Comparing Borobudur with Angkor Wat is silly as they are simply incomparable. Both are different to some extent and beautiful in their own way. To help your imagination, picture the Statue of Liberty and then New York City, and that's how you would compare! Borobudur is a huge single monument, whilst many temples make up the Angkor Wat compound.
Sure thing, these two ancient wonders were built by great civilizations. The beautiful Angkor Wat is located in the city of Angkor, the capital of Khmer Empire whose territory covered the modern-day of Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia, to which they ruled from Angkor in Siem Reap, Cambodia. They constructed a lot of temples throughout the city and one fascinating was the Angkor Wat.
Sure thing, these two ancient wonders were built by great civilizations. The beautiful Angkor Wat is located in the city of Angkor, the capital of Khmer Empire whose territory covered the modern-day of Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia, to which they ruled from Angkor in Siem Reap, Cambodia. They constructed a lot of temples throughout the city and one fascinating was the Angkor Wat.
The splendor Borobudur was built under the reign of King Samaratungga of the Sailendras, a powerful kings dynasty of Medang Kingdom, Java, Indonesia. Within walking distance from Borobudur there are two small temples that possibly associated with it, Mendut and Pawon. Not sure why locals abandoned the area, but it says that they moved away after a series of eruptions of the nearby volcano, Mt. Merapi. Imagine if it hadn't erupted, this dynasty would possibly have built more temples that could have been a great ancient city like Angkor!
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| Borobudur |
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| Angkor Wat |
Anyway, based on my admiration to both of them, and little knowledge, I can't help making a general comparison, not to pick the best one, but just as a thought that I try to put into words. Some of you who are confused to pick where to go, this might help, or, just enjoy it if you end up even more confused! :D
Structure
Considering the repetitive earthquakes, the volcanic eruptions from the nearby, one of the world's most active volcanoes, and the long period of abandonment, it goes without saying that Borobudur has a very sturdy structure. The exotic Angkor Wat is vast covering 2.6 sq km with a trench filled with water surrounds the temple complex. The temples of Angkor Wat are tall and slim. Borobudur is a giant single temple. Angkor Wat is recognized as the world's largest religious building, while Borobudur is the single largest Buddhist temple in the world. Go into detail, Borobudur has more exquisite reliefs that wrap around the temple that make them like thousands of pages of a picture book telling you from the biography of Buddha to the daily life of locals back then. And you might won't trust my poor sense of art, they look more complicatedly carved than those of Angkor Wat.
Considering the repetitive earthquakes, the volcanic eruptions from the nearby, one of the world's most active volcanoes, and the long period of abandonment, it goes without saying that Borobudur has a very sturdy structure. The exotic Angkor Wat is vast covering 2.6 sq km with a trench filled with water surrounds the temple complex. The temples of Angkor Wat are tall and slim. Borobudur is a giant single temple. Angkor Wat is recognized as the world's largest religious building, while Borobudur is the single largest Buddhist temple in the world. Go into detail, Borobudur has more exquisite reliefs that wrap around the temple that make them like thousands of pages of a picture book telling you from the biography of Buddha to the daily life of locals back then. And you might won't trust my poor sense of art, they look more complicatedly carved than those of Angkor Wat.
Ambience
In the 8th century Borobudur was built and Angkor Wat followed 4 centuries later, or rather in the 12th century. But this doesn't guarantee that Borobudur has an older look than Angkor Wat, thanks to the multiple restorations and the decent maintenance. To my eye Angkor Wat looks older with the moss-covered panels and the trees growing out of the temple ruins, not to mention it remains the center of religious worship on a daily basis. This place has a strong character and magical atmosphere, the feeling is there! Unlike Angkor Wat, Borobudur is not considered as a religious building, but as a national monument, and although rare occasions like ceremonies on Vesak Day (the birthday of Buddha) are held annually, but generally it still feels empty there.
In the 8th century Borobudur was built and Angkor Wat followed 4 centuries later, or rather in the 12th century. But this doesn't guarantee that Borobudur has an older look than Angkor Wat, thanks to the multiple restorations and the decent maintenance. To my eye Angkor Wat looks older with the moss-covered panels and the trees growing out of the temple ruins, not to mention it remains the center of religious worship on a daily basis. This place has a strong character and magical atmosphere, the feeling is there! Unlike Angkor Wat, Borobudur is not considered as a religious building, but as a national monument, and although rare occasions like ceremonies on Vesak Day (the birthday of Buddha) are held annually, but generally it still feels empty there.
Surroundings
Sits on top of a flattened hill, Borobudur gives you a peaceful, spectacular mountainous scenery. Enjoying beautiful sunrise from the top of Borobudur accompanied by hundreds of bell-shaped stupas and Buddha statues has been referred as one of the world's best spots to watch sunrise. Whereas Angkor Wat is situated on a flat, forested land. Kind of boring. However, outside Angkor Wat you will see other amazing different temples. It takes couple of days to a week to do all the temples, whereas Borobudur can be done within one day.
Sits on top of a flattened hill, Borobudur gives you a peaceful, spectacular mountainous scenery. Enjoying beautiful sunrise from the top of Borobudur accompanied by hundreds of bell-shaped stupas and Buddha statues has been referred as one of the world's best spots to watch sunrise. Whereas Angkor Wat is situated on a flat, forested land. Kind of boring. However, outside Angkor Wat you will see other amazing different temples. It takes couple of days to a week to do all the temples, whereas Borobudur can be done within one day.
Cool fact
Both are UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. Che Guevara loved Borobudur! He visited this temple on the sidelines of his state visit to Indonesia in the late 1950s. Angkor Wat seems more popular these days following the success of Angelina Jolie's Tomb Raider, plus the fact that its image adorns the national flag of Cambodia explaining how important it is to the nation. Oh, one more, and I think this is out of ordinary, is there anywhere on earth where you can have your face appear on the entrance pass? I guess nowhere but at Angkor Wat! :D
Both are UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. Che Guevara loved Borobudur! He visited this temple on the sidelines of his state visit to Indonesia in the late 1950s. Angkor Wat seems more popular these days following the success of Angelina Jolie's Tomb Raider, plus the fact that its image adorns the national flag of Cambodia explaining how important it is to the nation. Oh, one more, and I think this is out of ordinary, is there anywhere on earth where you can have your face appear on the entrance pass? I guess nowhere but at Angkor Wat! :D
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| Pricey but cool :D |
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| El Che at Borobudur (Source: Kompas) |
If the sun bothers you, I would suggest you to bring an umbrella as the sun is usually stinking hot in both temples. Exploring Angkor Wat and surroundings can be done by a tuk tuk (auto rickshaw). My friend and I hired a tuk tuk the whole day to go around the temple and the downtown of Siem Reap at USD 12, just don't forget to bargain if you want to take one. You can reach Borobudur and two other nearby temples, Mendut and Pawon, from the nearby bus station on foot, hire a horsecart or a rickshaw at USD 8 more or less, this one too, don't forget to bargain first as they don't have the fixed price.
I love Borobudur and Angkor Wat and have always wanted to return to these Southeast Asian pride to enjoy their beauty deeper. These are the places that you knew you already loved before you saw them in real. The places that offer you a great trip back in time worth taking that you can learn a lot from.
I love Borobudur and Angkor Wat and have always wanted to return to these Southeast Asian pride to enjoy their beauty deeper. These are the places that you knew you already loved before you saw them in real. The places that offer you a great trip back in time worth taking that you can learn a lot from.
