About this Destination
Java is the beating heart of Indonesia — a densely populated and culturally extraordinary island that holds more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other in the archipelago. The island's ancient Buddhist monument Borobudur, built in the 9th century, is the largest Buddhist temple in the world; the nearby Hindu complex of Prambanan, with its soaring towers, is equally awe-inspiring.
Java's volcanic landscape is among the most dramatic on Earth: Mount Bromo's smoking caldera and sea of volcanic sand, the electric-blue flames of Kawah Ijen's sulphur mine, and the towering cone of Semeru — Indonesia's highest peak on Java — draw adventurers from every corner of the world. The royal city of Yogyakarta remains the island's cultural soul, where wayang puppet theatre, batik weaving, and gamelan music are living traditions.