14 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Indonesia

Indonesia often boasts its extraordinary natural landscapes and beautiful beaches. But, besides those, this country has a lot to offer. For instance, this island has nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Among them, one is on the UNESCO World Heritage Red List. 

Regardless, to know about the UNESCO world heritage sites in Indonesia, continue reading.

There are a total of 9 UNESCO sites in Indonesia. Those include:

1. Temples of Borobudur (1991)

The complex of the temples of Borobudur was constructed in the 8th and 9th centuries and is one of the most world heritage sites in Indonesia. Also, this temple is regarded as one of the largest Buddhist temple complexes worldwide. This exceptional architectural masterpiece was restored with the help of UNESCO in the 1970s.

• Location:  Jl. Badrawati, Kw. Candi Borobudur, Borobudur, Kec. Borobudur, Kabupaten Magelang, Jawa Tengah, Indonesia
• Ideal Time to Explore: April to October
• Hours of Operation:  6 AM to 6 PM
• Entry Fee: 350,000 IDR per person

2. Komodo National Park (1991)

Komodo National Park comprises three islands, namely Rinca, Komodo, and Padar. This park is native to one of the largest species of lizard, the Komodo dragon. In the year 1980, this park was reorganised as a protected zone for the Komodo dragon. Besides this mammoth lizard, you can also witness magnificent landscapes and unwater beauty here.

• Location:  East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
• Ideal Time to Explore: April to November
• Hours of Operation:  6 AM to 6 PM
• Entry Fee: 150,000 IDR per person

3. Temple complexes of Prambanan (1991)

This temple complex is the second largest temple complex for Hindus in Southeast Asia. Its total area is adorned with 240 temples, and among them, you can only visit 6. The Prambanan Temple displays Shiva art, a classic masterpiece representing the rich heritage of the classical period in Indonesia.

• Location: Jl. Raya Solo - Yogyakarta No.16, Kranggan, Bokoharjo, Kec. Prambanan, Kabupaten Sleman, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55571, Indonesia
• Ideal Time to Explore: April to November
• Hours of Operation:  6 AM to 6 PM
• Entry Fee: 325,000 IDR per person

4. Ujung Kulon National Park (1991)

Ujung Kulon National Park is known for its fauna, fauna, and greenery vegetation. However, most importantly, this park is home to Java rhinos. Here, you should note that Java rhinos are endangered, and besides this, there are also multiple other endangered plant and animal species.

• Location: Jl. Raya Solo - Yogyakarta No.16, Kranggan, Bokoharjo, Kec. Prambanan, Kabupaten Sleman, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55571, Indonesia
• Ideal Time to Explore: April to November
• Hours of Operation:  6 AM to 6 PM
• Entry Fee: 325,000 IDR Per person

5. Sangiran Paleontological Site (1996)

At Sangiran Paleontological Site, between 1936 and 1940, hominid fossils were excavated by a group of researchers. These fossils are dated back to approximately 1.6 million years old. This discovery has made Sagiran an important archaeological site and a location for studying human evolution, extending 48 square kilometres.

• Location: Banten, Indonesia
• Ideal Time to Explore: April to November
• Hours of Operation: 24 hours
• Entry Fee: 25,000 IDR per person

6. Lorentz National Park (1999)

It covers an area of 2.35 million hectares, making it the most extended protected area in Southeast Asia. Also, this park comprises a continuous extension of the snow cap environment to the tropical marine environment. Moreover, approximately 90 per cent is covered with natural rainforests.

• Location: Papua, Indonesia
• Ideal Time to Explore: April to October
• Hours of Operation: 8 AM to 12 PM
• Entry Fee: Not found  

7. Heritage of the Tropical Rainforests of Sumatra (2004)

This UNESCO site has three national parks, namely Kerinci-Seblat, Gunung Leuser, and Barisan Selatan National Park. This area covers an area of 2.5 million hectares and is the home of numerous endangered species of fauna and flora. But due to illegal activities, this site is included in the Red List of World Heritage in Danger.

• Location: Sumatra, ‎Indonesia
• Ideal Time to Explore: May and June, or September and October
• Hours of Operation: Not found
• Entry Fee: Not found

8. Cultural Landscape of Bali Province: The Subak System as a Manifestation of the Tri Hita Karana Philosophy (2012)

The Subak system on Bali is regarded as a display of the Tri Hita Karana philosophy. This represents a Balinese irrigation system responsible for supplying water in the rice fields of that area. More importantly, this system displays stunning architectural work along with its uniqueness and size.

• Location: Bali, ‎Indonesia
• Ideal Time to Explore: May to September
• Hours of Operation: Not found
• Entry Fee: 50,000 IDR

9. Mining Heritage of Ombilin Colliery in Sawahlunto (2019)

This Ombilin Colliery was founded in 1892 by a Dutchman and is also regarded as the oldest coal mine in Southeast Asia. This coal mine displays a major exchange of technology between Europe and its colonies in the 19th and 20th centuries.

• Location: Sawahlunto, ‎Indonesia
• Ideal Time to Explore: April to October
• Hours of Operation: Not found
• Entry Fee: Not found

Here are some of the top tentative UNESCO world heritage sites in Indonesia that one must explore:

10. Betung Kerihun National Park (2004)

Betung Kerihun National Park is located on Borneo Island and houses more than 1,200 botanical species. This national park is also home to a renowned endangered animal, orangutan, and about 50 mammal species. The exquisite flora and fauna makes this place one of the most visited among all.

• Location: West Kalimantan
• Ideal Time to Explore: June, July, and September
• Hours of Operation: 8 AM to 4 PM
• Entry Fee: IDR 150,000 for foreigners

11. Bunaken National Park (2005)

Bunaken National Park is located on the north side of Sulawesi Island of Indonesia and has undergone explosive volcanic eruptions millions of years before. The topographical structure of this national park is formed due to this volcanic tuff. Upon visiting Bunaken, travelers experience a vibrant coastal ecosystem, consisting of barrier reefs and fringing reefs. The presence of more than 2000 species of aquatic animals makes this national park a popular one.

• Location: North Sulawesi
• Ideal Time to Explore: May to September
• Hours of Operation: Open 24*7
• Entry Fee: IDR 150,000 for foreigners.

12. Derawan Islands (2005)

There is a conglomeration of the 31 islands which is home to millions of jellyfish. Derawan Islands consists of two lakes where travelers will find a majority of these stingless jellyfish. Being a spectacular place for snorkeling and exploring the vibrant reefs, Derawan Islands is a part of Berau Regency.

• Location: East Kalimantan
• Ideal Time to Explore: March to October
• Hours of Operation: Open 24*7
• Entry Fee: No entry fees. Boat prices vary from IDR 50,000 to IDR 100,000.

13. Tana Toraja Traditional Settlement (2009)

Tana Toraja Traditional Settlement is the holy ceremonial ground and houses almost ten traditional settlements. These settlements consist of Pallawa, Bori Parinding, Kande Api, Nanggala, Buntu Pune, Rante Karassik, etc. The Tana Toraja Traditional Settlement is inspired by early Austronesia culture. The vibrant arrangement of settlement offers spectacular specimens of art and designs, techniques, concepts, and ancient workmanship.

• Location: Province of South Sulawesi
• Ideal Time to Explore: June to August
• Hours of Operation: Open 24*7
• Entry Fee: No entry fee for locals; however, foreigners need to pay entry fees for visiting most sites in Tana Toraja.

14. Muara Takus Compound Site (2009)

The Muara Takus Compound Site is a spectacular site for travelers where one can find different cultural objects. The well-preserved site is home to a popular Buddhist temple and represents the masterpiece of human creative genius. This place is a tentative part of the UNESCO world heritage site for bearing wisdom, deliberation, and knowledge of the ancestors since the beginning of time.

• Location: Koto Kampar XIII District, Kampar Regency, Riau Province
• Ideal Time to Explore: All year around
• Hours of Operation: 8 AM to 6 PM ( Muara Takus Temple)
• Entry Fee: Open 24*7

The UNESCO Committee looks for the following cultural and natural parameters to list a place as a World Heritage Site. It includes:

• The site should exhibit exceptional examples of the landscape or building that holds a significant position in history or architectural or technological ensemble.
• The site must exhibit natural habitat for in-situ conservation related to biological diversity, including extinct species of unique universal importance.
• The site needs to illustrate notable examples of important ecological and biological processes in the ongoing evolution and development of nature.
• It must testify to an attestation of cultural significance.
• The place should interchange human values on monumental arts, architecture or technology, landscape design or planning a town.
• It must have a unique specimen of any existing or disappearing culture or civilisation.
• It needs to be directly or indirectly related to existing traditions, beliefs, events, and literary and artistic genius of universal significance. The Committee considers this pointer along with the rest.
• The area must testify to creative brilliance.
• It should represent traditional human settlement, including culture or interaction with nature, mostly if endangered because of any irreversible changes.
• A site with prominent stages of the earth's history can be listed as a heritage site. It must represent a record of life, physiological characteristics and recognisable geological processes in progress developing landforms.

Hence, if you are looking to visit south Asia, make sure to visit the UNESCO world heritage sites in Indonesia. This way, you will witness the stunning landscapes of the country, exceptional architecture, and numerous flora and fauna.