To help inspire or plan your trip to Indonesia, some of its major attractions for travellers are shown below, including some of the best natural, historical, cultural and adventure sites in the country. These include all of UNESCO World Heritage Sites for Indonesia which represent the best of the world's cultural and natural heritage.
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Go to Region of Indonesia-> Sumatra - Java - Bali - Komodo Islands - New Guinea

Sumatra - UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra

The Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra comprises three national parks spread throughout the island - Gunung Leuser National Park, Kerinci Seblat National Park and Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, totalling 25,000 km². The highest volcano in Indonesia and highest peak in Sumatra, Gunung Kerinci at 3,805 metres, is located in Kerinci Seblat National Park. The parks are key to the conservation of the biodiversity of Sumatra and its endangered species, particularly the Sumatran orangutan. They are home to some 10,000 plant species, 580 bird species and 465 mammalian species, of which 22 are Asian and 15 endemic to Indonesia.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra



Java - UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Borobudur

Borobudur, located in central Java 40 kilometres from Yogyakarta, is one of the most impressive Buddhist monuments in the world and the largest in the southern hemisphere. The complex is built on several levels around a hill - a pyramidal base with five concentric square terraces, three concentric circular platforms and, at the top, a monumental stupa. The walls and balustrades are decorated with reliefs sculpted in stone which depict the life of the Buddha and the soul's progress towards redemption. Around the circular platforms are 72 openwork stupas, each containing a statue of the Buddha. The complex covers 200 square metres, reaching a height of 35 metres. It was built between AD 750 and 842 by the Saliendra dynasty but was neglected in the 11th century and buried in volcanic ash from Mount Merapi. Rediscovered in the 19th century, it has undergone extensive renovation, most recently by UNESCO.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Borobudur Temple Compounds

Prambanan

Built just half a century after the nearby Borobudur Temple in the 9th century, Prambanan Temple is a magnificent Hindu temple complex. There are 224 temple in all but the three central temples, dedicated to Shiva (at 47 metres the tallest), Brahma and Vishnu, are the most impressive. Each is decorated with reliefs depicting the Ramayana. The complex was abandoned due to volcanic activity and left to decay but renovation began in the 20th century.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Prambanan Temple Compounds

Ujung Kulon National Park

The Ujung Kulon National Park is located on the western tip of Java and comprises the Ujung Kulon peninsula, several offshore islands and the nature reserve of Krakatoa. It contains the largest remaining area of lowland rainforests in Java and is home to several endangered species including the Javan rhinoceros.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Ujung Kulon National Park

Sangiran Early Man Site

The discoveries at Sangiran have proved to be very important in the study of human evolution. Half of the world's known hominid fossils of Homo erectus have been found here, together with animal and floral fossils, Palaeolithic tools and Neolithic axes.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Sangiran Early Man Site



Bali - UNESCO World Heritage Sites

The Subak System

The Subak is a cooperative water management system of canals and weirs in Bali that reflects the philosophical concept of Tri Hita Karana, which brings together the realms of the spirit, the human world and nature. The site comprises five rice terraces and their water temples including 18th-century Royal Water Temple of Pura Taman Ayun, the largest and most impressive architectural edifice of its type on the island. This democratic and egalitarian farming practice has enabled the Balinese to become the most prolific rice growers in the archipelago.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Cultural Landscape of Bali Province: the Subak System as a Manifestation of the Tri Hita Karana Philosophy



Komodo Islands - UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Komodo National Park

Komodo National Park comprises several islands in southern Indonesia, of which Komodo is the largest, though only 37km long by 21km wide. It is famous for being the only habitat in the world of the Komodo dragon, the world's largest living lizard. They have been extinct elsewhere since the Jurassic period but the lack of competitor or prey species on Komodo has meant they have survived here, with approximately 6,000 currently on the island. They are an aggressive species, up to three metres long and 150kg in weight, and prey on introduced species such as wild boar, goat and deer. A visit to see these impressive creatures is one of the most unique wildlife experiences in the world.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Komodo National Park



New Guinea - UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Lorentz National Park

Lorentz National Park, on the island of Guinea, is the largest protected area in southeast Asia, covering 25,000 km². The park comprises a wide diversity of landscapes from snow-capped mountains to tropical marine environments. Its complex geology is caused by its location between two colliding continental plates. The park is noted for its high level of biodiversity and endemism.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Lorentz National Park