5 Magical Places to Watch Sunrises and Sunsets in Yogyakarta

“There’s a sunrise and a sunset every single day, and they’re absolutely free. Don’t miss so many of them.” – Jo Walton

I’m definitely not a morning person, and by the time I’m done with my work for the day, the sun would’ve already set. When I’m not travelling and am home in Singapore catching up on work, I have almost zero chance of watching the sunrise and sunset. Besides, I have the mentality that ‘the grass is always greener on the other side’, so I belittle the sunrises and sunsets in my home country. Perhaps, I might try to produce an article featuring the sunrises and sunsets in Singapore in future but now, let’s talk about 5 magical places to catch the golden hour in Yogyakarta.

#1 – Mount Merapi (Sunrise)

The Mount Merapi Sunrise Jeep Tour was an insightful journey for my girlfriends and I. We caught the sunrise from Kaliadem, with Mount Merapi in full view. There is a Kaliadem bunker where volunteers and villagers were trapped and died in during the 2010 eruption. Our jeep driver drove through villages and forest that were damaged by the 2010 eruption, and showed us the river – once filled with water and marine life, lost to sand, cold lava and other items burned by fire now. We stopped by an alien stone (a rock formation resembling a human face) and visited the Sisa Hartaku Mini Museum.

The route is very bumpy so normal cars are prohibited and you can only hire a jeep and a driver for a tour around Mount Merapi. Please remember to bring a jacket if you are heading there to watch the sunrise because it can get pretty chilly in the morning. The jeep driver will provide you with a face mask due to the dirty and dusty route. If you are extremely adventurous and a thrill-seeker, you can opt to hike up Mount Merapi and watch the sunrise from the peak of the volcano.

The total cost of visiting Mount Merapi and its attractions for around 2 hours is 450,000 IDR ($40.80 SGD) per jeep.

#2 – Borobudur Temple (Sunrise/Sunset)

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Borobudur temple is an 8th century Buddhist stupa and temple complex. It is the single largest Buddhist structure anywhere on earth and features nine levels (six square and three round) built from two million stone blocks. It has four stairways, one on each side, which lead up through carved gateways to the very top.

You have to get a ticket which costs 450,000 IDR ($40.85 SGD) per person from the entrance of Manohara Hotel. After purchasing your ticket, just follow the signs for the temple using the free torchlight provided. The climb to the top of the temple was not difficult but you need to be careful since you will be climbing in the dark. Borobudur temple is set in the gorgeous Kedu Plain with a backdrop of active volcanoes, and I caught the perfect orange ‘egg yolk’ rising up into the sky on my first visit, but the weather was gloomy and misty with thick clouds looming above us on my second visit. The view of the volcanoes was blocked and we only noticed the sun rising when the clouds started to lighten but were not able to see the ‘yolk’.

The place was so tranquil in the morning, with the calming and cheerful sounds of birds chirping. The magical feeling of watching the morning darkness illuminated by the sunrise was so enjoyable.

#3 – Prambanan Temple (Sunrise)

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the compound of Prambanan Temple consists 240 individual stone temples, but many of them have unfortunately been scattered in ruins. The compound is split up into three zones. The outer zone used to be surrounded by a wall which has been destroyed, and the open space serves as a yard for priests and worshippers today. The middle zone has 224 small shrines called, “Candi Perwara” (which means “guardian temples”) arranged into four concentric rows around the central zone.

A visit to the Prambanan Temple will keep you busy all day because the compound covers 39.8 hectares (398,000 square metres) and it’s best to explore on foot. The area surrounding Prambanan is developed, with a landscaped park and stores selling souvenirs. The entrance fee costs 350,000 IDR ($31.90 SGD) per person.

#4 – Punthuk Setumbu Hill (Sunrise)

While some people ascend the hill to catch the sunrise with Borobudur Temple as the backdrop, others visit the hill just for photo-taking purposes. My girlfriends and I belong to the second group who went up the hill for photos. It’s not a hard hike, and you’ll reach the top within 10 to 15 minutes. There’s a swing at the top of Punthuk Setumbu Hill with multiple photo spots. Imagine riding the swing while watching the sunrise – should be an incredible experience! The entrance fee costs 30,000 IDR ($2.75 SGD) per person.

#5 – Ratu Boko Palace (Sunset)

Many people have mistaken Ratu Boko as a temple, so here’s a clarification – Ratu Boko is not a temple, but remains of a palace. You can admire the ruins retaining evidence of fortified walls and a dry moat which suggests it was used as a defensive structure, on top of being used as a royal residence. Ratu Boko is approximately 196 metres above sea level, and watching the sunset over the surrounding countryside is a pretty sight. On clear days, you will be able to see the Prambanan temple and Mount Merapi volcano in the distance. The entrance fee costs 350,000 IDR ($31.90 SGD) per person.

Are you motivated to get up earlier for sunrises now? Honestly speaking, I strongly recommend you to do the Mount Merapi Sunrise Jeep Tour for the thrilling jeep ride experience and to learn about the active volcano. Needless to say, the sunrise at Mount Merapi’s my favourite in this list.