Yogyakarta

Located in Central Java, Yogyakarta, or Jogjakarta, is one of Indonesia’s most important cultural, intellectual, and literary hubs, and is the beating heart of Indonesian tradition. A short flight away from the capital Jakarta, Jogja or Yogya, as it is often abbreviated to, is easily accessible from other major tourist destinations around the region such as Bali or Singapore. Bounded by the Indian Ocean to its south, and the fiery active volcano Mount Merapi to the north, Yogyakarta is also home to Indonesia’s largest Hindu temple compound, Prambanan. Its close proximity to the world’s largest Buddhist temple, Borobudur, also underscores its nature as a multicultural mecca, as Jogja is a predominantly Muslim community.

Formed in the 8th century as the capital of the Medang Kingdom, Jogja evolved into the locus of Indonesia’s rich and diverse heritage and became emblematic of the country’s multicultural values and modernity. Yogyakarta was instrumental in Indonesia’s independence struggle and became the epicentre for revolutionary thought against Dutch colonialism. As a result, the city was granted special status to still be ruled by a monarchy in light of its contribution to the independence struggle. 

Indonesia is known for its wide variety of culinary delicacies and nowhere is this more apparent than in Yogyakarta. Small kiosks selling street food cram into every nook and cranny, selling all sorts of mouth-watering sweet and savoury Javanese delights and is sure to delight any foodie that comes to Jogja.