Hilltop with a giant Jesus statue above Makale and a wide view over the highland town.
Buntu Burake is a hill above Makale topped by a Jesus statue around 40 metres tall, arms outstretched, one of the tallest of its kind anywhere. Toraja is strongly Christian, and the site is both a religious landmark and a viewpoint. From the base you look out over Makale, its lake, and the surrounding ridges of the highlands.
A glass-floored platform runs out from the foot of the statue for those who want the photo looking down through the floor.
It is a modern attraction rather than a traditional one, and a complete contrast to the ancient burial sites. If you have an hour spare around Makale, it is an easy stop for the panorama, especially toward the end of the day.
Getting there
The hill is about 5 km from central Makale, which is itself around 18 km (40 minutes) south of Rantepao. From Makale a steep, winding road climbs to the summit car park, easy enough by car or with a confident scooter rider. Many visitors fold it into a southern day trip from Rantepao.
Best time
Late afternoon into sunset gives the best light over Makale and cooler air for the climb; the site stays open into the evening. Clear dry-season days, roughly May to September, offer the widest views.
Good to know
The entrance fee is low (around IDR 10,000) and the road up is steep, so take it slowly on a scooter. As an active religious site, dress modestly, and bring water for the exposed, sunny summit.
It stands roughly 40 metres including its base, making it one of the tallest statues of Christ in the world. It sits on a hill about 1,700 metres above sea level overlooking Makale.
Yes, a glass-floored viewing deck extends from the base of the statue, letting you stand out over the drop and look down through the floor. It is popular for photos on clear days.
It is a modern religious monument and viewpoint rather than a traditional Torajan site, so it offers a very different experience. Treat it as a scenic, easy add-on rather than a cultural highlight like Lemo or Kete Kesu.
Add it to a route across Indonesia and we will work out the travel time and cost between every stop.
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