Yogyakarta, The True Culture of Java.

Yogyakarta is a city with extraordinary historical and cultural heritage. Yogyakarta was the centre of the Mataram Dynasty (1575-1640), and the sultanate of the kraton (the sultan's palace) still exists in its real functions. Also, Yogyakarta has numerous thousand-year-old temples as inheritances of the great ancient kingdoms, such as Borobudur temple established in the ninth century by the dynasty of Syailendra.

More than the cultural heritages, Yogyakarta has beautiful natural panorama. The green rice fields cover the suburban areas with a background of the Merapi Mountain. The natural beaches can be easily found to the south of Yogyakarta.

Here the society lives in peace and has typical Javanese hospitality. Just try to go around the city by bike, pedicab, or horse cart; and you will find sincere smiles and warm greeting in every corner of the city.

An artistic atmosphere is deeply felt in Yogyakarta. Street musicians always ready entertain the visitors of the lesehan food stalls.

Those who have visited Yogyakarta reveal that this city makes them long for it. Just visit here, then you will understand what this means.

Things to do :

1. Borobudur Temple

Built in 9th-century, the temple is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. The main dome, located at the center of the platform, is surrounded by 72 Buddha statues seated inside a perforated stupa. It design by Gupta architecture which influenced by Buddhism and Hinduism from India. The monument is both a shrine to the Lord Budha and a place for Buddhist pilgrimage.

  
2. Prambanan Temple 

Prambanan Temple also called Rara Jonggrang Temple an Hindu Temple which built in 9th-century, dedicated to the Trimurti, the expression of God as the creator (Brahma), the preserver (Visnu) and the destroyer (Shiva). The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is the largest Hindu Temple in Indonesia also the largest Hindu Temple in Southeast Asia. One of the majestic temples in the world who attract many tourist to visit it.

3. Sundak Beach

Sundak, along Gunungkidul's southern coast, has clear blue waters and white sand beaches. Its location is an extraordinary spot for surfer cause of solid swells or waves in this area. The beach has beautiful coast, it also offers a hilly landscape and trees and the cool breezes that make the rolling waves break onto the white-sand shore. Public facilities on this beach is including a roomy parking area, a prayer room, and playground.

  

4. Sri Gethuk Waterfall

·         The waterfall is in a village called Bleberan, to see the area the visitors need an extra work, because you need to pass through rough roads, woods, rice fields, and fishing villages. After that, you still have to ride a wooden raft to get to the actual spot. After you come to the area, you will realize that all the trouble was worth it. Hear the sound of the gushing waters falling from the valley, making a thunderous sound when it hits the river. The combination of the water plus the sunshine creates beautiful rainbows.

5. Rancang Kencono Cave

      

      The area is an Gunungkidul apart from the others are the huge old trees growing from inside the cave out past its mouth. Aside from the giant tree, the inside is decorated with a wall formed of a typical limestone that makes the caverns more spectacular to look at. To come here, you should pass through a narrow asphalt road and some potholes. The story and legends of this cave will told by the guides.

6. Kaliurang 

·         This area is a very friendly recreation place at the foot of Merapi Mountain. Kids can go play at the playgrounds, while parents can relax in the garden. There is also a swimming pool that the whole family can enjoy. Aside from these, there are animals like monkeys that can be fed, guided tours, and many villas, bungalows, and cheap hotels in this Yogyakarta attraction where travelers can rest. Whether you plan on staying here, or going back to your budget hotel in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, a detour to Kaliurang is a must for the whole family.

  

7. Malioboro Street

This area is located in the center of Yogyakarta, it is a place which very pleasant place to walk the street with family, alone, or with friends, for the purpose of shopping, just walking around, or to enjoy the typical food of Yogyakarta. This place also provided a lot of handy craft souvenir originally hand made from Java Connoisseur.