The true origins of this impressive Buddhist monument, located in central Java, are somewhat disputed. According to the UNESCO World Heritage website, theBorobudur temple was founded by a Saliendra dynasty king sometime between 750 and 842 A.D. Still, you don’t need a definitive history lesson to fully appreciate its grandeur. Just feast your eyes on its intricately sculpted gray-stone relief panels (slats of stone carved with artwork to depict the life of Buddha) and the perfectly symmetrical stupas (mound-shaped structures containing Buddhist relics). They’re even more precious due to their resilience: Borobudur is still gorgeous despite nearby bombings and volcanic eruptions. Try to visit in May; that’s when the air is supposedly the cleanest in Java. And plan your trek at sunrise or sunset to witness how the light catches the stupas’ perforations.
