Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta stretches from the slopes of mighty Mount Merapi in the north to the wave-swept beaches of the powerful Indian Ocean to the south, it was the mighty Javanese Empire of Mataram, Ngayogyakarto Hadiningrat. The Yogyakarta  Sultan’s Palace, or Kraton Yogyakarta, with its grand and elegant Javanese architecture, lay in the center of the city. Yogyakarta Sultan Palace was founded by Pangeran Mangkubumi in 1775, whose the son, the prince, was then called Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono I. He choose the right place for the site of the building, right between Winongo River and Code Rivera swamp area that dried up then. The Kraton is still the hub of Yogyakarta’s traditional life and despite the advances of the 20th century; it still radiates the spirit of refinement which has been the hallmark of its art and people for centures. Yogyakarta is one of the supreme cultural centers of Java. To go to Yogyakarta, there is several options : Domestic and International flights service Yogyakarta. Tugu train station close to Malioboro Street has several inexpensive express trains from and to java overland everyday. Good express service from Jakarta and Surabaya. Buses also operate regularly to Borobudur and Prambanan Temples.

Interesting Place to visit in Yogyakarta :

Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Palace / The Kraton Palace

Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Palace or The Yogyakarta Kraton Palace court with its grand and elegant Javanese architecture lies in the center of the city between the Winongo and Code Rivers. The palace grounds, courtyards and buildings stretch from north to south, in line with Mount Merapi. Until now, the Kraton still serves as the Sultan’s open everyday 8 am - 1 pm, except Friday close at 12 pm.
The entrance fee is about Rp15.000 ($2.00) with optional fee of Rp1.000 if you would like to bring your digital or video camera. Guides are also optional and can be hired at the entrance. Right after the ticket booth, you will walk through Sri Manganti gate into a small square. To the left is Bangsal Trajumas in which regal-status gamelan instrument are kept, while to the right is Bangsal Sri Manganti where traditional Keraton dances are held almost daily. Right in front of you is the Danapratapa Gate (Pintu Gerbang) that brings you into a bigger square. While the Sultans were devout Muslims, traces of Hindu influence still remain as witnessed at this gate. Here, you can see two big mystical idols flanking both sides. At the main square, turn left into Regol Gapura, another section of the palace. One interesting fact is that the trees grown within the compound have their own meaning, just like all the buildings of all shapes. They carry subtle messages for the deserving eyes. For example, asem / asam trees (”asem” means “sour”) grown mostly in the southern section, signify youthfulness, while pakel tree (a type of mango) signifies the puberty stage. There are also a number of waringin (banyan) trees grown to symbolise the human body.

Prambanan Temple

Prambanan Temple This magnificent Hindu temple derives it name from the village where it is located, seventeen kilometres east of Yogyakarta. It was built around 850 CE by either Rakai Pikatan, king of the second Mataram dynasty, or Balitung Maha Sambu, during the Sanjaya Dynasty. Not long after its construction, the temple was abandoned and began to deteriorate. Reconstruction of the compound began in 1918. The main building was completed in around 1953. Much of the original stonework has been stolen and reused at remote construction sites. A temple will only be rebuilt if at least 75% of the original stones are available, and therefore only the foundation walls of most of the smaller shrines are now visible. During 5.3 Richter scale earthquake in Java in 2006, surroundings of the Hindu temples remain off-limits for safety reasons. The Prambanan Temple opens everyday from 06.00 am to 05.00 pm.

Taman Sari

Taman Sari. Just west of the kraton, are the ruins, pools, arches and underground passages of the former pleasure gardens, the Taman Sari (Water Castle). Literally “fragrant garden” Built in 1758 by Sultan Hamengkubuwono I, the Sultan and his harem would relax here and from the tower over looking the female bathing pools. It is located in the old part of the city within walking distance from the Bird Market or about 2 km south of Yogyakarta Palace.
Built by Portuguese architect in European aquatic construction adorned with Javanese Symbolize ornaments. Tamansari was built in the Sultan Hamengku Buwono I period in the end of XVII Century. Tamansari not only just a recreation, but it’s also a compound of bathing pool, canals, rooms and extremerly large swimming pool (if the canals opened).Taman Sari open everyday from 8 am to 2 pm.

Imogiri Cemetery

Imogiri, the official cemetery of the royal descendents from Yogyakarta and Surakarta, is about 12 kilometers southeast of Yogyakarta and easily accessible by the bus or car. The tomb of Sultan Agung Hanyokrokusumo, the third king of the Islamic Mataram Kingdom, is on the top of the hill. All the kings of Mataram Kingdom, beginning from Sultan Hamengku Buwono IX and the family, and the kings of Surakarta Kingdoms and the family were all buried in Imogiri Royal Cemetery. Entry into the smaller courtyards housing the tombs of the princes is allowed only by visitors wearing traditional Javanese dress. Open on Monday 09.00 am to 12.00 pm and Friday 13.00 pm to 16.00 pm The cemetery is closed during the Moslem month of Ramadhan.

Kaliurang

Kaliurang. A popular mountain resort 24 km from Yogyakarta and lies on the slopes of Mt. Merapi is surrounded by enchanting countryside.Surrounded by an enchanting countryside. “Telogo Muncar” waterfall and swimming pool make this resort a very pleasant recreation place. Kaliurang lies at the foot of Plawangan hill on the southern slope of mount Merapi, some 28 km, north of Yogyakarta. This is a refreshing holiday resort for those seeking refuge and tranquility amidst the lush green tropical splendor.
Those who like mountain climbing can climb Merapi Mountain from Kaliurang. One can stay overnight in Kaliurang then start, in the early morning, climbs Merapi via Kinahrejo village to descend again at noon. Mt. Merapi active volcano 2,968 m above sea leree. It takes 10 hours to reach the top.

“Beringharjo” Traditional Market

Beringharjo Traditional market becomes part of Malioboro street that is worth visiting. This market has been center of economy activity since years ago and its existence has philosophical meaning. The market that had been renovated several times symbolizes stages of human life that is busily engaged in its economy fulfillment. Furthermore, Beringharjo is also one of the ‘four in one’ poles (consisting of South Square, Sultan Palace, North Square, and Beringharjo market) symbolizing economy functions.This traditional market sells many things from batiks to traditional cuisines in the north of the kraton.

Jalan Malioboro (Malioboro Street)

Jalan Malioboro is the centre of Yogyakarta’s largest tourist district; many hotels and restaurants are located nearby. Sidewalks on both sides of the street are crowded with small stalls selling a variety of goods. In the evening several open-air streetside restaurants, called lesehan, operate along the street. Food stalls replace souvenir stands on Jalan Malioboro and serve the Yogya’s specific menu “gudeg” rice with young jackfruit cooked in coconut milk. Enjoy the food in “lesehan” (seat on the woven mats) foodstall along the pavement and enjoy the Yogya’s specific menu “gudeg” rice with young jackfruit cooked in coconut milk.

Sonobudoyo Museum

Sonobudoyo Museum is located in Malioboro Street. This museum founded in November 1935 and designed by the Dutch architect Kersten, in the traditional Javanese style of architecture. On exhibit are weapons, wayang kulit (leather puppets), masks, original eight century statues and bronze articles from temple in Central Java, ceramic from Neolithic age, textiles, curios and old Javanese gamelan instruments. The museum is situated on the northern side of the city’s alun-alun (Main Square) in front of the Sultan’s Palace. Open on Tuesday - Thusday at 8 am - 1 pm and 8 pm - 12 pm on Friday - Saturday.

Affandi Museum

Affandi Museum. Set in a lush garden off the main road between the airport and the city stands the Affandi Museum on the bank of the Gajah Wong River. Affandi was Indonesia’s foremost impressionist painter who built a private museum for his own painting’s. The complex of the museum consists of 3 galleries with gallery, as the ticket box and the starting point of your exploration. Gallery that was personally opened by Affandi in 1962 and was inaugurated in 1974 contains some of his paintings from the early time of his work to the late time of his life. The paintings most of which are sketches and reproductions are placed in two rows - upper and lower - that fill the curved room. Open Monday - Friday from 9 am-4 pm and on Saturday from 9 am-1 pm.

Kalasan Temple

This unique Kalasan Temple is Buddhist temple located about 16 km eastern side of Yogyakarta, on the south side of the main road between Yogyakarta and Solo. Kalasan Temple is dedicated to a Buddhist Goddess, TARA. It is 6 meters tall and has 52 stupas. It was built in honor of the marriage between king Pancapana of Sanjaya Dynasty and a Princess of Syailendra Dynasty, named Dyah Pramudya Wardhani.

Kotagede

Kotagede, a picturesque town about five kilometres southeast of Yogyakarta, was once the seat of the mighty Mataram Empire. Since the 1930s Kotagede has become famous as the center of the Yogya silverwork industry. Located around 10 kilometers at the southeastern part of Yogyakarta city center, the area is now well known as Kotagede as the center of silver handicrafts in Yogyakarta. Keeping around 170 old buildings built in 1700 to 1930, “Kotagede is not only named Silver City but an Old Capital City” as Achmad Charris Zubair, a Kotagede cultural observer, said. Kotagede is easily reached by four wheeled horsedrawn cart, taxi, bus, or car.

Sewu Hills

Sewu Hills Karst area formed by rock dissolubility. Covers about 13,000 km2 with unique geomorphology, indicated by conical limestone, domes, valleys (doline and poltje) and caves with stalactites and stalagmites inside, and also underground rivers. Sewu hill Karts area extends to Gunungkidul, Wonogiri, and Pacitan Region. Based on its unique scientific values and also social phenomenon, the International Union of Speleology proposed that the Sewu hills area in Gunung Kidul regency, to be World Natural Heritage. Enjoy rock climbing at Siung Beach (Seropan and Watu Grupit). Caving (Cerme, Seropan, Bribin, Grubug, Jomblang and Kalisuci Cave).

Parangtritis Beach

Parang Tritis Beach. A popular seaside resort 28 kms south of Yogyakarta on the Indian Ocean, Parang Tritis combines rocky hills, dunes, and a white sandy beach. It is famous in Javanese mythology as the home of the Goddess of the South Seas, who was married to Panembahan Senopati, founder of the Mataram Kingdom. Parangtritis is a beach full of myths, which is believed to be the manifestation of the unity among Merapi Mountain, Yogyakarta Kingdom, and Parangtritis Beach. The legend tells that Panembahan Senopati and Sunan Kalijaga once met in this place after completing their meditation. Panembahan Senopati was reminded of being a humble ruler despite his supernatural powers. Every year the sultans of Yogyakarta make special offerings to her in a beachside ceremony called “Labuhan”.

Kasongan

Kasongan famous for its artistic export quality pottery. It is located some 7 km from Yogyakarta. Visiting Kasongan village, the tourists will be welcomed warmly by local inhabitants. They may have a look the showroom crowded with ceramic handicrafts. If they are interested in seeing the ceramics making, tourists can visit some ceramic galleries that produce the special handicrafts at site. The processes are material kneading, shaping, drying that takes 2-4 days and burning before finally being finished using wall paint or roof-tile paint.

Agrotourism Salak Pondoh

Agrotourism Salak Pondoh, is located some 5 km, east of Temple District in Sleman regency. Located at the height of 200 meters above sea level, the weather is so good for salak pondoh growth. The cool air gives comfort while going around this garden. When you walk through the salak plants, you will even hear the sound of soft rustling wind just like the sea wind so that you feel like walking through a village by the seashore. Salak pondoh is unique plant with the upper part looks like oil palm with a little touch of fern style and they look very unique when planted in a row.

Taru Martani cigar Factory

Taru Martani cigar was founded in1918, created to satisfy the craves of cigar lovers. Taru Martani was initially built in Bulu area, at the side of Magelang Street, under the name of N.V. Negresco. Three years later, in 1921, the factory moved to the current location, Baciro, to the west of Mandala Krida Stadium in Yogyakarta. During the Japanese colonization, the name of the factory was changed to Java Tobacco Kojo. The factory was triumphant that time since it was supported by machineries to make light cigarettes that were brought in from B.A.T Cirebon. Until now the company produces 14 types of cigars which are well known worldwide : Cigarillos, Extra Cigarillos, Senioritas, Panatella, Slim Panatella, Half Corona, Corona, Super Corona/Grand Corona, Boheme, Royal Perfecto, Rothschild, Churchill.
To visit the factory. You only have to make an appointment with the factory management. When they give you permit, you can explore the 2-hectares factory guided by one of the employees. You can see directly and ask questions related to the cigar production. You don’t have to incur expenses for this tour. The visit hours, however, are limited only on working hours, from Monday to Friday at 08:00a.m. to 02:00p.m.

Share on Facebook