When We Visited Borobudur Temple in Indonesia
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A few summers ago, my family went to visit the Borobudur temple in Indonesia together with my sister’s family and my parents. It was hot and humid, and there were lots of people by the time we got there. It’s not the weekend but it’s a school holiday in Indonesia.
The last time I went there was in early 2000 so I was shocked to see lots of street vendors near the parking. I couldn’t see the Borobudur temple from the parking like it used to be. What was worst, we were still sitting in the car, but sellers were already surrounding our car trying to sell hats and offer umbrellas for rent. And they followed us all the way to the ticket booth.
Another surprise awaited us at the ticket booth. The entrance fees for foreigners and locals were different. At that time my husband had to pay $19 while I paid $3 only. My son already ran inside with his cousins, so they charged him like the local children. We were annoyed with this regulation. And the entrance for foreigners was also different. Seriously?
They also gave us adults sarong to wear around the waist though my parents wore long pants at the time. It wasn’t like that before.
While waiting for the cart that would transport us to Borobudur temple, my head started to hurt. I think it’s not only from the heat but also from the lack of rest since we arrived in Jakarta from the U.S. And it got worst that I decided not to climb the temple. So, my husband and son went up with my brother-in-law and their kids while my sister and my parents stayed under the tree. Bummer!
What My Husband and Son Said About Borobudur Temple
“How was it?” I asked my husband and son when they got back.
“It was really hot!” said my husband whose t-shirt was all wet.
“Lots of the statues lost their heads,” my then 6-year-old son answered. “I see signs of ancient civilization,” he continued.
“Did you go all the way to the top?” I asked again.
“Yes, but there were too many people and it’s too hot,” said my husband. “The sun made it harder,” he continued.
“Did you get to touch the Buddha’s head, Joey?” I asked my son. Touching the Buddha’s head inside the stupa is one thing you should do when visiting Borobudur temple and make a wish while touching it.
“Yes!” he said.
“And what was your wish?” I continued.
“I wish for elevators to go to the top,” said my son. Ha-ha…
Borobudur is a Buddhist temple that was built in the 8th and 9th century AD in the southern part of Central Java. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Back when I was in elementary in the 70s, Borobudur temple was one of the World’s 7 Wonders.
How to Get to Borobudur Temple
Borobudur temple is located a little over an hour from Yogyakarta in Central Java. There’s a direct flight from Jakarta (the capital of Indonesia) every day at different times as well as from Bali. Once arrive in Yogyakarta you can stay in the city and book a tour of the temple. Or stay at the Manohara Hotel, the only hotel on the grounds of the temple. This is where the sunrise tour leaves every morning. I heard good reviews about this hotel, such as you can walk to the temple and get to see the sunrise while the temple is still closed to other visitors. Too bad I heard about Manohara after we went back to Jakarta.
Tips to Visit Borobudur Temple
– Try to visit when Indonesian students are in school, which is normally from mid-July to before Christmas and the first week of January to mid-June.
– It’s better if you stay at Manohara Hotel and go on their sunrise tour when they open the temple for the sunrise group tour only. (I hope to go there at least one more time and stay at this hotel).
– If you stay in the city and visit the temple during the day, make sure you bring water, a hat, and sunglasses because it is hot and humid there. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen.
– It’s worth a visit if you like learning about different cultures and history and visiting World Heritage Sites.
Have you ever visited Borobudur temple? Do you have other tips to share? I would like to hear about your experience when visited the temple. And, I’m very happy when you help spread this post about Borobudur Temple by saving and sharing one of these pins to your Pinterest board. Thank you!
I have been to Borobudur Temple and I have loved it. It was so serene and beautiful even though it was crowded when I visited it. I was there for the sunrise but unfortunately it was too cloudy while I was there and I did not see the sunrise. But I did have a nice time seeing all the Buddhas and learning about the place.
It is a beautiful place. I would like to go back at least one more time for the sunrise and the sunset. Then touring the area with a Volkswagen Safari.
I can see Indonesia is truly a fascinating country where there are a lot to explore. This particular Borobudur Temple is very popular among tourists but didn’t know about the fact of touching the Buddha’s head while making wish. Interesting 😀 BTW I’m enjoying your lovely family conversation, hehehe.
Well, touching the Buddha’s head was very popular for years. Maybe in the beginning it’s a tourism reason to bring people to come to the temple. I don’t know. Oh, I’m glad you enjoyed our family conversation. 🙂
The temple structure is impressive and beautiful! Too bad about the weather and the vast difference in entrance fees for locals and visitors though. Your son is adorable and funny to!
Yeah, Borobudur is a beautiful temple. I was impressed on how people from centuries ago could build something like this.
This temple looks incredible! I really appreciate your attention to detail in this post. It’s so important to be prepared with water, sunscreen and a hat when you explore sites like this.
Thank you!
I’m with you and would’ve stayed put. I don’t do well in intense heat but it’s such a wonderful temple and pictures from the top are prize-winners.
Intense heat was really a killer. And it’s not only that. The humidity factor, too.
It’s so amazing that it’s still possible to visit somewhere so gorgeous and get photos without any crowds! What a special experience!
I think part of it because the temple is huge and people didn’t concentrate in one spot.
I get your feeling. I have been to places that have changed way too much over the years. The second or third visit doesn’t feel the same. It is like part of the magic of a place is gone when a place gets overcommercialized. By the way, keep writing about Indonesia since there seem to be people that do not know a lot about it (not sure why, it is a big country full of wonderful places).
That’s my plan, to write more about Indonesia. Most people only know about Bali while Indonesia is more than that. Wait for them to come!
Love the “elevator wish.” 🙂 So cute! I think it is a great suggestion to visit at sunrise, I’m sure it would be magical.
We all laughed when he said the elevator.
I couldn’t help but laugh at your son’s wish for elevators to the top. But the temple does look amazing. We always prefer offseason or weekdays as well so not to have to deal with so many people around.
I think when you climbed so many stairs under an intense heat, it came right away to your mind. Hahaha… I still remember him coming back from the top all sweaty and burned.
It seems so unfair that they would charge people differently 😱 the place looks incredible though!
That’s what we thought. The next day we went to another temple, Prambanan, and it was the same arrangement. My husband refused to go in but because I haven’t been to that temple, he agreed to come with us. And yes, Borobudur Temple is incredible. It’s also the biggest Buddhist temple in the world.
Your pictures are so beautiful. Buddha’s statue looks so peaceful.
Thank you!
Borobudur looks beautiful. the design and layout def seems like an experience to just be surrounded by. I’ll def note to avoid the summer season and good tip on the prices for foreigners!
It’s beautiful and huge! If you can visit during off season, it will definitely be another experience to what we had.
This looks like a beautiful place that has been found by too many tourists. It’s too bad when people are trying to sell you things in the parking lot, especially when the place you are visiting is something like a temple.
I don’t like the scene at the parking lot. But when I think about it again, most of the tourists that day were locals. Probably 90% and it’s because of the school holiday. It will be different when you go off season, I believe.
I had thought Bali is the only thing to see in Indonesia, didnt know there are historical temples such as Borobudur. I’d also get angry at the stigmatization for fees, nevetherless, I’d pay just to explore this temple. And the sunrise tour sounds pretty much decent.
Aww… Indonesia is more than Bali. If you go to my blog, you can read about Flores Island, to the east of Bali. And I will write more about Indonesia.
Your son’s comment “Lots of the statue lost their heads” had me chuckling. I have yet to visit Indonesia and the only city I hear about is Bali. It is great to hear another town as Borobudur. I would definitely love to visit and see the headless statutes 😉
No doubt Bali is the most popular tourist destination in Indonesia. But there are more places that are still pristine and not too touristic in Indonesia. You can read about Flores in my blog there are more to come. Well, I hope you will get to see that headless statues. 🙂
This is a very honest post about your visit, very refreshing to read. Will take your tips and visit when it’s cooler
Thank you! I’m trying to give the good and the bad sides in balance.
What a beautiful place and you capture it so well in your photos and writing. I will be following along for more info since me and my lady friend will be headed there in a few months!!!
How cool! I have posts about Flores in my blog if you plan to go there. And more posts will come about Indonesia.
This reminded me a lot of when I went to Angkor Wat. It was hot and lots of people… and I did the sunrise tour. That was pretty magical! The weather can definitely make or break an adventure so it’s important to stay hydrated and wear appropriate clothing for sure!
I can imagine that! I still have to visit Angkor Wat though. I’m sure there will be lots of similarity in terms of the style.
Thanks for the information! It was useful for our trip planning!
You are welcome!
Wow what a fascinating place! I love visiting these kinds of sites.
Borobudur is fascinating! When I was in elementary, my teacher said they built the temple by using egg whites to glue the rocks pieces.
A family from Texas complaining about the heat must mean it was HOT! However, the pictures look amazing and I’m sure the temple is beautiful with a great historic vibe!
Hahaha! It was really hot and humid! And yes, the temple is beautiful and the history behind it was amazing!
I remember when we visited the safari parks in Tanzania. They also had different entrance fees for foreigners and citizens.
In Indonesia they said it’s because the government doesn’t subsidize the providences anymore. Each providence has to take care of themselves.