Top 5 stunning temples in Indonesia

In the heat of equatorial Indonesia, deep within lush landscapes, hides some of the most impressive ancient structures in the world. The Hindu and Buddhist temples of this island nation were painstakingly crafted with stone so they would stand forever.

 Put on a ceremonial sarong, quiet your mind and enjoy spirituality etched in stone that has been handed down through the ages. An overview of the most amazing temples in Indonesia.

Ratu Boko Temple

Standing on the southern side of Central Java, the true ruins of Ratu Boko Temple are perched high on a plateau. Bring water and be prepared for lots of stairs in the heat. The crumbled remains of the structure suggest that the site was a fortified castle or mansion for the royal families of either the Sailendra or Mataram Kingdoms. There is a ruined outer wall, a dry moat, and, at the highest point in the area, a lookout pavilion. If you climb up to the pavilion yourself, you’ll enjoy a panoramic view with a clean look at the nearby Prambanan temple with Mount Merapi. The sunset views are stunning.

Pura Ulun Danu Beratan

The cool air and fog relieve hot travelers ascending Bali island’s central mountains. Up here, you’ll find the impressive Lake Bratan nestled among peaks. The shore-side Ulun Danu Beratan Temple has been serving the Hindu residents of the area since 1633. The temple is built to praise and give offerings to Dewi Danu, the goddess of lakes, rivers, and water. The goddess and Lake Bratan are what give life to crops on the island through a series of irrigation canals. Descend the mountain on the canal and you’ll find a series of smaller temples all dedicated to the water that feeds thirsty crops.

Read more: Six tips for enjoying a rainy day in Bali

Pura Besakih

Bali is an island unto itself amongst the 17,000 islands that make up Indonesia. The island is still Hindu whereas the majority of the archipelago is now Muslim. Pura Besakih is the Hindu island’s largest, most important and holiest temple. Sitting 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) up on slopes of massive Mount Agung in the eastern part of the island, the temple is worth a visit just for the view of the lush, rolling countryside and the towering volcano above. There are 23 related temples that make up Pura Besakih but make sure to visit the largest and most impressive - Pura Besakih Agung. Be prepared for a bombardment of downtrodden locals begging for your rupiah on the way to the temple.

Prambanan

The largest Hindu temple in all of Indonesia sits in the middle of the now-Muslim island of Java. Often referred to as the Hindu Masterpiece, this incomparable Temple is still being reconstructed. In fact, that’s the first thing you’ll notice as you walk into the park of Prambanan as the stone ruins of 224 outer temples lay scattered. As you ascend into the center of the temple area, you’ll find eight major and eight minor temples. These ornately carved spires praise Trimurti, or the expression of God as Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva the Destroyer. Marvel at the preservation of this mid-9th-century construction.

Read more: Places to visit in Makassar, Indonesia

Borobudur

Borobudur in Central Java is the world’s largest Buddhist temple. And the structure is here to stay. Borobudur has survived volcanic eruptions of Gunung Merapi, terrorist bombings and the earthquake of 2006. Rising high above the breathtakingly green rice fields and their accompanying kampung, or rice villages, this monumental structure can make Indonesia’s other temples look pedestrian. It looks like an ornately carved pyramid with fortified walls surrounding the bottom and five stories worth of statues ascending to the top. In fact, the central dome is crowned by an impressive 72 Buddha statues. Perhaps the most impressive thing about the monument is that it was built by hand in the 9th century. And visitors agree - it looks like it will stand forever.

Source Touropia

36 streets for 36 trades of Ha Noi Old Quarter

The Old Quarter of Ha Noi is a must-see place for anyone visiting Vietnam. It is located at the north of Hoan Kiem Lake and is where many economical hotels, tourist shops and cafes in Hanoi are concentrated at. In Ha Noi Old Quarter, there are about 36 streets, but the actual streets are up to 70. The number 36 has rooted from the 15th century when the streets developed from workshop area into streets. Each street has a different function and characteristic.

Busy 36 Streets

Interestingly, Old Quarter is also known as the ‘36 Streets’ because of the famous streets that make up the place, all named for the type of goods or service they were originally known for. There are streets which are named for selling silk, shoes, jewelries etc. Some of these streets still retain their original purpose so do not be surprised when you come across streets with most or all stores selling similar stuff or service.
Let explore most famous streets out of thirty-six to have a closer look at the Ha Noi Old Quarter.

Hang Bac

Bac means silver and till today, the street is still lined with silver shops, although some have expanded their wares to include jade bangles and other jewelleries. Although this is a street that is located near our hotel and we walked on it several times, we hardly patronise the jewellery shops here since we were not intending to buy any jewellery in Ha Noi.

Besides jewelleries, the shops are also known as a good ‘unofficial’ place for money exchange. However, with recent crackdowns, this might be less easy nowadays. Hotels and travel agencies have become the ‘legal’ money exchangers now instead.

Cau Go Street

Cau Go Street is a commercial street specializing in women’s accessories, and is situated just beside the huge eatery building that houses Thai Express, City View Cafe and Highlands Coffee, just to name a few.

Hang Be Street

In the mid-19 century, Hang Be street was the place where the craftsmen made bamboo rafts. Each raft consisted of 12 to 15 bamboo poles lashed by the bamboo bark. The bamboo poles were sold in Hang Tre street. Bamboo raft played an important role in the traveling and fishing of the residents because they could easily move through Ha Noi’s shallow river, swamps and lakes.

Hang Dao Street

Hang Dao street is one of the main streets in the Old Quarter running from the north to the south, dividing the quarter into two halves. “Dao” refers to the pink peach blossoms, the symbol of Tet in Vietnam. At that time, there was a huge demanding for this color, so the street was named after that story. In the past, the street was a center for silk products. On the first and sixth days of lunar months, there were fairs that people tried to try silk products for French and Ha Noi local people. When there was a turn from 19th to 20th century, the street sold not only silk but also western clothing products. Nowadays, this street is specializing in ready-made clothes.

Hang Mam Street

The name of Mam rooted from “fish sauces”, which is a kind of ingredients commonly used in Vietnam's dishes. The street was originally located on the riverside near the day’s catch. After the sauce was made, it was stored in barrels that were made on Hang Thung Street. From 1940, a ceramics industry including memorial stone etching, tombstone and coffin appeared and replaced the fish sauce business.

Read more: 5 homestays to find peace in the heart of Ha Noi

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5 must-visit bazaars and markets in Bali

Bali is full of colorful markets. Whether it is textiles, art, jewelry or even food, there are several scattered across the island that will suit all budgets. Shop for art at Sukawati Art Market, Ubud Art Market, and Pasaran Art Market at Hubud.  Snap up finds at Samadi Sunday's Farmers Market, Love Anchor Weekend Bazaar, and Old Man's Market in Canggu.

Love Anchor Weekend Bazaar – Canggu

The most popular market in town and one of the most hipster markets in Bali. Here they sell everything from clothing to souvenirs and heaps of beautiful jewellery. It is undoubtedly the perfect set up with music playing and happy faces. A real good vibe.

Address: No.56 Jl. Pantai Batu Bolong, Canggu, North Kuta, Badung, Bali
Market opening hours: 9a.m to 9p.m (daily)

Samadi Sunday Farmer’s Market – Canggu

This is it, you have been transported to Bangkok – the capital city of trendy night market shopping. Whether you are a self-proclaimed foodie, a fashionista or a beauty treatments’ obsessed, the market at Mercure Resort in Sanur is bound to keep you busy on Sundays.

The Sunday market has lots to offer, the large, grassy expanse, food stalls and groovy ambience at the resort make it a popular place to snare unique items. Stylish fashion, handmade crafts, jewellery, fresh produce and lush homewares are scattered around stalls on the well-manicured lawn.

Address: No.39 Jalan Padang Linjong, Echo Beach Canggu Bali
Market operating hours: Every Sunday 9a.m to 2p.m

Old Man’s Market - Batu Bolong, Canggu

On one Saturday of each month, one of Canggu’s most favorite place at Batu Bolong beach, transforms into a market. Whatever you fancy, you’ll find it at the Old Man’s Market. We absolutely love the Kevala Ceramics stall, Bali’s original fine-pottery studio that collaborates with Australian designers and sell-off samples and leftovers. You will not manage to go past without buying something out of their colorful collections.

Address: Jalan Batu Bolong, Canggu, Bali, Indonesia
Market opening hours: Weekends, 8a.m to 3p.m

Pasar - Pasaran Art Market at Hubud – Ubud

This is a “stray” event that is really going places. Organized by local Balinese artists, this market is the free spirit of Yogyakarta (the artistic capital of Indonesia) that reins in Bali. Crafts and more crafts, all beautifully displayed by the creators themselves who are always open to a friendly talk. Paradise for the kids, as there is so much to do.

Address: No.1 Jl. Kayu Cendana, Seminyak, Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali
Market operating hours: Twice per year

Ubud Art Market – Ubud

A holiday in Bali always calls for some shopping for souvenirs or memorabilia of the trip, and the best place to make the search would be the Ubud Art Market. The Ubud market offers not only exemplary Balinese items, but also rather a universal and international assortment, catering to visitors of all tastes. The items found here also tend to be of a higher artistic value compared to other art markets such as Kuta.

Address: No.35 Jl. Raya Ubud, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali
Market operating hours: 6 a.m to 18 p.m

Read more: 10 must-try activities in Bali

Source Internet