This is a full-day tour of two major landscapes in Central Java: the Buddhist complex of Borobudur and the Hindu-Buddhist site of Liyangan.

Quota: 200 participants

Tour Coordinator: Putri Novita Taniardi (putri.taniardi@gmail.com)

Borobudur

Borobudur is the largest Buddhist temple in the world and widely regarded as one of the most important architectural and cultural achievements of the ancient Javanese. The monument was built during the Syailendra Dynasty approximately between 778 and 824 CE. It is located in Magelang, in the southern part of Central Java, Indonesia. Borobudur was added on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1991 (Dossier 592) and described as “one of greatest Buddhist monuments in the world.”  Today, Borobudur serves as one of the main sources of history and culture in Indonesia and is valued as extraordinary cultural heritage. The temple was built with a pyramidal base consisting of five square terraces, three circular platforms in the middle part, and a dome at its highest point. The Borobudur Temple has 2,672 relief panels depicting the story of Buddha. This includes 1,460 narrative relief panels, ranging from Kamadhatu at the foot of the monument through Rupadhatu on the body of the temple. These relief panels are grouped into five major narrative cycles, based on the textual traditions from Karmawibhangga, Lalitavistara, Jataka, Avadana, and Gandavyuha. There are also 504 Buddha statues and various stupas. The relief of Borobudur is rich in human anatomical forms, plant and animal figures, as well as environmental components such as water, cloud, and stones. The stone wall reliefs of this temple illustrate some of the most important stories in the Buddhist tradition that cannot be found anywhere else.

Liyangan

Nestled on the slopes of Mount Sindoro in Purbosari Village, Ngadirejo District, Temanggung, Central Java, the ancient Liyangan Site was accidentally discovered by sand miners in 2008. Archaeological research has revealed Liyangan as a remarkable ancient settlement complex that integrates sacred worship spaces, residential areas, and agricultural landscapes within a single civilization. Excavations have uncovered an extraordinary range of archaeological evidence, including architectural structures, artefacts, and exceptionally well-preserved organic materials such as wood, bamboo, and palm fibre. These rare discoveries provide a vivid picture of daily life and cultural practices in ancient Java. The Liyangan settlement is believed to have existed from the 2nd century and flourished until the 11th century CE, before being buried by the eruption of Mount Sindoro. Layers of volcanic material sealed the site, unintentionally preserving its archaeological remains for centuries. Covering an area of approximately 15 hectares, the site has been excavated only in a small portion, yet findings already demonstrate a sophisticated society with integrated settlement planning, irrigation systems, and agricultural management. As part of the broader Ancient Mataram civilisation, Liyangan offers invaluable insight into the social, spiritual, and technological achievements of early Javanese culture.