Borobudur A Wonder Of Indonesian History

Thursday, March 25, 2010 |


Borobudur temple is an ancient site once considered one of the world’s seven wonders. Built in the 9th century, this temple has Gupta architecture of India's influence. Constructed on a hill about 46 meters high, Borobudur has about 55,000 m3 of stones. And it was built without using any kind of cement or mortar at all! The structure's like a massive interlocking Lego blocks without any glue. And it stays strong and firm even after going through ten centuries until it was rediscovered in 1815, buried under volcanic ashes.

Getting There
Borobudur is only 1 hour away by car from Jogjakarta. You can either join a tour or rent a car to this spot. During your journey to Borobudur, you can also enjoy the fresh cool air of Magelang city with its roads lined with big and shady trees. Borobudur itself stands tall against the Menoreh mountain range that surrounds it. Entering the temple compound is easy. You can do it on foot. Or you can chart a cart (pulled by a horse) at a reasonable price.

Getting Around
Explore this site on foot. Climb this magnificent temple and marvel at various carvings on the stone around you. For visitors with children, you will not want to miss the massive green grass around Borobudur site. You will certainly miss a great experience if you visit the great temple without knowing its history and importance which are captured on its many reliefs. There are also guides to walk you around as they explain the history of this site, built during the Syailendra dynasty, for only Rp50 thousand (about US$5.00). Many philosophies can be studied about the meaning of life from the reliefs of this temple. To save money, you may choose to walk through Green Park from the entrance. Although there may be many vendors who would chase and offer you souvenirs, they would do so in an orderly manner. Regulation says that they are not allowed to disturb visitors.

To Do
For better understanding of this temple, you can join a tour or hire a licensed tour guide here. Marvel at the magnificent view. Climb the temple to reach the top, where you can see an vacant space signifying emptiness as completion. Feel the wind blowing gently. Try that Titanic pose if you want. This temple won't be hitting any icebergs.

To Stay
You can choose the many inns and hotels in Jogjakarta, from a simple bed & breakfast to starred hotels. Just look at our Travel Directory and search for hotels in DI Jogjakarta.

To Eat
Jogjakarta is your best bet for some chow time. Read our Jogjakarta's Dining Guide for more information.

Tips
  • Come during a full moon. Once a year, the Waisak festival is held under a full moon. Waisak is a Buddhist holiday for holding prayers. There will be special ceremonies. If you're into cultural festival, this is the best time to visit.
  • Dress lightly and comfortably.
  • Hire a licensed tour guide, so you'll get better information.
  • During a dry season, you should wear a hat or an umbrella for protecting yourself from the sun or the occasional shower. You can rent one forRp2,000 (about US $0.18)
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