Yogyakarta

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Yogyakarta — despite the official spelling, the name is usually pronounced and not uncommonly written Jogjakarta or just Jogja (JOGH-jah) — is a major tourist destination in Indonesia. It is the capital city of the province of Yogyakarta Special Region which is located in the southern part of the Central Java province, Indonesia.

yogyakarta Travel Guide : 1 Understand 2 Get in 2.1 By plane 2.2 By bus 2.3 By train 3 Get around 3.1 By taxi 3.2 By horse cart 3.3 By trishaw 4 See 5 Do 6 Buy 7 Eat 7.1 Local delicacies 7.2 Budget 7.3 Mid-range 7.4 Splurge 8 Drink 8.1 Clubs 8.2 Lounges 9 Sleep 9.1 Budget 9.2 Mid-range 9.3 Splurge 10 Contact 10.1 International dialing 10.2 Mobile Phones 10.3 Internet 11 Get out 11.1 North 11.2 East 11.3 South 12 External links

Understand

One of Indonesia's two autonomous regions (the other being Aceh), the Yogyakarta Special Region (Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta) owes its special status to the sultanate of Hamengkubuwono, which has ruled the area since 1749 and steered the state through difficult times of occupation and revolution. When the central government tried to weaken the sultan's power by calling a direct election for the state leader, present sultan Hamengkubuwono X was chosen by an overwhelming majority.

Today's Yogyakarta is a bustling town of some 500,000 and the most popular tourist destination on Java, largely thanks to its proximity to the temples of Borobudur and Prambanan. The town is a center of art and education, offers some good shopping and has a wide range of tourist facilities.

Get in

By plane

Yogyakarta's Adisucipto International Airport (JOG), 8 km east of town, is a small but busy domestic hub presently (2005) undergoing renovation and expansion. There are near-hourly connections on Garuda to Jakarta (50 minutes) and Denpasar, while other domestic airlines service major cities in Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sulawesi. The "international" part of the name comes from Garuda's thrice-weekly direct services to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and Singapore.

There is a tourist information desk, ATM and taxi stand in the arrivals hall. A metered taxi to the city or direct to Prambanan costs about Rp 20,000. A departure tax of Rp 25,000 is charged for domestic flights.

By bus

The main bus station is Giwangan, 4 km to the southeast of the center. There are regular services throughout the island, including Jakarta (9 hours) and Bandung (6 hours).

By train

Trains to Jakarta take between 8 to 12 hours from Tugu Station depending on whether you take the express train or not. The economy and business class is known more for its thieves than its comforts. The executive class is slightly more expensive, but is more comfortable and safer.

Get around

By taxi

Jogja's taxis are now all metered. Flagfall is Rp 5000 and most trips around the center of town should not cost more than Rp 10,000.

By horse cart

Traditional horse-pulled carts, known as andong, wait for tourists outside hotspots like the train station, the Kraton and Mal Malioboro. Haggle furiously.

By trishaw

Traditional three-wheeled dan pedal-powered cart, known as becak, which can be found in most part of Yogyakarta. Haggle furiously.

See

• Kraton 1 (http://kraton.yogya.indo.net.id/). Yogyakarta's top attraction is the Sultan's sprawling palace to the south of the city. This calm yet elegant Javanese heritage consists of two separate entrances: the Main Court (Pagilaran & Siti Hinggil), and the Residence. The Main Court showcases the grandeur of Sultan's monarchy, while the Residence is more homey while still exhibiting the royal family's luxurious lifestyle. Open 9 AM to 3 PM daily except Friday.

• Taman Sari. Also known by the Dutch name waterkasteel (Water Castle), this is a partly ruined complex built as a pleasure garden by the first Sultan in 1765. One of the bathing pools was dedicated to the sultan's harem, and he had a tower overlooking the area so he could take his pick. Open 9 AM to 3 PM daily.

• Museum Kereta, Sultan's Carriage Museum. This museum houses sultan's horse-drawn carriages, including two beautiful carriages imported from Netherland.

• Benteng Vredeburg, a Dutch fort located in front of Gedung Agung (President's Palace). A great example of the Dutch colonial architecture. Few warfare items is still preserved, including a twin cannons.

• Tugu, a well known landmark located in the center of downtown Yogyakarta. Actually, there is an imaginary line formed by the Parangtrtis beach, Sultan Palace, Tugu Monument and to the mount Merapi.

• Kotagede. The capital of ancient Islamic Mataram kingdom. During the pre-independence time, Kotagede was the central economic district of Yogyakarta, as it holds the largest marketplace and home to many wealthy batik merchants. Head to this place to see many heritage buildings. Although some ancient building has been replaced with newer building and modernized, Kotagede is a prime example of ancient Javanese architecture and city structure. Be sure to check local silver handicrafts.

Do

Performances of wayang kulit, the Javanese shadow play, are performed nightly at venues around town. Ask at tour agencies or the tourist office.

Buy

• Malioboro. A well-known shopping promenade, popular among Indonesian as well as international tourists. Spans from the Tugu Station to the Sultan's ground, Malioboro is 2 kilometers in length and home to hundreds of street-stalls which offers numerous Javanese handicrafts.

• Malioboro Mall, Jalan Malioboro. Yogyakarta's premier shopping mall for shopping in hassle-free, air-con comfort. Features a large Matahari department store, a Hero supermarket (B1F), a Periplus book store with a good English selection (B1F), and all the usual suspects of Western and Indonesian fast food (McD's, Pizza Hut, KFC, EsTeler 77, etc). Home to the one and only Dagadu outlet which offers funny and Jogja-themed t-shirts and souvenirs.

• Galleria Mall, Jalan Sudirman. Exclusive mall anchored by Matahari department store. Be sure to check out the food court at the basement called Kafe deGale, which is popular among the youths. Features many interesting restaurant including KFC, McD Express, Thai Express, Bakso Gress (Chinese meatballs served with noodles), Mie Nusantara, Bee's (Japanese Bento), Es Teler 77, Cheers Cup (assortments of fresh drinks). An exclusive Billayard area is located in the third floor.

• Plaza Ambarrukmo, Jalan Solo (Opening March 2006). Located next to the historical Ambarrukmo Hotel, the huge 5 floor shopping complex will feature a Carrefour Hypermarket, Centro Department Store, Gramedia Bookstore, Timezone, 21 Cineplex, Starbucks, Bread Talk, etc.

• Saphir Square, Jalan Solo. A large trade center located next to the Saphir Hotel.

• Saptohoedojo Art Gallery, Jl. Solo Km 9 (500m from airport), 2 (http://www.saptohoedojo.com). This fascinatingly weird sprawling complex houses an utterly eclectic collection of Indonesian art, ranging from abstract modern paintings and batik shirts through gamelan instruments and stuffed tigers to Papuan tribal totems complete with the skulls of vanquished enemies. Everything is for sale and previous customers, pictures of whom are proudly pasted on the walls, include Pope John Paul II and the Dalai Lama. While the adjoining restaurant looks quite attractive, the food served is rather disappointing.

Eat

Local delicacies

The following dishes are should be on every traveller's agenda:

• Gudeg, a curry of jackfruit, chicken and egg served with rice, and is the most famous local dish. Goopy slop in various shades of brown, the stuff does not look particularly appetizing, but it can be tasty if done right. There many gudeg restaurants, but the most popular are: Gudeg Wijilan, Gudeg Juminten, Gudeg Bu Tjitro, Gudeg Tugu, Gudeg Bu Amat.

• Ayam Goreng Mbok Berek (Mbok Berek's Fried Chicken). Fried free range chicken with mild garlic and coriander flavor served with crunchy crackers.

• Nasi Langgi (Langgi Rice). Warm rice served with various side dishes. Can be found in small stall in Gandekan street.

• Kipo, bite size snacks made of green colored tapioca dough filled with sweetened grated coconut. Can be found in Kotagede.

• Jadah Tempe, sandwich of rice cake and sweet bencake. Can be found in Kaliurang.

Budget

Yogyakarta is heaven for inexpensive food, and some tasty and filling dishes can be as low as 25 cents (US). However, since there are hundreds, if not thousands hawker stalls offering inxpensive food, some of them are not delicious. For a start, head to well known food stalls such as:

• Angkringan Tugu, hawker stall located close to the Tugu Station serving small rice packs (known as sego kucing) and various other foods. The most popular beverages is Kopi Joss, Javanese expresso dipped with burning coal. Very inexpensive.

• Spesial Sambal. A local chain for those who like spicy, hot food. Their speciality, as the name suggests, is their various kind of sambal (sambal is a kind of hot relish).

• Waroeng Steak. A local restaurant chain. Their speciality, is batter-fried beefsteak served with thick gravy.

• Gudeg Tugu, Jl Diponegoro, close to Kranggan marketplace. Popular Gudeg stall.

• Mie Goreng Kadin. Javanese style soft-fried noodles. Try the popular Bajigur drink. Local street performers often performs in the area.

Mid-range

• Seafood Bu Tutik, Monumen Jogja Kembali, Northern Ring Road. Offers varius kind of seafood dishes.

• Dixie, Jl. Gejayan 40b Selatan Selokan Mataram, Phone: +62 274 560745. Offers varius kind western and asian dishes served with distinct modern-asian style. Nice modern-ethnical interior.

• Ayam Goreng Suharti, Jl Adisucipto. The most popular Ayam Goreng Mbok Berek restaurant.

Splurge

Yogya is filled with many 'high-end' restaurants serving many kind of dishes, from western to asian cuisines.

• Gabah Resto, Jl. Dewi Sartika 11A Sagan. Western dishes. Modern classy decoration.

• Gajah Wong, Jalan Gejayan, Phone +62 274 588294, 3 (http://www.gadjahwong.com/). Serves many kind of dishes including French, Italian, Indian, Chinese as well as Indonesian. Divided into 3 zones: Country, Javanese and Colonial, each is lavishly decorated. Live music is performed on certain times in each zones.

• Omah Dhuwur, Kotagede. Western dishes.

• Sobo Pakulaman, Jl. Sultan Agung 46, Yogyakarta 55111, Phone: +62 274 388855.

• Rempah, Jl. Palagan Tentara Pelajar km 8, Yogyakarta (300m north of Hyatt Regency Hotel), Phone/Fax: +62 274 884777

Drink

Clubs

• Hugo's, located in Sheraton Mustika Resort and Spa complex. Classy yet funky. Funky and friendly servers. Popular among the youths and expatriates. Be sure to watch the 12 AM ritual performed by the bartenders and servers. Offers live music and DJ's.

• The Jetset's (TJ's), Graha Royal, Jalan Solo. Funky and popular among the youths. Offers DJ's and live Music.

Lounges

• Blatz, Jalan Kaliurang. Equipped with free internet via WiFi.

• Insomnia Lounge Bar, located in Sheraton Mustika Resort and Spa complex. Just behind Hugo's.

• Soda Lounge, Jalan Solo. Often hosts talkshows and book discussions.

Sleep

Budget

There are hundreds of budget hotels in Yogyakarta. Most of them can be found in Sosrowijayan street (which is adjecent to Malioboro) and Prawirotaman.

Mid-range

• Ministry of Coffee, Jalan Prawirotaman. A modern, pleasant place, particularly for the price (about $20/night, comparable to other A/C locations). Each room has a unique decor and color scheme. The Ministry also has a coffeehouse, a library, and restaurant.

• Santika, Jl Sudirman.

• Novotel, Jl Sudirman.

• Ibis Malioboro, Jl Malioboro.

• Inna Garuda Hotel, Jl Malioboro.

Splurge

• Hyatt Regency, Jl Monumen Jogja Kembali.

• Sheraton Mustika Hotel, Jl Laksda Adisucipto.

• Melia Purosani, Malioboro.

• Mercure, Jl Sudirman.

Contact

The international country code for Indoneisa is 62. The local area code for Yogyakarta is 274. There are three main telecommunication providers in Indonesia - Telkom Indonesia, Indosat and Excelcomindo.

Coin operated public phones are limited in Yogyakarta. However there as many official telephone kiosks called Wartel.

International dialing

To make an IDD call from Indonesia, dial the access code 001 (for Indosat) and 007 (for Telkom), followed by the country code, area code and party's number.

Mobile Phones

Mobile phones are carried by almost everyone in Indonesia (including some young children!). Prepaid SIM cards are available from the three main telecommunication providers, just bring your own GSM 900 or GSM 1800 phone. The pre-paid SIM card costs around US$ 3-10. A local phone call costs between 5-25 cents per minute, while each local text message (SMS) costs about 5 cents (international SMS cost about 15-25cents).

Internet

There are many Internet Cafe in Yogyakarta which offers speedy access to the Internet.

• Gama Student Internet Center, Jl Kaliurang.
• Ibis, Ibis Maliboro Hotel lobby, close to the link cafe at Malioboro Mall.
• idku, Jl Solo.

There is a helpful tourist information office just south of Mal Malioboro on Jalan Malioboro.

Get out

North

• The massive Buddhist temple of Borobudur, the largest Buddhist monument in the world, is 40 minutes away by car and one of the main drawcards for visitors to Yogyakarta.

• Kaliurang is a small town on the southern slope of Mount Merapi.

East

• The Hindu temples of Prambanan, just 20 minutes away, are a close second. The smaller temples of Kalasan and others are on the way to Prambanan.

South

• Imogiri Royal Graveyard of the Yogyakarta and Surakarta palaces.

• Parangtritis on the south coast is one of the better known beaches. Do not wear green when you go there!

External links

• Tourism Catalog of Yogyakarta / Jogja (http://www.yogyes.com)

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• Photographe aix en provence Daniel Weiss
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