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Yogyakarta is a city of motorcycles.
Yogyakarta is a city of motorcycles.

This destination is recognised by Unesco as a World Heritage Site. Click to view list of World Heritage Sites documented by AsiaExplorers.
Exploring Yogyakarta
Also written Yogya, Jogjakarta, Jogja.

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Yogyakarta, an Introduction

Yogyakarta is the quintessential Indonesia city that personifies its sound, its sights, its smells. Often written as Jogjakarta or simply abbreviated to Jogja and Yogya, Jogjakarta is the name of the city as well as province in central Java, Indonesia. It holds the distinction of being the only Indonesian province that is still governed by a precolonial Sultanate, the Sultanate of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat. The city is known as a center of classical Javanese fine art and culture such as batik, ballet, drama, music, poetry and puppet shows. The official name of the Yogyakarta province is Special Region of Yogyakarta (Indonesian: Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, or DIY). The city of Yogyakarta is the capital of the province.

Yogyakarta History


The sultanate of Jogjakarta, formally the Sultanate of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat, was formed in 1755 when the Sultanate of Mataram was divided into two by the Dutch East India Company (VOC). The division created the Sultanate of Ngayogyakarta and the Sultanate of Surakarta, with the capitals being Yogyakarta and Surakarta respectively. Sultan Hamengkubuwono I of Yogyakarta built his new capital, centred around his palace, called Kraton, using the court of Surakarta as blueprint. By the time of his death, his territory has exceeded Surakarta's.

During Indonesia's fight for independence, the capital of Indonesia was temporarily shifted to Jogjakarta because of Dutch occupation of Jakarta, from 1946 until 1950. When Indonesia achieved independence, the Sultan of Jogjakarta, Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX, declared Yogya to be part of the newly created Republic of Indonesia. In return, the new Indonesian government granted Yogyakarta the status of Special Regional Province, with the Sultan acting as Governor for life. The present ruler of Yogyakarta is his son, Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X. When the elder sultan died, the Indonesian government insisted on an election for a new governor, even though the position of governor, according to the agreement with Indonesia, was to pass to his heir. So an election was held to choose a governor, and Sultan Hamengkubuwono X won the election, and was elected governor in defiance of the will of the central government.

Infrastructure
The Adisucipto (or Adisutjipto) International Airport is the principal airport serving Yogyakarta. It is located in kabupaten (distict) Sleman in the northern part of Yogyakarta Special Region. The airport only became an international airport as late as February 21st, 2004, with the first international flight connecting it to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with the flag carrier Garuda Indonesia. The elevation of Adisucipto to international airport is expected to boost trade and tourist for Yogyakarta which previously depended on Bali and Jakarta as the gateway.

Tourist Attractions in Yogyakarta

Candi Borobudur
Biggest single-piece ancient Buddhist monument in the world


Candi Mendut
One of the ancient ruins in the Borobudur complex


Keraton
Palace of the Sultan of Yogyakarta


Loro Jonggrang (Prambanan)
The ruins of Loro Jonggrang at Prambanan are the biggest Hindu ruins in Indonesia


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How much have you explored Indonesia? Through AsiaExplorers, you can now explore these places in Indonesia from the comfort of your desk: Indonesia, Bali (Batu Bolong, Kintamani, Kuta, Nusa Dua, Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, Taman Ayun, Tanah Lot, Tirta Empul, Uluwatu), Berastagi, Danau Toba (Lake Toba) (Ambarita, Bagus Bay, Batak Museum, Samosir Island, Simanindo, Santu Alfonsus Catholic Church, Sidabutar Tomb, Silintong Hotel, Tao Island, Tomok, Tuk Tuk), Gundaling Hill, Gunung Sibayak, Gunung Sinabung, Kabanjahe, Medan (BKS PPS Building, Immanuel Protestant Church, Kesawan Square, Maimoon Palace, Mesjid Raya, Sri Mariaman Temple, Standard Chartered Building, Sun Plaza, Tjong A Fie Mansion), Prapat, Pematang Purba, Sibolangit Botanical Gardens, Sipisopiso Waterfall, Tongging, Yogyakarta (Borobudur, Keraton, Candi Mendut, Prambanan)
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