Indonesia
Borobudur
Welcome to Java, Indonesia! Borobudur is an enormous stone temple built over 1,000 years ago, stacked like a giant pyramid covered in carvings and statues.
Why is it famous?
It is recognized as the world's largest Buddhist temple.
The temple is covered in about 2,670 detailed stone carvings and once held 504 Buddha statues.
How was it built?
It was built between about 780 and 833 CE by the Sailendra dynasty, without any mortar or cement — just stacked stone blocks.
Builders stacked the stones into nine levels, forming a giant three-dimensional mandala when seen from above.
Amazing facts
Borobudur lay hidden for centuries under volcanic ash and jungle before being rediscovered in 1814.
It has three circular upper platforms topped with 72 bell-shaped stone stupas, each holding a statue of Buddha inside.
Quick facts
- Borobudur lay hidden for centuries under volcanic ash and jungle before being rediscovered in 1814.
- It has three circular upper platforms topped with 72 bell-shaped stone stupas, each holding a statue of Buddha inside.
- Visitors traditionally walk clockwise around each level, following the carved stories on the walls.
- The whole monument uses about 2 million stone blocks.