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Muara Jambi Temple – Lego Land in Progress

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Muara Jambi = Large Lego Land!

Muara Jambi Temple is an important Hindu-Buddhist site located about 25 kilometres south of the town of Jambi, in central Sumatra.

Candi Gampung Muara Jambi(3) | Airasia Pesta Blogging Communities Trip 2009 | Muara Jambi Temple - Lego Land In Progress | Buddhists Temples, Indonesia, Jambi, Muara Jambi Temple, Sriwijaya, Temple Of Light | Author: Anthony Bianco - The Travel Tart Blog

It’s another not-well-known gem that exists on this large island, much like the Muara Takus Temple near Pekanbaru.

Muara Jambi Temple is well off the tourist track – there is no defined public transport to the park.  You have to get there on your own.

But it’s not that hard – getting there is half the fun.

This is how:

Go up to a motorcycle taxi (or ojek) in Jambi city and ask him to take you to Muara Jambi Temple.  Specify the Temple, not the town of Muara Jambi itself.

This guy’s name is Pendi, and he was fantastic.  He hadn’t been to Muara Jambi for 15 years, since he was in school.  I only expected him to provide the transport, but he ended up becoming my tour guide by default.

Ojek Driver Pendi At Muara Jambi | Airasia Pesta Blogging Communities Trip 2009 | Muara Jambi Temple - Lego Land In Progress | Buddhists Temples, Indonesia, Jambi, Muara Jambi Temple, Sriwijaya, Temple Of Light | Author: Anthony Bianco - The Travel Tart Blog

The ojek ride will take you to the edge of the Batang Hari river.

Load the bike, the driver, and yourself onto the pump boat for a 5 minute ride across the river.

The Travel Tart On Way To Muara Jambi | Airasia Pesta Blogging Communities Trip 2009 | Muara Jambi Temple - Lego Land In Progress | Buddhists Temples, Indonesia, Jambi, Muara Jambi Temple, Sriwijaya, Temple Of Light | Author: Anthony Bianco - The Travel Tart BlogThe Travel Tart On Way To Muara Jambi(1) | Airasia Pesta Blogging Communities Trip 2009 | Muara Jambi Temple - Lego Land In Progress | Buddhists Temples, Indonesia, Jambi, Muara Jambi Temple, Sriwijaya, Temple Of Light | Author: Anthony Bianco - The Travel Tart Blog

Have one of the local residents show you around.  Actually, they will want to show you around.

Muara Jambi Local | Airasia Pesta Blogging Communities Trip 2009 | Muara Jambi Temple - Lego Land In Progress | Buddhists Temples, Indonesia, Jambi, Muara Jambi Temple, Sriwijaya, Temple Of Light | Author: Anthony Bianco - The Travel Tart Blog

Muara Jambi Pictures

Eight temples have been identified so far at the Muara Jambi Temple site.  Most of them are a work in progress of restoration, such as the Candi (which means temple) Kedaton.

Restoration is slow, and is all done via hand – by shovels and barrows.

Still Bored At Work? Then Check Out:  Things to do in Palembang, Indonesia

Loose Bricks At Muara Jambi | Airasia Pesta Blogging Communities Trip 2009 | Muara Jambi Temple - Lego Land In Progress | Buddhists Temples, Indonesia, Jambi, Muara Jambi Temple, Sriwijaya, Temple Of Light | Author: Anthony Bianco - The Travel Tart Blog

These guys are hard workers and were slogging their guts out trying to assemble this massive version of Lego Land.

Muara Jambi Under Construction Candi(2) | Airasia Pesta Blogging Communities Trip 2009 | Muara Jambi Temple - Lego Land In Progress | Buddhists Temples, Indonesia, Jambi, Muara Jambi Temple, Sriwijaya, Temple Of Light | Author: Anthony Bianco - The Travel Tart Blog

Restoration has been going on ages, and it doesn’t look like finishing soon.

Many of the temples are still buried underneath the forest.  Many of the discovered temples exist like this:

Muara Jambi Temple Buried Under Forest | Airasia Pesta Blogging Communities Trip 2009 | Muara Jambi Temple - Lego Land In Progress | Buddhists Temples, Indonesia, Jambi, Muara Jambi Temple, Sriwijaya, Temple Of Light | Author: Anthony Bianco - The Travel Tart Blog

There are probably loads more temples buried within the jungle that haven’t been discovered yet, but the restorers are busy enough with the work they have already. The bricks used to build the temples are often scattered around the site.

Muara Jambi is about 1000 years old and was capital of the ancient kingdom of Malayu.  It was stumbled upon by a British Army search of the region in the 1920s.

The site covers a massive 12 square kilometres.

I had this magnificent place to myself for the entire time I was there.  I did not see one other foreigner there at all!

Many artefacts form the site are housed in the nearby museum, whilst others have been moved to Jakarta.

Muara Jambi Temple Museum | Airasia Pesta Blogging Communities Trip 2009 | Muara Jambi Temple - Lego Land In Progress | Buddhists Temples, Indonesia, Jambi, Muara Jambi Temple, Sriwijaya, Temple Of Light | Author: Anthony Bianco - The Travel Tart Blog

If you’re ever around the Jambi area in central Sumatra, Indonesia, check out the Muara Jambi Temple – it’s well worth the trip!

More Muara Jambi Stuff

You can read more about it via the Chandi Gumpung of Muara Jambi, and Indonesia: Political History and Hindu and Buddhist Cultural Influences.

Air Asia can fly you to a number of places in Indonesia so you can uncover some of these sites like I have.

Check out their website for more details!


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11 thoughts on “Muara Jambi Temple – Lego Land in Progress”

  1. Avatar Of Fika

    There are several things that i like about Jambi, same like Palembang its a river city. At afternoon, its very interesting to rent a boat and take journey along the river side. But you might already done this too!
    Should come to jambi and visit some otehr regency like Kerinci (famous with nature tourism) or Tebo (if you want to visit primitive tribe).

    Good blog…. 🙂 wish i could travel as much as you did !

  2. Avatar Of Siska

    Hi There,
    Planning to go to Muar jambi temple before i climb mount kerinci. would you mind telling me how much it cost to take Ojek to muara jambi temple and how much for the boat trip as well?
    Thanks

    1. Avatar Of Anthony

      Hi there! I think the boat over to Muara Jambi is about 10,000 Rp. The Ojek driver will cost around 30-35000 Rp, but that could be the Bule rate! It’s worth seeing Muara Jambi, it was worth it!

  3. Avatar Of Sastrawan Manullang
    Sastrawan Manullang

    Hi, you have interesting info on the temple here. Can I please use some fotos in my Facebook page. Thanks so much!

    1. Avatar Of Anthony

      Hi Sastrawan – go for your life, you are more than welcome to use the photos on your Facebook page! If you could link back to me, that would be great!

  4. Avatar Of Builders Brisbane
    Builders Brisbane

    Just wow. I am amazed at every single one of your posts. Your discoveries just make me want to sell everything and travel for the rest of my life, discovering hidden places like this beautiful set of temples. I am so jealous of the kind of life you lead!

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