Guides · Fact check
Is Borobudur still one of the 7 wonders of the world?
A fact check on one of the most repeated claims about the temple, with the designations Borobudur actually holds.
Short answer
No, and it never was. Borobudur was not a winner of the 2007 New7Wonders campaign, and it did not even appear among the campaign's 21 official finalists. It was not on the ancient Greek list of seven wonders either. What it actually holds is better documented: it is a UNESCO World Heritage site, inscribed in 1991 as the Borobudur Temple Compounds, and it is the largest Buddhist temple in the world. The "wonder of the world" label comes from informal lists, not from any official designation. That a monument this large could still be lost under ash and jungle for centuries is arguably the more wondrous fact.
Where the claim comes from
Ask around Indonesia and you will hear, with total confidence, that Borobudur is one of the seven wonders of the world. The belief is sincere and its roots are easy to trace. Informal "wonders" lists have circulated for more than a century, Indonesian school materials and tourism copy repeated the label for decades, and a monument this size makes the claim feel obviously true. But "seven wonders of the world" has never been one fixed list. The ancient version named seven Mediterranean and Middle Eastern works, all far older than Borobudur. The modern version most people mean is the New7Wonders campaign, decided by global vote in 2007. Borobudur appears on neither.
The 2007 vote, precisely
The New7Wonders Foundation announced its winners in Lisbon on 7 July 2007: the Great Wall of China, Petra, Chichen Itza, Christ the Redeemer, the Colosseum, Machu Picchu, and the Taj Mahal, with the Pyramids of Giza granted honorary status. The foundation's own records also list the 21 finalists the world voted on. Borobudur is not among the winners and was not among the finalists. Angkor Wat, its frequent point of comparison, did make that finalist list; Borobudur did not. Pages claiming it was "nominated" or "reached the final round" are contradicted by the official roster.
What Borobudur actually holds
| New7Wonders winner (2007) | No. Not among the 7 winners or the 21 official finalists |
|---|---|
| Ancient seven wonders | No. That list predates Borobudur by roughly a millennium |
| UNESCO World Heritage | Yes. Inscribed 1991 as the Borobudur Temple Compounds, including the Mendut and Pawon temples |
| Size record | Largest Buddhist temple in the world |
| Informal "wonder" lists | Appears on many; none carries official standing |
Why the honest version is still impressive
Losing the "seven wonders" label costs Borobudur nothing that matters. A UNESCO inscription is a documented judgment of outstanding universal value; a campaign it never entered is not. And the monument's real claims stand on their own: the largest Buddhist temple ever built, a ninth-century structure carrying 1,460 narrative relief panels, still climbable today with a guide included in the ticket. The Sunrise Climb & Prambanan tour handles that climb from Yogyakarta; check live availability & prices on GetYourGuide. And if those facts have you weighing the trip, our plain-spoken take on whether Borobudur is worth visiting covers the case for and against.
Common questions
Is Borobudur still one of the 7 wonders of the world?
It never was one. It was neither a winner nor a finalist in the 2007 New7Wonders vote, and it was not on the ancient list. Its verified designations are UNESCO World Heritage site (1991) and world's largest Buddhist temple.
What are the actual New 7 Wonders of the World?
The Great Wall of China, Petra, Chichen Itza, Christ the Redeemer, the Colosseum, Machu Picchu, and the Taj Mahal, announced in Lisbon on 7 July 2007, with the Pyramids of Giza honorary.
When did Borobudur become a UNESCO World Heritage site?
In 1991, as the Borobudur Temple Compounds. The listing takes in the main monument and the nearby Mendut and Pawon temples.