4 Best Sights in Indonesia

One of the world's most-photographed Buddhist shrines and a UNESCO World Heritage site, the massive temple of Borobudur is the ultimate symbol for the journey to enlightenment. Shrouded by shady forests and trimmed with lush gardens, the mountainous, gray stone structure sprawls through some of Java's most scenic countryside in an undulating vista of soaring towers, thick walls, and collapsed steps. It took nearly a century to build, from around 780 to 850 AD, and it was nearly a millennium before it was discovered by foreign eyes. In 1814, Thomas Stamford Raffles stumbled on the site while on expedition as Lieutenant Governor of Java—but even after two restorations and millions of annual visitors, Borobudur still retains an ethereal ambience, a sense that you're being transported back to an ancient, mysterious world. Borobudur's layout resembles a mandala, rising in cakelike layers of six concentric square terraces and three circular platforms. Tours begin at the eastern stairway, and continue through 5-km (3-miles) of walkways if done to full length. Stroll clockwise around the lowest square, taking time to observe the slight variances in 432 Buddahs and more than 1,500 images of Siddhartha's life. The three circular levels are dotted with 72 Buddha statues, each tucked into an enormous latticework stupa (dome-shaped temple). At the top, amid a scenic backdrop of emerald forests and smoky volcanoes, is a final stupa emblematic of the highest level of enlightenment. Also on the grounds is a small museum following the history of Borobudur's construction, rediscovery, and renovations. Guides are readily available for hire. Souvenir and food vendors around the monument can be persistent. Just smile and say "No, thank you" if you're not interested. The trip by road from Semarang takes less than two hours.

"Bali has never been as great as it used to be," celebrated Bangkok-based journalist John Hail wrote three decades ago. He must not have seen Lembongan Island, 20 km (12 miles) offshore from Sanur. First visited by surfers, Lembongan features miles of sandy beaches, a village vibe, and stunning views back to Bali. Get there by boat from Sanur, then explore by foot or on a bike, perhaps crossing the bridge to neighboring Nusa Ceningan. Accommodations range from simple huts to luxury villas. Count on someone lamenting, "Lembongan isn't what it used to be."

You can combine Borobudur sightseeing with a visit to this temple complex, a vestige of Java's Hindu past spread over a broad plain. Built just after Borobudur, this UNESCO World Heritage site contains 237 gray stone temples in the classical tall, pointed Hindu style, the largest rising 154 feet. The complex was reduced to ruins through centuries of neglect and earthquakes. Reconstruction efforts began in 1918, with the main shrine completed in 1953. The 2006 Yogyakarta earthquake led to the closure of some building interiors due to safety concerns, but what's visible, inside and out, remains extraordinarily impressive.

Enjoy a cultural doubleheader above the teeming surf at Pura Luhur Uluwatu. Located about 15 miles outside of Kuta, this ancient temple site anchoring Bali's southwestern tip may not impress as much as Besakih near Kitamani or Tanah Lot north of Seminyak, but the dramatic seaside cliffs, reminiscent of California's Big Sur, lend a mystical feel, especially at sunset. Steer clear of resident monkeys: remove glasses, earrings, and anything else they may grab. (Local kids will retrieve stolen items—for a price.) Don't carry food, and resist hawkers selling monkey snacks. The kecak dance, presented every day at 6 pm, features dozens of bare-chested men in elaborately costumed dance excerpts from the pan-Asian Ramayana legend. The cost is an extra Rp100,000.