Enjoyed my trip though it was rather tiring and hot. Besides the 2 well known temples, there were other attractions too like the zoo, museum, off-beat locations. Where possible I tried to walk referring to google maps but under the hot weather, was sweating easily
Will share some key details for those interested in visiting yogyakarta
take express train from airport to city, cost 50k. Normal train 20k, with 1 stop at Wate. Take cab or grab/gojek 200k. Better to book in advance online as tickets left only 25 for 10.29am train (railink.co.id) on the day. Can buy from website if don't want to install app. Seat number assigned. Exit from main building arrival hall and take escalator or lift to 2nd flr. Follow the signs. Charging point besides seat. Leave on time. Journey between 35-40mins. Train ends at yogyakarta station.
Goto gembira loka zoo. Opening hrs 0830-1545 entrance fee 75k for foreigners. Allows patting of animals like horses, rabbits, turtles, goats. Gentle ones but no Komodo dragon. Have river cruise, shuttle bus, no extra fees to onbaord these. Not as many animals as Singapore zoo but can see children enjoy interaction with live animals
Went to kraton or royal palace, entrance fee 25k On the visit day, many students came as well. Cultural performance in morning 10am (not fixed, some stated 9am). Exhibits nothing special but royal palace is big.
Water castle is Taman sari, about 20mins walk from Kraton but no shelter. 25k entry fee. Arrived, still have to q under hot sun. Underground system closed, which is the main attraction I wanted to visit. Other than main pool, nothing much to see
Walk to malioboro about 30mins walk. Mainly selling clothing and bakpia, with some eateries. Chinatown (Kampung Ketandan Jogja at jln ketandan wetan) accessible from main street but was quiet. Maybe more lively in morning. Teras malioboro has Indo food street style at end of street (opposite vredeburg museum). Street comes alive only after 4pm. Dinner at kopi pakpos, simply cafe at pos Indonesia. Nice setting with antique displays from Dutch influence. Long wait for food. Tried their ice lychee tea and nasi goreng teki spicy chili. Food was acceptable but service was good. When I ordered drink, staff said it was hot seeing that I was sweating and might want something cold.
Booked the 2 temples visit via klook, total 134,comes with driver+transport. About 1hr from hotel (best city), no traffic in morning leaving bf 7. Best to book ticket online then collect actual ticket from counter at international counter. For the special access to temple top, q number will be given and when called, just goto the counter to follow the guide which comes with special access. Top-up 150k, another 250k for peak season. Guide will explain the carvings meanings. Also change to sandals which you can keep. Intro video. Access limited to 150 pax per session, from 9 am onwards hourly. Jul is the coolest period. Closed on Mon. From temple to other place, can walk or take shuttle (20k) or horse carriage (?). To museum is far, better to take transport.
To prabaman, just over 1hr. Jam on the way to entry, road narrower. Raining heavily on the day, no shelter except under tree or hide in temple. This was built 1 century later than borobodur. Though different religions, can see some similarities in carvings. There is even live deer and peacock cage
Ask guide for dinner recommendations and he said sate klathe Pak pong. Famous for their grilled mutton. Felt it was just ok, with some gamey taste but Tempe and beef in gravy was nice. Price ok 2 pax 130.
Got a lot of useful info from this website, not just for attractions and food but also transportation and other stuffs
https://trevallog.com/indonesia/
As some mentioned, mount merapi erupted earlier in 2023 so close off hiking/climbing though can still goto the base of the mountain which I didn't try. Maybe next time
Will share some key details for those interested in visiting yogyakarta
take express train from airport to city, cost 50k. Normal train 20k, with 1 stop at Wate. Take cab or grab/gojek 200k. Better to book in advance online as tickets left only 25 for 10.29am train (railink.co.id) on the day. Can buy from website if don't want to install app. Seat number assigned. Exit from main building arrival hall and take escalator or lift to 2nd flr. Follow the signs. Charging point besides seat. Leave on time. Journey between 35-40mins. Train ends at yogyakarta station.
Goto gembira loka zoo. Opening hrs 0830-1545 entrance fee 75k for foreigners. Allows patting of animals like horses, rabbits, turtles, goats. Gentle ones but no Komodo dragon. Have river cruise, shuttle bus, no extra fees to onbaord these. Not as many animals as Singapore zoo but can see children enjoy interaction with live animals
Went to kraton or royal palace, entrance fee 25k On the visit day, many students came as well. Cultural performance in morning 10am (not fixed, some stated 9am). Exhibits nothing special but royal palace is big.
Water castle is Taman sari, about 20mins walk from Kraton but no shelter. 25k entry fee. Arrived, still have to q under hot sun. Underground system closed, which is the main attraction I wanted to visit. Other than main pool, nothing much to see
Walk to malioboro about 30mins walk. Mainly selling clothing and bakpia, with some eateries. Chinatown (Kampung Ketandan Jogja at jln ketandan wetan) accessible from main street but was quiet. Maybe more lively in morning. Teras malioboro has Indo food street style at end of street (opposite vredeburg museum). Street comes alive only after 4pm. Dinner at kopi pakpos, simply cafe at pos Indonesia. Nice setting with antique displays from Dutch influence. Long wait for food. Tried their ice lychee tea and nasi goreng teki spicy chili. Food was acceptable but service was good. When I ordered drink, staff said it was hot seeing that I was sweating and might want something cold.
Booked the 2 temples visit via klook, total 134,comes with driver+transport. About 1hr from hotel (best city), no traffic in morning leaving bf 7. Best to book ticket online then collect actual ticket from counter at international counter. For the special access to temple top, q number will be given and when called, just goto the counter to follow the guide which comes with special access. Top-up 150k, another 250k for peak season. Guide will explain the carvings meanings. Also change to sandals which you can keep. Intro video. Access limited to 150 pax per session, from 9 am onwards hourly. Jul is the coolest period. Closed on Mon. From temple to other place, can walk or take shuttle (20k) or horse carriage (?). To museum is far, better to take transport.
To prabaman, just over 1hr. Jam on the way to entry, road narrower. Raining heavily on the day, no shelter except under tree or hide in temple. This was built 1 century later than borobodur. Though different religions, can see some similarities in carvings. There is even live deer and peacock cage
Ask guide for dinner recommendations and he said sate klathe Pak pong. Famous for their grilled mutton. Felt it was just ok, with some gamey taste but Tempe and beef in gravy was nice. Price ok 2 pax 130.
Got a lot of useful info from this website, not just for attractions and food but also transportation and other stuffs
https://trevallog.com/indonesia/
As some mentioned, mount merapi erupted earlier in 2023 so close off hiking/climbing though can still goto the base of the mountain which I didn't try. Maybe next time
