Sunrise at Borobudur Temple
There is nothing in the world quite like the Borobudur Temple sunrise. If you’ve never been to Indonesia, you really should add it to your bucket list.
To be honest, this was my first trip to Asia, and I didn’t know what to expect. After spending two weeks exploring, I fell head over heels in love with this country and the people of Indonesia.
From learning traditional games of Indonesia in Bandung, to snorkeling at Raja Ampat Dive Lodge, to the fun beach town of Gili Trawangan, this trip was an amazing experience.
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What is the Borobudur Temple?
The Borobudur Temple, also known as Candi Borobudur, is the largest Buddhist temple in the world. Construction of the temple started in the 8th century and was finished in the 9th century, during the reign of the Syailendra Dynasty.
The temple was covered in volcanic ash from around the year 1,000 and hidden by vegetation until 1814 when an English lieutenant Governor by the name of Thomas Stamford Raffles discovered it through the local people. Java was under British administration during the years from 1811 through 1816.
Though Raffles is credited with discovering the temple, he actually never saw it. He sent a Dutch engineer to locate it, and his team uncovered the temple. It was restored by a team of Dutch archaeologists between 1907 and 1911. Another restoration took place in 1983.
Considered to be one of the greatest monuments in the world, more than 2 million stone interlocking blocks were carried in carts from local rivers and streams and fitted together with no mortar.
Where is the Borobudur Temple Located?
Borobudur Candi (“temple” in bahasa Indonesian) is just 25 miles from Yogyakarta in Central Java. Though it may not look like it from this map, Indonesia is a large country. In fact, it’s the 14th largest country in the world by land area.
To drive to Borobudur from Jakarta, which is the capital, it would take around six hours. Most people fly into Jakarta and then fly to Yogyakarta from there.
It’s not a bad idea to stay at the Jakarta Airport Hotel to get some rest before beginning your next journey. I stayed there and it was lovely. Book your room before you go as it’s a very popular place to stay. There is a lot to see in Jakarta.
Exploring the Borobudur Temple
Do yourself a favor and pick up a travel guide before you go so you can decide what you want to see and read up on it a bit first. It was incredibly helpful for me! You can see Borobudur & Prambanan Temple (another temple and popular tourist attraction not too far away) in just a couple of days, and there is more to see nearby.
The day we were to explore Borobudur Temple, I was told it would be an early morning to catch the sunrise from the top of the monument. I am a sunset kind of girl, mainly because I love to sleep.
After seeing the photos of the sunrise from the top of the Temple when I did my research, I had no problem getting up to leave at 4 am. Okay, that’s not the whole truth, but it was well worth it once I had my coffee and they handed me a flashlight along with my ticket. Now I was ready to explore.
There is nothing like seeing the sun rise over the mountains from this awe-inspiring monument. You can book a tour by Jeep for the Borobudur Sunrise Tour, Prambanan, and the Merapi Volcano, all in a day. It’s smart to leave everything to the experts, and they will know the best spot for viewing and lookout points.
You can also get a regular ticket at the Temple, but I loved having a guide and the sunrise package was worth the small extra cost.
I was surprised at the easy access tourists had to the temple when I was there. I mentioned to our guide that there are many structures around the world (a lot in the United States) which are roped off, and not accessible to tourists.
Since my visit, because of issues with vandalism to both statues and panels, entrance to the temple has been limited to 1,200 people per day. Only 150 people per hour can enter and they must be accompanied by a local guide.
This is a good thing for Borobudur, but such a sad thing for our society. Gum, candy wrappers, and even bottles of urine were found around the temple by those who are there to protect it.
To be totally truthful, it was surreal being there. On the other side of the world. On the grounds of a structure that millions of people have journeyed so far to see.
This was one of those bucket list moments, like seeing the Taj Mahal at sunrise. How many times in your life is it possbile to experience something like this?
Understanding the Spiritual Aspect of Borobudur
The Temple is in the shape of a giant mandala, and the wall carvings are elaborately detailed. Scholars have said the 2,672 narrative relief panels are like a textbook. 1,460 of the panels tell a narrative story, and 1,212 are decorative, but still add to the story.
Some of the panels are read in an order of left to right, while others are read right to left. You begin the story at the Eastern side of the gate, and go up from that entrance each time. It really is fascinating, but difficult to understand for visitors. That’s another reason to have a tour guide.
To read the entire “book” means walking about two miles around the Temple. Climbing the stairs, the faithful are introduced to the stories and teachings of Buddha, called the Dharma. It is believed that as they walk around the Temple meditating on the spiritual messages of the sutra, it helps them to embrace enlightenment.
The Borobudur Temple brought pilgrimages from around Southeast Asia for hundreds of years, and many of the faithful still travel there today. On the date of the first full moon in May, a festival is held over several days to celebrate the birth day of Buddha. There are also many independent tour companies that offer pilgrimage experiences, as well.
The three levels each represent a stage on the way to enlightenment. More than 500 Buddha statues sit around the temple. It’s really a must-see if you’re visiting Indonesia.
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, the world-renowned Borobudur Temple is also considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
With the backdrop of mountains, including the active Mount Merapi volcano, the view is just breathtaking.
From all sides, the views from the Temple are stunning, even before you begin the journey inside. It’s often foggy in the morning, but it usually dissipates later in the day.
Walking can be uneven at times, so be sure to take that into consideration. I understand visitors are given special slippers now as walking on the stones in shoes has added to the deterioration issues.
The slippers are made from pandan leaves, coconut shell, and eva sponge, and are given to visitors as part of the entrance ticket. As 1,200 pairs are needed each day, this does help the local economy. The slippers are not reused, and visitors may take them home as a souvenir.
I don’t know much about the Buddhist religion, but I was amazed at what had been achieved over 1,200 years ago to build this temple. In fact, it is said there are times of the year when the path of the sunrise illuminates the peak of the temple in a way that is surreal.
Doesn’t it make you wonder how that was accomplished over a thousand years ago?
What is the Best Time of Day to See the Temple?
Sunrise is the best time to visit the temple, when the golden light illuminates the stone. Early morning, before the sun gets too hot on the park grounds, or later afternoon when the sun is setting, is also a good time to visit. It’s always a good idea to wear and carry extra sunscreen as the sun can be scorching.
The size of the Borobudur Temple complex makes seeing it all very easy, especially in comparison to places like Angkor Wat in Cambodia, which is huge.
It would not be the same if you had to look from afar. Being able to see the panels up close was very special.
To see more of what I did while visiting this incredible country, check out learning traditional Indonesian Games , 24 hours in Gili T, and where to go for Raja Ampat diving. If you’re a foodie like me, you might also enjoy these Indonesian dessert recipes. Let me know if you make any of them!
The Indonesia Travel website has all the information you need to help you plan your journey. Ready to start packing?
Learn More About Indonesia
My favorite way to explore a new country is through the cuisine. Try some of these traditional dishes before you go. They are all delicious, but none compare to the local food when you’re there!
Note: This article was originally written on November 7, 2016, and was updated on February 20, 2025 with more current information about visiting the Borobudur Temple.
