Visiting Yogyakarta, Indonesia

While much of Indonesia has its eyes on the future, Yogyakarta is one place where the past exists alongside the modern. Those seeking to visit exotic and soulful Java will find what they have been dreaming about in Yogyakarta. While Indonesia’s capital Jakarta has an Old District which lies in a state of disrepair, Yogyakarta has many historical buildings and monuments that have maintained their former glory.

The city of Yogyakatra is not large, but it is bustling. It is easy to get around as a tourist, although you will be hassled by rickshaw and moto drivers who are trying to pick up a fare. Sosrowijayan Street is the main place to find reasonably priced accommodations. Eateries in this area are plentiful and offer tasty dishes. There are also all trappings of globalization, including McDonald’s and KFC, both of which are found in Yogyakarta’s major malls.

The one “I can’t miss it” site in Yogyakarta is Kraton Ngayogyakarto, which is usually simplified to The Kraton. This was once a palace housing a sultan. The inner court has a museum that explains the history of the palace and of Yogyakatra and the surrounding area. People actually live inside the outer walls of the Kraton. This area, with its gardens, statues and old buildings feels more exotic than it probably is, but if you’ve come to Java for an authentic experience, this is where you’ll find it.

It is worth noting that Yogyakarta has special status as an autonomous region in Indonesia.

There are two places of religious significance within reach of Yogyakarta. 10 miles outside the city is a vast complex of Hindu temples known as Prambanan. The architecture and relief carvings are unbelievably ornate. There are also traditional dance performances held in the evenings during the summertime.

Borobudur is Prambanan’s Buddhist counterpart. At about 25 miles outside of town, it’s further than Prambanan, but no less spectacular. There are statues and relief carving galore inside the temples and the multiple terraces make the building something to see from afar. Both Borobudur and Prambanan are day trips for people visiting Yogyakarta, although there is enough to see that those who really want to immerse themselves could spend several days exploring the grounds of each temple complex.

Back in Yogyakarta, shoppers are able to find all sorts of good, especially antiques and handcrafts. Aside from well-made silver and leather products, Malioboro Mall, among others, offers modern shopping comforts (including a McDonald’s).

Another rich Indonesian tradition on display in Yogyakarta is music. Gamalan is the twangy Indonesian folk music. It accompanies performances like Wayang (shadow puppet theater) or Ramayana Ballet. The puppet theater is shown in the Kraton on most days and is very popular with children. The Ramayana Ballet is performed at Prambanan part of the year.

Yogyakarta is where to go if you want to see Indonesia’s history up close and in full color!