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.

PRICE GUIDE
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OUR CHOICE YOGYAKARTA HOTEL LIST
Santika Premiere Jogja (Jl.Jend.Sudirman No. 19 Yogyakarta Indonesia-Jogja-Java) $$. The Santika Premiere Hotel Jogyakarta is part of the local chain of San ...more
Melia Purosani (Jl. Suryotomo No. 31 Yogyakarta Indonesia-Jogja-Java) $$. The Melia Purosani is clearly one of the swankiest places to stay in Jo ...more
Manohara Borobudur (Jl. Komp. Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur Magelang Indonesia-Jogja-Java) The Manohara Borobudur Hotel is the only hotel located within the Borobudur ...more
Istana Batik Ratna Hotel (Jl. Pasar Kembang No. 29 Yogyakarta-Jogja-Java) $. The Istana Batik Ratna Hotel in Jogjakarta is a small boutique Hotel pop ...more
Inna Garuda Hotel (Jl. Malioboro No. 60 Yogyakarta Indonesia-Jogja-Java) $$. The Inna Garuda occupies a special place in the history of this city. T ...more
Duta Hotel (Jl. Prawirotaman No.26 Yogyakarta Indonesia-Jogja-Java) $. Also in the Prawirotaman area, this comfortable inn is the poorer cousin ...more
Duta Garden Hotel (Timuran MG III/103 Yogyakarta Indonesia-Jogja-Java) $. 5 minutes from the Kraton, and 10 minutes from the train station, Duta G ...more

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