YOGYAKARTA

YOGYAKARTA
It 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. Yogyakarta (Yogya) came into being in 1755, when a land dispute split the power of Mataram into the Sultanates of Yogyakarta and Surakarta (Solo). Prince Mangkubumi built Kraton of Yogyakarta and created one of the most powerful Javanese states ever. 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. Gamelan orchestras keep alive the rhythms the past, classical Javanese dances entrance with visions of beauty and poise, shadows come to life in the stories of the wayang kulit and a myriad of traditional visual art forms keep locals and visitors alike spellbound. It stretches from the slopes of mighty Mount Merapi in the north to the wave-swept beaches of the powerful Indian Ocean to the south.




Tourist Office:

TOURISM BOARD: Jl. Malioboro No.14,
Yogyakarta 55213, Phone. (0274) 582628, 587486 Fax. (0274) 565437
Provincial Culture and Tourism Office :
Jl. Cendana 11 Phone : (0274) 562 628, 589 350 www.tasteofjogja.com

GETTING THERE:
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 ope¬rate regularly to Borobudur and Prambanan Temples. Bicycles and motorcycles can be hired cheaply.

Contact:
Vogels Hostel
Jl. Astamulya 76, Kaliurang
Yogyakarta
Ph. (0274) 895208

MOUNT MERAPI
Living in the shadows of active volcanoes is like sitting on a time bomb, especially when one of them is called Fire Mountain or Gunung Merapi in Indonesian language. Merapi is one of some 500 volcanoes in Indonesia, of which at least 129 are considered active. It lies in one of Indonesia’s most densely populated regions, and is only a few kilometres from the sultanate of Yogyakarta. Despite frequently giving out smoke, the mountain still attracts hikers and climbers. It takes 5 hours to climb up and 3 hours to return.



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. Kotagede is easily reached by four wheeled horsedrawn cart, taxi, bus, or car.



KALIURANG
A popular mountain resort 24 km from Yogyakarta and lies on the slopes of Mt. Merapi is surrounded by enchanting countryside. Mt. Merapi active volcano 2,968 m above sea leree. It takes 10 hours to reach the top.



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. 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), Historical and Religious Tourism (Rancang Kencono, Braholo and Maria Tritis Cave).



PARANG TRITIS 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 mytho¬logy as the home of the Goddess of the South Seas, who was married to Panembahan Senopati, founder of the Mataram Kingdom. Every year the sultans of Yogyakarta make special offerings to her in a beachside ceremony called “Labuhan”.




MALIOBORO
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.



"BERINGHARJO” TRADITIONAL MARKET
“Beringharjo” Traditional Market. This traditional market sells many things from batiks to traditional cuisines in the north of the kraton.




TARU MARTINI CIGAR
Taru Martani cigar was founded in1918, created to satisfy the craves of cigar lovers. 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.

KASONGAN
Kasongan famous for its artistic export quality pottery. It is located some 7 km from Yogyakarta.

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 paintings.Open Monday - Friday from 9 am-4 pm and on Saturday from 9 am-1 pm.



KALASAN TEMPLE
This unique Buddhist temple is located some 16 km eastern side of Yog¬yakarta, on the south side of the main road between Yogyakarta and Solo. It was built in honor of the marriage bet¬ween king Pancapana of the Sanjaya Dynasty and a Princess of the Cailendra Dynasty, Dyah Pramudya Wardhani. It is elaborately ornate, with finely carved reliefs preserved with “vajralepa”, from the sap of a local tree.



NGAYOGYAKARTA HADININGRAT PALACE (THE KRATON)
Court with its grand and elegant Javanese architecture lies in the center of the city bet¬ween 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.





PRAMBANAN TEMPLE
This magnificent Hindu temple derives it name from the village where it is located, seventeen kilometres east of Yogyakarta. Locally known as the Roro Jongrang Temple, or the Temple of the Slender Virgin, it is the most magnificent and beautiful Hindu temple in Indonesia. Located some 17 km from Yogyakarta it opens everyday from 06.00 am to 05.00 pm.