Jendral Sudirman Museum

Formerly it was a residence of Panglima Besar Jendral Sudirman, the first general of Indonesia Army Service. It is located at jalan Bintaran. Keeping many kinds of guns and other army instruments used in past physic revolution. His private goods like spoon, plate, cattapult, and his tandu ( a palanquin ) as specific of General Sudirman that used to carry him to move from one to another place ( guerilla ), are kept in this museum.

Krakal Beach

To get to Krakal beach you have to pass Wonosari the capital of the Gunungkidul Regency, about 38 km from Yogyakarta. The winding and mountainous road is well asphalt. Krakal is about 21 km, from Wonosari, located some 7 km east from the road that branches off the main road to Baron, crossing limestone hills with their harsh appearance, alternated with terraced rocks which all present a blend of very enchanting scenery.

Geologists say that a long time ago, this place was below sea level. In the remaining coral bed, many fossils can still be found. Among all the beaches that stretch along the coast of Java, Krakal with -its white sandy beach surrounded with mountainous rocky hills is the most beautiful one.

Meanwhile, the battering of its gigantic waves in a mass of white foam gives more enchantment to this beach. It has enchanted many tourism planning experts from foreign countries. They suggest that it should be prepared as a beach resort, particularly for foreign tourists ( like Tourist Resort Nusa Dua in Bali ). Their interest in exploring Krakal is supported by its attractive potentials such as: a sloping and white sandy beach stretching out for about 5 km. There is always warm sun-shine from dawn until twilight during the whole dry and rainy season. The sea wind always blows softly. As a whole, it is most suitable for sun- bathing. It also offers a very hue and multicolored marine growth.

Krakal is close to Kukup beach and Baron cove. This cove is in fact an estuary of an underground river that comes up exactly at the water-front. It is interesting to observe the combination of the beach and the cove from the protruding rocky hills that flank the caves on both sides.

Parangkusumo

According to the people's belief it used to be the meeting place between the kings who reigned Mataram kingdom and Kanjeng Ratu Kidul. Every year, on the 30 th day of the Javanese month, " Rejeb ", ( its consideration is based on the rotation of the moon when it revolves giving of offerings to the Queen of the south-sea is held on the shore of Parangkusumo, coincided with the commemoration of the inauguration of Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, Flowers, food, clothes, cutting the Sultan's nails and hair, will be thrown in to the water of the Indian Ocean. Every night, especially every Friday and Tuesday Klimon ( according to the Javanese calendar ), many people come to visit the rest house built on this place to meditate and to get spiritual tranquillity. The legends say that the rocks resulted from a post volcanic activity found at Parangkusumo used to be the place where Panembahan Senopati and Kanjeng Ratu Kidul sat confering on special occasions.

Banyu Nibo

Banyu Nibo temple can be visited easily after visiting King Boko temple. It is located solitarily amid the farmland about two kilometers southeast of King Boko's Palace, flanked by Gunung Kidul hills to the south. The fantastic view of its exotic scenery makes this temple most enjoyable. This Budhist temple is fairly small. The slightly curved roof functions as the top of the stupa and gives the temple certain allure. This temples dates from the 9th century and has been restored.

Kiskendo Cave

Some 38 km at northwest side of Yogya and 21 km from Wates natural cave on Menoreh hill, located in Jatimulyo, sub district of Girimulyo. The cave ornamented with various shape of stalactites-stalagmites. One of the stalactites is in big tongue shape, assumed as the tongue of Mahesosuro.

The area lies + 700 m above sea level, so that the air there is cool and fresh. The panorama of its environment is beautiful indeed. To the east, vast lowlands extending around the Progo river can be admired and to the south, vaguely, the Indian Ocean.

This cave can be reached by motor bikes or cars. But those using big vehicles ( big buses ) are advised to stop at the Kecamatan ( district ) Girimulyo and to proceed by smaller vehicles because of the narrow road. Along the way to the cave the beautiful view of the mountainous area and the terraced rice field are beautiful sight.

Apart from the stalagmites clinging to the roof and mounting from the floor of the cave, it is said that the cave treasures a well known legend about the fight between Mahesasura, Lembusura and Jathasura against Sugriwa and Subali.

This story is depicted by relief made in front of the cave. In connection with above story, inside the Kiskendo cave local people belief the presence of several places as being the remainders of Sekandang Kingdom, among others:

Santri Tani and Subali meditation places, Selumbung (royal food storage), Kraton Sekandang (centre of the Kingdom), Selansur (hiding place of royal soldiers during the fight between Subali againt Mahesasura and Lembusura; this place can only be reached by crawling ) and Sumelong (a hole through the roof of the cave the escape of Subali from the cave because Sugriwa has blocked the entrance of the cave).

Benteng Vredeburg

Benteng Vredeburg is opposite Gedung Agung. It was built in the year 1765 by the Dutch during the colonial domination against the cannon shot from the Sultan's palace. Its function was to protect the residence of the Dutch Residence. This fort is also surrounded by a moat which still can be seen at present. The fort is rectangular in shape with bastions on the four corners and ramparts which enable the Dutch soldiers to walk around and shoot from.

From the base of the cannon on the southern rampart, one has a good view of the Sultan's Palace and other historical buildings and busy traffic around these places. The fort is within walking distance from the centre of town.

Merapi Volcano

The internally giant smoking Mount Merapi is one of the active volcanoes found in Indonesia, presenting its peaceful and sleepy dense forest. Beyond this, there lies a vast deserted land with its deep and steep valley spread out among the mountain hills where sibilant pines and wild grass make out the dominating vegetation, all presents a very exciting panorama. During its resting time of volcanic activities, it will enable those who have

much interest in mountaineering to have fun and to make them more acquainted with the flora of its tropical rain forest. From the observation post located on Plawangan hill that can be reached through the forest resort of Kaliurang, you will see the incredible sights of molten rocks oozing over the rim, sometimes accompanied with hot lava pouring out regularly and leaving a long trail of smoke.

Mount Merapi is 2.920 m above sea level with an average temperature of about 10 degrees Celcius and a difference in temperature between noon and night of 15 - 16 degrees Celcius. At present this resort is provided with an out standing and modern Golf Course, which is setting on 800 meters of sea level. This 18 holes, par 72 course is opened to the public and located only 30 minutes from the city of Yogyakarta.

Monument of March 1st

Monument 1 Maret is located on Jalan Panembahan Senopati, next to Fort Vredeburg and was erected in commemoration of the total offensive on March 1, 1949 (Serangan Oemoem 1 Maret ), when the Indonesian guerilla fighters succeeded within 6 hours to reoccupy Yogyakarta, again st the Dutch colonial. This event, known as " The Six Hours in Yogyakarta " (Enam Jam di Yogya ), commanded by Kolonel Soeharto. Both parties were brought to the Round Table Conference ( KMB ) in Den Haag.

Sambisari Temple

The temple, which has been restored recently, is located some 12 kilometers east of Yogyakarta, on the north of the main road between Yogyakarta and Solo. Sambisari temple is very unique, it lies 6,5 meters bellow the ground level. It was erected in the 10th century. Because of the eruption of mount Merapi in 1006 the area surrounding the temple covered with volcanic material.

Kaliurang Mountain Resort

Kaliurang lies at the foot of Plawangan hill on the southern slope of mount Merapi, some 28 km, north of Yogyakarta. This is a refreshing holiday resort for those seeking refuge and tranquility amidst the lush green tropical splendour.

As a mountain resort Kaliurang offers accommodation facilities - villas, bungalows, inns as well as recreational facilities, such as swimming pools, tennis courts and playground. Many people visit Kaliurang, especially during the holidays. Young people, like boy scouts, enjoy going there since the town provides camping sites and places for mountaineering. Those who like mountain climbing can climb the Merapi Mountain from Kaliurang.

One can stay overnight in Kaliurang then start, very early in the morning, climbs the Merapi via Kinahrejo village to descend again at noon.

When the weather is clear, a spectacular sight of the panoramic view that covers the surrounding forest of Plawangan and Kaliurang, and the rolling green country side that fades into the distant misty horizon of the blue Indian Ocean can be seen easily. The best time to view the mountain is shortly after sunrise (before 09.00 o'clock ), when the early morning light starts lifting up the shroud of mist around its peak.