INDONESIA - Yogyakarta

The provincial capital and cultural centre, Yogyakarta (also known as Jogjakarta or simply Jogja) is the most popular tourist destination on Java, thanks to its proximity to the temples of Borobudur and Prambanan. In fact, Yogyakarta is the second most visited destination in Indonesia, losing out to Bali.


Alms for the poor.


Monumen Serangan Umum 1 Maret 1949. The 1st March 1949 Mass Attack Monument was erected as a reminder of Indonesia’s Military attack on the Dutch soldiers. 


We’re right now at the Kraton Ngayogyakarta Hadingrat or simply known as Kraton Yogyakarta. Kraton is the Javanese word for royal palace.


The inner gate to the royal palace. I guess the 1928 refers to the year the extension of the palace was built. The palace was actually first built in 1755.


The Royal Seal of the Sultan of Java.


Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwana X is the current monarch of the historic Yogyakarta Sultanate who is also the governor of Yogyakarta Special Region. Seen here is also a picture of his wife, Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Hemas, the Queen. 


Together they have 5 daughters which can be seen at the right side of the picture. He might be the last Sultan as he does not have any sons to carry on his title unless the age-old rules are changed.


The government wants the monarchy to be abolished as it does not fit with the concept of democracy. Currently the Sultan still holds power because he is automatically appointed as governor. 


The Constitution requires the election of all regional heads. However the Constitution also recognizes Yogyakarta as a special region. So what is the opinion of the people?


While I was in Yogyakarta in 2011, I can see the people love their Sultan. There are banners and people are handing out flyers in support of the Sultan. Many Yogyakarta residents even staged large rallies, demanding the region be broke away from Indonesia.


A tour guide from the royal palace gave me a tour around the palace.


The family tree of the Yogyakarta Sultanate.


The current Sultan is the tenth Sultan to be in power since 1989 after his father’s death in 1988. The current monarch goes back to 1755.


Taking picture with one of the Royal Palace guard.


Picture of Hamengkubuwono VIII and his royal chair. He was the eighth sultan of Yogyakarta and the grandfather of the current Sultan. 


Although the first architect for the Palace was the first Sultan, it was the eight Sultan that restored and expanded the palace buildings during his reign from 1921 – 1939.


Kraton is an elegant building and is the most important building in the city of Yogyakarta


Generally, the royal palace has seven complex. Right now, I’m at the Bangsal Kencono (Golden Pavilion, the main hall of the palace.


Various ceremony for government’s family and official proceedings are being held here.


Yogyakarta remains as one of the wealthiest and most tolerant provinces with Muslims and non-Muslims coexisting with little conflict. 


That’s the main reason why the people of Yogyakarta loves their monarch. Realizing the people’s strong resistance, the central government eventually softened their stance to introduce a law to undermine the Sultan. 


In 2012, the Sultan managed to retain his position as Governor.


Just nearby is a place where performances are being carried out.


Collections by the monarch such as this vintage camera on display.


That’s how the Sultan of those days travel.


A huge padlock at the entrance. I wonder that’s for display or they still use it to lock the door.


Unlike Solo whereby the Sukarta Sultanate holds no actual political power and authority, Yogyakarta is the only region headed by a monarchy in Indonesia.


Time for lunch!


After lunch, I visited Taman Sari also known as the Taman Sari Water Castle.


The east entrance, Gedhong Gapura Panggung which serves as the main entrance to the bathing complex. Four nagas (dragons) once decorated the entrance gate, now only two nagas can be seen.

Originally, the west entrance. Gedhong Gapura Hageng was used as the main entrance, but the west facade is blocked by settlements,


At the roof top of the facade at the east entrance gate. The construction of the gate was completed in 1765.


Taman Sari consisted of four distinct areas which are Segaran (an artificial lake with islands and pavilions), Umbul Binangun (a bathing complex), Pasarean Ledok Sari & Garjitawati Pool (complex of pavilions and pools) and a smaller lake.


Segaran lake area used to be the main complex of Taman Sari but today, the water from the lake had been drained and the lake bed is now filled with houses. Only few ruins still remain.


The third complex (Pasarean Ledok Sari & Garjitawati Pool) and fourth complex (a smaller lake) has no remains to be seen.


The second area consist of the bathing complex.


Even though the bathing complex is not the main point of Taman Sari, the well preserved area is currently the most popular tourist attraction. So here I am.


The Umbul Pasiraman is a bathing complex for the royal family.


The complex consist of three pools decorated with mushroom shaped springs and large flower pots.


Must be really a grandeur during those days.


School girls playing at the pool.


The Sultan’s concubines used to play in this pool.


The central tower where the sultan observes his concubines bathing in the pool.





A sauna used more than 200 years ago. Amazing!


Taman Sari began to fell out of use since the British invasion in 1812 whereby parts of the complex were destroyed. 


The complex again suffered some damages during the Java War and the complex was no longer used following an earthquake in 1867.


Next stop. The Pasar Satwa Dan Tanaman Hias Yogyakarta.


The market is famous for selling birds.


All sorts of birds for sale.


Watcha lookin at?




Stores that sell various bird cage.



Hmm…nothing much to do here. Mostly locals patronise the market.


Kids playing around the Satwa Market.


Other then birds, there are many other types of pets for sale. You can find almost any kind of any pet that you can think of here.


Ducks…


Giant tortoise…




Fishes…


Chicks dyed in bright colour…


Cute puppies..




Furry rabbits…




Ain’t the rabbit cute.







Even an owl! I also saw a big python here. Well, I’m not fond of snakes at all, so I gave it a pass.




Next, we stopped at a batik factory.


Our tour guide was explaining the process of making batik.







This is where they dye the batik. After visiting the batik factory, we have a free and easy afternoon. So we decided to explore the city on our own.


Fill up my car please.


Took a bus to Malioboro.


You can always opt for the trishaw known as becak locally.


Malioboro Street is a major shopping street in Yogyakarta and is very popular among locals as well as visitors. The shopping promenade is home to hundreds of shops and street stalls.


Yuck! I think the horse is having a flu.


The traditional horse pulled cart known as andong or dokar locally.


You can often see an andong outside tourist hotspot area such as at the front of Mal Malioboro.


Opened in 1993, Mal Malioboro (Malioboro Mall) is the first shopping mall in Yogyakarta.


When I was in Yogyakarata, it was during the Chinese New Year celebration. The year of the rabbit.


The restriction on Chinese culture including banning Indonesian Chinese from celebrating Chinese New Year ended during the Reformation era under president Abdurrahman Wahid. Today Chinese New Year is celebrated as a national day.


Kantor Gubenur Yogyakarta is where the governor office is.


It’s dinner time. We chose a local cafe to try out some local food.


Um, if I remember correctly, what we ordered should be Nasi Langgi, a rice that served with various side dishes.


After dinner, we went back to hotel to rest. The next posting will be on Borobudur.


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