Yogyakarta with a population of around 500,000 is home to many places of interest and has a thriving tourist industry due to its strong cultural background. Getting there is easy with the Adisucipto International Airport operating hourly flights to Jakarta and direct connections are also made with Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Once there getting around to see the attractions is easy too with regular bus services around the island or travelling by taxi is inexpensive as the city is fairly small.
Maps can be found at the information desk of Yogyakarta hotels or from the tourism authority itself which is by the Hotel Mutiara. Trishaws offer a simpler and slower pace to see the sights but visitors should be prepared to haggle extensively on price. Similarly the horse carts, called dokar or andong, are a more traditional means of transport and are predominantly found outside the main places of interest. Below is a run down of the hotspots to take in on a visit to the island.
Tugu Jogja
Tugu monument is a distinct landmark, built in the middle of a crossroads and it's nearly 300 years old. Originally standing at a height of 25m the tower had a sphere at the top to signify unity and togetherness but in 1867 the structure was toppled from the effects of a large earthquake. The Dutch made renovations in 1889 but the monument now reaches only 15m and has a conical spire.
Loji
Following the colonisation of Indonesia by the Dutch the buildings that were made during this time can still be seen in the city and represent some impressive architecture along with an account of Yogyakarta's history. The term loji was given by the locals because the buildings were so big and contained a large yard. The oldest of these is the Vredeburg Fortress built between 1776 and 1778 and made to act as a control point for the kingdom. The fortress is open to the public and another one to view is the Loji Kebon also called the Great Building which is easily found from Vredeburg.
Kebon was primarily built as a residence and has seen many dignitaries in attendance including Japanese officials when it was a colony of Japan. Today the building is still used for officials and in the yard a collection of statues from all over Yogyakarta can be seen which were rounded up by the Dutch officers.
Kotagede
Java was once ruled by the Islamic Mataram Kingdom and Kotagede is a reminder of this era with a tomb of the kingdom's first king here and a graveyard to the forefathers. The graveyard is closely guarded by servants dressed in Javanese uniforms throughout the day and night and the entrance to the area is a masterpiece in Hindu architecture. The portal has ornate carvings and four portals have to be passed before entering the final graveyard. To be allowed to enter visitors have to dress in traditional outfits such is the importance of the resting place and these can be rented but no photography or filming is permitted once inside.
Kotagede used to be Yogyakarta's economic district with the area's biggest market and a market still remains there now. The silver handicrafts are particularly special and there are many other types of locally made goods on offer. Walking to see the mosque is another must, as it's the island's oldest and nearby are also many examples of traditional Javanese houses. Rounding off the visit people can check out the royal palace and the fort ruins to learn more about the region's history. Making your way through the ancient capital visitors are able to relate to how the city would have once looked with many examples from the prosperous kingdom.
Lek Boonlert is an editor and content reviewer at DirectRooms and is responsible for all Yogyakarta Hotels content.
No comments:
Post a Comment