Best Things To Do In And Around Borobudur, Indonesia

things to do in borobudur indonesia
Sarah
Sarah 
Updated
| 4 min read

The world’s biggest Buddhist temple, Borobudur, is located on Indonesia’s Island Java, just a one-hour drive away from the popular city Yogjakarta. This fascinating site lets you travel back in time, and enjoy a unique combination of spirituality, history, culture and natural beauty. Borobudur was built in the 9th-century, but it wasn’t until 1815 that it was rediscovered again, only to be buried under volcanic ash a little later. The temple has survived countless man-made and natural disasters, such as earthquakes, terrorist bombs and the many eruptions of the volcano Mount Merapi. Borobudur covers a large area, and is home to more than 2,600 relief panels and more than 500 Buddha statues.

The region is Indonesia’s most important centre for Buddhism, and although much of the temple’s architecture reflects India’s influence, many traditional Indonesian elements have been used. Set in beautiful greenery and surrounded by mountains, a visit to Borobudur is a truly unforgettable experience. Most visitors spend at least a few days in the area, as there is so much here to discover. There are many accommodation options available in the nearby towns of Yogjakarta, Solo or Magelang. But first, here is some great things to see and do in the area.

1. Visit the Selogriyo Temple

Candi Selogriyo Hindu Temple of Java A 2013
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user TeshTesh used under CC BY-SA 3.0

This small and often overlooked temple is a great half day trip from Borobudur. Selogriyo Temple, or Candi Selogriyo as the locals call it, is a Hindu temple, and less impressive than its neighbor Borobudur, however, the journey itself makes the temple worth the visit. To get here, you have to climb a narrow road to a traditional Indonesian village, and then walk for approximately 1.5 km (0.9 miles) along a brick path. The walk leads you through the middle of rice paddies, and an overall picturesque rural landscape with beautiful vegetation. Once at the temple, you can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding greenery, and views of Mount Sumbing and other mountain peaks.

Selogriyo Temple

Address: Borobudur, Magelang, Indonesia

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2. Spend a relaxing day at Padma Spa

Spa
Source: Pixabay

What is better than some relaxation after a few busy days of exploring the Borobudur temples and its surroundings? At Plataran, Borobudur’s Padma Spa, you can enjoy high quality treatments, excellent cuisine and several activities, such a yoga. And all of this comes with a stunning view of the majestic Borobudur temple area. Padma Spa lets you experience a sense of timeless balance, and gives you the potential to unfold - using traditional methods. The place features beautifully decorated treatment rooms where indigenous antiques are combined with contemporary comfort.

Padma Spa

Address: Plataran Borobudur Resort & Spa, Borobudur, Magelang 56553, Indonesia

Website: Padma Spa

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3. Explore the Mendut Temple

Mendut Temple Indonesia
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Pras used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Located 3.5 km (2.1 miles) east of Borobudur, Mendut Temple is a small, but exquisite temple. It features a 3 meter high (9.8 feet) statue of Buddha, flanked by bodhisattvas: Lokesvara and Vairapana. Unlike other statues, the Buddha is displayed Western style - he is sitting with both feet on the ground. Especially at night, these statues are impressive as they are lit up against the dark sky. Visitors are usually allowed to enter after dark, if they are accompanied by a local guide. Next to the Mendut Temple, you can find a Buddhist monastery where you can join daily group meditations, or take part in meditation retreats that last a few days.

Mendut Temple

Address: Borobudur, Indonesia

Website: Mendut Temple

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4. Visit the Chicken Church

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Close to the famous Borobudur viewpoint Setumbu Hill, you can find the Chicken Church - or Gereja Ayam in Bahasa. The church was designed in 1992, and the architect meant to create a “dove,” but the locals saw things differently. The name is literal - the church is indeed shaped like a chicken. It is a 10-15 minute walk to get here, and the church is worth a visit. Although it is no longer used as a church per se, the Chicken Church is still seen as a place of prayer. It is also a great alternative for watching the sunrise and less crowded than the famous view points. From the top of the church you can enjoy nice views of the tropical surroundings and the many volcanoes in the distance.

Chicken Church

Address: Gombong Kembanglimus, Parkiran Resmi Di Desa Gombong (Ada Fasilitas Jeep), Karangrejo, Borobudur, Magelang, Jawa Tengah 56553, Indonesia

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5. Watch the sunset in Prambanan Temple

Prambanan Trimurti
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Gunkarta used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Another experience that you should not miss out on while you are in the region, is watching the sunset. With the many temples and volcanoes that the region is home to, you will surely see a breathtaking sunset, with beautiful backgrounds. Just a one hour drive away from Yogjakarta you can find one of the most beautiful Hindu temples of Indonesia - the Prambanan Temple, also called Rara Jonggrang Temple. The temple’s tall architecture - the central building is 47 meters (154 feet) tall - is impressive, and the temple also features many interesting sculptured walls. Prambanan Temple is great for watching the sunset after a full day of exploring.

Prambanan Temple

Address: Bokoharjo, Prambanan, Sleman Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Website: Prambanan Temple

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6. Marvel at the UNESCO site of Borobudur Temple (12 USD)

Borobudur-Temple-Park Indonesia Stupas-of-Borobudur-01
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user CEphoto, Uwe Aranas used under CC BY-SA 3.0

The Borobudur temple is the biggest temple in the world for Buddhists. Constructed in three tiers in 750 AD, it holds 72 stupas each carrying a statue of Buddha around its massive ground of 2500 sq/m (0.6 acres) covered by walls and balustrades. No wonder the temple is listed as one of the UNESCO Heritage Sites. Book this guided tour for an in-depth experience, never missing important elements of the temple. Learn about the Vesak festivities, the significance of square-shaped structure with four entry point and a circular centre point, galleries of carved stone reliefs, the 328 Buddhas, the relevance of the 160 reliefs depicting scenes of Karmawibhangga Sutra, and a lot more. Book a tour with a local guide via Backstreet Academy for the best experience.

Borobudur Temple: The complete experience

Price: 12 USD

Duration: 2

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Borobudur - experience culture, history and natural beauty

Most visitors to the Borobudur region stay in Yogjakarta, which is a lovely city with many food and accommodation options, and in close proximity to all the major sights of the region. It is probably the most popular city amongst tourists on Java. Borobudur is full of culture, history and natural beauty. No matter if you are looking for some relaxing days, or adventures in the many temples of the region, you won’t be disappointed.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
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Sarah is a digital marketer and freelance writer currently based in Spain. Having been to almost 40 countries, Sarah has quite some travel experience. Her favourite destinations are the...Read more

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