Borobudur Sunrise: All You Need to Know

Sunrise at Borobudur Temple is an absolute must when you’re in Yogyakarta. It is one of the most beautiful places in Indonesia, and it’s pure magic to see the first rays of the sun kiss the largest Buddhist temple on earth.

It is quite magical to sit on top of the temple and join the serene buddhas in their gaze while below, the volcanoes and layers of steaming jungle transform from night into day. If there is one experience to capture the best Java offers visitors, it is a Borobudur sunrise.

While many go on a Borobudur sunrise tour, it is also easy to do it by organizing your own transportation from Yogyakarta.

So, for all your early birds and culture vultures looking for the quintessential Java experience, here is our guide to visiting the sublime Borobudur Temple for sunrise from Yogyakarta.

Update August 2023 : Borobudur is not open for sunrise. The complex only opens at 9 am, and tickets to the top of Borobudur are capped. Get there early to get a ticket, or use a travel agent in Jogja to secure a ticket.

We’ll update this post when visitors are able to see the sunrise from the top tier of Borobudur again in the future.

If you’ve been to sunrise at Borobudur after August 2023, please give us a short update in the comments at the end of the post. Thanks

What is Borobudur?

Borobudur in Central Java is the world’s largest Buddhist temple and monument. It is a man-made mountain, or 3D mandala if you want, standing between volcanoes, rice fields, villages and tropical jungles.

Constructed in the 9th century, Borobudur consists of nine platforms stacked on top of each other. Six square platforms comprise the base, topped by three round platforms crowned with a large stupa.
On the upper level surrounding the central stupa, you can see 73 smaller, hollow bell-shaped stupas containing a Buddha statue each inside.

Sitting on top of the temple, you’ll find 504 buddha statues and 2,672 relief panels – the world’s largest and most complete collection of Buddhist reliefs.

If you came here for pilgrimage, you’d follow an anti-clockwise route starting at the bottom from one platform to the next until reaching Nirvana on the top.

But you’re probably not at Borobudur on pilgrimage – you’re here for the sunrise! If you’re on a spiritual journey- Namaste! Blessed day!

So sunrise chasers head straight up to the top and await the first morning rays. After sunrise, you can circle down and appreciate the stunning architecture, Buddhas and relief panels.

Borobudur’s glory days steadily declined when most of the population converted to Islam in the 15th century. Eventually, it was completely abandoned and forgotten.

Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles rediscovered Borobudur in 1814 under Java’s British administration, hidden in tropical jungles and under volcanic ash.

Today, Borobudur is UNESCO recognised and the single most visited site in Indonesia. If you’re looking for the most famous landmark in Indonesia, this is it right here.

How to See the Sunrise at Borobudur

Seeing the Borobudur sunrise is a straightforward affair.
Meet your driver at the pre-arranged time at your hotel in Yogyakarta. Don’t leave Jogja later than 03:30!

Arriving at Borobudur, your driver will drop you right at the ticket office of the Manhoara resort. He will probably even walk you to the counter to make sure you don’t get lost.

The Manhoara resort is located inside the temple grounds and is the only place that allows early access to Borobudur. That’s why some people call it the Manhoara Sunrise when referring to the sunrise at Borobudur.

Walk up to the ticket counter, say “Good morning“, followed by “Borobudur sunrise ticket, please“, and hand over the money.

Then follow the path leading to the temple and head straight up the steps to the top tier.

Find a spot and watch the magic of the Borobudur sunrise slowly unfold. I promise you; it’s pure magic.

Our Borobudur Sunrise

It’s the first week of February, and the air is hot and humid. The first slivers of morning orange are peeking through the night sky already as we run up the steps to the top of the temple. We should’ve listened to our driver when he insisted we leave Jogja at 3:30.

But no…we knew better and left at 04:00 because who wakes up that early?

We are glad it’s not raining, as February is the height of the rainy season in Java. Reaching the top, everyone is looking in one direction towards the fading night, already. Luckily, we won’t need a compass to determine which direction to face.

After catching our breaths, we begin the appreciate the spectacle. The jungle below is a multitude of layers with warm fog rising above it. Like a blanket lifting above the trees, the mist eventually reveals the Merapi volcano not far away. 

With every passing minute, the sunrise reveals more of Borobudur’s beauty. Buddhas sit and stare with that all-knowing look of theirs over their kingdom below while camera shutters click and roosters crow in nearby villages.

As I said, this is Java. Age-old temples, roosters crowing in a village under volcanoes, warm steam rising from the jungle, and we visitors there to witness all the glory. 

After the sun was up properly, we circled our way down to the bottom while spotting the fantastic relief panels. When we reached the bottom, a crowd of friendly Indonesian school children greeted us with an excited “HELLO MISTER” and wanted to take selfies with us. 

Indonesians are such a friendly bunch, which is why we love visiting the country so much. That and the incredible sites such as the one we just visited. After 7 trips to Indonesia, it’s safe to say it is our favourite country to visit.

Is the Borobudur Sunrise Worth it?

Yes, we know getting up at 03:00 is never a good idea. Yes, sunrise at Borobudur costs twice as much as a regular ticket.

So, is sunrise at Borobudur worth it?
Yes.
A thousand times
YES.

It’s one of the most beautiful views we’ve had anywhere in Southeast Asia (a close tie with Mount Bromo, also in Java, and Bagan in Myanmar).

Visiting Borobudur first thing in the morning allows you to see this incredible landmark without the crowds. There is some magic in quietly watching the forest surrounding the temple wake up with its rising steam.

As the sunrise gradually reveals the temple and surroundings, you’ll get to focus on specific details and emotions that you’ll remember for years to come.
Come during regular hours, and you’re like to be overwhelmed with trying to figure out where to look while dodging the crowds.

For the best photos of Borobudur, there is no better time than sunrise. With soft light and no crowds, your camera will love it as much as you.

Borobudur & Prambanan on the Same Day?

While many will continue on to visit Prambanan Temple after sunrise at Borobudur, we headed back to our lovely hotel in Jogja. After seeing Borobudur, we had a coffee and a snack from one of the food stalls near the temple and then headed back to the city.

The rest of the day, we spent by the pool, taking a nap and hanging out in the cafes of Prawirotaman. That indeed sounds more like a holiday to me than temple hopping from well before sunrise until sunset.

We’d rather end the day (early) on a high, rather than exhaust ourselves by squeezing in too much. But if that’s your thing – ROCK ON!

Aand that’s how you do sunrise at Borobudur. We told you it’s pure magic and easy as pie. Hope the gods bless you with bright orange glows and enlightenment!