Yogyakarta Tourism Travel Guide

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Yogya Tourism Travel Guide and Tourist Information.

Yogyakarta (or Jogja, Yogya, Jogjakarta) is the one of the Special Region (similar provience) in Indonesia which is located in the southern part of Java Island and is bordered by Central Java Province in the north. Geographically, Yogyakarta is located in the Central Java. Lying in the shadow of the aptly named "Fire Mountain", (2,968 meter high active volcano, Mount Merapi), is the seat of the once 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 Solo/Surakarta. 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 advance of the refinement which has been the hallmark of its art and people for centuries.

In support of Indonesia declaring independence from the Dutch and Japanese occupation, in September 5, 1945, Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX of Yogya and Sri Paku Alam VIII in Yogya declared their sultanates to be part of the Republic of Indonesia. In return for this unfailing support, a law was passed in 1950, in which Yogyakarta was granted the status of province Special Region Province, with special status that recognizes the power of the Sultan in his own region's domestic affairs. Hence Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX was appointed as the governor for life. During the Indonesian war of independence against the Dutch after World War II (1945-1950), the capital of the newly declared Indonesian republic was temporarily moved to Yogyakarta when the Dutch reoccupied Jakarta from January 1946 until August 1950.

Yogyakarta is still very thick with the Javanese cultur. Arts and culture are important part of community life in Yogyakarta. Since the child until adulthood, the people of Yogyakarta will witness the various arts and cultural events in the city. For the people of Yogyakarta, in which every stage of life, the meaning of tradition is a very important and still held up at this time.

Yogyakarta is often called the main gateway to the Central Java as where it is geographically located. It stretches from Mount Merapi to the Indian Ocean. Yogyakarta is commonly considered as the modern cultural of Central Java. Although some may prefer Solo as a good runner up, Yogyakarta remains the clear front-runner for traditional dance, Wayang (traditional puppetry) and music. Tradition also not separated from the art presented in the traditional ceremonies. So for the people of Yogyakarta, art and culture actually become a part of life and not separated from them. Art in Yogyakarta typical example is Ketoprak, Jathilan, and Wayang Kulit.

Environment that is beautiful, traditional architecture, social life, rites and rituals make Yogyakarta became the most interesting places to visit. Arts and culture such as traditional Gamelan music and traditional dances will always remind the audience of Yogyakarta a few centuries ago. Development of modern technology developed in Yogyakarta, is developing a rhythm with the customary and traditional ceremonies.

Some of tourism object/place interesting in Yogyakarta : Malioboro Street, Gembiraloka Zoo, Taman Sari Water Palace, Jogja Kembali Monument, Yogyakarta Palace Museum, Sonobudoyo Museum, Mount Merapi, Kaliurang, Parangtritis Beach, Baron Beach, Samas Beach, Selarong Cave, Prambanan Temple, Kalasan Temple and Ratu Boko Temple and many more...

The Special Region of Yogyakarta has region covering :
Yogyakarta City.
Sleman District.
Bantul District.
Kulon Progo District.
Gunung Kidul District.

Yogya tourism travel guide and tourist information popular destination :

Yogyakarta Palace.
Yogyakarta Palace is the symbol of the heart of Javanese cultural civilization centered in Yogyakarta. Yogyakarta Palace, or known formally as Kraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat, was built by Pangeran Mangkubumi titled Sultan Hamengku Buwono I in 1755 A.D. following the signing of Treaty of Giyanti. The present ruler of the Yogyakarta Sultanate is Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Haryo titled Sultan Hamengku Buwono X. Likewise, he is a governor of Yogyakarta Province.
Inside the palace building, numerous historical properties of Yogyakarta Palace are kept well. There you can see some royal heirlooms, ancient books printed during the Dutch occupation, and hundreds of photographs depicting the historical journey of the palace from time by time.
In general, the Yogyakarta Palace area stretches 5 kilometers southwards to Krapyak village and 2 kilometers northwards until the Tugu monument. In this imaginary line, there is a reversed dualism linear line that tells symbolical philosophy: the direction from south to north symbolizes the birth of human being from the high place to the perishable world, and the opposite direction symbolizes the return of human being to the Dumadi (God in Javanese philosophy). Kraton is physical symbol and the King is the symbol of the real soul that presents into the physical body.
The royal palace complex is often used as the venue for traditional events. Some adat ceremonies as well as public events such as Grebeg Maulud, Jamasan, and many more are held at the palace complex.

Tamansari (Water Castle).
Water Castle or Taman Sari is one of the cultural heritages of Yogyakarta Sultanate that stand hitherto. Tamansari was built during the reign of Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono I, precisely in 1758. The castle has undergone several renovations to keep it beautiful without diminishing its original historic and aesthetic values. Tamansari lies not far from the Royal Palace of Yogyakarta, that is only 300 meter westwards. The main object in the site is the pond. The pond is surrounded by 6 meter high walls as it was used as the bathing pond for the Sultan’s wives. There is a construction shaped like a tower in there. People say it was the place in which the Sultan used to watch his wives bathing.
Tamansari is only 0,5 km south of Yogyakarta Royal Palace. The architect was a Portuguese that the constructions embody much of European architectural art despite the Javanese symbols found in it. Yet, if observed carefully, Javanese architecture is actually dominant here. The construction was commenced by Sultan Hamengku Buwono I in the end of the 17th century. Tamansari was not only a royal garden, it was a recreational complex that consists of a bathing pond, water canals, rooms, and a big pond that would contain water if the canal is opened.

Queen Boko Temple.
Queen Boko complex was first found in 1790 by van Boeckhlotz. Yet, a more in depth research was conducted a hundred years afterwards and the result was published in a book entitled Keraton van Ratoe Boko. According to some historians, the temple serves several functions as the palace fort, place of worship and cave. Its stands 196 m above the sea level and covers as wide as 250.000 m2. It is divided into four parts, the center, the west, the southeast and the east. The center part of the temple consists of the main gate, the combustion temple, the pool, the pedestal stone and the paseban (audience hall). The southeast part covers the pendopo (attached open veranda serves as an audience hall), balai-balai (public hall or building), three temples, the pool and harem complex. In this part there is also a well called Amerta Mantana which literally means the holy water. It was believed that the well water had a merit to bring luck for those who drink it. On the east side, there are the cave complex, Buddha stupa and the pool.
Ratu Boko Temple is located about 17 km east of Yogyakarta, at Bokoharjo District, Sleman Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

Prambanan Tempale.
Prambanan is the masterpiece of Hindu culture of the tenth century. The slim building soaring up to 47 meters makes its beautiful architecture incomparable. Prambanan occupies as wide as 39,8 acres of land. In 1991 it was contended by the UNESCO World Wonder Heritage. Soaring to 47 meters or 5 meters higher than Borobudur Temple.
Prambanan temple has three main temples in the primary yard, namely Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva temples. Those three temples are symbols of Trimurti in Hindu belief. All of them face to the east. Each main temple has accompanying temple facing to the west, namely Nandini for Shiva, Angsa for Brahma, and Garuda for Vishnu. Besides, there are 2 flank temples, 4 kelir temples and 4 corner temples. In the second area, there are 224 temples.
Prambanan also has panels of relief describing the story of Ramayana. Experts say that the relief is similar to the story of Ramayana that is told orally from generation to generation. Another interesting relief is Kalpataru tree that - in Hindu - the tree is considered tree of life, eternity and environment harmony. In Prambanan, relief of Kalpataru tree is described as flanking a lion. The presence of this tree makes experts consider that Javanese society in the ninth century had wisdom to manage its environment.
Prambanan Temple is located at Prambanan Village about 17 kilometers from the Yogya city center, which is administratively divided into two regions: Sleman Regency of Yogyakarta Province and Klaten Regency of Central Java.

Ijo Temple.
Ijo Temple is a name of a temple complex at Bukit Ijo. The name derived from the location of the temple which people call ‘Gumuk Ijo’ (gumuk = hill). Bukit Ijo is the highest hills at Prambanan sub-district, Sleman Regency, with its highest peak of 410 meters above the sea level. Ijo Temple itself is at 357,402 m – 395, 481 m above the sea level. This is the highest location among other temples in Yogyakarta and build in about 9th century AD.
Ijo complex consists of 17 building structures and are divided into 11 terraces. The first to the eleventh are story terraces streching west to east. The terrace structure is an acculturation of both Hindu and local culture which is depicted in the structure of temple’s megalithic place of service called punden berundak. Of the eleven terraces, the last or the highest terrace is the most sacred area in which there lies the main temple with three perwara (accompanist) temples. The structure of the main temple’s complex and the three perwara temples have been restored.
Located about 28 kilometers eastward of Yogyakarta at Bukit Ijo, Sambirejo Village, Prambanan sub district, Sleman Regency of Yogyakarta Province.

Sambisari Temple.
Sambisari is one of the remaining temples from Javanese Hindu period which is administratively situated in Sleman Regency, the Province of Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY). The Shivaistic temple was built in the 10th century by Syailendra Dynasty and found unintentionally in 1966 by Karyoniangun, a farmer from Sambisari Village, when he was hoeing in his land. Its 6,5 m below earth’s surface position makes Sambisari distinctive compared to other Hindu temples in Java. When visitors look at it from the side, the temple will seem as if sticking out from underground.
Architecture-wise, the temple has distinct characteristics—that are obvious in the sections that constitute its whole structure. The main part of the temple is 7,5 m high and in a square shape of 15,6 x 13,6 m wide. The Yogyakarta Center for Archeology estimates that Sambisari Temple complex is actually wider than that if dug further. However, if another excavation is carried out, it is feared that the temple will be flooded in rainy season because its position is lower than a river on its west. In addition, in the complex there are 3 pervara temples or accompanying temples at the front of the main temple. Each temple is 4,8 m2 wide and 5 m high. While on the outer part of the complex, there is also a 50 m x 48 m wall made of white stones surrounding the temple building.
Sambisari Temple is administratively situated in Sambisari, Purwomartani, Kalasan District, Sleman Regency, the Province of Special Region of Yogyakarta.

Barong Temple.
Barong Temple, a unique temple and its Hindu temples which serve as the place for Shiva (The Destroyer) worshiping, Barong Temple serves a place for worshiping Vishnu and His wife, Dewi Laksmi also known as Dewi Sri (the goddess of agricultural prosperity). Worshiping Vishnu and Dewi Sri.
Barong Temple complex has three terraces. The first terrace is the outmost yard; an empty area considered as a profane, surrounded by stoneline. The second terrace is above the first one arranged of stone piles. There are some octagonal foundation here and they serve as the foundation of the wooden pendopo (large open pavilion-like veranda). The second terrace is considered the semi-profane area. The third terrace, meanwhile, is the sacred area, on which there are two temples: the first one is to worship Vishnu and the second one is to worship Dewi Sri. The third terrace is the highest area, to enter this area visitors must pass strairs and a gate built of andecits from andesite.
Barong Temple is located at Sambirejo Village, Prambanan sub-district, Sleman District, the Province of Special Region of Yogyakarta.

Tara/Kalasan/Kalibening Temple.
Tara Temple or Kalasan or Kalibening is the oldest Buddhism temple in Yogyakarta that was built by Rakai Panangkaran, the king of Syailendra dynasty who also conceptualized the construction of Borobudur Temple. Completed in 778 AD, Tara temple becomes the oldest Buddhism temple in Yogyakarta. This temple that is situated close to Yogya-Solo Street was a present of the marriage of Pancapana of Sanjaya dynasty to Dyah Pramudya Wardhani of Syailendra dynasty. In addition to a marriage present, the temple was also realization of the kings' proposal to build another holy temple for goddess Tara and a monastery for the monks.
This temple also proves that in the past there was an effort to unite people of different religions. The proof is that Panangkaran who was a Hindu built the Tara temple in response to the proposal of Buddhism monks to be presented to Pancapana who is also a Buddhist. This temple is also one of the holy buildings that inspired Atisha, a Buddhist from India who once visited Borobodur and spread Buddhism to Tibet.
Located in about 16 km, on the South side of the main road between Yogyakarta and Solo, at the area of Kalasan Temple, Tirtomartani Village, Kalasan Sub-district, Sleman District, the Province of Special Region of Yogyakarta,

Sari Temple.
This Buddhist temple is located about 600 meters north east of Kalasan temple on the north side of the main road between Yogyakarta and Solo. It is a slender and beautiful temple consisting of two floors. The upper floor was formerly used to keep religious relics. This temple was formerly a Buddhist sanctuary or Vihara where the Buddhist priest used to live, meditate, and teach their followers. The wall of the temple is also protected with Vajralepa.
Sari Temple means a beautiful temple, just like its name, this temple is a gorgeous temple that its shape is slender and beautiful. Its top consists of nine identical stupas in three levels.
Sari Temple is located 150 meters on the north east of Kalasan Temple. It was found in damage and then in 1929, the temple was renovated until 1930. The body of the temple is square shaped on size 17,30 x 10 x 17 meter facing to the east, with stairs as the east entrance. On each side of the temple there is a window, and inside the body, there are three rooms, each connected through a door, indicates that the temple was used as vihara.

Gampingan Temple.
Gampingan Temple is the one of temple that build with beautiful relief, the foot of the temple is decorated with various kinds of animals; one of them is a bird that was believed to be able to bring messages from Nirvana. Not all temples have typical, beautiful relief since generally most temple decorated with statues and general relief as those found in almost all other temples in Indonesia.
The temple was incidentally found by a brick craftsman in Gampingan Village, Piyungan, Bantul in 1995 event its Small and incomplete but the temple still rich in the enchanting relief. The animal relief on this temple looks natural and its quite rare to find such relief; at least, they are only at Prambanan and Mendut temples that have similar relief. All of the reliefs are decorated with ivory plant, namely padmamula (the roots of lotus plant) that is believed to be the source of life.
Gampingan Temple that is predicted to be built between 730 - 850 AC is believed to be the place for adoring Jambhala (god of prosperity, the child of Siva). The idea is based on the finding of Jambhala statue in the digging process. Jambhala is described to have been meditating; sitting crossed-legged while closing the eyes. The body was decorated by iconographical element (asana) in the form of a lotus with 8 pieces of leaves as the symbol of Vishnu mystical weapon (cakra) in the human body.

Banyunibo Temple.
Banyunibo Temple is one of Buddhist temples that is located in the southeast of King Boko's Palace or some 3 kilometers from Prambanan temple to the south. The temple which is estimated to be built in the 9th century during the time of the Ancient Mataram Kingdom. Built for worship Hariti, goddess of fertility in Buddha. The characteristic of the Buddhist temples is seen by the Stupa, and it has six perwara temples or they are also called as the maid temples of which shapes are smaller than the main building shape. Perwara temples which are also shaped stupa has a unique composition of position, because they are only found in south and east of the main temple.
The temple is surrounded by various kinds of ornaments and relieves. This temple consists of one main temple facing west and is surrounded by 6 Perwara temples in form of stupa. In addition to the unique roof, Banyunibo temple has also interesting reliefs telling about people and the life activities around the temple. Above the temple door there is a relief identified as Goddess Hariti, the goddess protecting children. In these reliefs Goddess Hariti is also depicted sitting cross-legged, flanked by two peacocks and surrounded by children. On the south wall of the temple, there is a relief that was identified as god Kuwera, the god of wealth in the Buddhist mythology which is illustrated completely with purses of money.

Kedulan Temple.
Kedulan Temple is located on the northwest side of modern Yogyakarta about 2.5 km to the north of the road that leads to Prambanan village. This Hindu temple was discovered buried beneath deposits of mud that had flowed down the southern slopes of Mount Merapi due to volcanic activity.
The building's superstructure is being reassembled above the depression where the temple's foundation is located. The images of goddesses in bas-relief appear on the outfacing walls of the perimeter that surrounds the central shrine.
On this temple found a Inscription and several archeology estimates that the inscription is relates with Kedulan temple establishment. The sacred building, Tiwaharyyan in inscription that estimates situated around the temple just like the dam that mention in inscription. Until now, there are finding yet about the sign of the ancient dam that it means. Probably, the Dam is establishing on Opak River that has distance ±4 km from the temple location. Another source mentions that the Dam established on the River, which there not anymore, because closes by the lava from explosion of Merapi Mountain a thousand year ago.

Fort Vredeburg.
Vredeburg Fort was once an unpretentious square fort built by Sri Sultan Hamengku Bowono I in 1760 upon the Colonial request, Nicolas Harting. This plain fort has 4 bastions, each corner is named Jayawisesa (northwest corner), Jayapurusa (northeast corner), Jayaprakosaning (southwest corner) and Jayapranit (southeast corner).
In 1867, Yogyakarta earthquake tore down Agung Building, Yogya Monument and Rustenberg Fort. As soon as the disaster over, Rustenberg was reconstructed and renamed Vredeburg Fort which means “Fort of Peace”. The name was chosen as a manifestation of the cease fire between Yogyakarta Sultanate and the Dutch. The name lasts hitherto.
Inside of the fort, there are thousands of dioramas portraying the Indonesian struggle before the independence until the New Order. There are also collections of historical objects, photographs and paintings about the national struggle to set, achieve, defend and fill Indonesian independence. The dioramas and collections of historical objects are equipped with information on the events which occurred at that time.
Located at the heart of Yogyakarta, Vredeburg Fort is very accessible. Just walk southward of Tugu Train Station and Malioboro.

Siung Beach.
It will not be good if a visit in Yogyakarta ends without having some of the beaches on the list. Parangtritis Beach is one of the most popular among tourists. Beside it is easy to reach, the beach is relatively close to Yogyakarta downtown. However, those who have visited the beach must want to seek for other beaches to visit. For them, Gunungkidul beaches are recommended. The regency, which is situated in the karst area in the south part of Yogyakarta, offers coastal beauty that is quite beautiful.
Before famous for being a rock climbing arena, Siung Beach was an abandoned, difficult to reach, and quiet beach. It is no wonder that even now the beach remains unknown for many people. However, since it was opened as a rock climbing arena in 2000, one by one tourist started to visit this place. Inaugurated by Yogyakarta Regional Government in September 2005, Siung Beach started to do some preparations and renovations. Siung Beach then grew more famous after chosen as the venue for Asian Climbing Gathering 2005 which was attended by 250 rock-climbers from 6 countries (Singapore, Germany, France, Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia).
Today, Siung Beach is often crowded by tourists, especially on weekends and holidays. Student Environmentalist Clubs (MAPALA) from numerous universities as well as climbers from Indonesian Rock Climber Forum (FPTI) often hold workshop or training in the area on Saturdays and Mondays.

Parangtritis Beach.
The history of the Parangtritis Beach itself has an interesting history. Once, it was said that a fugitive of Majapahit Empire named Dipokusumo meditated in this area. In his meditation he saw water dropping (in Javanese language called tumaritis) from fissures of rocks (in Javanese language rock is also called parang). Then he named the area Parangtritis which means water dropping from rocks.
Talking about of beach tourism in Yogyakarta, Parangtritis Beach will be the first to pop in our mind. The beach in the southern coastal area of Java Island is indeed popular. Most tourists spend a time at Parangtritis during their visit in Yogyakarta. No wonder that this beach becomes the tourism icon of Special Region of Yogyakarta.
Parangtritis Beach maybe not as beautiful as the other beaches in Bali, Sulawesi, Lombok, etc. But this does not trouble tourists. Every weekend or holiday season, Parangtritis is crowded with visitors.
People believe that Parangtritis Beach belongs to the territory of the Queen of the South Sea or better known as Nyai Roro Kidul. According to the local belief, Nyai Roro Kidul likes green color, thus, it is suggested that tourists who visit Parangtritis avoid wearing green clothes.
Parangtritis Beach is not only a tourism destination but also a place to perform customary rituals. Every Friday and Tuesday Kliwon (the 5th day of the five-day week) there are always fishermen or visitors who throw offerings and flowers of various kinds to the sea. This ritual is often called as Labuhan and people believe that the offerings go to Nyai Roro Kidul. Through this ritual, people wish for safety and blessing from God. The royal family of Yogyakarta Palace also performs this ritual at Parangtritis Beach.

Baron Beach.
Baron Beach is situated in Gunungkidul Regency, precisely in Kemadang Village, Tanjungsari District. Just as the other beaches in the southern coastal edge of Yogyakarta, the waves in Baron are huge at times so tourists should not cross the given safe line and must be careful in the water.
The beach is actually a bay surrounded by two headlands on its right and left. The brown sand spreads along the shore. Upon the shore, there are boats facing the land. The boats just arrive from the sea or are in a rest when it is not the time for fishing. Baron Beach has become a quay for the fishermen. The beach, thus, is also fitted out with a Fish Auction Market (TPI).
The beach looks more beautiful at dusk, when the sky turns yellowish red and the sun sets slowly. It will certainly be a great experience for dusk lovers. For information, the sunset view is better on the east headland. Located about 65 km away south of Yogyakarta or 20 km from Wonosari.

Mount Merapi.
The biggest challenge in this part of Jawa is the heavy climb to the top of Mount Merapi. An adventurous mind, a good condition and good health are important for this tour. The Merapi belongs to the most active volcanoes in the world. It is guarded by six institutes, which warn the population in the area whenever there is need to. An eruption in 1006 partially covered the Borobudur. The eruption in 1930, which killed 1300 people and 2000 lifestock, was the most famous of the 20th century. In May 2006, it was a restless month in Jogjakarta, but in the north, Mount Merapi was on fire. Based on scientist research, in the year of 2009, is 20 years period time of eruption. All eyes watched out to the north.
Mount Merapi isn't an ordinary volcano mountain, but a symbol in Java sacred mystic. It's connected with Mataram Islam in Java. As a part of balancing nature, Merapi Mountain is being in balance for Parangtritis Beach in south Jogjakarta. In the middle of the sacred linear of mountain and sea, there is Kraton Jogjakarta as an axis, and the heart of Javanese.
Being a volcano mountain in thousands year, Merapi Mountain has a beautiful landscapes and nature. It's the best place for trekking in June-August. You may start from Kinahrejo Village, trekking steep path for 8 hours to the top or start from Selo Village for 5 hours. If you lucky, Semeru Mountain which is highest mountain in the Java Island, will be appear on its top. The trekking path dominated with 45 degree path rocks. It's an extra ordinary volcano trekking. In the top, you will see volcano eruption in the closest view ever. It's a beautiful deadly mountain.
There are some routes to get the top of the vulcano. The most heavy starts in Kaliurang; the less heavy in the village of Selo, located on a small mountain range between Merapi and Merbabu. Selo is reachable on a nice curvy road via Muntilan or Boyolali, both provincial towns where you can take a break before you actually venture up the slopes of the always active volcano. Mount Merapi was eruption again on 26 Oktober 2010, and it was killed at least 114 people, including "The Juru Kunci".

Kasongan.
Kasongan is a village which is created for tourism area on ceramic activities. It located in Bantul District, about 20 minutes south Yogyakarta City. A big gate welcomes the visitors into village. Most of Kasongan villagers have choosen his job as craftsmanship, making ceramics and earthenware. Now, Kasongan is the center of ceramics production in Yogyakarta and Central Java. Beside the ceramic there also Art galleries.

Malioboro.
Jalan Malioboro has little similarity with the mystical lane which Hamengku Buwono I had in mind for his royal procession. His 'ritual path' became an overcrowded, densely populated race circuit, and the spiritual symbolics were changed for exhaustion gasses.
The special meaning which the street had ever since the early times, brought successive city councils to the idea to give it a face-lift. Remarkable is the fact that the street is made into a one-way street, just against the way of the original kraton processions, from the north to the south.
Malioboro runs from the first major crossing to the railroad crossing. The main street from Yogya can't handle the daily flood of traffic anymore. Bikes and becak's already have their own lanes, separted by traffic islands, but crossing is a combination of luck, courage and timing.
The street is decorated with many shops which sell all kinds of goods: shirts and cloths, electronics, antiques and much more. The wide pavements are taken by local sellers which offer a big variety of goods. Many shops and some stalls have fixed prices, but here too, the law of the jungle, neotiating until the end.
Around nine o'clock in the evening the shops are closed and the street sellers will also shut down their businesses. The stalls are closed, and more food stalls open around that time. Fried chicken, pigeon and rice are common food in the area, they are prepared in ramshackle food stalls, but taste very good actually. During eating many people sitting "lesehan" relaxed on the ground.

Kotagede.
Kotagede is the capital of ancient Islamic Mataram kingdom. The tomb of Mataram Kingdom's first king, Panembahan Senopati, is also located in this place. Before independence, Kotagede was the central economic district of Yogyakarta, as it held the largest marketplace and was home to many wealthy batik merchants. Although some ancient buildings have been modernized or replaced with newer buildings, Kotagede remains a prime example of ancient In mid-twentieth century, Kota Gede became synonymous with silverworks and silver handycrafts, since the area has become the home of silversmith in Yogyakarta. At the time of Indonesian independence in the 1940s, and after considerable promotion and publicity to the silverworks within this locality, Kota Gede gain popularity as the center of Javanese silver handycraft. In Kotagede also place of The Graveyard of Mataram kings.

Beringharjo Traditional Market.
Visiting Beringharjo Market at Malioboro is an awesome experience. As the biggest traditional market, Beringharjo grew alongside the history of the City of Culture, Yogyakarta. The market is a concrete building and the oldest market with historical and philosophical values which cannot be separated from Yogyakarta Palace. Looking at its history, Beringharjo Market has gone through three phases, the kingdom, the colonization and the independence era. Thus, Beringharjo Market is always memorized for its value of collective memory in the heart of Yogyakarta people.
The establishment of this market is a part of the city planning design of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Sultanate which is usually called Catur Tunggal which covers four aspects namely the palace as the administrative center, the palace yard as the public space, the mosque as the prayer house and the market as the center of economic transaction. In term of setting, Beringharjo Market is located outside of Yogyakarta Palace (njobo keraton), at the north of the North Yard.

Garebeg Keraton Yogyakarta.
Garebeg Keraton Yogyakarta is a traditional ceremony performed as a manifestation of Sultan’s duty to spread and protect Islam. The ceremony, better known as Grebeg, was initiated by Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono I (1755 – 1792).
The name Garebeg itself is derived from the process of miyos, the moment when the Sultan and the rest of the royal family come out of the palace (keraton) to bestow the gunungan (a heap of various food served in cone shape) to the people. The sound of the royal family’s steps is likened to the sound of a strong wind garebeg… garebeg… garebeg…
Garebeg is held three times a year on Islamic holidays. There are three kinds of Garebeg, namely Syawal, Garebeg Maulud, and Garebeg Besar. Garebeg Syawal is performed as a form of Keraton’s gratitude to God after finishing the month of fasting and also to welcome the month of Syawal (Islamic Calendar). Garebeg Maulud is perfomed as a celebration and commemoration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad SAW while Garebeg Besar is to celebrate Eid-Adha which takes place in the month of Dzulhijjah (Islamic Calendar) which in Javanese calendar is known as Bulan Besar (the Big Month).
The entire ceremony is held in three different places, yet near to each other. The ceremony begins in the Pagelaran Hall of Keraton Yogyakarta, than moves to Alun-alun Utara and ends in the complex of Masjid Gedhe Kauman. All of the places lie in Yogyakarta downtown, the Province of Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

Ramayana Ballet.
The Sendratari Ramayana, also known as Ramayana Ballet, is an art exhibition that combines drama and dance to perform Ramayana story. Ramayana story is a legend beautifully carved on the wall of Siwa Temple, one of the temples in Prambanan complex. If you walk around the temple in a pradaksina (clockwise) direction, you will see the plot of Ramayana story on the reliefs. The story of Ramayana played in the performance is based on the sculpture on the wall of Siwa Temple. The ballet stages an episode of Rama’s life in his endeavor to free Shinta who is kidnapped by Rahwana, the king of Alengka. The long and thrilling plot is divided into four lakon or chapters, including the kidnap of Shinta, Anoman’s mission to Alengka, the death of Kumbakarna and Rahwana, and the reunion of Rama and Shinta.
The whole story is wrapped in such a series of dance movements and steps performed by hundreds of gorgeous dancers to the accompaniment of gamelan (Javanese traditional music). There is no dialog spoken by the dancers on stage, only sinden’s (female Javanese singer) voice telling the general plot in Javanese language through songs. There are Indonesian and English narrations available for people who do not speak Javanese.
Ramayana Ballet is performed at Prambanan Temple complex, during May-October, the exhibition will be on Ramayana Outdoor Stage. While in November-April, it will be on Trimurti Indoor Stage due to raining season. Sendratari Ramayana show is often held at Purawisata Yogyakarta that is situated in Jalan Brigjen Katamso, on the west side of Kraton Yogyakarta.