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Borobudur Temple and Prambanan Temple constituted mandatory stops on our trip to Southeast Asia. These two outstanding architectural masterworks are situated very near Yogyakarta, the cultural and creative capital of Java Island in Indonesia.
It is remarkable that two temples of such splendor are in such close proximity to each other. As it turns out, the simple cause behind their nearness relates to the struggle between Buddhism (represented by Borobudur Temple) and Hinduism (represented by Prambanan Temple) in this area. This, in turn, benefits Yogyakarta, attracting large numbers of tourists who journey to this place to admire these structures.
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HOW LONG TO STAY IN YOGYAKARTA
We spent two complete days in Yogyakarta, besides visiting the temples, we walked through the center of the city and took the chance to have some rest. For those who have a tight schedule, keep in mind that you can visit the Borobudur temple and the Prambanan temple within a day – one in the morning and one in the afternoon. However, two days would be more convenient to do some sightseeing in Yogyakarta.
Also, if you are taking a trip through Southeast Asia and you pass through Yogyakarta, you can take advantage of cheap laundry service or indulging yourself in a relaxing massage. In other more popular places like Bali, these would be more expensive.
TRANSPORTATION IN YOGYAKARTA
This is another beautiful villa in Tenerife that can accommodate large groups since it contains five bedrooms with space for up to eleven individuals. Each of the sleeping quarters leads to the rooftop patio, however gatherings are restricted.
At each station there is a notice where one staff member charges the ticket cost (3,000 IDR, ≈0.20€), while another aids you to pass it through a revolving entry, and then another who informs you when to enter the bus. Other than the driver inside the bus, there is an usher that tells you where you must sit. I don’t know if this system is too efficient, but what is clear is that the system gives employment to many people. Here you can see the Yogyakarta map of Trans Yogya. The bus schedule is from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
TRANSPORTATION YOGYAKARTA AIRPORT
The airport is around an hour away from downtown Yogyakarta by bus transportation. We took line 1A, which passes through Malioboro Jalan street, the primary street of Yogyakarta. If you arrive at the airport at night, a taxi to the city center will cost roughly 100,000 Indonesian rupiah (7 euros).
PRAMBANAN temple
HOW TO GET TO PRAMBANAN temple
The most practical means of accessing the temple is by taking the Trans Yogya public transportation. From Malioboro street, catch the bus that travels to Prambanan Temple, which is route 1A. The bus drops passengers off at around a 10 minute walk from the entryway of the temple.
visiting prambanan temple
The entrance fee varied for locals versus foreigners. We paid 173.000 IDR (approximately 13 €) per person, with the unfortunate incident that I forgot to bring my student card, which would have halved the price.
Prambanan is composed of over 200 Hindu temples constructed throughout the ninth century, rather than a single structure.
Prambanan shares connections to the Buddhist temple of Borobudur as partly earlier attempted to overtake this architectural achievement. Prambanan symbolizes the return of a Hindu dynasty back to authority following almost a century of Buddhist control in central Java.
To celebrate, this immense complex was built where the Trimurti, the Hindu trinity representing God as the Creator (Brahma), the Preserver (Vishnu) and the Destroyer (Shiva) was worshipped.
HISTORY OF PRAMBANAN
In the 16th century, an earthquake destroyed most of the buildings. After the disaster, the ruins were almost completely abandoned. However, there were still Hindus who came to worship the ruins.
In 1811, the Scottish surveyor Colin Mackenzie happened upon the temples. From then until 1880, a steady plundering of the ruins was undertaken. In 1918, reconstruction and restoration of the complex initiated. To this day, and as evidenced, labor has yet to finish.
fortunately, in 1991 Prambanan was added as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. We hope this work of immense value can be preserved.
If you want to dine during your visit, I recommend the restaurant that is in the temple complex. Try the avocado smoothie and fried banana with chocolate and cheese.
BOROBUDUR temple
On the return journey to the center of Yogyakarta, we decided we wanted to witness the sunrise at Borobudur, the largest Buddhist temple worldwide and most visited monument in Indonesia. Doing so would allow us to avoid the constant crowds of tourists throughout the day.
While there were some visits that permitted access ahead of the temple opening, our strategy was to enter immediately as the temple began letting people in, at 6 AM, as that would still give us time to see sunrise without extra payment required. Although we were already staying at a hotel in Yogyakarta, we reserved another hotel near the temple so we could be there from the start of the morning.
HOW TO GET TO BOROBUDUR temple
You can travel to Borobudur by bus. You need to take line 2A or 2B to Jombor, and then another bus from there to Borobudur. The cost of this second bus (which is no longer operated by Trans Yogya) is about 10,000 IDR (around 1€). Be sure not to pay more than this amount if they ask for additional payment. Later, we will share our experience returning from Borobudur.
The trip from Yogyakarta to Borobudur takes around two hours total. We failed to check schedules, so upon arrival in Jombor there were no buses to take us to Borobudur, yet returning to Yogyakarta also proved impossible. Ultimately, we had to share a taxi with local people who then dropped us at our hotel.
visiting borobudur temple
The following morning, we stood at the entrance of the Borobudur temple, located only a 5 minute walk from our hotel, waiting in rain for its 6 am opening. Tickets cost 220,000 IDR (approximately 16€). There is a 50% reduction for students.
We entered at top speed hoping to reach the primary temple before dawn. Nevertheless, the thick fog did not offer us the sunrise we anticipated. It could be regrettable given everything we did to be there so promptly, only to get soaked in the rain without the incredible twilight we were searching for. However, it was worth it. We were basically alone in that majestic sacred place.
Beholding the surroundings of the temple submerged in fog holds great value. And it is not only due to the massive architecture, but also the idyllic setting wherein it lies.
Unlike Prambanan, Borobudur was encompassed by dense vegetation, which isolated it and assisted in its preservation. This additional majestic value to the architectural work. It is a journey toward spirituality, towards the most intimate part of oneself.
After scaling the main pyramid through its 6 quadrangular terraces, and its 3 circular ones until reaching the great bell, it is an ascent towards Nirvana, the Buddhist paradise.
At the top, you cannot stop circling back and forth over the platforms where the 72 characteristic bells of this temple are located. Each of the bells contains a Buddha statue inside. Some of the uncovered bells allow viewing all the details of the Buddha.
HISTORY OF BOROBUDUR
This incredible architectural masterpiece was constructed between the years 750 and 850 to represent the Buddhist structure of the universe. During the 16th century, while Prambanan was destroyed by an earthquake, Borobudur was abandoned and eventually enveloped by the encroaching jungle.
It remains uncertain whether abandonment occurred due to damages experienced from natural calamities (earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that covered it in ash) or the rise of Islam on the island of Java.
What is known, is that it was entirely forgotten. It was in 1814 when the English ruler Thomas Stamford Raffles who rediscovered it 3 years after the Prambanan reappeared.
In one of his expeditions, he heard rumors of this temple. It required 200 men and two months to cut through the jungle to uncover the temple almost entirely obscured by volcanic ash. Imagine the sensation those men felt when they ultimately climbed into Nirvana.
The damage inflicted was so severe that the temple faced the risk of collapse.
However, remedial work did not initiate until the 1970s. It was at this time that the monument was covered under UNESCO’s schemes for safeguarding the World Heritage.
OUR EXPERIENCE ON THE RETURN bus
On the return trip to Yogyakarta, we had an incident with the bus to Jombor. The bus initially tried to charge us more than the typical 10,000 IDR fare. After realizing we would not pay over the normal price, they agreed to the 10,000 IDR cost. Throughout the trip, two other collectors attempted to get us to pay more. We refused at the risk of being forced to disembark before reaching our destination. We spent an uncomfortably long time unsure if they would allow us to get to Jombor or not. This seems to be a common problem on this journey.
Although that specific element dampened our experience that morning, the wonders we observed will remain engrained in our recollections longterm. If a comparable opportunity arises, exploring those spectacular sites worldwide would yield memories not soon forgotten.
OTHER THINGS TO DO IN YOGYAKARTA
As mentioned (if you wake up early), you have time to visit Prambanan and Borobudur in one day. However, it is more practical if you dedicate additional time exploring thoroughly, as there are other attractions to see and activities to participate in in Yogyakarta and surrounds.
enjoy A MASSAGE
Yogyakarta provides an ideal setting to enjoy therapeutic massage since costs are very reasonable. We tried at Monggo Relax,where a half-hour session was only 6 €. We appreciated the facility and treatment provided, so we recommend giving it a try.
After receiving this message, Balinese massages did not meet our expectations as much. We prefer the one we experienced here more than the one we had during our stay in the location mentioned at .
LOOK AT MALIOBORO STREET STORES
During your visit to Yogyakarta, it is essential that you stroll along Malioboro Jalan street from beginning to end and allow yourself to be captivated by its Arab style shops, bargains, souvenirs, bazaars … You will find everything there. Then you will understand why this street is the central nerve center of the city.
VISIT THE KATRON
At the end of the Malioboro Jalan street, you will be near the sultan`s chief residence (the Sultan’s Palace). The province of Yogyakarta is the only one in Indonesia that still keeps a ruling sultanate. The current Sultan is His Majesty Hamengkubuwono X. And as he continues living in the Katron, you will need a guide if wanting to tour his palace.
Entry costs 13,000 IDR (0.80 €) and hours are from 07:30 to 13:00, and Friday until 24:00. Visiting the primary building is not very interesting, as access to many rooms is restricted as they are for private royal use. It is a good idea to explore the surroundings and become familiar with the more traditional lifestyle enclosed within its walls.
The Taman Sari (the water citadel) is also nearby. Previously, these gardens were employed as a recreational area for the Sultan although presently they are quite deteriorated.
PINUS PENGGER
And in conclusion, if one wants to disconnect from the city, there is nothing quite like touring Pinus Pengger. It was unfortunate to learn about this pine forest in the mountains, merely half an hour from the center of Yogyakarta, after we had already departed. This is definitely, a place that we included on our list of things to do on our next visit to Indonesia.
The most iconic parts of this place are hand crafted from pieces of wood where the finest sunsets of Yogyakarta are seen. I leave you an image so you can see what I’m referring to.
Even though sunset is considered the optimum time to visit due to the views, we read that it is incredibly crowded at this time and you will have to stand in a queue to capture the photo. The cost for entering the pinewood is 2,500 IDR (0.20 €).
20 minutes to the south, you will find Jurang Tembelan, another ideal spot to watch the sunset or take in amazing views. I have shared another image here for you to choose which one appeals to you more.
WHERE TO EAT IN YOGYAKARTA
With so many excursions to the temples, we almost didn’t stop to eat. However, in the center of Yogyakarta, I recommend going to the restaurant Kedai Rakjat Djelata, on Dr. Sutomo Street No.54 for dinner.
The place has nice decor and is usually frequented primarily by locals. And, the price cannot be more reasonable. We had dinner and drank chilled tea for less than a euro, and the quality was excellent.
Directly on the street is also a very stylish Italian ice cream parlour, Ciao Gelato. Though the cost was not affordable (it exceeded triple what we paid for our evening meal), I must admit it was delightful.
WHERE TO STAY IN YOGYAKARTA
To finish this article, I will detail the hotels of Yogyakarta where we stayed during the two days we invested there.
HOTEL IN YOGYAKARTA CITY
The area where our overnight stay occurred on the initial night, Laura’s backpacker 523, was found near Malioboro Street, but not close enough to be considered a tourist region. The location was quite traditional and without vehicles. Many young individuals were present at the hostel to converse with. Breakfast included vegetable soup, fried vegetable balls, and fruit. It was not the typical breakfast commonly offered to visitors in most other parts of Southeast Asia, but it was definitely traditional in nature.
I recommend this place especially if traveling to Yogyakarta as a backpacker wanting to meet others. It is affordable since you will share a room with additional travelers, and you are very near the city center, though I would advise purchasing affordable travel insurance since one never knows who you will share lodging with and even though uncommon, someone may take something belonging to you.
HOTEL NEAR BOROBUDUR
We spent the second night at a hotel located near Borobudur since our goal was to visit the temple at sunrise. As mentioned, you can travel to Borobudur using public transportation. However, if witnessing the sunrise from the temple is important, you will need to stay in the immediate vicinity overnight. That is why we eventually decided on Cempaka Guest House Borobudur. We only spent 5 hours at the hotel, so I cannot give it a full recommendation. What I can say is that it offered an affordable price and was only a 5 minute drive from the temple.
