Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta is the capital of the Yogyakarta Special Region in Central Java province. It is a busy town conveniently located in close proximity to the famous temples, Prambanan and Borobudur, making it Indonesia’s most popular tourist destination.

It is also renowned as a centre of education, art and culture, especially theatre, ballet, music and poetry and art of batik textiles .Visitors can explore the main streets and neighbourhoods, experiencing the Javanese food and lifestyle.

Tip sites nearby and in the city include:

Candi Prambanan – Prambanan Temple Compounds is an iconic, ancient Hindu Temple. Built in the ninth century during the Hindu Sanjaya dynasty, the temple is dedicated to the Trimurti; Brahma (the Creator), Vishnu (the Preserver) and Shiva (the Destroyer). The compound is located less than 20km from Yogyakarta and includes many smaller temples. The temples are decorated with reliefs depicting ancient stories and legends.

Borobudur – Borobudur Temple is the largest Buddhist structure in the world. The display of eighth century architecture contrasts greatly with other Buddhist temples in terms of design, scale and grandness. The colossal feel of the grounds are enhanced by the rocky, volcanic backdrop. The monument itself is made up of six square and three circular platforms and topped by a central dome, supported by 72 Buddha statues. The compound has over 2500 relief panels and over 500 Buddha statues. The site is located approximately one hour away from Yogyakarta.

Kraton Yogyakarta – Kraton of Yogyakarta is the former palace complex of the Sultan of Yogyakarta and his family. The Palace was originally built by Prince Mangkubumi in 1755 but most of the buildings standing today were built by Sultan Hamengkubuwono III in the 1920s and 1930s. The Kraton encompasses the main palace, the Sultan’s residence, the grounds and a large residential area wherein the servants were housed. Today, the site serves as a cultural centre which can be visited via one of two entrances, the Main Court or the Residence. The Main Court houses a museum that displays artefacts and relics from the reigns of the various Sultans. The Residence still exhibits the royal family’s life of luxury.

Destination: Indonesia