Location: Central Java
Top Things to do in Central Java
Top Restaurants in Central Java
10 Ancient Ruins in Central Java That You Shouldn't Miss
Central Java (Javanese: ꦗꦮꦠꦼꦔꦃ; Indonesian: Jawa Tengah, abbreviated as Jateng) is a province of Indonesia. This province is located in the middle of the island of Java. Its administrative capital is Semarang.
Restaurants in Central Java
1. Prambanan Temples
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,313 reviews
These ancient masterpieces of Hindu architecture are adorned with bas-reliefs depicting the famous Ramayana story.
Reviewed By WorldGlutton - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
As we arrived at the Carpark we did not like see the temple except for a few modern contemporary buildings. However upon walking in, we were awestruck by this UNESCO world heritage temple constructed about 856 AD. It is located in an enclosed park hidden away with with stalls & facilities. The Prambanan Temple being the main temple with many other several small temples in the same compound are Hindu Temples dedicated to Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva (The Creator, The Protector and The Destroyer). The steps to these individual temples are quite narrow and steep with many visitors taking selfies which make it a bit difficult to climb through. Our tour guide walked us through and explained/narrated in detail the history on each and every panel reliefs of stones carving and every temple building which house a statue of Hindu god or goddess. The Temples Park are well maintained, many ruins from earthquake could be seen lying neatly. There is an enclosed area with spotted deers, a souvenir shop and café. For visitors who do not wish to walk , they can pay a price for the Buggy Transport. The driver will gladly stop and wait for you while you explore the temples site . At the Exit , there are plenty of market stalls for souvenirs. Certainly worth the time to explore this ancient Hindu Temple, definitely one of the best tourist site around Yogyakarta !!!
2. Borobudur Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,548 reviews
Borobudur Temple Compounds This famous Buddhist temple, dating from the 8th and 9th centuries, is located in central Java. It was built in three tiers: a pyramidal base with five concentric square terraces, the trunk of a cone with three circular platforms and, at the top, a monumental stupa. The walls and balustrades are decorated with fine low reliefs, covering a total surface area of 2,500 m2. Around the circular platforms are 72 openwork stupas, each containing a statue of the Buddha. The monument was restored with UNESCO's help in the 1970s.
Reviewed By JeremyCaney - Seattle, United States
I often find that the most famous sights in a country are so hyped, so crowded, and so commercialized that they are underwelming. Borobudur is certainly hyped, crowded, and commercialized. And yet it’s a beautiful and unique ruin, painstakingly restored, and absolutely worth seeing. A few tips for your visit. First, a lot of visitors pay extra for the Manohara Resort’s exclusive 4:30A access for sunrise hoping to recreate one of those iconic shots of Borobudur. You can do that. But, at least in March, I found that arriving at 6:00A was just fine. It was cheaper, the crowds had thinned out, and there was still an hour of beautiful lighting and atmospheric mist offering plenty of good photo opportunities. All of the attached photos of the summit were taken between 6:30A and 7:30A. So unless you are dead set on catching those few moments where the sun crosses the horizon, consider enjoying the extra hour of sleep! (That said, you’ll definitely want to go in the early morning or late afternoon; it is miserably hot, crowded, and far less photogenic midday.) Second, the vast majority of visitors immediately climb to the top, spend an hour, then go onto their next destination. That’s a mistake. While the top level offers some of the best Instagram opportunities—and should certainly be where you go around sunrise or sunset—the lower levels provide the most historical and artistic significance with hundreds of remarkable stone reliefs. As an added bonus, you’ll encounter comparatively few visitors here, and the walls offer welcome cover from the afternoon sun. Third, and related, many visitors come to town exclusively for the temple, and then move on. If you’re more adventurous and have the time, however, then the nearby villages are full of charming and welcoming people, astonishingly beautiful scenery, and a couple of smaller temples. Those are easily as memorable for me as Borobudur itself. I highly recommend booking at one of the nearby bed and breakfasts (I loved Etafa Home Stay), renting a bike (if one isn’t provided for you), and spending a couple of days exploring the surrounding countryside. (Note: If you’re planning on also visiting Prambanan, you’ll want to see Borobudur Temple on either your first or last day, as you save a lot of money if you buy a joint ticket—but you have to visit each within one day of each other.) I only stayed two days in Borobudur, opting to spend another two days in Prambanan. And while I enjoyed my time in Prambanan, I think I’d have preferred skipping it entirely and spending more time in and around Borobudur. The temple is a must-see when you’re in Indonesia, but the entire area is beautiful.
3. Cetho Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 400 reviews
Reviewed By ModestTravel - Shah Alam, Malaysia
It's like standing in Heaven since it is on Mt Lawu. Went with a driver from Yogyakarta. Possible to be a 1-day trip from Yogyakarta.
4. Gedong Songo Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 247 reviews
Reviewed By GeneralShamu - New York City, United States
There are five sets of temples on this mountain side. They are all well worth it and you can't just call it quits after the third one. Along the way - between the 3rd/4th one - you will also be able to get up close to some bubbling craters and sulfuric vents. They are not dangerous, just be smart about it. After the fifth temple, there is also a viewing station to get a proper vista of the town below and the mountains above you (with temples mixed in between). This is definitely worth the 2/3 minute trudge - which, after making it past temple 5 in the hear, you'll question if you should.
5. Sunan Kudus Tomb
6. Sukuh Temple
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 343 reviews
One of Southeast Asia's most interesting temples is unique in design and decoration.
Reviewed By sh4nkara
Sukuh is one of several temples built on the northwest slopes of Mount Lawu in the 15th century. By this time, Javanese religion and art had diverged from Indian precepts that had been so influential on temples styles during the 8th–10th centuries. This was the last significant area of temple building in Java before the island's courts were converted to Islam in the 16th century. It is difficult for historians to interpret the significance of these antiquities due to the temple's distinctiveness and the lack of records of Javanese ceremonies and beliefs of the era. #ShivaBuddha #Tantra
7. Candi Palgading
8. Merak Temple
9. Sojiwan Temple
10. Arjuna Temple
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 247 reviews
Reviewed By KRISEK - Bishops Stortford, United Kingdom
Great escape from Yogyakarta for sunrise at Sikunir, Arjuna Temple, the oldest survived temple, and active crater. Beautiful views of potato and veggies terraces so unusual to typical rice terraces around all Indonesia. Great views of other volcanos around.
