Yogyakarta or jogja, is the spiritual and cultural centre of Java.
It is a city of wide streets, clogged with rickshaws [becaks]. Malioboro Street is the main artery with shopping, hotels and restaurants competing for your attention. The city touts will be frustrating at times. Many travelers prefer the slightly quieter Prawirotaman Area, which is a short becak ride away.
The city itself offers only a clutch of small museums and the Sultan’s Kraton complex. Its real treasures lie in Borobodur and the Prambanan Temple Complex. Both Temples are easily visited from Jogja.
The Kraton Jogja remains the home and seat of Hamengkubuwono X. The palace sits on prime real estate. The Sultan is clearly loved by the residents in the city who overwhelmingly voted him their Governor in democratic elections a few years ago. Only the front portion of the Kraton is open to the public with his private quarters sealed off from prying eyes. The Kraton also contains a few exhibits of Palace traditional wear. More interesting is the exhibit of elaborate royal carriages and the water palace that has been beautifully restored by UNESCO and is now a World Heritage Site. The Kraton Jogja is home to about 800 000 people who receive a yearly stipend of USD 2 each. These abdi dalem [ inside servants] live rent free in the Kraton and pay no taxes. In return, they maintain the traditions, customs and art of the Kraton. A walk through the Kraton is like walking through an art community with batik and painting shops in every house and hovel.
Jalan Malioboro stretches from the front of the Kraton to the Railway tracks in the North. It is best enjoyed in the evenings. Leather, batik, curios, are found in both shops as well as hundreds of street vendors. Bargain hard. If you rather see a price tag, then head for Mirota Batik opposite the Beringharjo Market. Nasi Gudeg [ a jackfruit curry] and fried chicken make the quintessential Jogja meal at the Lesehans outside the Inna Garuda Hotel. USD 2 buys you rice, gudeg, egg, salad and grilled chicken. Meanwhile you will be serenaded by street musicians, artists wanting to paint your portraiture and knick-knack vendors. Depending on your mood or attitude, they either spoil your meal or add to your Jogja experience.
Imogiri is the tomb of the ancient kings but is reached by climbing 364 steps to its perch. The fun part is having to wear traditional costumes before entering the tomb complex. A great photo op.
Kota Gede rivals Celuk , Bali in variety , quality and price for its silverware. Exquisite fine filigree costing hundreds, sit alongside simple rings and chains that can be had for USD 5. HS Jewellery appears more up market with some exquisite designs. Most silverware stores will provide a tour of its workshop before being led into the showroom. Ask for a 20 percent discount before buying. Kota Gede also has the wonderful Omar Duwur and Sekar Kedaton Restaurants. Kota Gede is 10 mins from Malioboro by taxi.
Prambanan and Borobudur are what all travelers come to see though.
There is a lot more to Jogjakarta than just Borobodur and Prambanan. Here is a short list of cultural performances in Jogjakarta.
RAMAYANA BALLET PERFORMANCE AT PURAWISATA
Time : Nightly, 20.00 - 21.30
Venue : Purawisata Jl. Brigjen Katamso
Phone: +62 274 375705
Description: Ramayana Ballet is a beautiful, enchanting and unrivalled performance that could combine the diversity of Javanese arts in forms of dance, drama and music in one stage that at the same time could deliver Ramayana story in four stages: Sinta's abduction, Anoman's mission to Alengka, Kumbarkana's death and the happy ending when Rama meets Sinta again.
Ticketiing: IDR 140,000 (per show)
IDR 250,000 (show + dinner) .
WAYANG KULIT (LEATHER PUPPET) SHOW
Time : Nightly, 20.00 - 22.00
Venue : Museum Sonobudoyo Jl. Trikora No. 6 Yogyakarta
Phone: +62 274 418330
Description: Wayang kulit (leather puppet) is a magnificent artwork of Javanese art performance that has received acknowledgment from UNESCO. A dalang (wayang player) plays puppet made from buffalo's leather behind a white screen. Hence, the audience can only see the shadow. "wayang" meaning shadow in English. The skill of the dalang is obvious as you watch the dalang playing different roles, voices and singing.
Ticketiing: IDR 20,000
WAYANG ORANG SHOW
Time : Every Sunday, 11.00 - 12.00
Venue : Keraton Yogyakarta Jl. Rotowijayan No. 1
Phone: +62 274 373721
Description: "Wayang Orang" is Javanese traditional theater combining music, drama and dance.. The stories are from the Mahabarta or Ramayana. Ticketing; the performances are part of the entry fee of Rp 12500 to the kraton.
KARAWITAN SHOW
Time : Every Monday and Tuesday, 10.00 - 12.00
Venue : Keraton Yogyakarta Jl. Rotowijayan No. 1
Phone: +62 274 373721
Description: A show combining gamelan music and singing. Karawitan is derived from the Sanskrit word "rawit" meaning soft. This performance is considered the height of Javanese court style. It is delicate and refined.
Ticketiing: performances are part of the entry fee of IDR 12500 to the kraton.
WAYANG GOLEK SHOW
Time : Every Wednesday, 10.00 - 12.00
Venue : Keraton Yogyakarta Jl. Rotowijayan No. 1
Phone: +62 274 373721
Description: Wayang Golek is a wooden puppet art show which is popular in West Java.
Ticketiing: Part of your admission into Keraton (IDR 12,500)
GAMELAN MUSIC AND CLASSICAL JAVANESE DANCE PERFORMANCE
Time : Every Thursday, 10.00 - 12.00
Venue : Keraton Yogyakarta Jl. Rotowijayan No. 1
Phone: +62 274 373721
Description: Arguably the best gamelan troupe in Java.
Ticketiing: Part of your admission into Keraton (IDR 12,500).
MACAPAT SONG PERFORMANCE
Time : Every Friday, 10.00 - 11.30
Venue : Keraton Yogyakarta Jl. Rotowijayan No. 1
Phone: +62 274 373721
Description: This is a poetry recital accompanied by gamelan music. The poetry is presented as if it's a song that has a specific pattern and composition. There are seven songs in Macapat: Dhandang Gula, Sinom, Asmarandana and Kinanthi. Each song has its own lyrical style and sound called guru.
Ticketiing: Part of your admission into Keraton (IDR 12,500)
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
