10 Famous Buddhist Temple in The World

Buddhism is a major world religion and philosophy founded in northeastern India in the 5th century AD. It is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as “The Buddha”, who was born in what is today Nepal. Buddhism takes as its goal the escape from suffering and from the cycle of rebirth: the attainment of nirvana. There are between 230 million and 500 million Buddhists worldwide. An overview of the most famous Buddhist temples in the world.

10Haeinsa Temple 
South Korea, Info & Images

photo: erinc salor

Haeinsa (Temple of Reflection on a Smooth Sea) is one of the most important Buddhist temples in South Korea. The temple was first built in 802 and rebuilt in the 19th century after Haiensa was burned down in a fire in 1817. The temple’s greatest treasure however, a complete copy of the Buddhist scriptures (he Tripitaka Koreana) written on 81,258 woodblocks, survived the fire.

9Wat Arun 
Thailand, Info & Images

photo: kainet

Situated on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River , Wat Arun (“Temple of Dawn”) is one of the oldest and best known landmarks in Bangkok. The temple is an architectural representation of Mount Meru, the center of the universe in Buddhist cosmology. Despite it’s name, the best views of Wat Arun are in the evening with the sun setting behind it.

8Pha That Luang 
Laos, Info & Images

photo: A_E_P

Located in Vientiane, Pha That Luang (“Great Stupa in Lao”) is one of the most important monument inLaos. The stupa has several terraces with each level representing a different stage of Buddhist enlightenment. The lowest level represents the material world; the highest level represents the world of nothingness. Pha That Luang was built in the 16th century on the ruins of an earlier Khmer temple. The temple was destroyed by a Siamese invasion in 1828, then later reconstructed by the French in 1931.

7Jokhang 
China, Info & Images

photo: ironmanixs

The Jokhang Temple in Lhasa is the most important sacred site in Tibetan Buddhism attracting thousands of pilgrims each year. The temple was constructed by King Songtsän Gampo in the 7th century. The Mongols sacked the Jokhang temple several times but the building survived. Today the temple complex covers an area of about 25,000 square meters.

6Todaiji Temple 
Japan, Info & Images

photo: roybuloy

Todaiji (“Great Eastern Temple”) in Nara is one of the most historically significant and famous Buddhist temples in Japan. The temple was built in the 8th century by Emperor Shomu as the head temple of all provincial Buddhist temples of Japan. Today little remains of the original buildings of Todaiji. The Daibutsuden (“Great Buddha Hall”), dates for the most part from 1709. It houses one of the largest Budha statues in Japan and is the worlds largest wooden building, even though it is only two-thirds the size of the original structure.

5Boudhanath 
Nepal, Info & Images

photo: Ron Layters

Located in a suburb of Kathmandu, Boudhanath is one of the largest stupas in the world. It is the center of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal and many refugees from Tibet have settled here in the last few decades. It is probably best known for the Buddha eyes that are featured on all four sides of the tower. The present stupa is said to date from the 14th century, after the previous one was destroyed by Mughal invaders.

4Mahabodhi Temple 
India, Info & Images

photo: FootFun

The Mahabodhi (Great Enlightenment) Temple is a Buddhist stupa located in Bodh Gaya. The main complex contains a descendant of the original Bodhi Tree under which Gautama Buddha gained enlightenment and is the most sacred place in Buddhism. About 250 years after the Buddha attained Enlightenment, Emperor Asoka built a temple at the spot. The present temple dates from the 5th-6th century.

3Shwedagon Pagoda 
Myanmar, Info & Images

photo: druidabruxux

The Shwedagon Pagoda (or Golden Pagoda) in Yangon, is the holiest Buddhist shrine in Burma. The origins of Shwedagon are lost in antiquity but it is estimated that the Pagoda was first built by the Mon during the Bagan period, sometime between the 6th and 10th century AD. The temple complex is full of glittering, colorful stupas but the center of attention is the 99 meter high (326 feet) high main stupa that is completely covered in gold.

2Bagan 
Myanmar, Info & Images

photo: woowoowoo

Bagan, also spelled Pagan, on the banks of the Ayerwaddy River, is home to the largest area of Buddhist temples, pagodas, stupas and ruins in the world. It was the capital of several ancient kings of Burma who built perhaps as many as 4,400 temples during the height of the kingdom (between 1000 and 1200 AD). In 1287, the kingdom fell to the Mongols, after refusing to pay tribute to Kublai Khan and Bagan quickly declined as a political center, but continued to flourish as a place of Buddhist scholarship.

1Borobudur 
Indonesia, Info & Images

photo: Kenyon College

Located on the Indonesian island of Java, 40 km (25 miles) northwest of Yogyakarta, the Borobudur is the largest and most famous Buddhist temple in the world. The Borobudur was built over a period of some 75 years in the 8th and 9th centuries by the kingdom of Sailendra, out of an estimated 2 million blocks of stone. It was abandoned in the 14th century for reasons that still remain a mystery and for centuries lay hidden in the jungle under layers of volcanic ash.

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Prambanan, The Most Beautiful Hinduism Temple

As the largest Hindu temple in Southeast Asia, the beautiful and graceful temple of Prambanan is a magnificent spectacle and an icon of Indonesia’s cultural heritage.

Located not far from the Buddhist Borobudur temple, the proximity of the two temples tells us that on Java, Buddhism and Hinduism lived peacefully next to one another.

Prambanan is known locally as Roro Jonggrang, coming from the legend of the ‘slender virgin’. According to the legend once upon a time, there was a young and powerful man named Bandung Bondowoso.  He wanted to marry a beautiful princess named Roro Jonggrang. Her father, the king, agreed and forced her to marry Bandung Bondowoso. Butm Sita did not love him yet could not refuse him.

After careful consideration, she thought of a way to refuse Bondowoso, whose magical power was well-known.  She decided she would agree but only if Bondowoso built 1,000 temples in one night before the break of dawn.

She insisted that the work must be completed before the rooster crowed, something she believed was impossible. But with the help of genies and his own magical powers, Bondowoso managed to complete 999 temples. Panicked, Jonggrang told the women of her village to start pounding rice so that the rooster would wake up and begin to crow.  When Bondowoso heard this he was deeply disappointed and wildly enraged. When he found out that Roro Jonggrang had made the roosters crow, he turned her into stone, The statue of a slender virgin graces the main Prambanan temple, while a group of temples nearby is called the Candi Sewu or the Thousand Temples.

The  temples at Prambanan were built in the 9th century. The biggest temple is dedicated to Shiva – the destroyer, and the two smaller ones which sit on its right and left are dedicated to Brahma -¬ the creator and Wisnhu – the sustainer.  The tallest temple of Prambanan is a staggering 47 meters high. Its peak visible from far away and rises high above the ruins of the other temples.

After hundreds of years of neglect, the Prambanan temple was rediscovered by CA Lons, a Dutchman, in 1733. Since then, this temple has been revitalized and today is widely regarded as the most beautiful and graceful Hindu temple in Indonesia.

The grandeur, complexity, and integrated architectural concept of Prambanan makes this a truly amazing structure. As a unique cultural and architectural marvel, Prambanan was declared a World Heritage site in 1991 by UNESCO.

 

To Do

The relief’s inside the temple show the epic story of Ramayana. Inside, there are also historical items such as the Lingga Batara Siwa stone, a symbol of fertility.

From May to October at full moon, the classic Javanese  Ramayana ballet or dance drama  (hyperlink) is performed by more than 250 dancers in an outdoor open stage  with as its backdrop the full moon dramatically rising over the temples.

The epic Ramayana tells the story of Prince Rama and his wife Sita who are wandering in the forest. When Rama sees a golden deer he chases it, but not before drawing a circle around Sita. He tells her not to step out of the circle to stay safe. The king of ogres Rahwana lures Sita out of the circle, abducts her and carries her to his kingdom, Alengka.

The grief stricken Rama is assisted by the monkey king, Hanuman., who finds Sita in Rahwana’s palace. He burns Alengka and Sita is saved and restored to her husband.

While you are here you will want to snap as many photos as you can. The ticket you purchase to enter Prambanan is valid for a whole day meaning you can exit and re-enter the sites as many times as you wish. This is the same for tickets purchased for Borobudur temple. For photographers this means you can take pictures of the site at different times of the day.

 

To Stay

 

There is a wide variety of inns and hotels to choose from in nearby Yogyakarta. For more information refer to our Travel Directory.

If you're after a touch of luxury, try the Sheraton Mustika Yogyakarta Resort and Spa. It's near the airport and has a large pool as well as gift shops, entertainment, and food.  The Hyatt is another luxury hotel to stay at.

Many hotels in nearby Yogya also have high quality restaurants where serving a combination of modern Western food and traditional Yogya cuisine

Tea is a specialty of this region. Wherever you go in the Java plains, the climate remains warm throughout the year which means there is nothing more refreshing than a big pitcher of cold javanese tea. A big cup of cold ginger Javanese tea usually costs only IDR 2,000.

Getting Around

Visitors to Prambanan wander around the temples on foot. This is the best way to enjoy the lush landscape and take in the detailed architecture and design of the temples up close.

This temple compound covers 39.8 hectares. In the main yard, there are the three main temples, as well as three Wahana temples, two Apit temples, and eight Patok temples surrounded by fences. In the second yard, there are another 224 Perwara temples. Wandering around here and examining the intricate stonework will be enough to keep you busy all day!

Compared to the temples in Angkor Wat, the temples of Prambanan are much easier to navigate and more tourist-friendly. The area surrounding Prambanan is developed, with a landscaped park and stores selling tourist souvenirs. While it’s not a temple set in a remote rustic setting, the splendor of the temple will make you quickly forget your surroundings. You will be transported back to an ancient time where ritual and culture dominated every part of life.

 

Getting There

 

The closest cities to  Prambanan, are either Yogyakarta (insert hyperlink) or Semarang. Garuda Indonesia, Mandala, Merpati Nusantara Airlines and a number of domestic airlines fly to these cities from Jakarta and other large cities in Indonesia. AirAsia is the first international airline that flies direct from Kuala Lumpur to Yogyakarta.

From Yogyakarta, you can rent a car to go to Klaten. From there, you can walk to the temple.

If have been busy and are really tired of walking, you can always call for a becak. With the cost of about Rp10,000 the Becak driver will bring you right up to the  entrance gate of the Temple, not far from the ticket box.
 

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Tari Pendet ( Pendet Dance ), Beauty - Intractive

Tari Pendet or Pendet Dance

Pendet is a traditional Balinese dance, in which offerings are made to purify the temple or theater as a prelude to ceremonies or other dances. Pendet is typically performed by young girls, carrying bowls of flower petals, handfuls of which are cast into the air at various times in the dance. Pendet can be thought of as a dance of greeting, to welcome the audience and invite spirits to enjoy a performance.

Traditional Balinese dances are the oldest form of performing arts in Bali. Traditional dances can be divided into two types, sacred dance called Wali and entertainment dance called Bebalihan. Wali (sacred dance) is usually performed in some ritual ceremonies only because it has strong magical powers and only can be performed by specific dancers. Bebalihan are usually performed in social events. In addition to entertain, Bebalihan also has other purposes such as: welcoming guests, celebration of harvests, or gathering crowds. Bebalihan has more variations than Wali.

Pendet is the presentation of an offering in the form of a ritual dance. Unlike the exhibition dances that demand arduous training, Pendet may be danced by anyone. It is taught simply by imitation.

Younger girls follow the movements of the elder women, who recognize their responsibility in setting a good example. Proficiency comes with age. As a religious dance, Pendet is usually performed during temple ceremonies.

All dancers carry in their right hand a small offering of incense, cakes, water vessels, or flower formations. With these they dance from shrine to shrine within thetemple. Pendet may be performed intermittently throughout the day and late into the night during temple feasts.

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Jakarta's Old City

Jakarta's "old city", known also as Kota, clings tightly to its rich neoclassical heritage, and offers both locals and tourists alike an authentic and reminiscent glimpse into the country's unique past.

Stretching from the ancient spice trading harbour of Sunda Kelapa to the pearly buildings of Fatahillah Square, Old Jakarta stands as one of the city's sole reminders of three centuries of Dutch colonialism – and what a stunning reminder it is. Such preservations of the past are a rare find in a city saturated with urban infrastructure, mega-malls, and conurbation conveniences.

Right in the heart of Old Jakarta lies Fatahillah Square, a simple but eye-catching courtyard that showcases the best of the Dutch Empire's architecture and artifacts. The colonisers named the area Batavia, and in its heyday, the square was the commercial and administrative nucleus of the new rulers.

Today, the tiled square is free of traffic, and the tree-lined area is decorated with a smattering of abstract concrete spheres and antique street lights, which makes for an entertaining and relaxing resting spot to people-watch. In the centre of the square is a line-up of official Kota Tua bicycle-taxis (ojeks) ready to peddle customers to their destination.

The area has attracted a sizable presence of young locals who keep the vibe energetic.
"The younger generation, those in their early twenties and teenagers, they appreciate this old town – especially the creative industry people. They always ask me, 'Can we live here?'," says co-founder of Jakarta Old Town Kotaku Ella Ubaidi.

The youth wander in packs throughout the square's nooks and crannies, enjoying the ojek services and posing for a stream of photos for their friends' cameras and cell phones.
At the head of the square is the Jakarta Museum of History, a grand building that boldly displays "Gouverneurs Kantor" (Governor's Office) above its main entrance. The 37-room building, surrounded by Portuguese cannons, was the original Town Hall for Batavia in the 1700s. Today, it displays memorabilia and antiques from several of Jakarta's foreign influences.

The most breathtaking part of the collection is the striking teakwood furniture from the Dutch renaissance period. On the first level there is a handsome oversized table set at which the council deliberated the fate of convicts, as well as a pair of six-metre high filing cabinets that once stored state records. The balcony at the top of the staircase provides the best vantage point to view the square and the chorus of Indonesian flags that are suspended from its buildings.

Also overlooking Fatahillah Square is the Museum of Fine Arts and Ceramics, which was not only the former office for the Council of Justice but also functioned as military barracks. The stunning columnar-style building is bordered by elegant white pillars and a moat of palm trees. Its gapped-tooth floorboards and spiral staircases create the perfect environment for the museum's extensive collection of porcelain, sculptures, glass paintings and art from around Asia and Europe, many of which date back to ancient times.

The award-winning Batavia Café sits at the base of the square, and is the only business that is open through the evening (minus the smoky billiard room next door). The two-story restaurant/café/bar elegantly meshes Chinese décor, including red lanterns, art, and entertainment, with its regal architecture and antique furniture collection. There is an eye-catching wall behind the stairs that is choc-full of an eclectic collection of black and white photographs – featuring pop-art, political figures, celebrated faces and even fetish-style images. The collection extends through the upstairs bathrooms also, where Audrey Hepburn's sly smile greets you at the door. The upstairs bar is full of shimmering chandeliers, heavy drapes, candle-lit tables, and ceiling-high floral arrangements – a combination rich in romanticism.

Just to the west-side of the café stands Wayang Puppet Musuem – the former site of Batavia's Protestant Church. The museum is filled to the brim with an enormous and eclectic collection of wooden and leather puppets and dolls from all around Indonesia and Southeast Asia. The collection at the Wayang Museum inserts a more traditional and indigenous touch to the Fatahillah Square. I am told that if you visit on a Sunday morning you can witness a live wayang kulit, a shadow performance with leather puppets.

The town of Batavia expanded vigorously in the mid 1600s due to its proximity to Sunda Kelapa harbour, the major port for the booming spice trade at the time. Even to this day, the harbour boasts the world's last functioning sailing fleet. The daily activities of the waterfront action are truly a sight to behold; the scene unfolds as a virtual re-enactment of centuries past. Rust-stained pirate-like boats encircle the port's perimeter, while hundreds of tanned dockers tirelessly transport their goods from boat to land and land to boat on a flimsy plank barely forty centimeters in width. Their backs are draped in layers of thick fabrics to assist in the manual transfer of heavy loads.

A young slight boy who perches on the wharf routinely hands out a single bamboo stick to every one of the stream of workers who enters the Suderhana Jaya boat – they are then counted to calculate the total quantities on board.

The workers quietly dine along the seaport's assembly of warungs that offer rice, noodles, and deep-fried treats from within tents strung with bananas and rambutan.

It is here that I discover that I too, as a blatant western-looking westerner, am also an attraction for the workers at Sunda Kelapa. One truck driver asks me if I will pose for a photo with him for his 'collection'. The driver's wares are another nod to the harbour's history – his truck is transporting crates of Jamu, traditional Indonesian medicines produced from leaves, fruits, flowers and roots.

The nearby Bahari Maritime Museum offers respite from the heat of the dock, and is located in the original storage warehouse built by the Dutch East India Company in 1652 for stocking their commodities. The three-storey warehouse comprises several buildings, each complete with iron-barred windows curtained with fading blue-shutters. The stooping doorframes between the buildings are the result of a gradually rising coast level. The rustic buildings are filled with models of sailing boats, larger-scale vessels, navigational apparatuses, cannons, and stunning photography of the harbour's days gone by. A 30ft long boat from Papua can be found in the rear building. Just south of this is the VOC's Uitkijk post - the port's lookout tower. The site under the tower was where prisoners were jailed at the time.



Old Jakarta town also provides many surprises- just driving around the area you can see flashes of the past – be it the large Dutch Empire's great V.O.C sign on a building side, or the famous Dutch drawbridge over the Kali Besar that was used two centuries ago. These remnants are perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the old city – they indicate its profound ability to stand the test of time despite centuries of inattention and unrelenting tropical weather.

Although the area has infinite historical value, aesthetically, many of the structures of Old Jakarta leave much to be desired, and it is no secret that the area is in dire need of attention. Countless buildings, despite being categorised as heritage sites, are revealing dilapidation that has all too easily been overlooked in the exuberance of Indonesian independence. At Fatahillah Square, just mere metres behind Café Batavia is a poignant example of such disregard – the hollow, windowless building highlights the severity of the area's ruin. This part of Old Jakarta does not make the postcards.

It seems the former hub has been deserted in favour of the postmodern gleam that oozes from new Jakarta – and the cracks are showing through. While its days are by no means numbered, make sure you visit this capsule of Indonesian history while you still can.

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Taman Sari - More than Just a Water Castle

In recent times Indonesian artists have become the darling of Singapore's art galleries and art dealers, as their works not only exude originali ty and vibrancy but are also priced reasonably.

The bust of a dragon at Blumbang Kuras graces the entrance of what resembles a pier leading towards the special bathing pool of the sultan.Yogyakarta! Nearly every corner of the city and its environs contains heritage sites with deep historic value. One of the best known is Taman Sari, in the western part of the Keraton of Yogyakarta. A trip to Yogyakarta is incomplete until you have visited this lovely castle.

Taman Sari was built by Sultan Hamengku Buwono I, also known as Pangeran Mangkubumi, starting in 1683 in the Javanese Saka calendar, or 1757 CE – the same year in which the Keraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat was established. The architecture and reliefs in the Taman Sari complex blend Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic, European and Chinese elements.

During the reign of Panembahan Senapati, Taman Sari was known as Umbul Pacethokan, or Pacethokan Spring, and was famous for its strong flow of clear water. Taman Sari covered an area of over 10 hectares with around 58 clusters of structures, including buildings, bathing pools, hanging bridges, water canals, and even artificial lakes with artificial islands and underwater tunnels. Only around 22 of these structures are still recognizable. The garden, which was planted with fruit and vegetables, was in effective use between 1765 and 1812 and originally stretched from the Kedhaton complex on the northwest to the Magangan complex in the southeast; the only remnants of Taman Sari still visible are those in the Kedhaton complex.

To enter Taman Sari, one must now go through the rear entrance, because the road in front is closed off by local residents' homes. At the entry gate are Gedhong Temanten and Gedhong Sekawan, where the royal family used to enjoy food and drink after "chatting" in the baths.

As well as these two buildings, we will also encounter Gedhong Gapura Panggung, a structure with four segments, two on the west and two more on the east. The building used to have four dragon statues; only two are left. Gedhong Gapura Panggung symbolizes the year in which Taman Sari was built, 1684 Saka (around 1758 CE). It also features decorative reliefs, as does Gedhong Gapura Hageng.

"Gedhong Gapura Hageng" was the main gate for the sultans. In those days, Taman Sari faced west and extended to the east. This gate is at the westernmost part of the remaining water palace site. The eastern part of this main gate can still be seen, while its western side is surrounded by dense housing. The gate, which comprises several rooms and two sectors is decorated with reliefs of birds and flowers indicating the year when the construction of Taman Sari was completed, 1691 Saka (around 1765 CE).

To the east of Taman Sari's ancient main gate is an eight-sided courtyard. In the middle of this courtyard there used to stand a two-story tower named "Gedhong Lopak-lopak"; all that is left is a row of giant flower pots and the doors that connected this place with others. The door at the eastern end of this eight-sided courtyard is one of the gateways to Umbul Binangun.

Taman Sari Water Castle.The Umbul Binangun bathing pool was the swimming pool for the Sultan, his wives and concubines, and his daughters. This complex is surrounded by a high wall. Two gates provide access to this place, one on the east and one on the west. In the Umbul Pasiraman complex are three pools, decorated with mushroom-shaped springs. Surrounding the pools are giant flower pots, which can still be seen.

The building on the northmost side was the rest area and changing room for the sultan's daughters, wives and concubines. To the south is another pool named "Umbul Muncar". A path resembling a dock separates this pool from another to its south called "Blumbang Kuras".

To the south of Blumbang Kuras is a building with a tower in the middle. The west wing of this building is the changing room, while the east wing was where the sultan relaxed. It is said that the sultan used the tower in the middle to watch his wives and daughters while they were bathing. In that era, apart from the Sultan, only females were allowed to enter the complex.

From the southeast of the Magangan complex to the northeast of Siti Hinggil Kidul is an artificial lake, in the middle of which is an artificial island called "Pulo Kinupeng". On the island is a tall structure called "Gedhong Gading" which is also referred to as the city tower.

To the northwest of the artificial lake and stretching off to its southeast runs a large canal. This canal has two narrow points, where it is believed there used to be hanging bridges. One of these bridges was over the path connecting the Magangan complex with Kamandhungan Kidul. Remnants of this bridge can still be seen, though the bridge itself is long gone. To the west of the hanging bridge was a pier, which it is said the sultans used as the starting point for their entrance to Taman Sari. It is also said that the Sultans entered Taman Sari by boat.

To the south of the canal was a garden, lying to the west of the Kamandhungan Kidul complex and Siti Hinggil Kidul. This has now become a residential area, the garden is now the kampung (urban village) of Ngadisuryan, and the artificial lake has now become the kampung of Segaran.
In the middle of Segaran is an artificial island, "Pulo Kenongo", planted with kenanga (ylang-ylang) trees. On this island stands a two-story structure called "Gedhong Kenongo". The largest, first part of this structure is quite high. From the highest level, one can observe the Keraton Yogyakarta and its surroundings, even beyond the Baluwarti fortress. It is said that Gedhong Kenongo comprised several rooms with different functions. From afar, the building seems to be floating above the water. It is therefore not surprising that the entire Taman Sari complex is also often called the Water Castle (Istana Air), since in the past, two-thirds of the complex was surrounded by water which could be used by the royal for boating. This structure is now in ruins. To the south of Pulo Kenongo is a row of smaller structures called "Tajug", which are ventilation towers for the underwater tunnel that led to Pulo Kenongo.

Taman Sari

To the south of Pulo Kenongo is yet another artificial island, called "Pulo Cemethi". This two-story structure is also called "Pulo Panembung". Here the sultan came to meditate. Some also call it "Sumur Gumantung", because at the south end is a well that protrudes above the ground surface. To reach it, one had to go through an underwater tunnel. This structure is also now in ruins.

To the west of Pulo Kenongo is a ring-shaped structure called "Sumur Gumuling". This two-story building can only be reached through an underwater tunnel. Sumur Gumuling was traditionally used as a mosque. On the second floor is a nook that was used as the mihrab, from which the imam led the prayers. In the middle of this open structure are five stairs leading to the second floor, symbolizing the five pillars of Islam.

Nowadays, many parts of Taman Sari are densely inhabited kampung, where the families of the keraton's abdi dalem, or loyal supporters live. Taman Sari became a residential area because during the colonial era, it was difficult for the abdi dalem to find any place to live. Their families sought the sultan's protection and permission to live within the keraton fortress, which the Dutch were not allowed to enter.

Even now, in nearly every house in Taman Sari you will find batik tulis producers, who have been making batik for the royal family for generations. Souvenir shops selling batik paintings and cloth at affordable prices are easy to find in these residential parts of Taman Sari. The Taman Sari area is now a zone comprising an archeological site, a community of craftspersons producing batik, paintings, sungging (wayang paintings) and bamboo handicrafts, traditional markets, and people's homes.

Taman Sari Yogyakarta is a relic of the largest and most beautiful royal pleasure park ever built in Indonesia. As well as the massive earthquake that struck Yogyakarta in 1867, the earthquake two years ago caused considerable damage in the area, particularly to Pulo Panembung (the meditation spot), Sumur Gumantung, and Pulo Cemethi. The site is also under threat of encroachment for expansion of housing, which will accelerate the damage to the site if nothing is done to prevent it.

As one of Yogyakarta's cultural icons, Taman Sari was designated in 2004 by the New York-based World Monument Fund (WMF) as one of the 100 most threatened historic sites; it urgently needs to be preserved.

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