UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Indonesia

Indonesia is known worldwide for beautiful beaches and breathtaking natural landscapes. But that's not all the country has to offer. The island is home to nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Unfortunately, one of them is on the UNSECO World Heritage Red List. Which site this is and which cultural buildings and natural sites still belong to the world heritage, you can find out here.

Temples of Borobudur

The temple complex of Borobudur, which was built in the 8th and 9th centuries, has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1991. The temple is considered the largest Buddhist temple complex in the world. The monument was restored in the 1970s with the help of UNESCO.

Komodo National Park

Komodo National Park consists of three large islands (Komodo, Rinca and Padar). The park is home to the largest lizard species in the world, the Komodo dragon. This one lives nowhere else in the world. In 1980, the national park was established as a protected zone for the Komodo dragon, but since 1991 it has also been a part of the UNSECO World Heritage Site. Besides the monitor lizard, there is also an impressive landscape and underwater world to see.

Temple complexes of Prambanan

The temple complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991, is the second largest Hindu temple complex in Southeast Asia. The complex consists of 240 temples, of which only six can be visited. The Prambanan Temple presents the great culture of Shiva art as a masterpiece of the classical period in Indonesia and the region.

Ujun Kulon National Park

Ujung Kulon National Park is famous for its biodiversity and lush vegetation with colorful flora and fauna. The park is home to the endangered Java rhinos. But also other endangered animal and plant species find protection in the park. Since 1991, the park has been designated as a UNSECO World Natural Heritage Site.

Sangiran Paleontological Site

In 1996, the Sangiran paleontological site became a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Between 1936 and 1940, hominid fossils were found here during excavations. These are about 1.6 million years old. This find makes Sagiran an important site for understanding human evolution. The excavation site has an impressive size of about 48 square kilometers.

Lorentz National Park

Lorentz National Park is the largest protected area in Southeast Asia, covering 2.35 million hectares. It is the only protected area in the world that encompasses a continuous, intact transect from the snow cap to the tropical marine environment, including extensive lowland wetlands. Approximately 90 percent of the area is pristine natural rainforest. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. The national park has a high level of biodiversity. For example, it is home to numerous species of tree kangaroos and countless bird species.

Heritage of the tropical rainforests of Sumatra

The UNESCO World Heritage Site comprises three national parks: Gunung Leuser, Kerinci-Seblat and Barisan Selatan National Park. Covering a total of 2.5 million hectares, the national parks are home to many endangered species and countless plant and animal species. The site offers breathtaking scenery and is an example of ecological and biological processes.

But due to illegal (and legal) deforestation of the rainforest and poaching, the natural heritage site has been on the Red List of World Heritage in Danger.

Cultural Landscape of Bali Province: The Subak System as a Manifestation of the Tri Hita Karana Philosophy

The Subak system on the island of Bali is considered a manifestation of the Tri Hita Karana philosophy. This is a Balinese irrigation system of the landowners, who supply the countless rice fields in the area with water. The Subak system impresses as an architectural work above all with its uniqueness and size and was therefore named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012. It is still used by the rice field owners today.

("Subak" means irrigation cooperative. "Tri Hita Karana" is the Balinese teaching of the three ways for a good life, namely harmony with God, people and nature).

Mining heritage of Ombilin colliery in Sawahlunto

In 2019, the mining heritage of Ombilin Colliery in Sawahlunto was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 1892, the Ombilin Colliery was founded by a Dutchman and is now considered the oldest coal mine in Southeast Asia. The heritage of Sawahlunto's Obilin coal mine shows a significant exchange of mining technology between Europe and its colonies during the second half of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Do you now feel like exploring the beautiful island of Indonesia and seeing the landscape with your own eyes? Then take a look at our Indonesia round trip and experience the island off the beaten track.

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