Indonesia - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 190

Jalan Malioboro
he 2km stretch of road heading north
from the alun-alun is as replete with
history as it is with batik shops and
becak. It was designed as a ceremonial
boulevard by Mangkubumi, along which
the royal cavalcade would proceed on its
way to Mount Merapi. Today it is a
bustling stretch of old and new, with
touts and jewellery sellers sitting
shoulder to shoulder along the pavement
that leads towards the spectacular palace.
he road changes name three times along
its length, beginning as Jalan A Yani in
the south, continuing as Jalan
Malioboro, and then finally ending as
Jalan Mangkubumi. At the southern end
of the street stands the Benteng
Vredeburg , Jalan A Yani 6 (Tues-hurs
8.30am-1pm, Fri 8.30-11am, Sat &
Sun 8.30am-noon; Rp10,000), a fort
ordered by the Dutch, and built by
Mangkubumi in the late eighteenth
century. his relic of Dutch imperialism
has been restored to its former glory, and
now houses a series of informative
dioramas recounting the end of
colonialism in Indonesia.

city centre, from where Trans Jogja #2A (Rp3000) links to
the main post o ce. Trans Jogja buses #3A and #3B link
Giwangan with Jl Malioboro and Jl Sosrowijayan, while
city buses #2 and #15 (Rp2500) link Giwangan with
Prawirotaman.
Destinations Frequent departures to Bandung (9hr

30min); Bogor (10hr 30min); Borobudur (2hr); Cilacap
(5hr); Denpasar (15hr); Jakarta (11hr 30min); Magelang
(1hr 30min); Prambanan (45min); Probolinggo (9hr); Solo
(2hr); Surabaya (7hr 30min).
By train Tugu Train Station ( T 0274 514270) is one block
north of Jl Sosrowijayan, on Jl Pasar Kembang. A taxi to
Jl Prawirotaman costs Rp25,000; or catch southbound bus
#2A along Jl Malioboro from the Trans Jogya station.
Destinations Bandung (6 daily; 6hr 30min); Jakarta
(12 daily; 8hr 45min); Malang (daily; 6hr 50min); Solo
(12 daily; 1hr 30min); Surabaya (9 daily; 4hr 50min).

INFORMATION
Tourist information Jl Malioboro 16 (Mon-Thurs
8am-8pm, Fri & Sat 8am-7pm; T 0274 566000,
E [e-mail], W visitingjogja.com). Plenty
of information on local events, language and meditation
courses and up-to-date transport information. Also check
W jogjatogo.com for information on Jogja events and
attractions.
Intras Travel Agents Jl Malioboro 131 T 0274 561972.
Probably the most respected and reliable of Yogya's travel
agents, set just a few metres south of the eastern end of
Jl Sosro.

4

Pakualaman Palace
Yogyakarta's second court, Paku Alaman
Palace (Tues, hurs & Sat 9.30am-
1.30pm; Rp7500), was built in 1813 to
the northeast of the Biology Museum on
the north side of Jalan Sultan Agung. As
is traditional, the minor court of the city
faces south as a mark of subservience to
the main palace.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
By plane Adisucipto Airport ( T 0274 498261) lies 10km
east of the city centre, connected with Jl Malioboro in
Yogya by Trans Jogja #1A and #3A (daily 6am-7.30pm;
30-45min; Rp3000); for Prawirotaman, transfer to #2A.
There's also a train station near the airport, connected by
underpass and linking Yogya's Tugu Station as well as
Solo's Solobalapan Station.
Destinations Bandung (2 daily; 1hr 10min); Denpasar (7
daily; 1hr 15min); Jakarta (29 daily; 1hr 10min); Surabaya
(9 daily; 1hr).
By bus Inter-city buses arrive and depart from Giwangan
terminal, about 5km southeast of the city centre. Those
arriving from Borobudur or elsewhere in the north or west
can alight at Jombor terminal, around 3km north of the

TOUR OPERATORS
Yogya tour companies number in the hundreds, most
offering trips to the nearby temples (from Rp100,000 for
a tour of both Prambanan and Borobudur), as well as
further afield. Trips to Bali with overnight stops at Bromo
and Ijen are most popular (2-day/3-day tours Rp450,000/
Rp650,000).
Cecko Trans Jl Sosro Gang II 63 T 0274 560966. Friendly
guide offering some of the cheapest deals in the area,
including interesting mountain-bike trips to Merapi
(Rp175,000; minimum 3 people).
Rumah Guides Kasongan village, 7km south of city
centre T 0856 285 9193. A group of young Yogya residents
keen to show off their city and surrounding villages. They
charge a daily rate of Rp350,000 per group of up to four
people (Rp500,000 for five or more), and can arrange
overnight stays with local families.
Via Via Café Jl Prawirotaman 30 T 0274 372874,
W viaviajogja.com. The most innovative of Yogya's
operators. Tours include cycling, motorbiking, hiking and
rafting trips, as well as a five-day trip to Bali taking in
Mount Bromo, the hill town of Kalibaru and the Meru Betiri
National Park (€385; minimum two people).