Enjoy the First Sunrise of 2026 from the Top of Borobudur Temple

The orange glow on the eastern horizon began to rise as dozens of tourists waited at the summit of Borobudur Temple in Magelang, Central Java. The sunrise became even more beautiful as Mount Merbabu and Mount Merapi began to appear, as the sun's rays grew brighter.

For some people, the first sunrise of 2026 is a special and unforgettable moment, especially when they spend it waiting for the sun to rise at the top of this temple, a legacy of the Syailendra Dynasty.

"The color of the sun's silhouette varies from region to region. Here it's orange, while in other areas it's reddish. It looked really beautiful, and I was really happy. And of course, I'm full of hope for 2026," said Yunita Fahmi, a sunrise visitor from Jakarta to Borobudur Temple.

Yunita admitted that this was her first time seeing the sunrise from Borobudur Temple and it was a different experience from seeing the sunrise in other locations, such as mountainous areas or beaches.

Tourists began arriving at the Manohara Borobudur Cultural Center to watch the sunrise over Borobudur Temple at 4:00 a.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB). Afterward, staff promptly distributed upanat, special sandals for climbing the 8th-century temple structure.

A similar impression was also expressed by Arnita Yasa (32), a tourist from Bandung, who enjoyed the sunrise for the first time at the top of Borobudur Temple. 

"I'm happy. Yes, it's my first sunrise at a temple. It's cool and calming," said Arnita Yasa, a tourist from Bandung who admitted it was her first time watching a sunrise from Borobudur Temple.

The sunrise from the summit of Borobudur Temple is also a magnet for international tourists. One such tourist, Shureen, from Malaysia, expressed her joy at celebrating New Year's in Indonesia. 

"I'm happy. It's my first time celebrating New Year's in another country," he explained.

The number of visitors enjoying the sunrise at Borobudur Temple in Magelang Regency, Central Java, on January 1, 2026 reached 80 visitors or exceeded the target of 50 people.

InJourney Destination Management Operations Director Indung Purwita Jati said that enjoying the sunrise is one of the routine activities carried out at Borobudur Temple.

"Because we have a beautiful sunrise view at the top of Borobudur Temple, this is one of the programs we continue to develop and improve to provide an interesting experience for visitors who come to Borobudur," he said.

According to him, this activity is not only for foreign tourists, but more domestic tourists will also come to this activity.

"They enjoyed the sunrise activities at Borobudur Temple, and they enjoyed the extraordinary views and the unique experience compared to other destinations," he concluded.