Borobudur and the Borobudur Tourist Park

One destination which attracts tourists to Magelang area is Borobudur temple, the largest and most beautiful monument in Indonesia. It is situated in the village of Borobudur, in the regency of Magelang, Central Java. At first sight Borobudur resembles a hill designed and constructed of stone the midst of a natural mountain range. Kedu plateau, where Borobudur is located, is famous for fertility. This plateau lies in the heart of the island of Java, enclosed by mountains and ranges of hills.

The mountain surrounding Borobudur temple is Menoreh, which stretches from east to west, forming the boundary between Kedu and Yogyakarta. The top of the Menoreh range on the southern flank, when observed from the temple, resembles the nose, lips, and chin of a supine figure. According to a local folk tale, the man reclining there on the peak of the Menoreh Mountain is believed to be Gunadharma, the architect and builder of temple, who has been watching over his creation throughout centuries.

Borobudur and its surrounding create an atmosphere of peace, tranquility and security. It can be visited throughout the year and is easily accessible by public transportation, such as buses, taxis, and minibuses from Semarang, about 95 km away, as well as from Yogyakarta, 42 km away.

The temple is located within the area of Borobudur Tourist Park. The Park has an area of eighty five hectares to accommodate the growing number of tourist and to perpetuate the green natural surroundings of Borobudur temple. It was officially opened by President Suharto on February 23, 1983. it comprises not only a wide grassy area, but also the shade trees and decorative plants. It is also provided with general public facilities, namely a parking lot, souvenir shops, eating stands, and rest rooms. The trees planted there include coconut (cocos nucifera), "bodhi" (ficus religiosa), "cempaka" (michelia champaca), and "tanjung" (mimusop elengei). There are also a variety of shrubs and flower plants such as gardenia (gardenia augusta), "kemuning" (murraya paniculate), "kenanga" (cananga odorata), and jasmine (jasminum sambac).

Borobudur Tourist Park has an archeological museum as well as centres for research, reconstruction, and tourist information. In the museum one can obtain information on a series of pictures of Borobudur since its rediscovery in 1814. The Research Centre is provided with such facilities as a seminar hall and a guest house, while the Reconstruction Centre with a laboratory and workshops. Data concerning the Park can be obtained at the Tourist Information Centre.

The people of this region are friendly and industrious. They make a living as farmers by cultivating rice, tobacco, corn, cassava, sweet potatoes, soy beans, small green peas, and peanuts. They also grow coffee, coconuts, vanilla, and cotton, and breed chicken, water buffaloes, sheep, cows, and goats. Daily communication is carried out in Indonesian or their vernacular, Javanese. However, tourists may hire guides who speak a number of foreign languages such as English, French, Dutch and German.

(Adapted from Indonesia: Mystery of Borobudur. Jakrta: Directorate General of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia)