Exploring Yogyakarta

Borobudur Temple

This is the largest temple in the world that was built in the 9^th century by King Samaratungga, one of the kings of the ancient Mataram Kingdom. Borobudur is constructed as a nine-terrace establishment. The first six terraces are in square form, the two upper terraces are in circular form and on the top of the upmost terrace supports a large statue of the Buddha facing westward. Each year, during Vesak day, there’s a series of religious ceremonies held at Borobudur. These ceremonies attract many tourists, both local and international. With the nuance of its greatness and mystery, Borobudur is a “must visit” archeological site when you are here in Jogja. Located 42 km from Yogyakarta, it is open every day from 06.00to 18.00.

Prambanan

While the Borobudur is known as the largest Buddhist temple in the world, Prambanan is known as the masterpiece of Hindu culture. It was built in the tenth century during the reigns of two famous kings in Java, Rakai Pikatan and Rakai Balitung. This biggest complex of Hindu temples in Indonesia is 47 meters in height, 5 meters higher than Borobudur. Prambanan is located about 17 kilometers from the city’s center.

Legend has it that Prambanan was built in one night by a man named Bandung Bondowoso. When he decided to marry a beautiful woman named Roro Jonggrang, the lady, secretly refusing the proposal but unwilling to reject it outright, demanded that he build 1000 statues in one night under the condition that she would only marry him upon his success. Being wise in the magical arts, Bandung Bondowoso summoned many of his genie subordinates to quickly build him the thousand statues. To Roro Jonggrang’s surprise, almost all of the statues neared completion before the crack of dawn. Bent on avoiding marriage to Bandung, Roro Jonggrang then asked the surrounding villagers to start pounding rice and set fire on the far east to create a pyre so big it would resemble a sunrise. Roro Jonggrang successfully fooled Bandung just in time, when 999 statues were finished. Mad with rage from his failure, Bandung Bondowoso cursed Roro Jonggrang to be the 1000th statue and built a much larger temple to put ‘her’ in.

The Prambanan has three main temples, Brahma temple, Vishnu temple, and Shiva temple. The relief on the temples describes the entire Ramayana epoch. It opens every day at 06.00 – 18.00.

Ratu Boko TempleThis temple consists of gates, an incineration temple, hall, gazebo, and princess bathing place. Inside the temple can be seen the assimilation of Hidhus and Buddhist elements. The temple, which was initially named Abhayagiri Vihara, means a monastery on a peaceful hill. It was built for seclusion and spiritual purposes. From this palace-like temple, you will be able to see Yogyakarta and Prambanan temple with Merapi Mountain. The temple is also famous as a gorgeous sunset spot.

Built by Javanese Buddhists, this temple also contains Hindu elements, which serve as evidence of how religions were tolerated and even syncretized within single communities in Indonesia.

Located near Prambanan temple, it opens every day from 06.00 – 18.00.

Besides three temples mentioned above, there are still many temples in Yogyakarta such as Gebang temple, Sewu Temple, Banyubino temple, and Sambisari temple. You can definitely browse the information about those temples on the internet and be sure to visit.

Sultan’s Palace (Kraton)Kraton was built in 1756 – 1790 by Sultan Hamengku Buwono I. Its architecture is an example of Javanese cosmos style and reflects Javanese culture. The palace is still used as residence of the King or Sultan and also as a Javanese artist and cultural center. The word Kraton itself originates from the word ke-ratu-an, literally means the place where the queen/king lives. Each and all of the elements in the Kraton building pertain to essential Javanese philosophy. This palace is located in the center of the axis stretching from the north to the south of Yogyakarta. It opens from Monday – Sunday on 08:00 – 14:00, and closes at 12:00 am on Friday.

Taman Sari Water CastleTamansari is a park of garden site of Sultan’s palace that was used by the Sultan to spend his spare time for recreation. Tamansari looks like a Water Park decorated with flowering trees. Located near to Sultan’s palace, it is open every day from 08.00 – 14.00.

Vredeburg Fort Museum

Vredeburg fort museum is located in Malioboro Street. In this museum, we can learn the history of Yogyakarta and Republic of Indonesia through a diorama. It opens every Tuesday – Thursday at 08.30 – 13.30, Friday at 08.30 – 11.30, Saturday and Sunday at 08.30 – 13.00.

Puro Pakualaman

It is a Dutch palace that became a residence for Sri Paduka Paku Alam. It opens every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 09.30 – 13.00.

As Yogyakarta is famous for its cultural richness, there are still many historical sites in Yogyakarta such as Monumen Jogya Kembali (Monjali), Merapi Volcano Museum, Kraton Museum, and Dirgantara Mandala Museum. For information about these sites, please visit www.visitjogja.jogjaprov.go.id

The beach is always one of the most favorite tourist destinations when visiting Yogyakarta. There are a lot of beautiful beaches in the South part of Yogyakarta and below are some of the famous ones:

1. Parangtritis

The primary attraction of this beach is its natural view. To enjoy the beautiful scenery, you can walk down the shoreline or you may hire a horse/horse-cart instead. Parangtritis beach is close to the city center (about 27 kilometres) and therefore it is famous for many tourists to visit even though the beach is completely restricted for swimming due to its dangerous waves.

It is suggested that you do not wear green clothes to respect the local belief that green clothes will bring misfortune.

2. Depok

Among other beaches in Yogyakarta, Depok Beach is the designated center of culinary tourism, specifically for various seafood menus. Most of the warongs (small restaurants) in Depok are intentionally designed facing the ocean, so that visitors can enjoy the waves rushing to the shore while enjoying fresh seafood. You will not miss the sea warongs as they are found all along the shoreline.

Depok is not far from Parangtritis; visitors usually stop by Depok to have a meal after enjoying the scenery of Parangtritis.

3. Krakal, Kukup & Baron

Krakal Beach is a long white-sand beach located in Gunung Kidul regency, some 65 km away from the city of Yogyakarta. It is one of the longest and most beautiful out of the series of beaches that stretches along the southern part of Yogyakarta. Other Southern beaches distancing not too far away from Krakal is Kukup, Baron and Sundak. The spacious white sand and textures of coral reefs are the most interesting attractions the beach gives to its visitors. Like the Nusa Dua in Bali, Krakal is to be the biggest tourism beach in Yogyakarta.

If you go by car to Krakal, you will find yourself surrounded by beautiful natural limestone hills alternated with terraced rocks along your journey – scenery so enchanting. According to geologists, the beach was once situated on the base of the sea. However, as time goes by, the beach is slowly ‘elevated’ to its current higher position. The coral reefs seen on the beach was home to sea creatures before the elevation. Its location and all the features make Krakal an ideal place for sunbathing – you will find many foreign tourists sunbathing here in Krakal. A word of caution: please be extra careful when you swim around the beach, for the small reefs and rocks in the bottom of the water are very sharp and may hurt your feet.

Supporting facilities for visitors who wish to stay are available near the beach, including cheap resorts and restaurants, which are just within walking distance. There are also numerous spots where you can view both the stunning scenes of the sunrise and sunset.

4. Sundak

The Sundak area also has beautiful white-sand beaches with humongous caves formed from huge chunks of reefs. If you’d like to have a vacation at the beach with the atmosphere of unspoiled nature, Sundak is the place to be. However, the beach is less developed as a tourist destination, so existing infrastructure is also more simplistic. But as a matter of fact its natural and tranquil ambience makes the place so special.

Sundak at night is not to be missed, either. You can enjoy the evening breeze while ordering raw fish to be grilled. Challenge yourselves and sleep under the night sky: set up a tent, or just lie on the bench stall if it’s unused. Interaction with the locals could also be enlightening. You can find out how people live, what their culture is like, and of course meet new people whose view might change the way you see the world. Insightful!

5. Siung

The beach Siung is located in about 35 kilometers from Wonosari City, still in southern Jogja. Siung is heaven for rock-climbers for it has at least 250 routes for climbing with beautiful sea panorama. Imagining rock-climbing with rumbling waves and fresh sea wind blowing through? You need Siung. This area was once host to Asian Climbing Gathering involving 80 participants from 15 Asian Countries. Around there are also farmlands and monkey-inhabited forests.

If you are going to drive to Siung – whether by car or by motorbike, make sure that your vehicles are in top-notch condition since you are going to go through extremely challenging roads with climbs, sharp curves and sometimes slopes under the hot sun in between limestone hills and vegetable fields. You will have to overcome all the hindrances from Pathuk (the first Sub-Regency of Gunung Kidul) until you get to the beach. Don’t worry, your destination is worth all the challenge on the road. Blue ocean and white, clean sands will cure exhaustion in a blink. At the beach wooden houses are available for visitors to take shelter or just to chill with friends while enjoying the beach’s scenic beauty.

Rafting, Citra Elo

Citra Elo arranges whitewater rafting into safe and comfortable tourism packages that suit almost everybody, even those with no swimming ability. Citra Elo is committed to preserve its Zero-Accident milestone by providing and assuring the use of international-safety-standard gears and equipment which are compulsory for all participants. Well-trained and experienced River Guides are assigned to escort the trip.

ELO RAFTING TRIP

Grade : III (max III +)

Track length: 12, 5 kms

Duration: 2,5 – 3 hours downriver

Difficulty: leisure / family trip

Availability: every day (morning or afternoon trip), all seasons

For further information you can contact the number below:

Jl. Raya Mendur – Sendangsono km 0,2

Borobudur, Magelang, Indonesia

Phone: +62 293 788 435