It is certain that Borobudur is Indonesia’s most popular attraction; it is touristy, crowded, and noisy. Oftentimes, the crowd becomes too much to handle that you’d want to walk out and request for a ticket refund.
But wait, you’re already there so you wouldn’t want to turn your back anymore. What should you really expect when in Borobudur? What are tips and tricks to dodge the teeming crowd? Read further.
Borobudur in Magelang, Central Java houses hundreds of Buddha statues
Borobudur is a temple of people
Borobudur is an important site for Indonesian people. It is a huge Buddhist complex located in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia – an hour drive from the cultural giant Yogyakarta. It is a busy attraction highly flocked by tourists during weekends and holidays.
Many visitors flock Borobudur during weekends and holidays
Be an early bird
I’m sure many of you would want to own the photo-famous stupas at the topmost level of Borobudur even for a short while. To achieve this, better be at the complex before the gates open, and precede tour groups that would likely ruin your photos. You could also sneak for a sunrise entry at 4:30 AM so you could arrive at the photogenic time of the day.
There are tour operators in Yogyakarta that offer sunrise tours to the nearby viewpoint. You can join these tours so you can get to Borobudur shortly after sunrise.
The uppermost level of Borobudur is where tourists linger
Bas-reliefs decorate the pile of solid stones of Borobudur
Join a tour
The most convenient way for tourists to explore Borobudur and the nearby sites is to join tour groups. Hotels in Yogyajarta offer tour packages arranged by external tour companies, and they normally depart Yogyakarta as early as 4 AM.
If you want to be at the Borobudur complex early, you’d either need to drive your own wheels or pay for a hassle-free tour. Take note that public transport services from Yogyakarta to Magelang-Borobudur start at 7 AM; you’ll be late for sunrise if you commute, unless you sleep in Borobudur village the night prior. Oh, there’s taxi from Yogyakarta by the way; just prepare to release a large sum of money.
Because selfie is all about perfect timing
“Toast” it
If there’s a trap in tour groups, it is the complimentary breakfast that they attach to the package. Tourists think that the breakfast is going to be heavy, only to find out that it’s just composed of two slices of toast, little portions of fruits, and a cup of tea or coffee.
So as to generalize, don’t expect hotdogs, eggs, and bacon to be served on your plate. You have to buy them separately.
Borobudur tour includes a free breakfast: two slices of toast, little portions of fruits, and a cup of tea or coffee
It’s not Angkor Wat
We can’t help but notice the differences between Cambodia’s Angkor Wat and Indonesia’s Borobudur. These two structures are the main source of pride of their home countries, and both have become the iconic symbol of two major religions: Hinduism and Buddhism.
Some say that Borobudur does not level to the greatness of Angkor Wat; I say they are both awesome in their own ways. To those who disapprove a visit to Borobudur because they’ve been to Angkor Wat or Bagan already, open up your mind. Okay we get it, Borobudur is not as globally famous as Angkor Wat, but Borobudur is a Buddhist masterpiece that should be exposed to the eyes of the modern world.
Head carvings are also common in Borobudur
Just like Angkor Wat, Borobudur has its own set of elaborate wall carvings
Touch a Buddha
Before I left for Indonesia, my Javanese office colleague advised me to touch a Buddha statue that sits inside a stupa at the uppermost tier of Borobudur. Legend has it that if someone is able to reach a Buddha, the wish that person holds dear will be granted.
Well in my case, it didn’t work out because I forgot what my friend exactly told me. I got swallowed by Borobudur’s charm that I touched the stupa itself, not the Buddha “in” it.
The famous stupas at the uppermost portion of the complex
View from the top, facing the entrance to the complex
Anticipate photo requests
Do not be shocked when a group of youth approach you to ask for photos; that’s how they treat foreigners at Borobudur. The cycle will go like this: a group of girls (and even boys) will start whispering to each other while glancing at you; then, they will start pushing the bravest person to your direction; and finally, someone will ask you the question, “Mister, Mister! Can we take a picture?”
It’s quite amusing to be treated like an instant celebrity in Indonesia. You’d receive a lot of photo requests when you go to a touristy place like Borobudur. This practice is commonly done by those who rarely see foreigners in person.
Indonesians normally ask foreigners to have a photo with them
But photo requests do not apply to all
Contrary to the item above, do not expect everybody to ask for photographs with you. This is the hurtful part: Indonesians only ask those foreigners who do not look like them. If you’re a fair-complexioned Filipino, Thai, Malaysian, or Vietnamese, chances are you’ll get ignored, unless you’re attention-seeking enough to shout, “Hello! I’m a foreigner, too!”
This is a great relief for those who do not want their faces to spread over social networking sites on the Internet, and be criticized by racist individuals. Fret not when you got ignored: just look at the brighter side of saving your arse from undesirable response from netizens should your photo gone viral.
Because no one asked me for a photo, I just took my own. :)
Photobombers do bomb
As I have mentioned above, Borobudur is a temple of people, especially during holidays and school breaks. It’s nearly impossible to capture a solo picture of you with the iconic stupas and the lush landscape in the background. The uppermost level of Borobudur is where the people usually stay longer, so the trick is to come early, right before large tour groups take over. Otherwise you’d need to master the perfect timing of clicking the trigger: click even everyone is obscured by the stupas.
You’d also want to consider searching for spots with few tourists, say at the third or fourth level of Borobudur. You can find sweet spots there where the probability of getting photo-bombed is lesser than when you’re at the topmost level.
There’s a high chance that your solo photo will get photobombed
Look for headless statues
When I was there at the location of the stupas, I got fed up early because I couldn’t take a nice photo without a stranger on the frame. I decided to cool down a bit, so I descended to the lower levels of the temple.
In my search for the perfect location, I came across headless statues that were just ignored by passing visitors. When no one was around, I playfully took random shots of me and the headless statues until I finally got satisfactory results.
If you find it hard to take photos at the stupas, look for headless statues at the lower levels and play around with them
Don’t forget to take a quick snapshot of you with the Borobudur ensemble in the background
HOW MUCH ARE THE FEES?
Entrance ticket pass at Borobudur are as follows:
- Indonesian local (adult) – IDR 30,000 / USD 2.50
- Indonesian local (children) – IDR 12,500 / USD 1
- Foreigner (adult) – IDR 240,000 / USD 20
- Foreigner (student) – IDR 120,000 / USD 10
Below are some of the Borobudur tour package rates from Edu Hostel, Yogyakarta:
A. Beatiful Morning at Borobudur & Mendut Temple (5 hours)
Leaves at: 5 AM
Price: IDR 70,000 / USD 6 per person with breakfast
B. Beautiful Morning at Borobudur, Mendut & Prambanan Temple (8 hours)
Leaves at: 5 AM
Price: IDR 80,000 / USD 7 per person with breakfast
C. Golden Sunrise at Punthuk Setumbu Hill – Borobudur & Mendut Temple (6 hours)
Leaves at: 4 AM
Price: IDR 95,000 / USD 8 per person with breakfast
D. Golden Sunrise at Punthuk Setumbu Hill – Borobudur, Mendut, & Prambanan Temple (9 hours)
Leaves at: 4 AM
Price: IDR 135,000 / USD 11 per person with breakfast
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