Prambanan Temple

The Prambanan temple is the biggest and a most beautiful Hindu temple about 20 minutes from Yogyakarta city. This magnificent Shivaite temple derives its name from the village where it is located. Locally known as the Loro Jongrang temple, or the temple of the "Slender Virgin" it is reputed to be the biggest and most beautiful Hindu Temple in Indonesia.

17 kilometers east of Yogyakarta, the temple is believed to have been built by King Balitung Maha Sambu in the middle of the ninth century. Its parapets are adorned with a bas-reliefs depicting the famous Ramayana story. It has eight shrines, of which the three main ones are dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma (all are manifestations of God in Hindu). The main temple of Shiva rises to a high of 130 feet and houses the magnificent statue of Shiva's consort, Durga.Prambanan Temple is beautiful temple, in fact, it is a group of temples. The biggest temple dedicated to Shiva (one of manifestation of God) with two other smaller ones, on its right and on its left, dedicated to Brahma and Wisnhu (manifestation of God) respectively. Reliefs decorating the walls of the temple depict the story of Ramayana.

Other temples around Prambanan

• Candi Lumbung. Buddhist-style, consisting of one main temple surrounded by 16 smaller ones.

• Candi Bubrah. Buddhist temple still in ruins.

• Candi Sewu. Buddhist temple complex, older than Roro Jonggrang. A main sanctuary surrounded by many smaller temples. Well preserved guardian statues, replicas of which stand in the central courtyard at the Jogja Kraton.

• Candi Plaosan. Buddhist, probably 9th century. Thought to have been built by a Hindu king for his Buddhist queen. Two main temples with reliefs of a man and a woman. Slender stupa.

South of the Lara Jongrang complex

• Ratu Boko. Complex of fortified gates, bathing pools, and elevated walled stone enclosure, all located on top of the hill.

• Candi Sajiwan. Buddhist temple decorated with reliefs concerning education. The base and staircase are decorated with animal fables.

• Candi Banyunibo. A Buddhist temple with unique design of roof.

• Candi Barong. A Hindu temple complex with large stepped stone courtyard. Located on the slope of the hill.

• Candi Ijo. A cluster of Hindu temple located near the top of Ijo hill. The main temple houses a large lingam and yoni.

• Arca Bugisan. Seven Buddha and bodhisattva statues, some collapsed, representing different poses and expressions.

West of the Lara Jongrang complex

• Candi Kalasan. 8th century Buddhist temple built in commemoration of the marriage of a king and his princess bride, ornamented with finely carved reliefs.

• Candi Sari. Once a sanctuary for Buddhist priests. 8th century. Nine stupas at the top with two rooms beneath, each believed to be places for priests to meditate.

• Candi Sambisari. 9th century Hindu temple discovered in 1966, once buried 6,5 metres under volcanic ash. The main temple houses a linga and yoni, and the wall surround it displayed the images of Agastya, Durga, and Ganesha.

• Candi Gebang. A small Hindu temple discovered in 1937 located near the Yogyakarta northern ring-road. The temple display the statue of Ganesha and interesting carving of faces on the roof section.

• Candi Gana. Rich in statues, bas-reliefs and sculpted stones. Frequent representations of children or dwarfs with raised hands. Located in the middle of housing complex. Under restoration since 1997.

• Candi Kedulan. Discovered in 1994 by sand diggers, 4m deep. Square base of main temple visible. Secondary temples not yet fully excavated.

Taman Sari

Tamansari is located about 2 km south of Yogyakarta Palace. Built by Portuguese architect in European aquatic construction adorned with Javanese Symbolize ornaments. Tamansari was built in the Sultan Hamengku Buwono I period in the end of XVII Century. Tamansari not only just a recreation, but it's also a compound of bathing pool, canals, rooms and extremerly large swimming pool (if the canals opened). Traditional products and household earthenwares are also sold here. In this area Batik Painters do not only sell their products, but some also give instruction in this art. Art shops and galleries of medium quality can be found allong the alleys. Bargaining is interesting!

There are two ways to visit this place. The one is thru Pasar Ngasem Bird Market, just go inside and find an alley called KP III, turn left, walk about 200 m, there is the Pulo Kenongo rest house complex. The other is thru jalan Taman Sari, from Pasar Ngasem, go by becak to South Square, around 0,5 Km turn right, there is the East-main Entrance, leads the way to the Royal Swimming pools.

Tamansari is an interesting place to visit. Besides the location is very closed to the Sultan palace, Tamansari has it owned speciality in attraction reflecting in some unimpaired ancient building and its atmosphere as the main tourist object of Yogyakarta.

There is Masjid Sokotunggal, a unique mosque with a single pillar that is different from Javanese traditional architecture. Although built in the early of XX century, the mosque gives another attraction of this area. Kampung Taman that lies in the Tamansari complex nearby known for the batik craft. Visitor can buy or watch handmade process for both batik painting and batik clothes. Therefore people from all over Indonesia and abroad have visited this village. Not for from Tamansari is Ngasem traditional market, the biggest bird market in Yogyakarta. All of those attractions have made Tamansari become one of main tourist object in Yogyakarta besides Yogyakarta palace.

Ullen Sentalu Museum

The Ullen Sentalu Museum is a museum located in Yogyakarta on Java, Indonesia. Ullen Sentalu Museum is planned as a museum which present the cultures heritage which is intangible or hidden behind the kraton’s wall because of the prevailing laws. Even some culture heritage has came fade and threatened with extinct. Those are came by the “fine art” works. It means, an arts that realize free and display the culture heritage that is tangible to be communicated. The museum choose fine arts to realize and reconstruct the culture heritage by the reason that this arts can realize the documented works which didn’t be documented yet, except literature, especially in Mataram Islam era. The excess of fine arts that are began from Renaissance era in Europe is able to present the reality in accordance with the appreciation of arts right now. Thus it’s easy to communicate the subject matter of Museum’s object .

By those concept and supported by the elder of culture’s doers, the Museum is more free to realize fine art. These aren’t only represent Javanese culture in Yogyakarta but include the entire of Mataram culture heritage. Though through its Museum’s fine arts has realized culture and history of Mataram from 4 kraton (Kasultanan Ngayogyakarta-Kasunanan Surakarta- Puro Pakualaman-Istana Mangkunegaran), beside that, the museum has “window” concept that express civilization process. By those opuses which are displayed, has opened a space to enter civilization process, than can explore time and space from Mataram Islam era. Even can flashed back through Classic era.

So that the Javanese art and culture of Ullen Sentalu Museum has point of view as the window of art heritage wealth, culture and history from the civilization. It is represented by Mataram dynasty and to legacy the beauty of that culture heritage to the next generation.

The mission of its museum is to realize and communicate the art heritage and Javanese culture that threatened extinct thus rise the pride of people about its culture’s identity.

Based on the property, Ullen Sentalu Museum is a private museum which the Haryono as the initiator. The museum is under an Ulating Blencong foundation, as the advisors are The King of Kasunanan Surakarta Hadiningrat: I.S.K.S Paku Buwana XII, the king of Pakualaman:KGPAA. Paku Alam VIII, the brother of Sultan HB IX : GPBH Poeger, the daughter of queen Mangkunegara VII: GRAy. Siti Nurul Kmaaril Ngasarati Kusumawardhani, the former President’s wife : Mrs. Hartini Sukarno, and KP. DR. Samuel Wedyadiningrat, DSB.Konk.

Baron Beach

Baron beach is the first beach that would be found in the junction of Baron, Kukup, Sepanjang, Drini, Krakal and Sundak beaches area.Baron beach lies in Kemandang Village, Tanjungsari sub district about 23 km in the South of Wonosari city.

In Baron beach there is a mouth of Underground River that can be used for bathing after playing in the beach. The visitors can also enjoy various kinds of low prices seafood or fresh fish and Baron's special menu namely Kakap fish soup. There is limestone hill on can reach the place by passing through a path. Visitors could have a magnificent view of the beach, about 10 kilometers in the West of Baron beach there are Parang Racuk hill with mountain slopes, it challenge you to do some adventures.

Every syuro month (the first month of Javanese calendar), the fisherman societies organize Labuhan, sea offering ceremony, to express their gratitude to the God for the abundant fish harvest and for the welfare in fishing).

Parangtritis Beach

Parangtritis beach is located about 27 km. from Yogyakarta, Parangtritis may be reached in two ways, through Kretek Village or the longer one but more well - established road through Imogiri and Siluk Village. Parangtritis Beach is a lovely beach with many impressing phenomena, naturally and supra naturally. The waves regularly bring in new wood and bamboo, washing ashore from another nearby beach probably. Some wood is picked and taken away by locals to be used for their own house. Parangtritis is an enchanting sloping beach combined with rocky hills, dunes, and a white sandy beach. Besides being famous as a recreational spot. Parangtritis is also a sacred place. Many people come to the beach to do meditation. Up to now, this area is remaining functioned as the place to perform the traditional ceremony called labuhan. Many hotels and restaurants are available for sunbathe lovers.

Parangtritis is a beach full of myths, which is believed to be the manifestation of the unity among Merapi Mountain, Yogyakarta Kingdom, and Parangtritis Beach. The legend tells that Panembahan Senopati and Sunan Kalijaga once met in this place after completing their meditation. Panembahan Senopati was reminded of being a humble ruler despite his supernatural powers. The primary attraction of this beach is its natural view. The enchantment of the coastal scenery can be seen from different angles to give you different experiences. When you are standing at the seashore, you will see the wide ocean with the high waves and steeply mountainside on the east side. To get the view from the site, just walk or hire the horse-cart westwards and you look southwards when you have reached the place. You may get to the place by riding a horse that you shall rent at negotiable price.