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.
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.
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.
Have one of the local residents show you around. Actually, they will want to show you around.
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.
These guys are hard workers and were slogging their guts out trying to assemble this massive version of Lego Land.
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:
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.
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!
You look like you are having one amazing trip!
even I have never been there! :'( *envy u!*
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 !
Cool! Sounds like a great excuse to come back!
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
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!
Hi, you have interesting info on the temple here. Can I please use some fotos in my Facebook page. Thanks so much!
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!
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!
did you see all Temples in Mura Jambi. where be take how long?
I would allow a full day – this includes transport to and from Jambi. It’s worth having a look!