SHOPPING in YOGYAKARTA
The main commercial area of Jogja extends from the entrance to the Sultan’s Palace (Kraton), past the Taman Sari Water Castle, left at the G.P.O., past Beringharjo Central Market, up Jalan Malioboro (against the one-way), across the railway line opposite the Garuda Hotel, does a right turn at the Tugu monument into Jalan Solo, here known as Jalan Sudirman/Jalan Urip Sumoharjo/Jalan Adisucipto as far as the Ambarrukmo Hotel at Km 6.
The shops and stalls along Jalan Malioboro sell clothing, handicrafts and souvenirs, imported goods and daily necessities. Just to be confusing, the road known as Jalan Malioboro actually has three names. It is Jalan Malioboro at the northern retail end starting from the railway line and the Garuda Hotel. Then it changes name to Jalan Margo Mulyo in the area near the Beringharjo Market, and then Jalan Ahmed Yani at the southern end near the government offices and Dutch colonial buildings.
Pasar Legi, Kota Gede
Pasar Legi is said to be the oldest traditional market still operating. There are many silver handicraft and jewelry workshops in the surrounding streets. It is on the eastern side of town.
Batik Cloth
There are many shops selling batik clothing and cloth on Jalan Malioboro / Jalan Ahmed Yani as far as the Beringharjo Market. For traditional batik cloth try the market itself or the stalls outside the entrance to the Sultan’s Palace on Jalan Polowijayan.
Shopping for Batik near Jalan Prawirotaman:
Batik Raradjonggrang – Jln Tirtodipuran 18
Batik Plentung – Jln Tirtodipuran 48
Batik Winotosastro – Jln Tirtodipuran 54 (batik tulis)
Other high quality batik brands include Batik Semar, Batik Keris, Batik Danar Hadi, Batik Iwan Tirta and Batik Parang Kencana. These brands usually have their own fixed-price retail stores.
Batik Designs
Particular designs have traditionally been associated with local festivals and specific religious ceremonies.
Certain areas are known for a predominance of certain designs. Central Javanese designs are influenced by traditional patterns and colors. Batik from the north coast of Java, near Pekalongan and Cirebon, have been greatly influenced by Chinese culture and effect brighter colors and more intricate flower and cloud designs.
Batik Factory Tours
If you are interested in finding out how batik is made, join a Batik Factory Tour. Factories in the city are Batik Plentong at Jalan Tirtodipuran No.48, and Batik Winotosastro at Jalan Tirtodipuran No. 54.
Also on Jalan Tirtodipuran is Batik Roro Djonggrang at No. 18.
Jalan Tirtodipuran is close by Jalan Prawirotaman.
Batik Painting
The Water Castle/Taman Sari and the roads surrounding it have many shops selling batik paintings. There are studios down most lanes that lead off Jalan Ngasem and Jalan Ngosari.
Leather Goods
Jalan Pasar Kembang and Jalan S. Parman near the Railway Station have many leather shops.
Jogjatronik Mall
For everything electrical, digital, cameras, computers or phones visit the Jogjatronik Mall at Jalan Brigjen Katamso No. 75-77, Prawirodirijan.
The mall opens from 10am to 9pm daily.
The mall is on the southern side of Jogja, between Jalan Malioboro and Jalan Prawirotaman
Shopping Malls
Ambarrukmo Mall Jln Solo, Km. 6
Jogja City Mall Jln Magelang No. 16, Km 6
Malioboro Mall Jln Malioboro 60
Supermarkets
Supermarkets in Indonesia include Carrefour, Hero, Lotte Mart, Hypermart.
The most common mini-marts / convenience stores are Indomaret and Alfamart.
Near Jalan Prawirotaman:
Mini-market Maga Smalayan Jln Panjaitan cnr Jln Tirtodipuran
SuperIndo Supermarket Jln Menukan cnr Jln Parangtritis
Gading Traditional Market
On the corner of Jln Panjaitan & Jln Sutoyo is a small traditional market for the local neighbourhood, next to the police station. It is a bit run down, but the shopkeepers and customers are friendly. It is situated opposite the Plengkung Gading archway that leads to Alun-alun Kidul ( South Square). To get from Jln Prawirotaman, head along Jln Tirtodipuran, turn right into Jln Panjaitan and walk as far as the traffic lights. Ganding market is on your right, and the Plengkung Gading archway is straight ahead.
Homeware and Kitchen Utensils
Toko Progo Jln Suryotomo 29
Refleksi Massage
Kartika Sari Spa Jln Prawirotaman 49
Refleksi Ayodya Jln Sutoyo 22a
Bookshops
Periplus Malioboro Mall, Jln Malioboro 60
Gramedia Jln Sudirman 70, cnr Jalan Suroto
Gunung Agung Jln Diponegoro / Mangkubumi
Sari Ilmu Jln Malioboro 119
Nirmala Jln Malioboro 171
Music Shops
Kota Mas Jln Malioboro 187
Podomora Jln Malioboro 30
Sampurna Jln Malioboro 43
Setia Budi Jln Malioboro 59 (gamelan)
Traditional music CDs are available at a few music shops in Jogja. The range includes gamelan, classical dance, Dangdut, Joged, jazz-rock and modern pop.
ARTS VENUES IN YOGYAKARTA
Classical Dance
Sultan’s Palace Jln Polowijayan
Asti Academy of Dance Jln Colombo each morning
Bagong K. School of Dance Jln Martadinata 9
Gamelan Orchestra
Sultan’s Palace Jln Polowijayan
Wayang Kulit – Leather Puppet Shadow Play
Agastya Art Institute Sasono Hinggil (South Palace Square)
Wayang Golek – Wooden Puppet Play
Agastya (as above)
Wayang Orang – Dance Drama
Dalem Pujokusuman Jalan Katamso (Bintaran Kidul)
Ramayana Ballet
Sasono Suko
People’s Park (THR) Jln Katamso
Galeri Senisono Cnr Jln Ahmed Dahlan / Jln A. Yani
Prambanan Roro Jonggrang Open Theatre
This epic drama is staged over four nights at the time of the full moon during the months May to October at the Prambanan complex.
Kraton Solo dancers at Prambanan Theatre
The Sultan’s Palace (Kraton) is open daily between 9am and 2pm.
Most museums are open Sundays, but closed Mondays.
Sultan’s Palace (Kraton) Jln Polowijayan
Water Castle (Taman Sari). Jln Polowijayan
Art Museum Sono Budoyo Alun-alun Utara (North Palace Square)
Asri Academy of Fine Art Jln Martadinata
Asti Academy of Dance Jln Colombo
KONRI Conservatory
of Classical Dance Jln Agus Salim
Gajah Mada University Jln Cik Ditro
GKBI Batik Research and
Development Institute Jln Sultan Agung(Museum)
Zoo Jln Gembira Loka
Kota Gede Pasar Legi and Silversmiths
AGASTYA Art Institute (South Palace Square)
Dalem Pujokusuman Jln Katamso, (Bintaran Kidul)
Museum Vreeburg Fort Jln Ahmed Yani
Governor’s Residence Jln Ahmed Yani
Pakualaman Museum Jln Sultan Agung
Pendopo Taman Siswa Jln Taman Siswa
Bagong Kussudiharjo Jln Martadinata 9
Dance school
Ullen Sentala Museum Jln Boyong, Kaliurang
Affandi Museum Jln Adisucipto 167
Panggung Krapyak Jln Ali Maksum
Panggung Krapyak
At the corner of Jln Tirtodipuran and Jln Panjaitan, turn left and 1.5 km away along the mystical north-south axis is Panggung Krapyak – an early sultan’s 2-storey hunting lodge which used to be surrounded by forest, and wild animals.
Dutch Colonial Buildings in Yogyakarta
The Dutch presence in Yogyakarta became permanent with the construction of the Benteng Vredeburg Fort in 1776-78. The fort was built on the road running north from the Sultan’s Palace, which is now known as Jalan Margo Mulyo (and continues north to become Jalan Malioboro).
On the corner of Jalan Trikora, Jalan Senopati and Margo Mulyo are three imposing buildings built around 1912-1921 – Post Office, Bank Indonesia and Bank BNI 1946. This intersection was, and still is, point zero for distances from Jogja.
Just past the Post Office and Bank Indonesia buildings, at Jalan Senopati 22, is the St Fransiskus Catholic Church, built in 1871.
From point zero heading north the Benteng Vredeburg Fort is on the right, and opposite it is Gedung Agung / Presidential Palace on Jalan Ahmad Yani which was built in the 1820’s.
Next on the right is the Beringharjo Market. The current buildings were renovated by the Dutch in 1928. Also on the right are Government Offices still used by the local government administration.
Continue along Jalan Malioboro, past the Malioboro Mall, and also on the right before the railway line at No. 60, is the Inna Garuda Hotel. The original central section of this hotel was built in 1908 as the Grand Hotel De Djokja. After independence it was renamed the Merdeka Hotel.
Kota Baru or New Town
One kilometre north of the Garuda Hotel along Jalan Mangkubumi is the small Tugu monument in the centre of the intersection of Jalan Mangkubumi and Jalan Sudirman.
Turn right at Tugu and on the left at Jalan Sudirman 9 is the Phoenix Hotel. The original section was built in 1912. Continue along Jalan Sudirman on the right-hand / southern side, cross the bridge over the Code River, and take the first right turn into Jalan Faridan M Noto – (If you reach McDonalds you have gone too far).
You are now in the suburb of Kota Baru. The Dutch started construction of the new township in 1920 because there was no further room for expansion in the “Logi Kecil” area south of the Beringharjo Market. Kota Baru is also known by the Javanese name of Gondokusuman.
Kota Baru encompasses the area south of Jalan Sudirman from the bridge to the Bethesda Hospital (1 km) on the corner of Jalan Sudirman and Jalan Dr Wahidin Sudrohusodo. The eastern boundary is Jalan Dr Wahidin Sudrohusodo (1 km), the western boundary is the Code River, and the southern boundary is the Lempuyangan Railway Station, built in 1872, which is the Jogja freight terminal.
Walk Around Dutch New Town – Kota Baru Yogyakarta
The starting point is the corner of Jalan Sudirman and Jalan Faridan Noto, with the Code River on your right-hand side. 100 metres on, at the V intersection, keep right along the river. The brown brick building on your left is the Sandi Musueum. Next door at Jalan I Dewa Nyoman Oka 34, is the Gedung Balai Bahasa or Jogja Language Hall.
Stay right on Jalan Ahmed Jazuli ( continuation of Jalan Dewa Nyoman Oka), then turn left at Jalan Abu Bakar Ali.
You will see a bridge on your right, the St Ignatius College and the Santo Antonius Church on your left. Turn right into Jalan Yos Sudarso.
The market is on the left and next to it the Umbang Tirta Swimming Pool. Legend Premium Coffee is on the right.
Turn left into Jalan Suroto. Klinik Mata is on your right. Turn left past the pool into Jalan Sajiro, and complete the loop around the football field. Go straight past the tugu into Jalan Ungaran. Then left into Jalan Dewa Nyoman Oka.
From here you can catch a taxi back to your hotel, or turn left into Jalan Abu Bakar Ali, cross the river and continue west-wards along Jalan Kleringan which leads to Jalan Mangkubumi. Turn left into Jalan Mangkubumi, walk over the railway line and you are back onto Jalan Malioboro.
Temples and Monuments Near Yogyakarta
Borobudur
Borobudur, the largest Buddhist stupa in the southern hemisphere, is 40km from Jogja near the towns of Muntilan and Magelang. It was constructed by the Sailendra Dynasty, and was completed in the year 825 AD.
On the upper levels are 72 perforated stupas, each containing a statue of Buddha. There are nearly 2,700 bas reliefs, and pilgrims can start at the bottom and walk around the temple in a clockwise direction and make their way to the top level of Buddhist cosmology follow the story of the Buddha.
After centuries of abandonment, it was rediscovered in 1814 under the directions of Governor General Stamford Raffles, during the British occupation of Java. Raffles had heard about the existence of a large stupa in the area, and sent a team which cleared the forest and excavated the top half of the stupa which was buried under volcanic ash and other debris. In 1835 the whole stupa was finally unearthed.
Borobudur Restoration
Candi Borobudur underwent a UNESCO sponsored total restoration project that lasted from 1973 to 1983. Weather and drainage problems had caused the earth core under the stupa to expand, pushing the walls outwards. Some parts were in danger of collapsing.
During the restoration, the whole stupa was dismantled, and a new tiered concrete base was built on top of the existing hill. Over one million stones, slabs and panels were disassembled, numbered and laid aside to be cleaned, catalogued, and later reassembled like a giant Lego construction.
Borobudur’s surroundings have also been improved, and are now more befitting such a grand monument. Before restoration stalls and hawkers congregated at the base. The whole area has been cleared and replaced with landscaped gardens and the Borobudur Study Centre.
Borobudur was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1991.
Borobudur Relief
Borobudur’s surroundings have also been improved, and are now more befitting such a grand monument. Before restoration stalls and hawkers congregated at the base. The whole area has been cleared and replaced with landscaped gardens and the Borobudur Study Centre.
Candi Mendut and Candi Pawon Temples
A few km from Borobudur are Candi Mendut and Candi Pawon, sister temples of Borobudur and built around the same time in the early 9th Century. A beautifully relaxing way to travel between the three temples is by becak (trishaw). From the bus terminal and carpark, negotiate a return trip fare or one way. From Mendut you can catch a local bus to Muntilan and another to Jogya.
Candi Pawon is a stupa 1 km from Borobudur. It is in a quiet cool location off the main road. From Pawon you cross the Progo River over a Dutch era bridge. In the wet season the water level can reach the road.
Another 2km towards Muntilan is Candi Mendut. There is a Buddhist Monastery in a tranquil setting opposite the temple and inside Mendut is a 3-4 metre high stone statue of the Buddha teaching two disciples. Each year on the May full-moon Javanese Buddhists conduct ceremonies here. The Pohon Dewata tree in the grounds of Candi Mendut is said to be 150 years old.
100 metres before Mendut is the Elo River. There is a swimming pool at the junction of the Mendut and the Borobudur/Muntilan road called Kolam Renang Taman Mendut.
Prambanan Temple Complex
The towering Loro Jonggrang temple at Prambanan, which is devoted to the Hindu God Visnu, is visible from the main Jogja-Solo road. During the dry season on the nights of the full moon, a four night long Ramayana dance drama is performed in an open-air auditorium in the temple grounds. A must if you’re in Jogja between May and October.
Ratu Boko – Prambanan
On a hill overlooking the Prambanan temples, the Kraton Ratu Boko ruins are believed to date back to 792AD, built around the time of the Saliendra Dynasty.
The ruins include the Paseban (Public hall) and the Pendopo (Audience hall). At the northern part from pendopo, isolated from the rest of the site, lies the Ascetic Cave, which was probably used for meditation.
Dieng Plateau
Further afield on the Dieng Plateau, in a world of freezing misty nights and hot bubbling geysers, are scattered the remains on an 8th Century Hindu society who were subjects of a God-King (Deva Raj). Inside the small stone structures on a sinking highland valley the former kings and their priests became God.
To get to Dieng take a bus to Wonosobo (via Magelang) and change to another bus that clings to the cliff as it makes the steep climb onto the plateau.
Candi Sukuh
The turnoff to Candi Sukuh, an Aztec style temple perched on the slopes of Mount Lawu is 10km before Tawangmangu, 30km from Solo.
Temple Restoration
In recent years, many of the temples of Java have been fenced off, to prevent vandalism and theft. Although this may detract from the setting, it has been necessary in a land where such temples no longer play a role in the peoples’ normal religious life, and so are largely ignored. Fortunately, the value of these monuments and their art is now appreciated by the Indonesian Government and throughout Java restoration works are in progress. With continued co-operation between the Indonesians and the foreign agencies concerned, many more of the Hindu-Buddhist temples may rise again out of the rice fields of Java.
PLACES TO VISIT NEAR YOGYAKARTA
Beaches Near Jogja
The south coast of Java has many beaches.Most with white or dark sand, and they all have big waves, strong undercurrents and rips, and generally they are not patrolled by lifeguards. This makes them dangerous for the locals and visitors from places where the waters are calm.
To the south-west of Jogja, in the Kulon Projo district are Pantai Baru, Pantai Goa Cemara. Avoid Pantai Glagah as it is covered in cement blocks to reduce beach erosion.
While in Kulon Projo you can also visit Kedung Pedut Waterfall, Kembang Soka Waterfall and the Mangrove Forest.
To the south-east of Jogja, two hours by car (65 km) , are, the following beaches: Baron, Kukup, Krakal, Sundak, Ngandong, Indrayanti and Sandranan (known for snorkeling and coral). Avoid Baron, as it is often crowded with locals on tour buses.
All beaches should be avoided on weekends and public holidays due to traffic congestion around the beaches, and also when driving back to Jogja on Sunday afternoons.
Indrayanti and Sandranan have simple bamboo cottages for daily rental. ( A flash-back to the 1970-80’s).
Parangtritis Beach, which is the closest beach to Jogja, was once the favourite beach for travellers, but unfortunately now it is crowded and dirty, with rubbish strewn all over the place.
How to Get There
- Via Bantul, Panggang, Pulebener to Baron and Indrayanti, and then along Jalan Pantai Selatan Jawa ( the Java Southern Beaches Road);
- Via Wonosobo, Bintaos to Indrayanti.
Between each beach the coast road heads inland for 2-3 km, and then meets the coast again at the next beach as you travel east.
THINGS TO DO AROUND YOGYAKARTA