I visited Borobudur Temple as part of my 2 day trip in Yogyakarta, where I also got the chance to tour the popular Jomblang Cave or river tube down Pindul cave.

Borobudur Temple

Borobudur Temple, located in Central Java near Yogyakarta, is the world’s largest Buddhist temple and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 9th century during the Sailendra dynasty, it stands as a monumental testament to ancient Javanese art, architecture, and spiritual devotion, and features unique architecture such as:

• Stupa-Style Design: The temple is a massive step pyramid, resembling a giant mandala. It has nine stacked platforms, six square and three circular, leading to the central stupa at the summit.
• Detailed Bas-Reliefs: The walls are adorned with over 2,600 intricate relief panels and 504 Buddha statues, depicting stories from Buddhist teachings and ancient Javanese life.
• Spiritual Significance: Borobudur is a site for pilgrimage, representing a spiritual journey through three levels: Kamadhatu (world of desires), Rupadhatu (world of forms), and Arupadhatu (formless world), culminating in enlightenment at the top.
• Panoramic Views: The temple is perched on a hill, offering breathtaking views of surrounding lush greenery, distant mountains, and mist-covered valleys, especially during sunrise.

Borobudur offers a profound blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, making it an unmissable destination in Yogyakarta. Don't miss this opportunity to explore the temple's intricate details and get a glimpse into Indonesia’s rich heritage and ancient Buddhist art. I also uploaded my visit on tiktok.

Visiting Options: Guided vs Non-guided

The Temple can be visited either with a tour group or without. Below are some pros and cons:

• Solo Visit: Greater flexibility to explore at your own pace. Cheaper overall, especially if traveling by public transport or hiring a car with friends. However, this requires more effort to research about ticketing and entry, although there is still the opportunity to hire a local guide on-site (for an additional fee).
• Tour Group: Convenient transportation and pre-arranged tickets for a seamless experience. Learn from knowledgeable guides, who provide in-depth insights into the temple’s history and architecture. However, this may feel rushed for some, as group itineraries are time-sensitive.

Best Time to Visit

It is highly recommended to arrive at the temple as early as sunrise to avoid the heat and crowd, and to capture a beautiful sunrise. Here is a brief breakdown of suggested timings:

• Sunrise (5:00–6:30 AM): Enjoy cooler temperatures and lesser crowd and enjoy the sunrise, allowing you to get the best pictures
• Early Morning (6:30–9:00 AM): If sunrise tickets are unavailable, visiting in the early morning still offers cooler temperatures and fewer crowds.
• Avoid Noon and Weekends: Midday visits can be hot and crowded, especially on weekends and public holidays. This won't ruin the entire experience since the temple does have a quota on the number of visitors roaming the temple at any given time.

Getting There

You can get to Borobudur Temple from Yogyakarta city mainly via few ways mentioned below:

• Car or Taxi: A 1.5–2 hour drive. Hiring a private car with a driver is a convenient option, costing around IDR 400,000–600,000 for a day.
• Tour Group: Many agencies in Yogyakarta offer day tours to Borobudur, often combined with other attractions like Prambanan Temple. Most tours offer point to point pick up and drop-off which might be a viable option for some. We booked this experience via JogjaTourPackage, which provided us a great experience and took great care of us throughout the tour.

Purchasing Tickets

It is advisable to purchase tickets online prior to your visit for a smooth experience:

• Online Booking: Tickets can be booked via official websites or authorized tour operators. Purchasing online is recommended to avoid long queues.
• On-Site Purchase: Tickets are available at the entrance, but expect potential delays during peak times.

Ticket Types and Access Levels

It is also important to note that there are broadly 2 types of entry tickets for your visit, and you should choose the one that you prefer:

• Ground-Level Access Only:
  Standard tickets allow visitors to explore the temple’s base and admire its stunning relief panels. This option is ideal for those interested in the historical and artistic aspects but does not include climbing to the upper levels.
• Full Access Tickets:
  These tickets grant entry to the upper levels, including the circular terraces and central stupa. Here, visitors can enjoy unobstructed views and experience the spiritual ambiance that the summit offers. These tickets are pricier and may require advance booking, especially during sunrise or sunset slots.

If you're purchasing a tour experience, confirm that you are given the Full Access Tickets to avoid potential disappointment!

Other Tips

Some other tips before you visit:

• Dress modestly out of respect for the temple’s religious significance
• Hiring a local guide can enhance your experience by explaining the history and symbolism of the carvings.
• Wear comfortable shoes, as the climb to the upper levels can be steep.
• Bring water, sunscreen, and a hat, especially if visiting later in the day

Arrival at Borobudur Temple

We were picked up at 730AM from our hotel and commenced our drive to Borobudur Temple. When we arrived, our guide got our tickets exchanged and we had to wear the ticket on our wrists for staff to identify us:

Since our ticket was for a guided tour, we could only enter the temple at a fixed timing when it was time. Prior to that, we were made to sit in a small holding room while waiting for our turn.

As of 2024, guided walks commence every hour with a quota of 150 people per walk:

Borobudur Guided Walk

Once it was our turn, our guide led the way with a tall flag around so we could recognize him. It was a walk down a straight and open foot path before we arrived at the foot of the temple, and it was nice to capture some views of the temple from afar.

The grandiose of the temple became more apparent as we inched closer and closer, until it was towering right above us:

Throughout the way, we listened as our guides shared about the Temple's history while snapping away at the intricate details of the temple.

We took our time to explore each floor of the temple, admiring the details within the temple.

From atop the temple, we could also view the long footpath which we arrived from:

As tour came to and end, we had some time to roam around the ground floor of the temple by ourselves, and a decent view of the temple:

We rendezvoused with our guide outside the temple before making a quick break for lunch and after that, arriving for our Mount Merapi Jeep Tour experience.