A Gift from Cultural Heritage: InJourney Destination Management Presents Meaningful and Joyful Experiences at Borobudur Temple
Amidst the hustle and bustle of year-end celebrations, Borobudur Temple offers something different. A more serene and captivating experience. With the theme "Gifts from Cultural Heritage, Stories Full of Meaning," InJourney Destination Management invites visitors to celebrate the values of the Indonesian archipelago as the year draws to a close.
The theme "Gifts from Cultural Heritage, There are Stories Full of Meaning" is a special activity presented through a series of activities that took place from December 24 to January 4, 2026.
This activity not only offers the beauty of the temple but also a variety of arts and cultural activities throughout the day. IDM collaborated with iForte to present the colossal Sabang Merauke Mini Show . In addition, IDM also features the Borobudur Dolanan Village, a picnic at the temple, Medang Market, and the much-anticipated Sunrise and Sunset packages .
IDM Commercial Director, Gistang Panutur, stated that the combination of art and experiences, accessible across generations, while simultaneously providing warm moments of togetherness for tourists and aligned with the principles of quality tourism, is capable of creating unforgettable memories and leaving meaningful stories for each visitor. This activity is designed to provide relevant experiences for various groups across generations, in line with the principles of quality and sustainable tourism.
"Borobudur possesses a unique majesty. It is simultaneously calming and majestic. As a Gift of Cultural Heritage, we want to provide a heartfelt experience. Whether tourists sit back and enjoy the Sabang Merauke Performance, enjoy the sunset and sunrise from the temple, or simply stroll around the lush greenery with their families, we want them to feel a deep sense of pride as Indonesians. We hope this will be a meaningful end-of-year memory," he explained in Magelang on Monday (December 22, 2025).
Borobudur Masterpiece presents the Sabang Merauke Performance as the highlight of the event
This year, IDM is collaborating with IForte to present the Sabang Merauke Mini Show – Only Indonesia Has It – on December 30, 2025. This performance will involve dozens of artists who will weave together the richness of dance, music, and textiles from the western to eastern reaches of Indonesia. This emphasizes the message of unity in diversity against the backdrop of the magnificent Borobudur Temple.
"This performance is not just an ordinary art performance, but rather a visualization of the spirit of diversity, embodying the energy of togetherness and diversity of the Indonesian archipelago, reflected in Borobudur Temple. This is our way of presenting a cultural heritage that continues to be alive and can be enjoyed by all generations," explained Gistang Panutur.
Director of the Sabang Merauke Performance, Rusmedie Agus, said that the performance involving 90 dancers will take the audience on a journey from Sabang to Merauke with the Samudra Raksa Ship, a ship depicted in the reliefs of Borobudur Temple, reflecting that the Indonesian people are skilled sailors and have an advanced maritime system.
"In principle, the spirit of the Sabang Merauke Performance remains the same: celebrating Indonesia's cultural diversity. However, for this performance in Borobudur, we've made adjustments to make the show feel more in tune with the energy of the location. The presence of the Samudra Raksa ship as the main narrative helps us maintain an entertaining and colossal performance."
Meanwhile, Victor Sihombing, Head of Marketing Communications at iForte, hopes this collaboration will deliver a special performance, set against the majestic backdrop of Borobudur Temple. It will be a historic and meaningful performance.
"After our performance at Prambanan Temple in 2022, we are now given the opportunity to present this performance at Borobudur, a world heritage site steeped in meaning. The splendor of Borobudur Temple provides a unique energy. The magnificent architecture and sacred atmosphere will blend beautifully with the music, dance, and narrative of the Sabang Merauke Performance. This will be a truly historic first experience for us," he explained.
Local Borobudur artist Elisabet Pangesti Wahyudiyanti commended the Borobudur Temple management for involving local artists in every arts and cultural performance at the destination. This synergy is expected to foster young Borobudur talent and improve the well-being of its residents.
"We hope this synergy will continue to grow and encourage the growth of young talent and the performing arts in Borobudur. This will certainly improve the welfare of the residents in the future," explained the owner of Avadana Dance Studio.
Various Interesting Activities at the Destination
One of the attractive offers for this end-of-year holiday season is a discounted ticket package for the Borobudur Sunrise and Borobudur Sunset. This magical moment of sunrise and sunset over Borobudur Temple is offered at a special price of Rp 350.000 per person, which includes special sandals for climbing the temple, handicrafts from the local community, and a local guide.
To welcome Christmas 2025, Borobudur Temple will present a Christmas Carol , welcoming visitors with Raya Swara, a children's choir performing a special song. The Christmas Carol surprise will also feature a Secret Santa on the Borobudur Temple grounds.
Borobudur Temple will also present the Borobudur Dolanan Village with art workshops at Samudra Raksa Park from December 18, 2025 to January 4, 2026. The Borobudur Dolanan Village is a collaborative activation between IDM with Kampoeng Dolanan Bumiharjo and the Medang Kamulan Cooperative.
During the same period, Borobudur Temple will be enlivened with creative workshops such as batik making, beadwork, and craft making, as well as traditional puppet shows at the former main gate pavilion.
Tourists can also enjoy a picnic at the temple from December 23, 2025, to January 3, 2026. Enjoy a meal and a beautiful view of the Lalitavistara area at the Manohara Borobudur Cultural Center. Tourists will be entertained by soulful performances by local Borobudur artists, adding a rich cultural touch to this holiday.
In addition, IDM is collaborating with Coca-Cola to present Pasar Medang, featuring culinary delights from local MSMEs in the Borobudur area. Pasar Medang serves as an oasis for tourists as they explore the area and savor the tantalizing authentic local cuisine.
IDM for Sumatra
In line with the spirit of Serving Wholeheartedly, IDM also cares by distributing humanitarian aid to residents affected by the flood disaster in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra.
Through the #IDMUntukSumatra campaign, IDM collaborated with Kitabisa to distribute aid in the form of cash and various needs for victims, including medicines, basic necessities, cleaning equipment, milk, baby clothes, generators, clean water installations and others.
"Amidst the Christmas and New Year (Nataru) period, which is synonymous with togetherness and caring, IDM is distributing humanitarian aid to disaster-affected communities in Sumatra through coordination with various parties. This reflects our commitment to wholeheartedly serving every citizen affected by disasters," explained Gistang Panutur.
Visit Projections at Destinations
InJourney Destination Management predicts 164.583 tourists will visit Borobudur Temple, a 10 percent increase compared to last year.
"We hope for positive improvements compared to last year. However, our primary focus remains on the principle of providing quality tourism ; ensuring every visitor has a comfortable and memorable experience," he continued.
Operational Readiness
IDM is committed to ensuring the comfort and safety of tourists visiting Borobudur Temple. To ensure the safety, security, and comfort of visitors, IDM has established strategic collaborations with various parties, including the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), the Transportation Agency, and others.
IDM collaborated with the Directorate of Vital Object Security (Dirpamobvit) of the Central Java Regional Police to conduct a joint assessment at local destinations. IDM mitigated the potential for extreme weather at the end of the year by implementing various measures, including pruning vulnerable tree branches in park areas and adding safety infrastructure.
During the visit, IDM issued preparedness advisories to tourists. Furthermore, IDM collaborated with nearby hospitals to anticipate cases with specialized and intensive treatment. To ensure the smooth flow of tourists, IDM also coordinated with the Transportation Agency for traffic management around the destination.
The theme “A Gift for Cultural Heritage: A Story Full of Meaning” is a special gift for Indonesian families to spend time together and rediscover the depth of meaning and joy amidst the splendor of world heritage.
"We want to make Borobudur Temple a real 'gift' for families. It's not just a physical visit, but an experience where every family member can return home with memorable stories," he explained.
InJourney Destination Management Commercial Director, Gistang Panutur, stated that holiday activities at Borobudur Temple, from December 24, 2025, to January 4, 2026, will include art performances, culinary experiences, family programs, and inclusive spiritual celebrations. This initiative aims to bring the historical site closer to the public.
“We hope this can have an impact length of stay tourists, especially in the Borobudur area, which will impact the local economy. We want tourists to have a complete experience, morning sunrise in Borobudur, afternoon to Balkondes, take VW safari, stay overnight at homestay local, then in the evening enjoy the Sabang Merauke Performance," he concluded.
