The 9 Best UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Indonesia
What’s it like to visit a country whose name sounds like India, if you ask me? I’d call it a once-in-a-lifetime emulsified experience! Indonesia, as its name suggests, is a network of 17,000 islands that connects a world of adventure. You’ll go insane trying to decide which of the many adventures Indonesia has to offer. This paradoxical paradise leaves no stone unturned to greet you with refreshingly different experiences, from mystifying traditions, culture, and architecture to dramatic volcanoes.
Indonesia’s cabalistic customs were revealed to me one by one, as if in a dramatic monologue. It is difficult not to be enthralled by the entertainment, whether it’s Balinese dancers swaying to the tunes of traditional music or giant volcanoes peeking at you disdainfully. When you cross one of those typical split-gates to visit an unusual temple, the excitement is amplified tenfold. When the day’ activities leave you exhausted, relax on a white-sand beach with your favourite evening cocktail.
Catch a spectacular sunset, dine on traditional seafood, and set out on another adventure the next day to unravel the mysteries of the forested mountains. Indonesia’s 34 provinces each have something unique to offer. However, some are visited more frequently! To ensure that your trip is as memorable as ours, we’ve compiled a list of 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites that will give you a taste of the best of Indonesia. If you’re going to visit one of the world’s largest island nations – you might as well see these.
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UNESCO sites in Indonesia
Bali is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as well as archaeological wonders protected by the Cultural Heritage National Law. Pakerisan Valley, in Gianyar Regency, is the first such location, with centuries-old shrines nestled between a deep, narrow gorge. Between the pristine rice fields are these stone shrines dedicated to 11th-century royalty. The Subak temple and shrines are symbolic of Bali’s aristocratic history and exude an elegant demeanour. Subak bridges the gap between the human, spiritual, and natural worlds.
Pura Ulun Danu Batur’s Water Temple and Pura Taman Ayun’s Water Temple are two other classic examples of distinguished Balinese architecture that exemplify the Subak system. On July 6 2012, it was designated, as a UNESCO world heritage site.
Borobudur Temple Compounds
The Borobudur Temple, built during the reign of the Syailendra Dynasty, is one of the world’s greatest Buddhist monuments. UNESCO assisted in the restoration of this 8th-century site in the 1970s. This famous Borobudur Temple is built on three levels and is in the Kedu Valley of central Java. It has a pyramidal foundation with five square terraces, a vertical bole with three tapered circular platforms, and an enormous stupa at the top. According to Buddhist cosmology, the universe is made up of three interlocking spheres: Kamadhatu, Rupadhatu, and Arupadhatu.
These spheres represent our desires, their abandonment, and the state in which a desire no longer exists. Surrounding the circular platforms are 72 openwork stupas, each with a Buddha statue. Overall, the complete structure demonstrates a unique blend of ancestral worship and the Buddhist concept of achieving Nirvana. The compound’s balustrades and walls are embellished with accentuated reliefs.
Komodo National Park
Over 5,700 giant lizards known as Komodo Dragons live in Komodo National Park, which is between the islands of Flores and Sumbawa. The surrounding area, on the other hand, is made up of three major islands: Rinca, Komodo, and Padar. Each one is the result of a volcanic eruption. The blue waters encircling these volcanic islands are pitted by green vegetation and white sand beaches.
Aside from Komodo Dragons, the world’s largest living lizard, which once roamed Indonesia, this park is home to other notable species like the Timor Deer, Orange-Footed Scrub Fowl, and Endemic Rats. Dolphins, Sea Turtles, Whales, and Dugongs are all drawn to the sea’s strong currents. Since 1991, Komodo National Park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lorentz National Park
Lorentz National Park, Southeast Asia’s largest protected area, is located at the crossroad of two continental plates in Indonesia’s Papua Province. With mountain formations, fossil sites, and glaciation, this park has a complex geology. The park covers 2.35 million hectares, making it the largest conservation area in Southeast Asia. Lorentz National Park is one of only three tropical regions in the world with an ecosystem that stretches from snow-capped mountain peaks to extensive lowland wetlands.
It is home to 123 mammal species and 34 different types of vegetation. The short and long-beaked Echidna, as well as a large number of restricted bird species, call this place home. In 1999, Lorentz was appointed a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Sawahlunto Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage
In the late 1800s, the Dutch colonial government established the Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage to deep-bore extract, process, and transport high-quality coal in Sumatra. The Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage is an integrated system that includes a mining site and coal storage facilities. This plant is an outstanding example of a technological ensemble designed by European engineers to extract strategic coal resources. The Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto is divided into three functionally related areas and is located in the inaccessible mountains of West Sumatra.
Open-pit mines and labyrinthine underground mining tunnels make up Area A. An ingeniously engineered mountain railway, rail bridges, and tunnels make up Area B. A dredged harbour and a newly constructed seaport make up Area C. On July 6th, 2019, the Ombilin Coal Mine was selected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Prambanan Temple Compounds
The Temple Compound, which dates from the 10th century, is Indonesia’s largest Shiva temple complex, with around 500 temples. Loro Jonggrang, Sewu, Bubrah, and Lumbung Temple are all part of it. The Ramayana epic is depicted in these temples. The temple compound also includes temples dedicated to the three Hindu gods Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma, as well as temples dedicated to the animals who served them. Each was constructed in Java during the 8th century Sailendra Dynasty.
The Hindu temples are adorned with stone carving masterpieces depicting the Indonesian version of the Ramayana. Hundreds of shrines surround them, all of which feature advanced stone building technology and architecture. The Prambanan Temple Compounds are a cultural treasure and a fine example of peaceful religious coexistence. Since 1991, this temple complex has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Sangiran Early Man Site
Sangiran Early Man Site, which has been inhabited for 1.5 million years, is one of the most important sites for understanding human evolution. After the discovery of the first hominid fossil and Sangiran stone artefacts, this site in Central Java, Indonesia, became a focal point. The first excavations were carried out in the early 1930s, leading to the discovery of Pithecanthropus Erectus and Meganthropus Palaeo fossils.
Significant archaeological discoveries have been made at the Sangiran Early Man Site, including the geological evolution of fauna, human evolution, and cultural Darwinism. This site reveals the process of human evolution and its associated stone tools from the Lower Pleistocene to macrofossils dating back to 1.2 million years. In 1996, Sangiran was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra
Sumatra’s Tropical Rainforest Heritage is a 2.5 million hectare site with three national parks. Barisan Selatan National Park, Gunung Leuser National Park, and Kerinci Seblat National Park are just a few examples. Various biota, including endangered species, can be found in each of these protected national parks. There are 10,000 plant species, 200 mammal species, and 580 bird species in the park today. Some of these species are only found in Indonesia and are unique to the country. Since 2004, Sumatra’s Tropical Rainforest Heritage has been a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Ujung Kulon National Park
On the tip of Java, Ujung Kulon National Park is a geological wonder. It includes Krakatoa’s natural reserve as well as several offshore islands. The natural beauty and inland volcanoes of Ujung Kulon National Park are particularly well-known. Several endangered plant and animal species, including the Javan rhinoceros, call it home. Since 1991, Ujung Kulon, Indonesia’s first proposed national park, has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
