Approaches to Yogyakarta

The Special Region of Yogyakarta is made easily accessible by main roads connecting this region to the immediate East and West. A long this route, is the railway, which crisis crossing the entire length of Java makes Yogyakarta one or its main stopping junctions.

Located to the west of the city is the National airport Adisucipto, which provides regular air services to the capital Jakarta and Denpasar, the main cities of Surabaya in East Java and Bandung in West Java.

Due to inaccessibility and strong tides of the Indian Ocean, Yogyakarta is not connected with a port city and its three rivers, Opak, Progo and Oya area too small making river transportation impossible. Therefore Yogyakarta depends on its land and air accesses to neighboring cities.

Yogyakarta at present served by jet aircraft that operate an acceptable level. The airport in Yogyakarta in which is the facility that handles most foreign visitors is located close to town. Roads in the destination area are frequently somewhat congested but this tends to add to its charm.

Some foreign visitors like to travel overland using rail services, to make the journey more attractive. The Indonesia’s State Railways connects Yogya with Jakarta, Bandung and Surabaya. The Indonesia’s most luxurious train named “Taksaka” runs from Gambir Jakarta to Tugu Yogyakarta. Day trains from Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya to Yogyakarta are also available with comfortable services. Air conditioning compartments available. For more information please visit the official web of Indonesian State Railways.

Scheduled services of long distance buses, many at night link Yogya with Surabaya, Denpasar, Malang, Bandung dan Jakarta. Advance booking is essential.

Pictures :

Adi Sucipto International Airport, Yogyakarta

Giwangan Bus Station, Yogyakarta

Tugu Railway Station, Yogyakarta

The Population of Yogyakarta

Quite apart from the historical and cultural assets, the life of the city as a whole is colorful and appealing to the foreign visitors. The pace is slow in the vehicular traffic less bothersome and there is a new sight to be seen from every corner. 

The population of Yogyakarta is composed nominally of people of Javanese descent. Of all the many ethnic groups in Indonesia, the Javanese are the largest with more than 50 million in the number. Like other main ethnic groups, the Javanese save their own language and customs. 

Yogyakarta, is also the home for many persons of Chinese descent whose ancestors came to Central Java as merchants hundreds of years ago under the sanction of the Dutch. For the visitor, this can still be seen as many of the businesses and restaurants on the main avenues are largely Chinese owned and operated. 

Another interesting factor in the population of Yogyakarta is the immense student population the city hosts. This creates special characters of the city in that many of the students are from other parts of Indonesia, such as Sumatra, Bali, Sulawesi and Kalimantan. This unique mixture gives Yogya a truly Indonesian character, while at the same time retaining its strong central Javanese feeling. Yogyakarta is very densely populated. Quite apart from the scenery, the villages and small towns are full of activity that is new and interesting to the visitors.  

The Geographic of Yogyakarta

The Special Region of Yogyakarta located in Southern part of Central Java, is considered to be one of the most densely populated areas in the world. Covering only about 3.100 square kilometers (2,4 % of the total area of Java), this same area constitutes more 5% of population. Out of the entire Region more than 50% (1,754 square km) is used for agricultural purposes, leaving approximately 25 % for residential purposes and the remaining 17% for ceads and forests.

The region covering the Special Region of Yogyakarta enjoys a tropical climate with temperate varying from 70 Fahrenheit to 98 Fahrenheit. Fortunately, Yogyakarta receives favorable coasted breezed from the South Seas and does not suffer from as the usual high humidity temperatures that most tropical cities do. In fact it can be a bit chilly in the evenings and many visitors have found themselves pleasantly surprised by this variation in temperature.

The seasons are divided into two: the dry season from March to September and the wet season from October to March. The dry season is characterized by almost a complete absence of rainfall, while the rainy season receives almost daily showers, sometime light dressles and sometime torrid downpours accompanied by lightning and thunder. Whatever the season, Yogyakarta enjoys sunshine year around, making even the rainy season a pleasant time for vacation. The average total rainfall for much of the area is more than 20.000 mm. Even in the wet season, however, much of the rain falls in short periods.

Yogyakarta (also called Jogja) is a special territory headed by a Governor which is the only one in Indonesia not appointed by election. During the revolution period Yogyakarta was the capital of the Republic Indonesia from January 4, 1946 through December 27, 1949.

Yogya’s population is around three millions and mostly Moslem. Though it is not consider as one among the rich provinces in Indonesia the Yogyanese average life expectancy is the highest a lot of Yogyanese consider life on earth is a temporary obligation for human being. A way of life toward the eternal life after deceased. They hold in high esteem harmonious and peaceful life derived from ancestor’s philosophy and tradition and these might explain their long life.

Ancient monument, temple and other archeological remains spread out in the realm of Yogyakarta and its surrounding indicate Yogya is the cradle of Javanese civilization. The Kraton (Sultan’s Palace) is still dominating as a centre of tradition and court art that attract visitors.

The drawing power of Yogya attracts many students from other parts of Republic to come studying. Visitors and modern life affects Yogyakarta, still it is not affecting the root of their life style and tradition. The Yogyakartanese remain sort spoken and friendly.

Yogyakarta and Vicinity (2)

Yogyakarta (also called Jogja) is referred to as a Special Region within the Republic of Indonesia. The reason of this is explained partly by its long history of self rule under the Dutch and Javanese regimes and further explained by the active role that Yogyakarta played in the struggle for national independence. This special status of Yogyakarta has been explicitly recognized by the Republic government ever since. 

In Yogyakarta, more so then most other Javanese cities the presence of an older more highly developed culture can still be left the strong influence of the high Javanese culture with its aristocratic is still preserved today within the Kraton walls. Though much less subtle is the boisterous vitality of the market and the villager, who are living in the surrounding area have come to Yogyakarta to sell their wares, these contrasting elements patrician and plebeian, constantly meeting and blending give Yogyakarta its vitality. Perhaps, this contrast of elements reflected in its arts and life styles is the reason why so many visitors become enamored with Yogyakarta.

One of the most rewarding delights of the city if those things are always happening in quiet and subtle way. You might spend hours browsing through the markets or watching young students practice their lessons at one of the many dance schools in the city. New and different experiences await the visitor, whether it be young children are practicing Gamelan (Javanese orchestra), a batik artist at his work or a skillful Dalang (master puppeter) operating the shadow puppets. For Yogyakarta is not just a site of previous cultures but still very much a centre of culture alive with the continual perfecting of its arts.

Situated 25 kilometers to the North of the city is the semi volcano, Merapi. Seen clearly on cloudless days, this loftily neighbor is both companionable and ominous at the same. For the Yogyakarta, this strange “friend” to the North of the city is consistent reminder of the time lessness of life. Like all of Java, Yogyakarta reflects this tranquil feeling amongst the hustle and bustle of the 20th century. Yogyakarta will need time to discover but given that trance will certainly capture the hearts of many. 

Yogyakarta and Vicinity

Peaceful and gentle, prosperous and unique, these are the words that city of Yogyakarta evokes. As the ancient capital of Java and the former capital of the new nation, this city has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Indonesia.

The city, rich in Javanese culture and steeped in the traditional way of life, presents a people with an air of quiet, dignity, a people proud of the aristocratic influences of the Sultanate court, throughout its history. Yogyakarta has been a progressive leader in both national liberty and education.  The name of the Sultan holds a special significance for all Yogyanese, evoking both the traditional Javanese aristocrat, as well as the progressive founder of the Indonesian Republic. 

The earliest historical records of Yogyakarta can be traced back as the early 8th century with the emergence of the Hindu kingdom of Sanjaya and later the Buddhist dynasty of Syailendra. But already by the 10th century, the centre of those kingdoms had shifted to East Java, and Yogyakarta would seemingly disappear from historical record until the 16th century and the emergence of the Islamic Kingdom of Mataram. Founded by Panembahan Senopati, the Mataram’s seat of government was first in Kotagede. As the Dutch began to make commercial inroads and finally assuming the role of colonial rulers, the centre of the kingdom shifted to Kartosuro and then finally to Surakarta (Solo). But in the year 1755 the Mataram Kingdoms was split permanently into two kingdoms, Yogyakarta and Surakarta, with Prince Mangkubumi assuming the title of Sultan of Yogyakarta. Later be set with fractionalism, in 1816 Yogyakarta was split once again under the sanction of the British led by Thomas Raffles. At this time, the lesser house of Paku Alam was established. Eventually, the original house of Mataram would be permanently divided into four Kratons (courts). Kraton Ngayogyakarto , Kraton Paku Alaman, Kraton Kasunanan (Solo) and Kraton Mangkunegaran (Solo).