Everyone knows that Yogyakarta is Indonesia’s cultural hub, but it’s more than just natural beauty, batik and pilgrimages. Read on to learn more about the quirky side of Jogja!
[P.S. Check out the only itinerary you need for your 5D4N stay in Jogja]
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1. Pick delicious dragon fruit, Pandansari Beach
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Pick bright dragon fruit straight from the trees at the plantations in Pandansari Beach! Enjoy the fruits of your labour, as you munch on them under the blazing hot sun. And if you forget to bring your sunblock, dragon fruit is also known to soothe sunburns?
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For shelter, head up to the nearby lighthouse. It’s the only one in Yogyakarta and is impossible to miss. You’ll get wonderful bird’s eye views of the peaceful Pandansari Beach from here!
Address: Sanden, Gadingsari, Bantul, Daerah Istimewa, Yogyakarta 55763, Indonesia
2. Bravely cross between islands on a ‘Cable Cart’, Timang Beach
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The brave at heart can enjoy the waves crashing beneath their feet by hopping onto a ‘cable cart’ at Timang Beach (meanwhile, the rest of us will gladly do it the conventional way)! These fabric rope contraptions were made as a means of transportation for fishermen, shuttling them to the neighbouring Watu Panjang Island.
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Address: Jalan Pantai Selatan Jawa, Tepus, Gunungkidul, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55881, Indonesia
3. Do some quiet contemplation, Luweng Sampang Watery Curtains
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The cascading curtains of Luweng Sampang are a rock solid example of natural beauty! The lines of these rocks are thousands of years old, and had been intricately traced from centuries of water erosion.
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Since this is an ideal place for meditation, imagine yourself as one of these rocks and reflect on all of your travels thus far. Every beautiful mark takes you one step closer to becoming a seasoned traveller. (You can tell we’re no experts at this contemplation thing?)
Address: Jl. Juminahan, Sampang, Gedang Sari, Kabupaten Gunung Kidul, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55863, Indonesia
4. Have an underwater photo shoot, Umbul Ponggok
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Smile like a clown-fish at Umbul Ponggok, where you can take quirky photos underwater with funny props like tents, bicycles and laptops! Get to experience life as a mermaid as schools of fish pass you by while you pretend to perform daily activities. Perhaps this will be the only time your eyes will water up when you watch a television show.
Credit: @umbul_ponggok on Instagram
Address: Ponggok, Polanharjo, Ponggok, Polanharjo, Kabupaten Klaten, Jawa Tengah 57474, Indonesia
Operating hours: Open daily; 7AM-5PM
Entrance fee: IDR 5,000 (USD 0.38), + IDR 100,000 to rent a camera (USD 7.50)
5. Try your hand at pottery making, Klipoh Village
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If the gorgeous views at Borobudur Temple have put you in a reflective mood, visit the nearby Klipoh Village to stare into mesmerising rotating pottery wheels. Take yourself on a spin by learning the art of pottery making, and if the beautiful vase of your imagination doesn’t turn out, you’ll at least get to take home a chunk of clay!
Credit: @gerabah_klipoh_borobudur on Instagram
Address: Unnamed Road, Karanganyar, Borobudur, Magelang, Jawa Tengah 56553, Indonesia
6. Explore a mysterious volcano, Gunung Api Purba Nglanggeran
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60 million years ago, Gunung Api Purba Nglanggeran was an active volcano. Legend has it that exactly seven families must live on this mountain at any one time, or tragedy will strike. The trek up is surprisingly easy, and takes about an hour, so you won’t be erupting like the volcano used to!
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Address: Ngalanggeran, Patuk, Nglanggeran, Patuk, Kabupaten Gunung Kidul, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55862, Indonesia
7. Watch the night light up, Rainbow Park
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When night falls, chase the lights at Taman Pelangi (Rainbow Park), a night park animated by vibrant lanterns. You’ll find light-up trains, animals and trees here, and it'll feel like festive season all year round! You’ll see Yogyakarta in a brand newlight at Rainbow Park☺️
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Operating hours: Open daily; 5PM-11PM
Entrance fee: IDR 10,000 (USD 0.75) on Mon-Fri, IDR 15,000 (USD 1.13) on Sat-Sun
Address: Monumen Yogya Kembali, Jl. Ring Road Utara, Sari Harjo, Sariharjo, Ngaglik, Sariharjo, Ngaglik, Kabupaten Sleman, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55284, Indonesia
8. Dine at a castle, Gubug Makan Mang Engking
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At Gubug Makan Mang Engking, you can dine at a place fit for a king! The restaurant serves halal-certified seafood that comes from the ponds around the castle, and its prices won’t make you feel like a fish out of water. In fact, you’ll feel like royalty! The crowd favourite, Honey Grilled Shrimp, costs just IDR 50,000 (USD 3.75)?
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Address: Jalan Soragan No. 13, Ngestiharjo, Kasihan, Bantul, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55711, Indonesia
Operating hours: Open daily; 10AM-9PM
9. Take photos with a chubby “Spiderman”, De Arca Statue Art Museum
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At the De Arca Statue Art Museum, you can strike a pose with replicas of famous icons like Mr Bean, Lady Gaga, and our favourite - a local retired Spiderman! If statues put you off, you can head over to the trick eye museum which is in the same building!
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Operating hours: Tue-Sun; 10AM-10PM
Entrance fee: IDR 80,000 (USD 6)
Address: XT Square, Jl. Veteran, Pandeyan, Umbulharjo, Pandeyan, Umbulharjo, Kota Yogyakarta, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55161, Indonesia
If you’re looking for a peaceful, natural sanctuary, here’s the place to go. And if you’re looking for something new and different, the city has it too. Yogyakarta is the best of both worlds, letting you experience some eccentricity without all the noise?
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