Borobudur Tips – What to Know Before You Go

A visit to Borobudur Temple should be on everyone’s list of places to see in Indonesia. Borobudur Temple is the world’s largest Buddhist monument and a stunning example of Buddhist architecture! 

It’s made up of nine stacked platforms, adorned with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. It really is a massive structure! 

Over my two days in Yogyakarta, the visit to this awe-inspiring site became a highlight of my journey through Indonesia. 

In this post, I will share the history of the temple, some practical Borobudur tips for visiting, and my experience in this amazing place. 

History of Borobudur Temple

Borobudur Temple was built in the 9th century during the reign of the Sailendra Dynasty. This colossal structure was constructed as a Mahayana Buddhist temple and remains the largest Buddhist temple in the world.

The temple’s design reflects a mandala, symbolizing the universe in Buddhist cosmology. It consists of nine stacked platforms, six square and three circular, topped by a central dome. The temple is adorned with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues, illustrating the life and teachings of Buddha. These carvings not only depict religious stories but also provide insight into the daily life and culture of the time.

Abandoned in the 14th century as the region converted to Islam, Borobudur laid hidden under layers of volcanic ash and jungle growth for centuries. It was rediscovered in the early 19th century by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, the then British ruler of Java. Extensive restoration efforts, particularly those carried out by UNESCO in the 1970s, have helped preserve this magnificent site for future generations.

Borobudur Tips to Plan Your Visit

When planning your visit, there are a few things that you need to know.

One is that the temple itself is closed on Mondays for maintenance. You can still walk around the grounds, but you will not be allowed to enter the temple.

The second is that access to the temple is timed and limited. To help preserve Borobudur from the wear and tear that tourism brings, there are only 1,200 tickets available a day. And those tickets are spread out over the day so that no more than 150 people are in the temple at one time.

So don’t just show up and expect to be allowed in. Or that there would even be tickets still available. You need to buy your tickets ahead of time!

It’s also going to be one hella hot day. You can go up the temple and explore all the different levels, but you can’t actually go inside the temple. The entire thing is outside in the sun. There is no shade.

Borobudur Tips: Buy tickets online early as they do sell out, especially during peak tourist seasons.

Borobudur Ticket Options

There are two ticket options for visiting Borobudur Temple. You have the choice of visiting the temple grounds only, or the grounds and the actual temple itself.

Temple Grounds Only

This ticket allows you to explore the beautiful surroundings of Borobudur, including the gardens and park areas. It’s a more budget-friendly option if you’re not looking to enter the main structure but still want to enjoy the serene environment. This lets you see the temple from ground level but doesn’t allow you to access the temple.

Entrance fee is 400,000 IDR ($25)

Temple Structure Access

This ticket grants you access to the grounds as well as the actual temple of Borobudur. With this ticket, you can climb up the temple’s nine levels, admire the intricate carvings, and enjoy the panoramic views from the top. This is the ticket I opted for.

Entrance fee is 455,000 IDR ($28)

Borobudur Tips: If you are also visiting Prambanan Temple, you can purchase a combination ticket and save a few bucks.

Is a Guide Required to Visit Borobudur Temple?

Yes, if you wish to enter the Borobudur Temple structure you are required to join a guided tour. That doesn’t mean you have to find a private tour guide yourself. When you purchase your ticket, you will automatically be assigned a tour group with a guide, at no additional cost.

A guide is not required if you are only visiting the Temple grounds.

The English-speaking guide will walk with your tour group down the path and through the large courtyard before entering the temple. Along the way, your guide will explain the history of the temple and its different sections.

Your guide will also accompany you when you enter the temple. The day that I went, there were about 12 people in our tour group. A few stayed with the guide the whole time they were in the temple but most of us separated from the group and explored on our own.

If you choose to leave the group, please remember to abide by the 60-minute timeframe to ensure everyone has a chance to enjoy the site without overcrowding.

Borobudur Tips: There is absolutely zero shade at the temple. Be sure to wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. You may want to bring an umbrella for shade.

You’ll be Given a Wristband to Wear

If you have purchased tickets for the Temple Structure, you’ll receive a wristband with a barcode. The wristband will be scanned when you enter the temple, and it will be scanned again when you exit the temple.

You are only allotted 60 minutes to explore the temple. This may seem like a short time, but it was just enough to appreciate the intricate carvings and the grandeur of the structure.

Required Footwear for Borobudur Temple

A recent change at Borobudur, starting around 2022, was the requirement to wear Upanat sandals during your visit. I’m wearing the sandals in the picture above.

These locally made sandals are provided to all visitors and are included in the Temple structure ticket price. You’re also given a cloth bag to carry with you to hold the shoes that you were wearing.

Wearing these sandals helps protect the ancient stones and carvings from wear and tear caused by modern footwear. The sandals were surprisingly comfortable and easy to walk in, and the best part is that you get to keep them (and the bag) as a unique souvenir from your visit!

Borobudur Tips: Lockers are available if you’d rather not carry anything with you.

The Different Sections of Borobudur Temple

Borobudur is a massive temple complex with four distinct sections that each hold unique significance. Those four sections are spread out over nine different levels. Nine. Like I said earlier – it’s massive!

The temple is renowned for its intricate stone carvings, depicting scenes from Buddhist teachings. As you climb the steps to each of the nine levels, you’ll be mesmerized by the sheer scale and detail of these carvings. The top level, adorned with stupas and a large central dome, offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

Here’s a breakdown of the four different sections:

Kamadhatu (The World of Desires)

The base of Borobudur represents Kamadhatu, the world of desires. This section is partially covered by a layer of stones that form a square platform. The reliefs in this section depict human behavior driven by desire, including scenes of karma and cause-and-effect.

Rupadhatu (The World of Forms)

Above Kamadhatu are four square terraces that make up Rupadhatu, the world of forms. This section contains extensive galleries with relief panels depicting various stories from Buddhist scriptures, including the Jataka tales (stories of the Buddha’s previous lives) and the Lalitavistara (a biography of the Buddha). This level represents a transition from the material world to the spiritual realm.

Arupadhatu (The World of Formlessness)

The top three circular terraces represent Arupadhatu, the world of formlessness. These terraces are adorned with 72 stupas, each containing a Buddha statue in a meditation pose. The circular shape symbolizes the formless nature of the highest realm of existence. This section signifies the attainment of Nirvana, where one is free from physical and material desires.

The Central Stupa

At the very top of Borobudur sits the largest stupa, symbolizing the ultimate goal of Buddhist practice: enlightenment. This central stupa is surrounded by 72 smaller stupas and offers stunning views!

How to get to Borobudur Temple?

The journey from Yogyakarta to Borobudur Temple typically takes around 1 to 1.5 hours by car.

The best way to get there is by hiring a private driver for the day. You can hire a private driver through one of the booking apps or your hotel may be able to arrange one for you. A private driver costs about $35 but you have the same driver for the whole day driving you around wherever you want to go.

You can also use ride-hailing services like Grab but your driver will not stay at the temple until you are done. So you’ll have to order another Grab for your ride back to your hotel.

Borobudur Tips: Public buses are available, but the bus will take about 2-3 hours to get there. Don’t take the bus. You don’t want to spend 5 hours of your day on a bus.

When is the Best Time of Day to Visit Borobudur Temple?

Just like visiting Prambanan Temple, the best time to visit Borobudur is in the morning before the sun is right on top of you. There is no shade in the temple and it gets HOT! Late in the afternoon also offers cooler temperatures and stunning lighting for photography. Of course, since entry to the temple is timed, you’re at the mercy of visiting whenever tickets are available. 

You may have heard that the best time to visit Borobudur Temple is early in the morning to watch the sunrise. Unfortunately, in an effort to help preserve the temple and to control the number of visitors, that is no longer an option. There is no word yet if the temple will reopen for sunrise.

Borobudur and The Amazing Race

When I decided to visit Yogyakarta in Indonesia, the primary motivation behind my trip was to experience the magnificent Borobudur Temple. 

Not because it’s one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world. Even though it is. 

Not because it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site. Even though it is. 

I visited Borobudur Temple because it was featured on the TV show The Amazing Race. 

On The Amazing Race, teams travel the world completing challenges along the way. If you’ve never seen the show, I encourage you to watch it. There are some really incredible locations they travel to. 

I even submitted an audition video with my sister many years ago. We didn’t make it past the video.

I figured if I can’t be on The Amazing Race, I can at least visit some of the same places and pretend that I am. Right? 

Anyway, Borobudur Temple was included in a challenge where contestants had to count Buddha statues displaying four different hand positions and then demonstrate these positions to a monk, detailing how many Buddhas showed each hand signal.

So, did I count the Buddha statues? Ha, no! I started to but quickly stopped once I realized that I was missing out on all that surrounded me. The beauty, the serenity, the history, the spirituality…all that is Borobudur Temple!

Final Thoughts

Borobudur Temple’s architectural beauty and historical significance make it a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Yogyakarta. With a bit of preparation and these handy Borobudur tips, your visit will leave you captivated.

Have an AMAZING time!