Is Borobudur Temple Worth Visiting? | How to plan a perfect trip

Are you planning a trip to Indonesia? Is Borobudur Temple worth visiting? Should you include it in your itinerary? Let me answer that for you.

Borobudur Temple is located in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. The largest Buddhist temple in the world, it is one of Indonesia’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Truthfully, seeing the Borobudur Temple was the main reason I decided to book the first of my many trips to Indonesia.

But with many beautiful places in Indonesia, is Borobudur Temple worth visiting?

When you plan a trip to Indonesia, you’d probably think of having a relaxing vacation in Bali.

And I can’t blame you. Even my friend Angge invited me on a trip to Indonesia to lounge by the beaches of Bali.

But growing up in the Philippines, where you can find many paradisiacal islands and beaches (like those in Palawan, Boracay, Bohol, and Cebu), booking an expensive flight just to beach bum in a foreign country did not interest me that much. While I’d also love the opportunity to swim in the beautiful beaches of other countries, I prefer exploring places that offer experiences I would otherwise not be able to experience when visiting the best places in my home country, the Philippines.

So, as someone interested in a destination’s history and culture, I quickly searched for UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Indonesia and found Borobudur Temple. And with the condition that we’d also visit Borobudur Temple, we started planning our trip to Indonesia.

In the end, we spent a relaxing beach day in Bali (as what Angge wanted!), explored Yogyakarta and Solo (Surakarta) and, of course, spent one morning at Borobudur Temple.

And after exploring it, I can definitely say that Borobudur Temple is worth visiting.

But before our trip, I knew that my friend, Angge, had doubts about whether Borobudur Temple was worth visiting. So, you might want to know this, too!

So, let me try to answer that for you.

By the end of this blog post, you’ll have the answer to the question, “Is Borobudur Temple worth visiting?” In addition, you’ll learn how to visit Borobudur Temple and what else you can do during your Indonesia trip—especially if, like us, you want to visit Solo (Surakarta) and Yogyakarta.

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Is Borobudur Temple Worth Visiting? 🤔

Borobudur Temple is the largest Buddhist temple in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has three main levels, each symbolizing a step to enlightenment. This Buddhist monument is decorated with intricate reliefs and has 504 sitting Buddhas. People visit Borobudur Temple for worship, meditation, and contemplation. It is also a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists, especially during Vesak Day.

Because of its historical, cultural, and religious significance, I’d say that Borobudur Temple is worth visiting.

I’ll be honest. I love visiting temples. I enjoyed exploring temples in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Ayutthaya in Thailand, the Balinese temples in Indonesia, the Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and the temples of Bagan, Mandalay, and Yangon in Myanmar.

And exploring Borobudur Temple was no different.

There’s just something about exploring these ancient temples that makes me feel like I am getting a glimpse into what it was like to live centuries ago. I am amazed by the intricate details of their artistic expressions and how they are preserved and used today.

But more than that, exploring ancient temples, like the Borobudur Temple, built in the 8th century and 9th century AD during Syailendra Dynasty, makes me feel like I’m acquiring wisdom from the enlightened ones from centuries ago.

For example, our guide stressed the belief in the existence of both good and bad and the necessity of balancing the two. This was expressed in the difference in the shapes of holes in the two groups of stupas on the top level: one set has diamond-shaped holes, while the other has square-shaped holes.

Another one that stuck with me was the confirmation of my belief that “Everything is nothing. Nothing is everything.” It was good to know that it’s not only me who gets it. I’m not THAT weird after all.

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🛌 Where to stay when you visit Borobudur Temple

If you’re planning to visit it on your own (i.e., not as part of a guided tour), I invite you to book your accommodation around Borobudur Temple so you can beat the crowds.

👉🏼 Budget Option: Janur Bungalow is 10 minutes away from Candi Borobudur. Guests love staying here because of its unique and pretty interior and exterior, cleanliness, friendly owner, and staff. 

👉🏼 Mid-Range Option: Villa Borobudur Resort is a luxury hotel 12 minutes from Borobudur Temple. It offers a spectacular view of Mt. Merapi and Borobudur Temple from afar. Guests love staying here because of its amazing staff, top-notch service, breathtaking views, and on-site restaurant. It’s a bit far away from the town proper, but if you’re looking for a relaxing stay, then Villa Borobudur Resort may be the best accommodation option for you.

👉🏼 Luxury Option: Plataran Borobudur Resort & Spa is a traditional villa with all the modern comforts. Located atop Tanjungan Village’s hills in Central Java, it offers guests incredible views and a relaxing vacation. Guests love staying here because of its serene and spectacular views, top-notch service, and welcoming and hospitable staff. If you want a luxurious stay during your visit to Borobudur, consider staying at Plataran Borobudur Resort & Spa.

These are my recommended accommodations near Borobudur Temple. But you can also book your accommodation in Yogyakarta or Surakarta, if you plan to explore both destinations, too.

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📝 Ultimate guide + travel tips for how to plan a perfect trip to Borobudur Temple

Now that I’ve shared my thoughts about the question, “Is Borobudur Temple worth visiting?” I now want to share some tips for visiting Borobudur Temple to make your trip enjoyable and memorable!

How to visit Borobudur Temple: You can visit Borobudur Temple on your own, through a guided tour, or by hiring a private guide.

But if you want to save money and explore Borobudur Temple DIY style, here are the things you need to know to help you plan your trip:

Where is Borobudur Temple?

Borobudur Temple is in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. While many people think that it’s in Yogyakarta, it is not. It is actually about an hour’s drive from Yogyakarta City.

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How to get to Borobudur Temple (Jakarta and Bali to Borobudur Temple)

• Book a flight to Indonesia. I recommend flying to either Jakarta or Bali.
• If you’re coming from Bali or Jakarta, fly to Yogyakarta.
• From Yogyakarta, you can reach Borobudur Temple by public bus (look for Jombor Bus Terminal), taking a taxi, chartering a private car with a driver, renting a car, or by booking a guided tour.

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Best time to visit Borobudur

The best time to visit Borobudur Temple is during sunrise and on a weekday (except on Mondays, when access to the temple monument is closed for preservation activities).

But, if you don’t like the crowds, you can also schedule your visit to Borobudur Temple a little after sunrise, when the sunrise visitors are already about done or have already left. I think, regardless of the time you visit Candi Borobudur (except on Mondays when access to the temple monument is closed), Borobudur Temple is worth visiting.

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Entrance Fee for Borobudur Temple (Prices of Borobudur Tickets)

25 USD (>10 years old), 15 USD (3-10 years old), 15 USD (students with a valid student card)

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Borobudur Temple Opening Hours

Ticket counters are open from 6:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The Temple Yard is open daily, but the temple itself is closed on Mondays (due to preservation activities).

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What to wear when you visit Borobudur Temple

Borobudur Temple is a place of worship for Buddhists, so please refrain from wearing shorts and mini skirts. You will also be asked to wear a sarong, but if you don’t have one, you can borrow one from the entrance gate, like we did!

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Places you can visit near Borobudur Temple

Borobudur Temple is just one of the best places to visit when you are in the area of Yogyakarta, Central Java, and Solo (Surakarta). When we visited Borobudur Temple, we also stayed for a couple more days to explore other nearby tourist attractions.

If you want to make the most out of your trip to visit Borobudur Temple, here are some of the other places you can visit while you’re in the area:

✔️ Candi Mendut

Candi Mendut is another Buddhist Temple in Central Java, Indonesia. While it’s not as grandiose as the Borobudur Temple, I think it’s also worth visiting.

✔️ Mount Merapi

Mount Merapi is an active volcano in Central Java. After visiting Borobudur Temple and Candi Mendut, we went on a Mount Merapi Jeep Tour. Riding a 4×4 and driving through volcanic ash from a recent Mount Merapi eruption was an adventure in itself. But what was most memorable for me was hearing the heartbreaking stories and seeing the ruins of the eruption with my two eyes. It reminded me of our mortality and that we should make the most out of what we have right now.

💡 Pro Tip: Mount Merapi is one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia, so if you decide to explore it, make sure to do it with extreme caution.

✔️ Prambanan Temples

Prambanan Temple Compounds is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. While Borobudur Temple is famous for its sunrise tour, Prambanan Temple is where you can catch gorgeous sunsets. After exploring Prambanan Temple Compounds, you can also watch Ramayana Ballet at Prambanan Temple.

✔️ Taman Sari Water Castle and Underground Mosque

Exploring the Taman Sari Water Castle and Underground Mosque was probably one of my most favorite experiences when we went to Yogyakarta. Together with other historic landmarks in the Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta, Taman Sari Royal Garden Complex was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023.

✔️ Malioboro Street

If you are looking for souvenirs and enjoy bargain hunting, then include a stop at Malioboro Street in your itinerary. I loved the experience of haggling with the vendors so much that I ended up buying tons of souvenirs and gifts for my loved ones!

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FAQs: Is Borobudur Worth Visiting?

Here are some frequently asked questions re is Borobudur Temple worth visiting?

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The Wrap-Up: Is Borobudur Temple Worth Visiting?

So, is Borobudur Temple worth visiting? Definitely! Whether you love visiting ancient temples (like me) or are fascinated by history and beautiful structures, you’ll enjoy spending a couple of hours there.

When I first booked a trip to Indonesia, I was primarily motivated by the Borobudur Temple. As of this writing, I’ve visited most Southeast Asian countries (and am looking forward to visiting more!), and I can say that Borobudur Temple is one of the best places I’ve visited in the region.

So, if you’re planning a trip to Indonesia, I invite you to include exploring Candi Borobudur in your itinerary. ‘Cos Borobudur Temple is worth visiting – definitely!

That’s it! Thank you for reading up to this point. I hope this article answered your question, “Is Borobudur Temple worth visiting?” If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I’d be happy to help!

P.S. Remember, life’s too short. Go create beautiful memories! And it’s my honor to be part of your journey.

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