Yogyakarta

A big, rapidly sprawling city built around the tiny city within the kraton or sultan’s palace, Yogyakarta is thought of as Java’s cultural centre, the best place to see the wayang kulit shadow plays and traditional musical and dance performances and to buy silver work, batik and wayang puppets. One of Indonesia’s oldest cities, Yogyakarta is sprinkled with historic monuments and buildings, centring around the palace. Some of the best known are Benteng Vredeburg, a Dutch fort, Kotagede, the ancient Muslim capital which has some of the oldest architecture in town and Imogiri, graveyard to the royal families. Yogyakarta was in a key position in the Indonesian war of independence from the Dutch so you’ll see multiple military memorials and museums including a large air force museum, Museum Digantara, housing unusual Russian as well as Allied aircraft. It is also near some of the best known of Java’s ancient temple ruins including Borobudur and Prambanan. Most visitors will also want to shop - the local markets are the best place to do it, Pasar Beringharjo and Pasar Kranggan are the major ones. You will probably also want to go to the beach - there are lots of choices along the cities southern side. Definitely go to the Ramayana Ballet, their performances are regular and traditional and include accompaniment by a full gamelan orchestra and up to the Dieng Plateau to admire the temples. Avoid between January and April if you can - that’s when it’s at it’s hottest and moistest and be aware that over the last ten years it has become a lot busier and a lot more touristy as more people shun Bail and use it as a base to visit Borobudur and Prambanan.