, after which the temple was opened to the public. It is today the most visited place in Indonesia.
4. HOW TO VISIT THE BOROBODUR TEMPLE IN YOGYAKARTA (CENTRAL JAVA ISLAND)
You can opt for :
- A temple ground ticket which gives you access to the courtyard of the temple: 400 IDR
- A temple structure ticket : which enables you to go up the temple, to the summit. 455 IDR
I strongly recommend to book online at least 1 week in advance if you want to go up to the top, especially during the school holidays when slots are scarce. I’ve met several backpackers who had to give up on the visit because they hadn’t booked far enough in advance …
You’ll also be given sandals to avoid damaging the temple structure, and water to keep you hydrated.
Personally I found my ticket 3 days in advance, a the 2pm slot. However I was very lucky as arriving a bit late, the ticket counter’s employee kindly adjusted my time slop from 2pm to 4pm allowing me to experience the Buddha statues bathed in the late afternoon light.
Once through the gates, you follow the crowds onto the main avenue, with the temple rising in the background. You can walk around the temple and admire its dozens of Buddhas and stupas.
But with a temple structure ticket, you’ll have a guide explanation about the history of the temple and Buddhist beliefs and moreover you can access the stairs to the top of the temple for an hour.
The Borobudur site was built on 5 terraces, according to the Buddhist belief in ‘spiritual elevation’, the ultimate goal of which is to reach Nirvana. So when you visit Borobudur, you are asked to walk around the temple 3 times to free yourself from anything that might hinder your spiritual access to Nirvana, while climbing the different levels of the site.
The temple features nearly 2,700 relief panels, crafted from volcanic rock and assembled without the use of cement or mortar. These reliefs include both narrative (depicting mythological stories and the life of Buddha) and decorative elements. UNESCO has acknowleged these panels as one of the world’s most extensive collections of Buddhist reliefs in the world.
Once at the top of the temple, you’ll have an extensive view of the few Buddhas inside and outside their stūpa, the reliefs panels and the surrounding valley, covered in lush forests, surrounded by volcanoes and mountains.
Special events: during my visit in July 2024, I was lucky enough to witness a procession followed by tens of thousands of Buddhists. The ‘Asalha Mahapula’ is a ‘puja’ (offering and worship ritual) dedicated to Buddha. It commemorates the first time Buddha preached the ‘Dhamma’ (truth) and the formation of the Three Jewels (three joint forces that act as protection and a guide to nirvana).
But especially, in May/June each year, the temple brings together Buddhists from all over the world to celebrate the days of ‘Wesak’. Those celebrations and ceremonies mark the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. On the last day, lanterns are released to symbolise the hope of attaining enlightenment and inner peace.
What’s your favorite temple in Indonesia ? Or what is the one you want to visit in your next trip there ?