Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, is located on northwest region of Java. Surabaya (the second largest city in Indonesia), is located on East Java. Java acts as Indonesia's center of cultural and economic activity.
This is a quite remarkable island geographically with no less than 121 active volcanoes. Add to that a host of major national parks and, despite its very crowded nature, the island has lots to offer the visitor who appreciates outdoor attractions.
The main ethnic group in Java is Javanese, except for the West Java region where most people are Sundanese. In the province of East Java, 22% of the population is of Madurese descent. Half of them live on the island of Madura.
Jakarta is the capital of Indonesia. Population: 8 million (within city limits). The total population of Jakarta and its suburbs: 12 million people. The population of Jakarta is a mix of many ethnic groups. The group native to Jakarta is Betawi.
The Highlights Travel Destination in Java Indonesia.
Actually there is so many places to visit in Java, it depending on time you've got, what your travel interest, what your holiday purpose, as Java has so much to do, see and discover, from the heritage sites, culture, nature, shopping, mountain and more. the following we try to highlights it for you, with hoping can make you easy to plan your holiday to Java Indonesia. If you need further assistance do not hesitate to contact www.lombokhotelandtravel.com
Jakarta
Jakarta is the Indonesia capital city, Jakarta is not a city for everyone but many find it an inevitable stop on the way to more tranquil Indonesian destinations. What has amassed is a decentralized sprawl of low slung buildings amidst occasional high rise towers. With no central Jakarta area it is difficult to experience the city's highlights which are scattered about the enormous districts. Jakarta has a reputation as a rich person's playground. Grungy streets contrast to modern shopping complexes and examples of ostentatious wealth. Visitors can enjoy a bit of this in garish nightclubs and elegant restaurants.
Travelling far in the city is laborious and adding to the difficulty is heavy traffic and haywire street grids throughout dense and stretching sprawl. Yet despite, or possibly because of, Jakarta's reputation as a difficult city, little visited areas and unique attractions feel like personal discoveries. Jakarta is a boiled down representation of everything Indonesian giving visitors a quick introduction or synopsis of the country's various and incredibly diverse cultures, architecture, food, languages, religions, and combined histories.
West Java
The enchanting land of Sunda stretches from the Sunda Strait in the West to the borders of Central Java in the east. The region is primarily mountainous, with rich green valleys hugging lofty volcanic peaks, many of which surround the capital of the province, Bandung. The history of West Java is a story of trade, spices, and the rise and fall of powerful kingdoms.
In the late 1500’s the region was ruled from mighty Cirebon, which still survives as a sultanate today, although a shadow of its former glory. West Java was one of the first contact points in Indonesia for Indian traders and their cultural influences and it was here that the Dutch and British first set foot in the archipelago.
Bandung is the capital city of West Java, and the third largest city in Indonesia after Jakarta and Surabaya. Nicknamed Paris van Java (Paris of Java) by the Dutch for its resemblance to Paris and European atmosphere back at the colonial times. Bandung also earned another nickname as Kota Kembang, literally meaning the Flower City since Bandung used to have a lot of flowers.
Located at the altitude of 768m with the surroundings of lush and beautiful Parahyangan mountains makes the climate mild and pleasant. The city has been well known for the universities, apparel products and a great place for gastronomic adventure. Nowadays, Bandung has become a very popular weekend escape for Jakartans, who would crowd the city on weekends and national holidays.
Yogyakarta - Jogja
'Yogya', as it is known, is one of the most attractive and ancient historical cities in Java. It was established in 1755 when Prince Mangkubumi built the Kraton Palace, called himself Sultan and created the most powerful Javanese Kingdom since the 17th century. Today it remains a symbol of resistance to Dutch Colonial rule, as well as the centre for classical Javanese art and culture, including batik, Ramayana ballet, shadow puppetry and music.
At its heart lies the quaint Old City with the elegant Sultan's Palace at its centre, containing the Water Palace, an interesting bird market and several museums and galleries. Guarded by traditionally dressed gentlemen, the splendid interior features extravagant pavilions and courtyards. Leading away from the centre are boulevards and backstreets filled with the confusion of labyrinthine markets containing galleries, shops and numerous other craft industries - a shopper's paradise for souvenirs and Javanese art. The silver centre of Yogya, Kota Gede, has streets lined with silver workshops creating the well-known distinctive design and variety of silver pieces. Workshops allow the visitor the opportunity to watch traditional art in action. On every corner becaks (bicycle rickshaws) clamour for business, eventually wobbling their way down the windy streets with bargain-weary passengers inside.
With its ancient historical city, museums, cultural performances, lively atmosphere and an abundance of accommodation and restaurants, as well as its proximity to two of the most impressive religious monuments in the country, it is no wonder that this splendid city is a major stop on the tourist route.
Central Java
Central Java Province, as one of the Indonesia tourist destination areas, offers various kinds of tourist attractions whether natural, cultural, or man made features. Central Java is located exactly in the middle of Java Island. It borders with West Java Province in the western part, while in the eastern part borders with East Java Province. On the part of the southern side lies also the province of Yogyakarta Special Region. Central Java is the island's cultural, geographic, and historic heartland. Universities, dance schools, pottery, handicrafts, textiles and carving, give to the region a rich culture and interesting shopping. This is also the place of the famous Javanese temples of Borobudur. But it is not the only ones to be noted; Dieng plateau and Sukuh temple are worth a visit. Performing arts is still widely practiced, and traditional dance dramas (Wayang Orang) or shadow puppets (Wayang Kulit) performances are easy to find. Mountains cross the entire central portion of the province. The cool slopes contain numerous hill resorts (Tawangmangu, Kaliurang, Sarangan).
The very first Moslem kingdom on the island was founded in 1511 at Demak, about 40 km from Semarang. Today Demak is a sleepy little town, however, its glory of the past is still visible from one of the major relics, which is still well preserved. The Grand Mosque, a quaint blend of Hindu and Islamic architecture, still honored and worshipped by Javanese pilgrims.
Surakarta, better known as Solo, is the cradle of Javanese culture in the province. TV courts of Solo embody the noble value that the Javanese attach to grace and refinement, with majestic ceremonies and royal festivals still held with great pomp and circumstance. Although no longer the seat of power it once was, descendants of the royal houses of Solo are regarded as leaders of, Javanese culture and traditions, upholding standards of sophistication and conduct.
The rich and fertile plains of the region support an enormous population of over 30 million people. The low land plains are found alongside the northern beaches. The high land plains are found in the Center of Central Java with mountains stretching lengthwise from the west to the east with a line of mountains, such as Mount Slamet (3,428 m), Mount Perahu (2,585 m), Mount Sindoro (3,135 m) Mount Sumbing (3,321 m), Mount Merapi (3,142 m), Mount Ungaran (2,050 m). Near the border with East Java Province is Mount Lawu (3,265 m), while on the northern side there is Mount Muria (1,602 m). At the feet of these mountains will find pleasant and cool highland plains with beautiful panoramas such as Baturaden, the Dieng Plateau, Bandungan, Kopeng, Tawangmangu, Solo, etc. Apart from these mountains there are some small mountains and lime mountains. The Biggest Rivers found in the Central Java are Serayu River, with its source from the Dieng Plateau and "Bengawan Solo" River.
East Java
East Java is one of Indonesia provinces. It is located on the eastern part of Java Island and near to Madura and Bawean islands. It state in the West neighbor of Bali, across the small Strait of Bali. East Java tourism offer attractions, from historical site like temples to recreational spots like beaches, lakes, volcanoes, marine gardens and wildlife reserves. Magnificent mountain sceneries, include the craters and the famous of Mount Bromo, the "sulfur mountain" of Welirang and rugged line Plateau. Remaining the glory of Majapahit Empire, the ruins nowadays is still exist as an history witnesses with some archaeological discoveries. East Java government have claim this historical site against colonial forces since 1945
The administrative center of the province is located in Surabaya, which is the second largest city in Indonesia after Jakarta and as a major industrial center and business port. East Java is also considered as a national industrial province. The economic commodity is coming from agriculture; include of coffee, mangoes and apples, fishery and oil industries. The transportation to go to East Java area can be reach by public vehicle or train services. There are also air services between Surabaya and other cities like Bali or Jakarta or some other provinces. Madura Island, which is famous for its bull races, is part of East Java province, though it has its own traditions and language. The history dates back numbers of invasion in East Java like the founding of prehistoric animals and the site of the Java man at Trinil, Ngawi or some hidden ruin temples which settled on 7th century AD.How To Get To Java
Java has 6 international airports, the Soekarno_Hatta International Airport and the Halim Perdanakusumah airport in Jakarta, Surabaya’s Juanda International airport, and the airports in Solo, Yogyakarta and Bandung receive direct flights from abroad. From these cities domestic flights connect to other cities on Java as well as Indonesian destinations on other islands.
Java has super highways connecting largest cities, as well as a reasonably good road network across the island. Railways also connect most of Java’s towns. Telecommunications are quick and efficient, and cell phones are ubiquitous even in villages.
People & Culture - Languages
The original languages on Java are Sundanese in West Java and Javanese with many variations and dialects. In Jakarta, the Betawi dialect is used, and due to its democratic and open style it has become the preferred language of young people. So much so that most of the shows and soap operas on television today use Betawi dialect or vocabulary.
Bahasa Indonesia is the country’s national language and is the official language used in official meetings and correspondence, rules and regulations, and on television news cast. Most people on Java speak at least two languages, their mother tongue and Bahasa Indonesia.
Enduring Arts and Crafts
In the courts of Java, philosophy and the arts flourished. Influenced by Hindu and Chinese civilizations, Java absorbed and blended cultures these with “local genius” to produce the culture, philosophy and arts that are uniquely Java, and now very Indonesian. Java maintains that life must be kept in harmony between man and the Almighty, and between man and his social and natural environment. And, in order to maintain peace there must be tolerance and grace among members of society.
Inspired by the Hindu Ramayana and the Mahabharata epics, Java expressed these through dance dramas and shadow puppet all night performances, accompanied by the rippling music of the gamelan orchestra. In daily life, the beautiful Batik cloth was not merely material to wear, but symbolized life cycle and social status. Sponsored by the courts, gold and silver jewelry and copper vases, spittoons, and other receptacles were produced, as are fine woodcarvings and pottery made in villages surrounding the palace. All these have continued to thrive until today.
Today, Batik designs vary from region to region, producing materials that are uniquely Indonesian.
The common people also developed their own arts and crafts. Reog Ponorogo of East Java, Debus in Banten are examples of dances using supernatural powers. Others like the Jaipongan dance of West Java are community dances. And later the area also produced the angklung, bamboo instrument that has adjusted to western music.
In cities today, Indonesia’s creative arts are revived, producing modern interpretations of ancient artistic expressions.
Jazz, pop music and cinematic arts are enjoyed by the younger generation, making Java very ancient and very modern both at the same time.
Cuisine
There are five provinces in Java, i.e. Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta (or Jogjakarta, as the Sultan would say) and East Java. Each has its own specialties. Generally, the Javanese dishes are well known for their wondrous taste and many have been a favorite of tourists.
| Java Places To Visit |
| West Java | Yogyakarta | Central Java | East Java |
Anyer
Bandung
Bogor
Puncak
Pangandaran
Ujung Kulon National Park
Mount Tangkuban Perahu
Banten
Naga Village
Karakatoa
| Sultan Palace
Borobudur
Prambanan
Kota Gede
Malioboro Street
Mount Merapi
Museum
Parangtritis Beach
Sambi Sari Temple | Semarang
Purwokerto
Mount Selamet
Dieng Plateu
Karimun Jawa
Solo
Magelang
Kudus
Tegal
Jepara | Mount Bromo
Ijen Crater
Mount Kelud
Mount Semeru
G - Land
Malang
Surabaya
Trowulan Site
Blitar
Madura |
Java Excursions
|
Mount Krakatau Trekking
Mount Bromo Trekking
Mount Merapi Trekking | Leisure at Pulau Seribu
Culture & Heritage sites
Ijen Crater | G-land surfing
Rafting
Temple
sightseeing | Traditional Village
Adventure Tour
Java Overland Tour |
|