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Why did I wait so long to visit? A true surprise. Not as tourist-geared as Ubud/Bali. Authentic, catering to local domestic travellers, yet with a world class heritage attraction. Friendly locals, though the touts selling souvenirs did get annoying.

I returned to see Borobodur after 31 years. It was as impressive as it was the last time. Everything around the temple is much better organized and channeled through the officials. Still an amazing thing to do - I would recommend to read up on Borobodur before your visit to better understand all the stories behind it and its place in the Javanese and South East Asian history.

The information given by the guide is good and interesting, despite the fact that I am a Buddhist, there is much to learn from this trip. The thousand years old structure is just awesome but I must stress that anyone who wants to visit must do a little "home work" by reading up about Candi Borobudur , otherwise you might not catch some of the meaning behind the Candi and Buddhism. The Candi is fragile due to thousands of visitors and I urge everyone to visit with care and respect.

Borobudur temple is always so grand to look at and enjoyable in early morning or late afternoon. The history within the walls are just mesmerizing to look at. After 9 am until around 3pm and on clear day, the sun gets too hot. Having hats or umbrellas and plenty of water and sunscreen might help. But they won't stop the swarming sellers, before the entrance and after the exit, coming at you. So just be firm and polite and keep on walking if you do not want to buy anything from them. But if you do want to buy some souvenirs, you could bargain to a reasonable price. I suggest to have a walk to the entrance stairs of the temple and don't forget to wear your comfortable walking shoes too. This time around we took delman or horse carriage for around 5 minutes ride (less than 10 mins ride for sure) to the entrance stairs of the temple and, if not wrong, it cost around AUD20. They also provide other services like train cars for a fee (can't remember how much), but I think it is better to hire them when you finished touring the temple and when your legs are too tired or when it's just too hot. Unless you want to explore the other facilities around (on the way to the exit) like checking out their museums and theatre. You are not allowed to bring food or snacks into the temple complex (water is allowed). They will keep them for you to collect at the exit. So make sure you have enough food before going in. We've never been to their restaurant/hotel in the complex, because there are plenty of choices of food just outside the complex. For getting around outside the complex, in general, there are too many cars and motorbikes around the area, so you may want to keep walking on whatever pedestrian path available. Cash is still preferable in the food chains and stalls outside the temple complex

Ofcourse its one of the things to see when your travels take you close to it. But it is a tourist trap. You can go in from 8.00 in the morning (not earlier anymore, like before you could go for sunrise, that is not possible anymore). You have to take a guided tour if you want to go up. The guide tells a lot about the history and is well trained. The costs are 500.000 rupiah pp. if you only walk around at the bottom it’s 350.000 rupiah. Before you leave the park you are guided through a fairly large market with touristy souvenirs.

The temple of Borobudur needs no review, it stands on his own. New visiting rules (on 11/04/2023). Closed on monday. Reception opens on 06.30, but only for the parc. At 08.00 you can buy a ticket to go on the temple, and waiting till 09.00. Then they formed little groups of 15-20 people to go on the temple with a guide ! Visit lasts about one hour.