The palace court with its grand and elegant Javanese architecture lies in the center of the city between the Winogo and Code Rivers. The palace grounds, courtyards and buildings stretch from North to South, in line with with Mount Merapi. One passes through the palace meeting hall, the Pagelaran, where formal meetings of palace officials are held, to the Manguntur Tangkil hall where the Sultan holds audience. The palace today retains the atmosphere of a bygone era through the installations of life-size wedding and palace meeting dioramas, traditional Javanese gamelan orchestras, antiques and heirlooms which adorn the royal buildings.

Just west of the kraton, are the ruins, pools, arches and underground passages of the former pleasure gardens, he Water Castle. Built in 1758 by Sultan Hamengkubuwono I, the central courtyard with the nymph-baths has been restored. The Water Castle is located in the old part of the city within walking distance from the Bird Market. A number of batik workshop line the avenue leading to the pleasure garden's entrance.

Imogiri, the official cemetery of the royal descendents from Yogyakarta and Surakarta, is about 17 kms southeast of Yogyakarta and easily accessible by the bus or car. The tombs lie within three main courtyards perched on a hilltop. Entry into the smaller courtyards housing the tombs of the princes is allowed only by visitors wearing traditional Javanese dress, which can be hired o the spot for a modest fee.

This magnificent Hindu temple derives it name from the village where it is located, seventeen kilometers east of Yogyakarta. Locally known as the Loro Jongrang Temple, or the Temple of the Slender Virgin, it is the most magnificent and beautiful Hindu temple in Indonesia. Prambanan is believed to have been built by King Balitung Maha Sambu in the middle of the ninth century. Its parapes are adorned with bas-relief depicting the famous Ramayana story. It has eight shrines; the three main ones are dedicated to Shiva, Visnhu and Brahma. The main temple of Shiva rises to a height of 130 feet and houses the magnificent statue of Shiva's consort, Durga. The Ramayana ballet is performed on an open air stage during the full moon in he month from May to October.

This unique Buddhist temple is located some 16 km. east of Yogyakarta, on the south side of the main road between Yogyakarta and Solo. It was built in honor of the marriage between kin Pancapana of the Sanjaya Dynasty, Dyah Pramudya Wardhani. It is elaborately ornate, with finely carved relief preserved with "vajralepa", from the sap of local tree.

600 m. northeast of the Kalasan temple sits the slender and beautiful Sari Temple, formerly a Buddhist sanctuary (Vihara) where Buddhist priest used to live, meditate and teach their followers.

Located on Jalan Colonel Sugiyono in Yogya, the museum features relief's depicting the history of the struggle for independence and a collection of historic articles from that time.

At Yogyakarta's northern ringroad is the Monumen Yogya Kembali, established to commemorate Yogyakarta as the capital of the Republic of Indonesia in 1949. The monument has three floors. The first floor holds a museum, a library, an auditorium and cafeteria. On the second floor are 10 dioramas depicting the highlights of the occupation of the Dutch Armed Forces. On the balustrade are 40 relief's depicting the history of the Indonesian people's struggle for independence.

This museum, founded in November 1935 and designed by the Dutch architect Kersten, is built in the traditional Javanese style of architecture. On exhibit are weapons, leather and wooden puppets of wayang theatre, masks, statues, textiles, curios and old Javanese gamelan instruments. The museum is situated on the northern side of the city's main square in front of the Sultan's Palace.

Kotagede, a picturesque town about five kilometers southeast of Yogyakarta, was once the seat of the mighty Mataram empire. Since the 1039s Kotagede has become famous as the center of the Yogya silverwork industry. Kotagede is easily reached by four wheeled horsedrawn cart, taxi, bus or car, There are a number of workshop where visitors are welcome to watch silversmiths at work.

Set in a lush garden off the main road between the airport and he city stands the Affandi Museum. Affandi was Indonesian's foremost impressionist painter who built a private museum for his own paintings and of those of his daughter Kartika.

Southwest of Yogyakarta lies the village of Kasongan. known throughout Indonesia for its artistic pottery and earthenware.

Situated on the eastern outskirts of the city, the Batik Research Center has an interesting permanent exhibition of batiks in classic and modern designs. Both the hand-drawn and hand-stamped batik processes can be seen here.

A popular seaside resort 27 km south of Yogyakarta on the Indian Ocean, Parang Tritis is famous in Javanese mythology as the home of the Goddess of the South Seas, who was married to Panembahan Senopati, founder of the Mataram Kingdom. every year the sultans of Yogyakarta make special offerings to her in a beachside ceremony called "Labuhan".

A pleasant escape from the city, this resort on he slopes of Mt. Merapi is surrounded by enchanting countryside. The Telogo Muncar waterfall an charming bungalows for rent make this a perfect place to "get away from it all" while traveling.