Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat

The Sultan's Palace, or Kraton, with its grand and elegant Javanese architecture, lay in the center of the city. It was founded by Pangeran Mangkubumi in 1775, whose the son, the prince, was then called Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono I. He choose the right place for the site of the building, right between Winongo River and Code Rivera swamp area that dried up then.

The Sultan's Palace stretches from north to south. The front yard of the Palace is called Alun-alun Utara (North Square) and the back yard called Alun-alun Selatan (South Square). The design of this historical building demonstrates that the Palace, the obelisk (the Tugu, the column) and Mount Merapi positioned in one line. It is believed that the axis is blessed. In the old-times, Sri Sultan is used to concentrate his mind along this axis before leading a meeting, making decision or giving order to his people.

Each part of the building has its own name. The Palace meeting hall is called Pagelaran. It is the place where formal meetings of the Kraton's officials are held. Manguntur Tangkil Hall is the place where the Sultan has his seat. This hall is in the Siti Hinggil. Siti means ground/land, while Hinggil means high. So, it is called Siti Hinggil because the place where it was built is higher than any other ground around it. It was once a tiny island on the swamp. The front gate is called Danapratopo. Two giant statues called Gupala guard it. One is called Cingkorobolo and the other is Boloupoto. The two statues are perceived may protect the Palace from any harm or evil.

The main part of the Kraton is called Purworetno, a place where the Sultan performs his duties. Beside Purworetno, there are two-story buildings called Panti Sumbaga. This building is the Sultan's private library. The building where the Sultan lives is called Gedong Kuning. Visitors of the Palace can enjoy the atmosphere of the Kraton as it was centuries ago. Wedding ceremonies and Palace meetingsoften held with puppet shows help to recreate the ancient setting. Many sets of Gamelan instruments, antiques, and heirlooms make the Sultan's Palace as one of the most interesting tourist site in Yogyakarta. The Palace is now the dwelling place of Sultan Hamengku Buwono X and his family.

Related Link: www.yogyes.com/kraton

Taman Sari Water Castle

Taman Sari means beautiful park. It is about ten minutes walk from the Sultan's Palace south-west ward. Sultan Hamengku Buwono I in 1757 built this park. He created a new style that was a combination and a mixture of Javanese and Portuguese architecture. Taman sari was once a beautiful and sophisticated water-park. The area around the park eastward to the city quarters called "Kampung Segaran" was once full of water. This place is now called Suryoputran. Segaran is a Javanese word means a man-made ocean or an artificial sea. Every time the Sultan visited the park, he went there by rowing a private canoe through the suspension bridge called "Kreteg Gantung" which lay in front of the Palace gate, southward or northward of Kemandungan. The remained building that was once connected by the suspension bridge can still be seen nowadays. Besides water transportation, there was also an underground passage or alley from the Sultan Palace leading to one of the park buildings which called Pasarean Ledok Sari. The castle once has a place for relaxation and entertainment as well, a unique mechanism of defence.

Because the water which flows within Taman Sari was not only to beautify the castle, but it also functioned as a secret weapon for avoiding dangers. Whenever the enemies attacked, Sultan and his family would flee away through the underground passage. When all Sultan's family was already in a safe place, the Watergate would be opened and the water would overflow the passages, so that enemy would be sunk.

One part of the place was called Pulau Kenanga because in the front yard of the building grown Kenanga trees (Canangium Odoratum). The flowers spread out the sweet fragrance through all parts of the park. The lofty buildings such as the pond were built especially for the Sultan and his family as a bath-place. Recent restoration has been done on the underground passage leading to the west area, the bulwark that is encircled the area of the Palace, and another path, which lead southward to a small village, called Krapyak.

Besides enjoying the old and ancient building, tourists can also visit many art shops and art galleries along the alleys.

Related Link: www.yogyes.com/tamansari

Benteng Vredeburg

Benteng Vredeburg (lit. Vredeburg fort) is situated exactly face to face with Gedung Agung. The Dutch colonial built it in 1765 during the domination. It was built in order to anticipate the cannon shot from the Sultan's troops. Its function was also to protect the occupation of the Dutch Residence. This fort is surrounded by moats that still can be seen until now. The fort is rectangular-shaped, with kind of citadel (bastion) on its corner, which enable Dutch's soldiers to walk around and aim a good shot. From the base of the cannon on the southern bastion, visitors may enjoy wonderful views of Sultan's Palace and other historical building around, and certainly the busy traffic of Yogyakarta. The fort can be reach on foot from the center of the municipality.

Jendral Sudirman Museum

Formerly, this museum was a residence of Panglima Besar Jendral Sudirman, the first Indonesian general in Army service. Located at Bintaran Street, this museum collects and keeps many kinds of guns and other Indonesian's classic army instruments, which is being used in past struggle for independence. Jendral Sudirman's personal items such spoon, plate, catapult, and his famous tandu (palanquin) the uniqueness carrying vehicles that enable in poor health Jendral Sudirman move from one place to another (guerilla) when the battle occur redare kept in this museum.

Related Link: www.yogyes.com/sasmitaloka

Gedung Agung

Gedung Agung is located on the western side of Malioboro Street. It was used as the residence of the Dutch Resident (Head of Administrator of Dutch colonial system) during year 1946-1949, when the struggle of independence process occurred. It was also functioned as the residence of the Presiden Soekarno the first national leader of Indonesia when the capital city of Republic of Indonesia was temporary positioned in Yogyakarta.

Masjid Agung (The Grand Mosque)

Masjid Agung can be found on the western side of the north square. It is place for praying and holding Islamic religious ceremonies. Ceremonies like Sekaten and Gerebeg are held annually to celebrate some of the Islamic Commemoration Day. The mosque provides the venue for Kraton's religious activities. The Grand Mosque is designed with traditional architecture. The style has a special roof called "Tajug". This roof especially used for religious buildings. This traditional mosque is becomes the most interesting buildings for its architecture.

Monument of March 1st

Monument 1 Maret or Monument of March 1st is located on Panembahan Senopati Street, exactly next to Fort (Benteng) Vredeburg. And was constructed to commemorate the total offensive attack on March 1st, 1949 (Serangan Oemoem 1 Maret 1949) when Indonesian guerilla fighters succeeded in reoccupying Yogyakarta for 6 hours in order to prove the world that Indonesian still possess power to keep struggle for independence against the Dutch colonial. This historical event known as "The Six Hours in Yogyakarta" (Enam jam di Yogyakarta) was successfully commanded by young Colonel Soeharto former 2nd President of Republic of Indonesia. As a follow up, both parties (Dutch and Indonesia) held further diplomatic talks in the Round Table Conference (KMB) at Den Haag.

Kotagede Royal Cemetery

Kotagede, which is often, called Sargede lies about five km southeast of Yogyakarta. In this old-city, tourist can visit the cemetery of the Mataram Kings like Sutowijoyo, also known as Ngabei Loring Pasar the founder of the Mataram kingdom who was then called Panembahan Senopati. There is also the unique tomb of Ki Ageng Mangir. He was Panembahan Senopati's son in law and his enemy at the same time. His body was buried outside the complex. A hundred meters away from the tomb, there is a stone called "Watu Gilang", the stone on which Panembahan Senopati smashed the head of Ki Ageng Mangir to dead.

Those who want to go inside the cemetery have to wear traditional clothes that one can hire there. Kotagede Royal Cemetery opens on Monday at 10 am - 12 am, and at 01.30 pm - 4 pm on Friday. In addition to cemetery, there are "graceful gates"; ponds will be full of Clarius Melenodermas and yellow turtle. This turtle is hundred years of age and also had had believed as a sacred miraculous turtle.

Related Link: www.yogyes.com/kotagede

Tugu Monument

One of the monument that stand as a silent witness to Yogyakarta's development is called Tugu, which means column. The original Tugu was actually built to commemorate the establishment of Ngayogyakarta Sultanate in 1755. It was collapsed once, and replaced by a new form of construction shaped differently from the former cylindrical Tugu. Leading southward from Tugu towards Sultan's Palace is the Pangeran Mangkubumi Street, which becomes the Malioboro Street after the street pass the railroad station. Both sides of the streets are decorated with artistic lamps, and beautifully arranged small parks. In the old days, the Maliboro Street famously known as a defense base for the Indonesian against the Dutch. Nowadays, the Malioboro Street is well known as gathering place for many creative artists and craftsmen. At night, this main street is always crowded with people selling Yogyakarta's exotic cuisine called Gudeg, and of course other Javanese food. Customers can sit and relax on a mat, while enjoying their meal in Javanese tradition.

Related Link: www.yogyes.com/tugu-jogja

Sonobudoyo Museum

The Sonobudoyo Museum is situated on the northern side of the north square (Alun-alun Utara) of Sultan's Palace. It was built in 1935 with a Javanese architecture. The architecture of the gateway resembles to the entrance of the mosque in Kudus Town especially in the construction of pathway to the auditorium, and the main joglo structure that connected. Kudus is the most ancient town in the island of Java besides Kotagede. Sonobudoyo has the second most complete collection of cultural artifacts after the central museum in Jakarta. Visitors can observe ceramics from the Neolithic age, original eight and ninth century statues and bronze-articles collected from temple in Central Java, various kinds of puppets, masks, and wayang (puppet or shadow play), to heirlooms and artifacts from Bali. Sonobudoyo museum also has an interesting library that keeps various collection of books related to Javanese culture.

Related Link: www.yogyes.com/sonobudoyo

Perjuangan Museum

This museum is situated in Kolonel Sugiono Street. It is a cylindrical building, uniquely roofed in the shape of a crown with outer walls portray relief about the history of Indonesian's struggle for independence before and after the Declaration of Independence in August 17th, 1945. The collection consists of historical articles during the time of the revolution for independence.

Affandi Museum

This museum is the home and studio of Affandi, a painter of international fame. Affandi museum is located in Adisucipto street the main street to reach the airport. The building is a unique architectural design and stands on the bank of the GajahWong River. It keeps a collection of Affandi's finest artwork during his lifetime.

Related Link: www.yogyes.com/affandi

Diponegoro Museum

Sasono Wirotomo at Tegalrejo is the former residence of Prince Diponegoro, one of Indonesian's national heroes. An heir to Sultanate of Yogyakarta, the Prince led an uprising against the Dutch colonial administration for five year start from 1825 to 1830. He was eventually tricked into negotiations, arrested, and exiled to Sulawesi until he died.

Sasono Wirotomo houses a small museum containing Diponegoro's Keris and other possessions. Scratches on the arms of the chairs in the museum are believed as Prince Diponegoro's fingernails while he was trying to control his anger at having been deceived.

Related Link: www.yogyes.com/sasana-wiratama

Dirgantara Mandala Museum

This museum is situated in Lanuma Adisucipto complex. This museum keeps pictures and models of aeroplanes left by Japanese army, which then were used by the Indonesian air force during the struggle for independence. The other models are fighting, transportation, and exercise aeroplanes. Visitors have to inform the officer in charge at least one day in advance to visit the museum.

Biology Museum

Biology museum is located on Sultan Agung Street, a part of facility provided by the Faculty of Biology of the Gadjah Mada University. It particularly related to the science of flora and fauna that are found in Indonesia. It is equipped with diorama setting that portrays the life of the animals in Indonesia and their habitat. Among these animals, there is the Komodo dragon (Veranus Komodoensis) the biggest giant lizard on earth that only lives on Komodo Island in Indonesia, and the only remain survived prehistoric animals.

Imogiri Royal Cemetery

This cemetery located on a beautiful hill about 12 km from Yogyakarta. The tomb of Sultan Agung Hanyokrokusumo, the third king of the Islamic Mataram Kingdom, is on the top of the hill. All the kings of the Mataram Kingdom, from Sultan Hamengku Buwono I until Hamengku Buwono IX and their families as the Surakarta Kingdoms as ell were all buried at the Imogiri Royal Cemetery.

This cemetery was built in 1645. Tourists have to wear traditional Javanese clothes like in Kotagede. Everyday many people visit Imogiri and step up on 345 stairs to reach the top of the hill where the tomb of the kings rested. The tomb can only be visited on Monday at 10am - 12 am, and on Friday at 1pm - 4pm.

Prambanan Temple

Prambanan temple is located some 17 km from Yogyakarta. Tourists can't miss the temple because it is only 100 meters off the main street. Sanjaya Dynasty built this 47 meters high Hindu temple in the 9th century. It consists of three courtyards. The main temple is located in the inner courtyard and surrounded by several small temples called "Perwara". Local chieftains contributed some of these as a tribute of their acceptance to the king.

As a Hindu temple the main temple has three shrines, dedicated to the Hindu trinity. Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma. Each of these shrines is facing a smaller shrine for their vehicles. The cow Nandi is the Vehicle of Shiva, the destroyer God. The eagle Garuda is the vehicle of Vishnu, the guardian God. And the swan Angsa is the vehicle of Brahma, the creator God.

Entering the main temple from the north, one will find a statue of a very beautiful princess, Roro Jonggrang. According to the legend, Roro Jonggrang was the daughter of King Boko, which was cursed into a statue. The legend also says that a young powerful man named Bandung Bondowoso wanted to marry Roro Jonggrang. Since she doesn't love him, Roro Jonggrang tried to avoid the marriage by asking Bandung Bondowoso a present. She would only marry him if Bandung were really a powerful man. To prove the power Bandung was asked to build a thousand temples in one night. Having supernatural power, Bandung has almost successfully finished his task, but Roro Jonggrang prevents this excellent achievement. Jonggrang asked the maidens of the east village of the temples to burn the hay and pound the rice in order to cause the situation like dawn time for sunrise.

So when the cocks begin to crow, all the supernatural beings flee away because they think it was already dawn. Being unable to control his anger, Bandung Bondowoso curses Roro Jonggrang into a statue that now completes the temple. Relieves depicting the heavenly creatures were carved around the foot of Civa temple, symbolizing the cosmic system. Entering the temple from the east and walking around the sub base of the temple with the main shrine on the right (Pradaksina). Tourists will see the whole relief of the story of the Ramayana. This relief portrays Ramayana story is ends at balustrade of Brahma temple. The story of Kresnadwipayana, which tells the childhood of Prabu Krishna, can be seen on the balustrade of Vishnu temple.

From May-October, at full moon, the story of Ramayana is usually presented in the evening from 7.30 pm - 09.30 pm. As a traditional dance, the show performed on an open-air stage to the west of the temple.

Related Link: www.yogyes.com/prambanan

Borobudur Temple

Borobudur is the greatest of all Buddhist temples in the globe and one of the wonders of the world. Built around the beginning of the 9th century by the Syailendra Dynasty. When Buddhism decreased in Java, Borobudur was abandoned. Only then it was discovered by The British's Raffles in 1814 when he ruled Java

Borobudur is 42 m in height and has 10 terraces (10 levels). The three top levels are circular where the Buddhist stupas are placed and the seven others are square on which the reliefs of Buddha Gautama's life and love are carved.

Related Link: www.yogyes.com/borobudur

Banyu Nibo Temple

Banyu Nibo temple can be visited easily after visiting King Boko temple. It is sited as solitary complex in the middle of the farmland about two kilometers at the south-eastern side of King Boko's palace, flanked by Gunung Kidul hills to the south. The view of its exotic scenery makes this temple offer great and enjoyable sight. This Buddhist temple is quite small. Its slightly curved-roof functions as the top of the stupa and gives the temple a unique charm. This temple was built around 9th century, and recently has been restored.

King Boko's Palace

King Boko's Palace is located some 19 kilometers at the eastern side of Yogyakarta, and about 2 kilometers from Prambanan temple. The panoramic view of its surroundings is beautiful. To the south, imprecisely visible, unfolds the south coast. And at the northern side one, tourists can see the Mount Merapi, Prambanan, and Kalasan temples with naked eye. From the newly restored main entrance to the right, you will come into the so-called auditorium of the Palace that has been restored. On the left of the auditorium, there is a pool that was used as a bathing pool for women.

Related Link: www.yogyes.com/ratu-boko

Sewu Temple

Sewu temple is located just several hundred meters north-east of Prambanan temple. It is a large and vast Buddhist's temple including several other small temples like Lumbung, Asu, Bubrah, and Lor Kulon temple.

Plaosan Temple

Plaosan temple is about one kilometer at the east of the Sewu temple. This Buddhist temple consists of two main temples standing side by side, each having terraces bases. The relief carved on the southern main temple portrays a man, and the other one show a woman. Another peculiar object that is interesting to see is its "perwara" temple for its 'slender stupa'

Related Link: www.yogyes.com/plaosan

Kalasan Temple

This unique Buddhist temple is located at 16 kilometers at eastern side of Yogyakarta, on the south side of the main road connecting Yogyakarta and Prambanan. The temple was built in the commemoration of the marriage of King Prancapana Sanjaya Dynasty with his bride Princess Dyah Pramudya Wardhani Cailendra Dynasti. It is beautifully ornamented with fine carved relief and coated with "vajralepa"; a yellowish material made of the sap of certain tree. The vajralepa had been used to protect the ornament against moss and mildew, and to refine the carving as well. This temple is 24 meters high and its groundwork is built in the form of a Greek cross.

Related Link: www.yogyes.com/tara

Sari Temple

The Buddhist temple is situated about 600 meters at the north east of the Kalasan temple. It is sited on the northern side of the main road connecting Yogyakarta and Solo. It is a slender and beautiful two-story temple. The upper floor was used to keep religious relics. This temple was once a Buddhist sanctuary or Vihara where Buddhist priests used to living, doing meditation, and teaching their followers. The wall of the temple is also protected with vajralepa.

Sambisari Temple

The temple, which has been restored recently, is located at 12 kilometers eastern side of Yogyakarta. It sited on the northern side of the main street connecting Yogyakarta and Solo. Sambisari temple is very exotic. It lays 6.5 meters below ground level. It was created in the 10th century. And due to the Merapi's eruption in 1006, the area surrounding the temple is covered with volcanic materials.

Related Link: www.yogyes.com/sambisari

Parangtritis Beach Resort

Parangtritis has been famous for long, not only as a beach resort where sand dunes, sandy beach and rocky cliffs meet, but it also a historical place which closely to the mysterious legend of the Queen of the South Sea (Kanjeng Ratu Kidul). Kanjeng Ratu Kidul, who together with her trusted right-hand person, the feared Nyi Roro Kidul, the ever youthful and beautiful queen reign over sea nymphs and spirits. The legend says that Kanjeng Ratu Kidul was married to one of the Mataram Monarch, Panembahan Senopati, whom she visited and communicated with on certain occasions. It is said that the name Parangtritis expresses a natural phenomenon. From the wall of one of the hills drops off water containing calcium, which is continuously dripped down and finally formed a pool with a very clear water in it. Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono VII found and took care of this formed pool. The pool now is functioning as the bathing pool of Parangtritis swimming pool.

Located about 27 km from Yogyakarta, there are two routes to reach Parangtritis:

First route: Yogyakarta Kretek Parangtritis. All sorts of vehicles can smoothly travel on this road directly to the beach. Those who are interested to travel by bus can take a bus at Umbulharjo station in Yogyakarta.

Second route: Yogyakarta Imogiri Siluk Parangtritis. This route has 35 km in distance and connected with a sequence of tourism route consisting of the both Royal Cemetery, Kotagede and Imogiri. This route offers very beautiful scenery: a combination between river and range of lime stones hills. All sorts of vehicles can smoothly travel on this road directly to the beach. Those who are interested to travel by bus can take a bus at Umbulharjo station in Yogyakarta.

Related Link: www.yogyes.com/parangtritis

Krakal Beach

To get to Krakal beach you have to pass Wonosari, the capital of the Gunungkidul Regency, about 38 km from Yogyakarta. The winding and mountainous road is well asphalted. Krakal is about 21 km from Wonosari. Located at 7 km eastern side of the road where branches off the main road crossing limestone hills with their harsh appearance alternated with terraced rocks which all presents enchanting scenery to Baron Beach. Geologists say that a long time ago, this place was lies below sea level. Among all the beaches that stretch along the coast of Java, Krakal with its white sandy beach surrounded with mountainous rock hills is may be the most beautiful beach in Yogyakarta. Meanwhile, the battering of its gigantic waves in a mass of white foam gives more enchantment in enjoy relaxing atmosphere in this beach. It has attracted many tourism-planning experts from foreign countries. They suggest that it should be prepared as a beach resort, particularly for foreign tourists (like Nusa Dua resorts in Bali). Their interest in exploring Krakal is supported by its attractive potentials such as: a sloping and white sandy beach stretching out for about 5 km. There is always warm sunshine from dawn until the twilight comes during the whole dry and rainy season. The sea wind is always blowing softly. As a whole, it is most suitable for sun bathing. It also offers a shade and a multi colored marine growth.

Krakal is close to Kukup beach and Baron cove. This cove is in fact an estuary of an underground river that comes up exactly at the waterfront. It is interesting to observe the combination of the beach and the cove from the protruding rocky hills that flank the caves on both sides.

Related Link: www.yogyes.com/krakal

Parangkusumo

According to the people's belief, Parangkusumo was used to be the meeting place between the kings who reined Mataram Kingdom and Kanjeng Ratu Kidul. Every year, on the 30th day of Rejeb - name of month in Javanese calendar that based on the rotation of the moon - certain sacred ritual held. This symbolic ritual revolves giving offerings to the Queen of South Sea due to the commemoration of the inauguration of Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X. flower, food, clothes, and the cutting of Sultan's nail and hair will be thrown in to the water of the South Sea or recognized also as The Indian "Kiwon" night. Kliwon is a term of specific period day in Javanese calendar. Many people come to visit the rest house around Parangkusumo to do meditation and to get spiritual tranquility. The legends say that the rocks resulted from a post-volcanic activity found at Parangkusumo used to be the place where Panembahan Senopati and Kanjeng Ratu Kidul sat conferring in special occasions.

Related Link: www.yogyes.com/parangkusumo

Kiskendo Cave

Kiskendo cave is located in the Menoreh Mountain, Kulonprogo Regency. The cave area lies at approximately 700 m above sea level, which cause the air and atmosphere there so cold and fresh. The panorama of its environment is also wonderful. To the east, magnificent vast lowlands extended around the Progo River can be observed. And to the south, visitors may enjoy enchanting view of Indian Ocean. Motorbikes or cars may reach this cave. But those who using big vehicles (such as bus) are advised to leave the vehicle at Kecamatan (district) Girimulyo, and then proceed by smaller vehicles because of the narrow road. Along the way to the cave, beautiful view of the mountainous area and the terraced rice-field is charming scenery to see. Apart from the stalagmites clinging to the roof and mounting from the floor of the cave, it is said that the cave treasure's is a well-known legend about the fight between group of Mahesasura, Lembusura, and Jathasura against brotherhood of Sugriwa and Subali. Relief made in front of the cave depicts the story. In connection with above story, inside the Kiskendo cave, local people believe that the presence of several places are made by the remained-existed part of Sekandang Kingdom.

Santri Tani and Subali meditation places, Selumbung (Royal food storage), Kraton Sekandang (center of the Kingdom), Selansur (hiding place of royal soldiers during the fight between Subali against Mahesasura and Lembusura that can be reached by crawling only), and Sumelong (a hole through the roof of the cave which functioning as escaping route for Subali since Sugriwa blocked the entrance of the cave) are main sites inside the cave.

Kaliurang Mountain Resort

Kaliurang lies at the foot of Plawangan hill on the southern slope of mount Merapi, some 28 km northern of Yogyakarta. This resort is a refreshing holiday vacation spot for those who seek retreat and tranquility in the middle of lush and green tropical splendor. As a mountain resort, Kaliurang offers accommodation facilities such as villas, bungalows, inns, and recreational facilities as well - e.g. swimming pools, tennis courts, and playground. Many people visit Kaliurang, especially during the holidays. Young people (like boy scouts) enjoy going there since this mountainous resort also provides camping sites and places for mountaineering. Those who like mountain climbing can climb the Merapi Mountain from Kaliurang. Related to the climbing plan, climber may stay overnight in Kaliurang then start to mounting very early in the morning via Kinahrejo village to descend again at noon. When the weather is clear, a spectacular sight of the panoramic view that covers the surrounding forest of Plawangan and Kaliurang, and the rolling green countryside that fades into distant misty horizons of the blue Indian Ocean can be seen easily. The best time to view the mountain is shortly after sunrise (before 09.00 o'clock) when the early morning light starts lifting up the covering mist around the peak.

Related Link: www.yogyes.com/kaliurang

Merapi Volcano

The internally giant smoking Mount Merapi is one of the active volcanoes found in Indonesia, present its peaceful and sleepy dense forest. Beyond this, there is vast deserted land lies with its deep and steep valley spread out among the mountain hills where sibilant pines and wild grass make out the dominating vegetation, all presents a very exciting panorama. During its resting time of volcanic activities, it will enable those who have much interest in mountaineering to have fun and to make them more acquainted with the flora of its tropical rain forest. From the observation post located on Plawangan hill that can be reached through the forest resort on Kaliurang, you will see incredible sights of molten rocks mudding over the rim - sometimes accompanied with hot lava pouring out regularly and leaving along trail of smoke.

Mount Merapi is 2,920 m above sea level with an average temperature at noon and night is approximately 15-16 degrees. At present this resort is provided with an outstanding and modern golf course, which is settled on 800 meters of sea level. This golf course located only 30 minutes driving from the city of Yogyakarta. This golf course possesses 18 holes, par 72 courses, and opened to the public.

Sendangsono

Sendangsono lies on the slope of Menoreh Mountain range in Kulon Progo Regency, about 40 km from Yogyakarta. The word Sendang means a spring, whereas Sono is the name of a giant tree. Thus Sendangsono means a spring under Sono tree. It is considered to be the holy place for the catholic, and it can be regarded as the Lourdes of Southeast Asia. During May and October, the worship to Holy Marie - Queen of Heaven - usually held by thousands catholic there. Thousands of people from many different regions in Indonesia and even abroad come visit Sendangsono to make their pilgrimage. From the main road they have to make their way on foot up to the hill through the narrow path for about 3 km, where they will find Promasan church. The next 2 km path between Promasan up to Sendangsono complex is called the cruxification path. At Sendangsono they usually take some water from the spring and put into bottles or other containers, and then place them under the statue of Holy Marie. The glimmering lights of hundreds of candles lit around the solemnly Marie. They usually take some water as useful means of well being believing that the purified water of Sendangsono will bring peace and it may be used to heal diseases or to purify/bless certain places. The way leading to Sendangsono is a winding path with valleys and green hills alongside. The environment at Sendangsono itself is very pleasant with shady trees creating a cool and calm atmosphere for the visitors.

Related Link: www.yogyes.com/sendangsono

Kids Fun Park

Kids Fun Park is the Recreation Park with international standard, built in 1998; the park is constructed in approximately 2-hectare area. Situated in Wonosari Street, Yogyakarta Km 10, the park is easy to reach. And the park also provides recreational service both for the kids and adults. Some facilities for fun which are available: Dune Bug, Harley Davidson, Jet Rider, Forklift, Grand Canyon, Gnome Land, Jump & Fun, Vespa Ciao, Santa Fe Express, Ferrari Cars, Star Trek, Aqua Splash, Adventure Mini Golf, and Go-Kart. Other kinds of facilities available are:

  • Amsterdam caf? (Serving Dutch foods: Penacook, Poffertjess, and Waffle)
  • Saloon caf? (Serving European foods: Sandwich, Hot Dog, Burger and Toast)
  • Viva Italy caf? (Spaghetti and Pizza)
  • Adventure caf? (Indonesian food: Nasi Goreng, Bakmi, Gado-gado, Martabak, etc.)
There are two mosques and a large parking area for more than 100 cars and buses.

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