Are you a temple-lover? How about sunrises? I’m both, and visiting Borobudur in Indonesia ranks high up there, as temples go.
There are some places that you just have to go, some sights you just have to see. I would categorize Borobudur as one of these places. It’s arguably one of the most important sites in all of Southeast Asia, and it doesn’t disappoint.
On our trip to Java, we really enjoyed visiting Borobudur, a Buddhist temple and UNESCO World Heritage Site, at sunrise. For someone who loves photography, it will be forever etched in my memory.
What is Borobudur?
One of the largest and most important Buddhist temples in the world, Borobudur, is a must-visit when in Indonesia. Unlike Angkor Wat or Bagan, the structure is more centralized, with a main temple that is delineated by three levels depicting the three realms of Buddhism. The bottom level signifies the world of desires and all its temptations, the second level is the world of forms, and the top level represents the formless world, which is the one that each person should aspire to (source).
Where is Borobudur?
Located on the island of Java, it’s about an hour drive from Yogyakarta. Many people just stay in Yogya the entire time and tour groups will pick you up from there, but we decided to stay for two nights very close to the temple so we didn’t have to wake up quite as early.
Our Experience at Borobudur
The only way to climb up Borobudur Temple before sunrise is through a guided tour. We had noticed that the ticket desk opened at 6:00 AM, so we weren’t really interested in a full tour. Instead, we booked “transportation” with our hotel. Turns out, it was considered a tour, and we were given tour stickers upon entering. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have been allowed in.
We had an early pickup by our guide at 4:30 in the morning, which meant we had to get up at O-dark-thirty. After getting dressed and ready, we piled into a very sleepy van with some other travelers already inside.
Our first stop was to pick up a few more tourists, and then we were on our way to the temple. After that, they led us on a walk to the temple gates. As we entered, we went through a turnstile, and the guide took us up to the top of the temple. None of the tour guides were talking, just leading their groups to the top of the temple. That’s my kind of “tour.”
On the top level, with a 360 degree view of the surrounding valley, there were plenty of people, and despite the signs prohibiting sitting on the walls or leaning against anything, many chose to sit down in various places while waiting for the sun to rise.
The photo opportunities were incredible, especially since we arrived before sunrise, which lent a beautiful dark blue hue to the surroundings and created lovely silhouettes of the stupas. Being in the jungle, the mist hung in the air, and as we looked out across the valley towards Merapi, the volcano, we could see the mist hovering over the trees.
It created a surreal, otherworldly atmosphere that added to the experience. Although many people were around, the conversations were soft and respectful, allowing us to enjoy the serenity of the moment.
As the sun rose, the light gradually transformed from a blue to a golden glow, eventually becoming the bright daylight that, while not as captivating, allowed for great opportunities to photograph the stupas.
There were numerous reliefs to capture scenery through the grates, and it felt like a discovery in every direction. There are over 1,400 reliefs and approximately 2,500 Buddha statues at the site. At the very top level, there are at least 72 stupas, each housing a Buddha inside, and each one had a unique design, adding to the awe of discovery.
It was hot even that early in the morning, and although there were a lot of people around, it was still an enjoyable experience. You could take photos with or without people, and the sound of birds chirping filled the air.
Overall, it was a wonderful time, and I can definitely say that if I had the chance to do it again, I would absolutely get up at the crack of dawn to witness the sunrise, as it made visiting Borobudur a more poignant experience.
Our Rating
Anytime you go to a major tourist site, really anywhere in the world, it’s going to cost. Luckily, I felt that the cost of paying for a tour was justified, since we were able to enter the temple before the majority of people arrived.
Yes, it was busy. Yes, it was somewhat crowded. Yes, there were lots of people whispering, at times laughing, and making some noise, but really it was a wonderful experience.
I loved how the light kept changing throughout the morning and gave us a chance to take photos in all kinds of light as well as getting the details of the bas-reliefs later on when the light was fully in the sky.
I would give this a five-star experience, and I would suggest that anybody who is going to Java should definitely book the sunrise tour. For the most part, you’re going to have to take a tour to get into the temple and do the climbing bit anyway, so why not do it at the most amazing part of the day?
Borobudur Tickets and Entry
They have changed the way visitors are allowed to access the temple. As the largest temple in the world and one of the most significant Buddhist sites, especially in Indonesia, it is imperative that the authorities take measures to preserve it.
Currently, they allow only 1,200 people per day to enter the temple grounds or climb the temple. Therefore, it can be difficult to get the climbing tickets without pre-purchasing them. If they are sold out during your time frame, you can always take a tour.
If you are traipsing about Southeast Asia, and especially Indonesia, make a trip to Java and check out Borobudur. We loved it, and I’m sure you will, too.
Author Bio: Corinne Vail is a travel photographer, food lover, and a perpetual traveler who has been travel writing for over 14 years. For many years she lived overseas in Germany, Japan, Turkey, South Korea, and the Netherlands teaching the children of the US. military. She’s visited over 90 countries, and she’s not stopping anytime soon.
