Showing posts with label Yogyakarta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yogyakarta. Show all posts

Monday 2 April 2018

Yogyakarta

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Often recognized as the center of intellectuals and historical places, Yogyakarta has its own charms that attract local and foreign travelers alike. Here are the things that you should not miss in the city:

Best times to visit

The right time to visit Yogyakarta actually depends on your travel itinerary. If your vacation is mostly spent outdoors, it is better to travel during the dry season from May to October. This also applies for those who seek the sunrise and sunset in some tourist destinations in Yogyakarta, such as Punthuk Setumbu, Plaosan Temple and Ratu Boko Temple.

However, if the city’s cultural scene is what you're aiming for, you may want to mark your calendar — Ramayana Ballet Prambanan show in an open theater runs from May to October and the annual Grebeg Syawal ritual is held in conjunction with Idul Fitri celebrations, estimated to be celebrated from June 14 to 16.

Climate

Just like other provinces in Indonesia, Yogyakarta has two seasons — wet and dry.
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 Popular areas - Malioboro
 
Known as the busiest shopping street in Yogyakarta, Maliboro is the right place to taste traditional dishes and shop for batik and other souvenirs. The one-way street is alive 24 hours a day, extending for about 2 kilometers from north to south.

For those who are not too keen on exploring Malioboro by foot, becak (pedicabs) and bentor (a portmanteau of becak and motorcycle) are available throughout the street to take you around the area. Many of the drivers also can be your guide about tourist destinations in Yogyakarta, especially to find bakpia (full moon-shaped pastry) establishments. Sometimes they can even take you farther to Yogyakarta Palace. The tariff for becak starts from Rp 25,000 (US$2) to Rp 30,000.

Visit this place on weekdays as Malioboro is known to be crowded on weekends.
Located near Malioboro, there is also Pasar Beringharjo (Beringharjo Market) for people looking for all types of batik. 
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 Kraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat is the palace of the sultan of Yogyakarta. Visitors have to explore the area by foot and guides are available inside the palace.

The palace has two alun-alun (town square) — south and north. Alun-alun Kidul (south town square), is like a magnet for people, especially in the evening, because it is where street food vendors flock to and entertainment events are held. It also has two giant beringin (banyan) trees and, according to legend, your wish will be granted if you can pass through the space between both trees with your eyes closed.

Many of the cultural events in Yogyakarta are held at the palace, including Grebeg Syawal and Sekaten. Those who visit the palace can enjoy dances and music performances daily at Bangsal Sri Manganti. On Mondays and Tuesdays visitors can enjoy gamelan performance, while on Wednesdays there is a Javanese golek (traditional puppet) dance performance. Moreover, Thursdays and Sundays are for dance performances, while Fridays are for mocopatan (Javanese verse accompanied by traditional music) performed by abdi dalem (royal servants). On Saturdays, a wayang kulit (shadow puppet) performance is usually held.

The performances usually start at 9:30 a.m., but it is better to come early to get a seat.
The entrance fee for foreign tourists starts from Rp 15,000 with an additional Rp 1,000 fee for cameras.
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Ratu Boko Palace as seen from above

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https://12go.asia/?z=581915
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Monday 26 June 2017

Indonesia - 10 beaches to visit in #Yogyakarta

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Many of us identify Yogyakarta with Malioboro and Prambanan temple. While the two places are certainly a must-visit, if you still have a few more days to explore the city this holiday season, Tourism Minister Arief Yahya encourages you to visit Yogyakarta's beaches. 

"Take a lot of pictures, upload them to your social media channels and use the hashtags #MudikPenuhPesona, #WisataJalurMudik and #PesonaCeritaMudik," he said. 


 Here are 10 must-visit beaches around Yogyakarta.

Siung Beach
Located around 70 kilometers and about two-hour drive from the center of Yogyakarta, Siung Beach is mostly known for its huge corals and cliffs. The cliffs, especially, are haven for rock-climbing enthusiasts. There are more than 250 rock-climbing routes available at this beach. And for those who are keen to spending a night under the stars, there’s also a campsite available.

Pok Tunggal Beach
This white sand beach is one the most beautiful beaches in Yogyakarta. The beach itself is relatively new to the public, as it first gained recognition back in 2012. What’s unique about this beach is that there’s actually freshwater springs that comes from the river flow running beneath the soil.

Indrayanti Beach
The real name of this beach is actually Sawal Pulang or Pulsa Beach, the name Indrayanti is actually the name of a cafĂ©’s owner whose business is located at the beach. Along the way, people began to associate the beach with Indrayanti and the name sticks until today.
This white sand beach is pretty well-known among tourists as lodgings, cafes and restaurants are already available in the area. The distance between Yogyakarta and Indrayanti beach is around 65.8 kilometers, or around two-hour drive from the city.

Sundak Beach
The story behind the name of Sundak Beach is actually pretty interesting, legend has it that in 1976 there was a pet dog who was playing there and it somehow got lost into a cave. Inside the cave, the dog saw a porcupine and wanted to eat it. This led into a fight between the two animals. 
In the end, the dog won the fight and the name Sundak was born; an acronym of asu (dog) and landak (porcupine). Before the name Sundak was coined, the beach was called Wedibelah.

Krakal Beach
Located in Tanjungsari district, Krakal Beach offers a view of white sandy beach and coral reefs found at the shore. The waves at this place are friendly enough for surfers and there are numerous hotels and restaurants there to welcome visitors.

Goa Cemara Beach
The beach is called Goa Cemara due to the fact that you will encounter rows of pine trees that create an illusion of entering a cave made of pine trees on your way to the beach. Those who are looking to enjoy the beach from a different angle may want to go to the lighthouse to see it from above. 

Baru Bantul Beach
Baru Bantul Beach is still in the same lane with Goa Cemara, Kuwaru, Pandan Sari and Pandan Simo beaches. Bantul Baru Beach is known for its seafood eateries. 

Depok Beach
Depok Beach is mostly known as the place for fish auctions (TPI) that sells many varieties of fish and other sea creatures.

Samas Beach
Just like in Goa Cemara Beach, Samas Beach also has a lighthouse that visitors can go. Since the shoreline of this beach is steep, it’s not advisable to swim your way too far beyond the shoreline. On the east side of Samas Side, there’s a new attraction called Pesona Pengklik (The Wonder of Pengklik) lagoon, which is currently being developed.

Parangtritis Beach
Probably the most famous beach in Yogyakarta, Parangtritis Beach is located close to other beaches such as Parangkusumo Beach, Parangendog Beach and Depok Beach. Apart from playing in the water, visitors can also tour around the beach using a bendi (horse-drawn carriage) or ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle). 
 
Source - TheJakartaPost