As the world's largest island nation, Indonesia is known for its natural biodiversity and diverse ecosystems. But Indonesia is also rich in cultural attractions and is home to ten UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Its undeniable jewel is Borobudur.
A brief history of Borobudur
Built in the 8th and 9th centuries, Borobudur is the largest Buddhist temple in the world with a length of 400 feet and a height of 113 feet. This amazing steep pyramid from the island of Java is made entirely of stone and has six levels. It is designed in the shape of a mandala and represents the path to enlightenment in Buddhism. The building has 72 stupas, each containing a Buddha statue.
The lower levels represent the "world of desire" with intricate sculptures depicting the emotional joys and sufferings of people. As you ascend to the temple, the middle steps represent the "World of Forms" with sculptures that tell Buddhist stories and teachings. Above them, the three circular platforms represent the supreme "formless world" in Buddhist cosmology. The large central stupa above represents Nirvana itself, the state of freedom from suffering and the cycle of rebirth.
Indonesia is a volcanic country and the temple has been buried under volcanic ash since 1000 AD in 1814 by Thomas Stamford Raffles, the British Governor of Java. It was first renovated in 1907, then in 1983. Borobudur is a pilgrimage in May or early June, especially during Vesak (Buddha's birthday).
where to stay
Overlooking a majestic temple, Plataran Borobudur Resort & Spa offers the perfect setting for a culturally immersive stay with friendly Indonesian service. Founded in 2010, Plataran Local Hospitality Group has a wide range of properties including hotels, resorts, private cruises, event spaces, restaurants and more. Plataran Borobudur is the group's first property and reflects the essence of Indonesian hospitality with a focus on nature, community and culture.
Surrounded by teak forests and enjoying the surrounding hills, Eco Resort offers 21 spacious Javanese villas with luxurious amenities and traditional decor. All have private swimming pools or pools set in lush gardens. The Borobudur View Pool Villa offers panoramic views of the temple rooftops, while the Grand Spa Pool Villa has its own spa suite so couples can enjoy a treatment in complete privacy.
During their stay, guests can enjoy wellness treatments at the Padma Spa, which incorporates Buddhist traditions such as bowl chanting into the ritual. The Java Nadi Massage, inspired by the Royal Court of Java, uses deep palm and thumb pressure to relax muscles and improve blood circulation, while the Padma Marmabiangam combines elements of Swedish massage, Thai massage and Lemon Lemon Hawaiian to revitalize the body and:
Lunch in Plataran
Indonesia has one of the most delicious cuisines in Southeast Asia, and Plataran Borobudur's dining options showcase their unique flavors beautifully. Dine in the courtyard of the Colonial Hall, where dishes are prepared using ingredients from the resort's organic garden. The menu is full of mouth-watering recipes like Ayam Goreng Bombo (spring chicken with galangal, ginger, turmeric and vegetables) and Tahu Tellur Asin (fried tofu with salted egg, pepper and curry leaves).
A short drive from the property, Plataran recently opened two new free spaces: Langit Khatulistiwa, a viewing terrace, and Inam Langit, an event space with a rooftop restaurant and panoramic views of the Six Mountains and the lush valley.
Visit the temple
Plataran Borobudur Resort & Spa is only 3 km (10 minutes drive) from the temple, so it's a quick trip. You should buy tickets online in advance, make sure you choose the resort and the Kandy ("Peak") ticket which goes to the top of the statue. Visiting hours at the time of publication are 7:00 am - 5:00 pm; Please note that Borobudur is no longer open for sunrise tours. However, Plataran Hotel can arrange a wonderful sunrise breakfast that you can enjoy in the morning before visiting the temple grounds.
If you have time, you can book a jeep tour to see the flows from the nearby Merapi volcano or ride horses through the surrounding rice fields. It's also worth a trip to Yogyakarta to visit Prambanan, home to hundreds of impressive 9th-century Hindu temple buildings.
How do you get it?
To get to Borobudur, you need to land at Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA), which has direct flights from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta. From there, Plataran Borobudur will arrange a transfer to accompany you to your oasis immersed in the green Javanese forest.
