World Heritage Sites in Indonesia Site name Entered Borobudur Temple Compounds 1991 Prambanan Temple Compounds 1991 Komodo National Park 1991 Ujung Kulon National Park 1991 Sangiran Early Man Site 1996 Lorentz National Park 1999 Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra 2004 The Cultural Landscape of Bali Province: the Subak System as a Manifestation of 2012 the Tri Hita Karana Philosophy Tentative list of Indonesia Banda Islands Banten Ancient City Bawomataluo Site Belgica Fort Besakih Betung Kerihun National Park (Transborder Rainforest Heritage of Borneo) Bunaken National Park Derawan Islands Elephant Cave Great Mosque of Demak Gunongan Historical Park Muara Takus Compound Site Muarajambi Temple Compound Ngada traditional house and megalithic complex Penataran Hindu Temple Complex Prehistoric Cave Sites in Maros-Pangkep Pulau Penyengat Palace Complex Raja Ampat Islands Ratu Boko Temple Complex Sukuh Hindu Temple Taka Bonerate National Park Tana Toraja Traditional Settlement Trowulan Ancient City Wakatobi National Park Waruga Burial Complex Yogyakarta Palace Complex Sites that have been nominated in the past Lore Lindu NP Maros Prehistoric Cave Toraja Java (October 2009) The Indonesian island of Java holds three cultural WHS, among which is the iconic Borobudur. I visited all three sites on daytrips from Yogyakarta, a city that in its Sultan's Palace (kraton) also has a monument worthy of WH status. Borobudur . Sangiran Early Man Site . Prambanan Borobudur The Borobudur Temple Compounds is a ninth century Buddhist temple complex. It was built on several levels around a natural hill. Borobudur is built as a single large stupa, and when viewed from above takes the form of a giant tantric Buddhist mandala, simultaneously representing the Buddhist cosmology and the nature of mind. The foundation is a square. It has nine platforms, of which the lower six are square and the upper three are circular. The upper platform features seventy-two small stupas surrounding one large central stupa. Each stupa is bell-shaped and pierced by numerous decorative openings. Statues of the Buddha sit inside the pierced enclosures. The site was rediscovered in the 19th century, and restored in the early 20th. In 1973 a major renovation took place that was funded by UNESCO. Two smaller Buddhist temples, Pawan and Mendut, are part of the designated area too. Year Decision Comments 1991 Inscribed Reasons for inscription Visit October 2009 Together with the Taj Mahal and Angkor, the Borobudur is probably one of the three most iconic WHS. I visited it at sunset. At first I was amazed that the monument cannot be seen from the road - I had always thought that it is very big? Also, when I finally got it in my view, it looked much less spectacular than I had imagined. Most of the stones are dark from exposure to the elements. I climbed the monument by going round clockwise at every level. That's when the site certainly started to grow on me. The sheer number of carvings into the walls, and their little details, kept me interested layer after layer. At some points there are whole reliefs, like paintings, displaying parts of a boddhisatva's life or a historic scene. The top, the central stupa surrounded by little stupas, is where all the visitors congregate. It looks a completely different place than the levels below. It's a fine spot to relax after the climb, and to contemplate all that you've seen underway. There are great views over the surrounding fields and mountains too. Picture Gallery Reviews Jorge Sanchez (Spain): Malioboro Street is the most centrically and famous in Yogyakarta. I found a hostel in that same street for three nights. I administrated the three days as follows: The first day I went to the beach Parangtritis and was familiarized with the city of Yogyakarta, visiting the Sultan Palace and other tourists’ attractions. The second day I visited by bus the fabulous Borobudur site, with well over 500 statues devoted to Buddha, plus 72 stupas. And the third day I travelled to Prambanan to admire the Hindu temples complex (about 200). The fourth day I travelled by bus and then boat to Bali Island. Needless to say that the most fantastic place that I visited based in Yogyakarta, was, with much difference, Borobudur. Date posted: August 2013 Bessel vdK (USA): THis is one of the most gorgeous sites in the world, particularly during sunrise. I went three mornings in a row- its irresistible - with the smoke of an active vulcano, the Mirapi, in the distance, and the gog over the tropical landscape of central Java, with hundreds of serene Buddhas watching - glorious! Date posted: November 2012 Elisabeth Fransisca Situmorang (Indonesia): One of the most beautiful WHS. So grand and full of lovely details in its wall. The best time to see it from above is in the early morning when you could see the sun rise... and as the fog descending, you could see the Temple as if it's rising from the cloud... Date posted: August 2008 (): One of the most beautiful Buddhist Temple in the world. The stone carvings stories surround temple will remind you that life is beautiful. Come early morning or late afternoon and you will get one of the most beautiful pictures of the monument uncomparable to other beautiful monuments in the world INDONESIA SAFE ! - COME AND VISIT THE TEMPLE : ) (): Awesome experience. I had a local guide built into my girlfriend as she is from indonesia. Even though i still found a little off putting the constant hounding by the people at the start and when you return, selling their wares. I think this pressure selling takes away from the experience there. Even my partner hated that as well. I even tried to pretend i was french instead but that made the guy talk in french instead. Great views and experience. I am glad i have been. One less wonder to see in my life. corinne (australia): hi i'm doing an assignment on the Borobudur Temple and i need some help with some answers because i can't seem to find them on the internet. does anyone know why the Borobudur Temple was once abandoned?? and any other information about what happens/happened there before the Temple was rediscovered... thankyou very much. Date posted: February 2006 HYOKA YUITI (JAPAN): I arrive at here! Over the clear sea and sky. ( where once fire and corpes. On the top floor ,we can feel some peaceful harmony from statues, which are still meditating. Each of them send the original waves to this quiet space. Those who seek peace and happiness,Please set out pilgrimage to this monument. Borobudur is the intermediate museum to show us his simplest discovery. Solutions of the time are here! (Stay near the site. Visit eary in the morning. I recomend Borobudur , through our atomic war experinces. Mohan Rao Gunti (India): The Temple of Borobudur One of the Ancient Wonders of the World, not to be missed in life time. A wonderful creation with beautifully architectured with a blend of true culture. The Borobodur Temple complex is one of the greatest monuments in the world. It is of uncertain age, but thought to have been built between the end of the seventh and beginning of the eighth century A.D. For about a century and a half it was the spiritual centre of Buddhism in Java, then it was lost until its rediscovery in the eighteenth century. The structure, composed of 55,000 square meters of lava-rock is erected on a hill in the form of a stepped-pyramid of six rectangular storeys, three circular terraces and a central stupa forming the summit. The whole structure is in the form of a lotus, the sacred flower of Buddha. This coming 26-29 september 2004 Indonesia Tourism Board along with Event Organizer Pacto Covex are organising a special event called Royal Tourism Indonesia Mart & Expo [TIME] 2004 at Yogyakarta, the city of Borobudur. Royal TIME 2004 is a strategic international event that will help showcase Yogyakarta and Java to the international tourism market. So, Selamat Datang!, welcome to Yogyakarta! Hope you enjoy your stay there and trust you will enjoy TIME 2004 and the Javanese way of life. Finally, you are guaranteed to receive warm hospitality and a genuine welcome from the people of Yogyakarta and are proud to show their heritage to the world. jenny (NL): One of the most beautiful spots I've visited so far... Take your time to scroll around, have a look at the relief on the walls, see the immense beautify of the surrounding by entering the highest level; is this the nirvana? Don't book a tour from Yogya, try to get there earlier than the others. Charter a taxi, there are smaller ancient sites in the surrounding, off the beaten track. Enjoy! www.ikreis.net Alex (New Zealand): Living in Indonesia and travelling around to see some of the volcanoes such as Krataua and Merapi were always great. But I would have to say that the trip I went on to the Borobudur Temple is one I remember the clearest. It is a really good idea to get a local tourist guide to go around the temple area with you so you really get to learn what the place is all about. Arif (Indonesia): The temple is located at Borobudur District, South of Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. Borobudur was built by Sanmaratungga in the 8th century, and belongs to Buddha Mahayana. Borobudur was revealed by Sir Thomas Stanford Raffles in 1814. The temple was found in ruined condition and was buried. The overall height was 42 meters, but was only 34.5 meters after restoration, and had the dimension of 123 x 123 meters (15,129 square meters).