Yogyakarta, which is known as the City of Culture, always attracts the attention of tourists. No doubt, they tried to find out more about the history of Yogyakarta, the various cultures there, and the life of the sultan and his family by visiting the Yogyakarta Palace tourist attraction.
Yogyakarta Palace Tourism is one of the symbols of the past glory of Gudeg City. The opening of these tourist attractions is intended so that the surrounding community and tourists from other regions can get to know more about Javanese culture there.
Interested in visiting the Yogyakarta Palace tour? In this article, we will present various information about the Yogyakarta Palace which includes a brief history, various artistic activities, to the route to the destination. Complete, right?
So, keep reading the Yogyakarta Palace tour reviews below until they run out, OK! Who knows, your curiosity about the intricacies of these tourist attractions can be answered. It can also treat your longing for this city of art and culture. Happy reading!
A Brief History of Yogyakarta Palace Tour
The forerunner to the establishment of the Yogyakarta Palace began with the breakup of the Islamic Mataram kingdom in February 1755 which was marked by the Giyanti Agreement. One of the contents of the agreement stated that the Mataram Kingdom was divided into two.
The kingdom included the Surakarta Hadiningrat Sunanate which was controlled by Susuhunan Pakubuwana III and the Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Sultanate which was led by Prince Mangkubumi who later had the title Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwana I (HB I).
When he wanted to determine the location of the kingdom, Sultan HB I briefly stayed at Pesanggrahan Ambar Ketawang (now in the Gamping District, Sleman Regency). Then he ordered his trusted person, Jayawinata, to conduct a survey which later determined the Gamping area as a temporary palace.
At the same time, Sultan HB I was still looking for the right area for his permanent palace. He also received instructions to establish a new kingdom in a guesthouse which is usually used as a resting place for the convoy of Mataram kings who will be buried in Imogiri (the current location of the palace).
On March 13, 1755, the Sultanate of Jogja was officially established. Then on October 9, 1755, the construction of the Yogyakarta Palace began. The process of establishing the new palace took approximately one year.
While waiting for the construction process to be completed, Sultan HB I and his family lived in Pesanggrahan Ambar Ketawang. It was only around the end of 1756 that the family of the Yogyakarta Palace officially occupied the Yogyakarta Palace.
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Fun Activities To Do
There are many exciting activities that you can do during your visit to the Yogyakarta Palace tourist attractions, either alone or with the closest people. What are they?
1. Enjoy Gamelan Music
If you’ve been listening to modern music a lot, occasionally come to the Yogyakarta Palace to enjoy the strains of gamelan music. From there you will know one of the cultural treasures of the archipelago that should be preserved.
Gamelan music performances are held every Monday and Tuesday at 10.00-12.00 WIB in the Sri Manganti Ward which is located behind the palace. During this time, your ears will be spoiled by the musical art and melodious voice of the Sinden (a female singer in Javanese art).
2. Watch Puppet Show
At the Yogyakarta Palace, there are more than one type of wayang performance, including the Wayang Orang, Wayang Golek Menak, and Wayang Kulit. The puppet art performances have their own schedule.
Wayang Orang is usually held every Sunday at 09.30 WIB. An interesting storyline spiced with hilarious behavior by the players will probably make you entertained and want to watch it again.
For the Menak Wayang Golek, you can watch it every Wednesday at 09.00-12.00 WIB. This puppet show in the form of a wooden puppet is usually performed by a dalang by taking a different story every week. If you’re curious, just note down the game schedule.
While the Wayang Kulit show you can follow every Saturday at 09.00-13.00 WIB. This is suitable for those of you who are not used to staying up late because in other places this traditional art is often held at night (all night).
3. Watch a Javanese Traditional Dance
Are you a lover of traditional dance art? If so, try to come to the Yogyakarta Palace every Thursday and Sunday around 09.00 WIB. At that time, you can find dance performances that end around 12.00 WIB.
When you want to see the performance, don’t think you will only see a group of Javanese women dancing gracefully. More than that, you will be treated to dance performances containing wayang stories, such as the Ramayana play.
4. Enjoying Macapat Art
In addition to watching wayang performances or traditional dances, at the Yogyakarta Palace tourist attraction you can also enjoy the beauty of Macapat. Macapat is a kind of traditional Javanese song or poetry which consists of certain stanzas.
If you are curious and want to hear how the macapat song is sung, just come on Friday at 09.00 WIB. Arriving there you will be treated to various songs that are not only pleasant to hear, but also full of Javanese philosophical values.
5. Learn Archery
Another exciting activity at the Yogyakarta Palace is learning archery which is scheduled every Tuesday afternoon. It would be nice if you made an appointment first with Abdi Dalem (the name for the palace administrator) who was in charge of guiding visitors who wanted to learn archery.
Before practicing archery, you can try out the traditional palace clothes, you know. Let during training like a real soldier. There you are also not alone, really. There were many other participants who also took part in archery training, both local visitors and foreign tourists.
6. Photos
It’s incomplete to visit the Yogyakarta Palace tourist attractions without capturing them through camera shots. There are many interesting places that you can use as a background, for example in the main door area or around the palace hall.
In addition, you can also create a photo story that contains your activities while exploring the palace. But before doing so, it would be better if you ask Abdi Dalem’s permission because there may be parts of the Yogyakarta Palace that are not allowed to be photographed.
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How to Get to Yogyakarta Palace Attractions
Yogyakarta Palace Tourism is right in the heart of the city, so it is easily accessible by visitors, namely on Jl. Jalan Rotowijayan Blok No.1, Panembahan, Kraton, Yogyakarta City, DIY. To get there, you can choose to use a private vehicle or public transportation. How to? Here’s the explanation.
1. Private Vehicle
If you depart from Semarang, it will take you about 3 hours with a distance of approximately 127 km. The journey starts from Semarang – Ungaran – Ambarawa – Pringsurat – Magelang – Yogyakarta (Jl. Ringroad Utara). Then you can go to Jl. Monjali – Jl. AM. Sangaji – Jl. Margo Utomo – Jl. Kleringan – Jl. Mayor Suryotomo – Jl. Brigadier General Katamso – Jl. Mrs. Ruswo – Jl. North Square – location.
For those who come from the direction of Bantul, you can start the journey from Jl. Bantul – Jl. Nagan Kulon – Jl. Ngasem – Jl. Kauman – Yogyakarta Palace. The distance covered is approximately 10 km with an estimated time of about 20 minutes.
If you happen to be from Pacitan, then you can take the route Pacitan – Pracimantoro – Wonosari – Patuk – Yogyakarta (Jl. Jogja-Wonosari). Then you can go to Jl. Rejowinangun – Jl. Botanical Gardens – Jl. Kusumanegara – Jl. Sultan Agung – Jl. Panembahan Senopati – Jl. Brigadier General Katamso – Jl. Mrs. Ruswo – Jl. North Square – location. The time required is approximately 3-4 hours with a distance of approximately 128 km.
2. Public Transportation
Using public transportation to get to the Yogyakarta Palace tourist attractions is no less easy than taking a private vehicle. If you are from out of town and choose to take the train, just get off at Tugu Station. To get to the location, you can take a rickshaw or motorcycle taxi. Less than 10 minutes may have arrived.
If you happen to be from out of town by bus, just get off at Giwangan Terminal. After that, you can use online or conventional taxi or motorcycle taxi services. It takes about 20 minutes with a distance of approximately 7 km.
If you are reluctant to wait long, you can take Trans Jogja route 3A by paying Rp. 3,500 and then get off at the Big Post Office stop. However, if someone happens to get off at Jombor Terminal, you can take Trans Jogja route 2A or 2B and then get off at the Big Post Office stop.
Meanwhile, those who take an airplane will land at Adi Sucipto Airport. Next, you can continue to take a motorcycle taxi or taxi with a distance of about 10 km and an estimated time of about 25 minutes. You can also take the Trans Jogja route 1A or 1B then get off at the Big Post Office stop.
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Operating Hours and Admission
The Yogyakarta Palace tourist attraction is open every day except for Islamic holidays, namely Saturday-Thursday at 08.00-14.00 WIB and Friday at 08.00-12.00 WIB. Friday closes early because on this day Muslim men are obliged to go to the mosque to perform Friday prayers. So, don’t come after 12.00 WIB if you don’t want to be disappointed.
For the entrance ticket, it is quite affordable, which is only Rp. 7,500 for local tourists and Rp. 15,000 for foreign tourists. If you bring a camera, you will be charged Rp. 1,000/device. Cheap, right?
By buying the entrance ticket, you will automatically get tour guide facilities and be free to explore the palace to your heart’s content. You don’t have to pay anymore, for example, if you want to see an art show there. Interested?
Tips for Traveling to the Yogyakarta Palace
You already know the information about Yogyakarta Palace tourism. Now is the time for us to share some tips so that your visit there goes smoothly. Listen carefully, yes!
- Obey any prohibitions or regulations written in the Keraton Jogja area, for example not sitting in prohibited places, touching palace objects without permission, and taking pictures at the Batik Museum.
- Take off a hat or other head covering (other than a headscarf) when entering the palace to honor the sultanate family.
- When taking selfies, avoid turning your back to Kedathon or Abdi Dalem because this is considered impolite.
- If you want to see an art show, it’s best to arrive early because seating is limited.
- Be careful with tour guides from outside who try to make money by claiming to be Abdi Dalem. In the palace there is usually a guide who is ready to guide tourists.
- Although there is no prohibition against bringing food or drink, keep the palace environment clean. Never litter.
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