Home to the oldest Hindu temples in Java, the Dieng plateau, at some 6,000 feet in altitude, hosts more than 400 ancient structures. Though not as visually stunning as Borobudur, these temples are part of a beautiful landscape of terraced gardens, and the whole effect is wonderful. Dieng Plateau is best reached in a day […]
Read the rest of this entry »Archive for the 'Historical Buildings & Temples' Category
Plaosan Hindu BuddistTemples in Central Java
Only 3km from the temple complex at Prambanan stand the two nearly identically restored main temples of Plaosan. Each has carvings from the Ramayana, and rooms containing female Bottisattiva. You can either walk or drive here from Prambanan, and you may feel you’ll enjoy it more here, as Plaosan has far fewer tourists, so you […]
Read the rest of this entry »Prambanan Hindu Temples in Central Java
Prambanan is a significant temple complex that contains over 240 temples, 16 of which stand in the central courtyard. Built in the 9th century ACE, they weren’t formally excavated until the late 1930s. The best known of these temples is the magnificent Candi Shiva Mahadeva, standing more than 150 feet high, and sporting numerous carvings […]
Read the rest of this entry »Borobudur, Indonesia’s World Heritage Site in Central Java
In our opinion, a visit to the ancient temple of Borobudur on the island of Java is worth a trip to Indonesia in itself. It’s on a par with any temple complex in SE Asia, as compelling as Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, or Burma’s Bagan. Built between 700 and 800 ACE, it consists of some 60,000 […]
Read the rest of this entry »Mendut Temple (Candi Mendut) in Central Java, Indonesia
Located 3.5 km from Borobudur at GPS S07°36.283’ E110°13.792′ , Mendut Temple is said to hold the most visually significant in situ Buddha statue in Java, roughly 9 feet tall, sitting, and flanked by Bodhisattivas. The external carvings on the temple are outstanding as well.
Read the rest of this entry »Gedung Songo Temples in Central Java
There are nine small Hindu temples in the Gedung Songo (also known as Gedong Songo)complex, and they are worth a visit as part of a day trip from Jogjakarta, which could also encompass Borobudur Temple and the Locomotive Museum at Ambarawa. They were built in the 8th and 9th centuries, and have been somewhat restored. […]
Read the rest of this entry »Vigan: the Philippines’ jewel of colonial architecture
The picturesque west Luzon town of Vigan is relatively little-known, probably because it’s so damn hard to get there. A good 8 hours north by car from Angeles City-Manila, this town of fascinating colonial homes and two-wheeled carriages was founded in 1572. It makes for a wonderful 2 day stop, and if you can plan […]
Read the rest of this entry »Death by Hanging: Sagada’s cliffside coffins
At over 5,000 feet in altitude, and accessible only by roads that are fit for off-roading, the visitor really has to want to come to the Philippines village of Sagada. In addition to Christina Aben’s Ganduyan Museum, the cliffside and cave coffin sites are the biggest draws in this small, quiet hillside town. For hundreds […]
Read the rest of this entry »Touring the untraveled Wat Phu Champasak in Western Laos
The temple of Wat Phu Champasak is located on an unspoiled hillside setting, and its original structures date from approximately the 7th century ACE. Arranged on three levels, Champasak’s upper-level sanctuary provides a stunning view of the countryside, including the remaining baray (pond). Wat Phu Champasak boasts wonderful lintel carvings, bas-relief apsaras (dancers), and is […]
Read the rest of this entry »Top 5 travel sites in Laos
Tour Luang Prabang or tour Vientiane now! The ancient kingdom of Lan Xang is transforming itself into a country that has increasing amenities for the traveler, yet boasts delights that are still relatively untraveled. Although increasingly popular, the royal capital of Luang Prabang remains one of the most beautiful towns in Southeast Asia, and an […]
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