Location: Central Java
Top Things to do in Central Java
Top Restaurants in Central Java
The 10 Best Things to do in Central Java, Java
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. 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.
2. Central Java Grand Mosque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 631 reviews
Reviewed By nfwldr - Bekasi, Indonesia
I recommend to visit here by online transportation. The area is so spacious. There is a tower than you can visit, it's called Asmaul Husna Tower. The outside mosque was so hot but inside was very fresh, probablye because there are many fans, and many architectures was made from woods. The toilet area was big and clean. There is an area to keep our shoes
3. Museum Batik Danar Hadi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 564 reviews
The House of Danar Hadi proudly unveils an Integrated Culture Heritage Complex that is destined to become a tourist attraction for the city of Surakarta. It has been founded to preserve and advance the art of batik in Indonesia as part of the national cultural legancy. This integrated tourism center will enhance the attractions to be found in the Central Javanese city, with visitors able to enjoy once again the heritage building nDalem Wuryoningratan, build in the late 19th century and painstakingly restored to its original grandeur by House of Danar Hadi.The Complex will be an arena to witness the development of batik in Indonesia, the process of creating this precious textile and its emergence as part of the contemporary lifestyle. This homage to the history and glory of batik will be found at the nDalem Wuryoningratan, Danar Hadi Batik Museum, Danar Hadi Traditional Batik Showroom and Souvenir and Lounge.
Reviewed By ronnygandey - Cikarang, Indonesia
I took a tour in the Museum while my family doing the shopping as during fasting month and Lebaran festive this shop offers discounted price for certain items. For a certain reason, Danar Hadi is not my favourite batik. The museum situated at the back of the shop. A knowledgeable, pleasant, humorous and talkative gentlemen guided a small group of visitors. And it was an eye opening to me. I learned almost everything about batik : its history, philosophy, values, terminologies, designs, painting, dyeing process, materials, best ways of batik maintenance/storage, and fantastic prices of vintage batiks etc. Most, if not all, vintage batiks were from the Danar hadi founder/owners collections. Some of them priced more than IDR 5 B (or more than USD 350 K !!!). From here than I understand and credit the government of Indonesia's effort to make Indonesian Batik as the Unesco Heritage. And I loved batik now even more than before. Highly recommended to every one. Really. And you will get zilions of information for a very cheap tour (IDR 35,000 per pax, then you can buy items to ad to you pile of batik collection......
4. Lawang Sewu Building
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,778 reviews
Reviewed By 3333JURI
Lawang Sewu literally means Thousand Doors is a landmark in Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia. It was built as the headquarters of the Dutch East Indies Railway Company. The colonial era building is famous as a haunted house.
5. Sam Po Kong Temple
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,187 reviews
Reviewed By beatrice390 - Indonesia, null
Visiting Semarang is not going to be completed if you haven’t visit this temple. Sam Po Kong temple is the oldest Chinese temple in Semarang. This temple is not solely for Buddhist or Tao, but rather functions as a place of worship for people of various ethnicities and religious groups. This temple is painted with a magnificent red color and crowned with a triple-layered pagoda-style roof, typical of East Asian culture. Really beautiful... It’s worth to make a visit at least once when you’re around.
6. Batu Raden
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 240 reviews
Reviewed By 239JoyceM - Cheras, Malaysia
Nice place for families to visit. They have nice spots for photography and also many eating places within the area. Can spend a whole day here.
7. Punthuk Setumbu
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 331 reviews
Punthuk Setumbu Hill is one of the best spots to watch the sunrise with the background of Mount Merapi Merbabu. From this place tourists can also see the magnificent Borobudur Temple in the morning which is confined by a sea of fog. The exoticism of the sunrise that rises in the morning is always a fascinating magnet for tourists.
Reviewed By TeoChinHin - Penang Island, Malaysia
This place offers a magnificent view onto the rain forest with a egg yolk alike sunset. The view was just so incredible that you will hope for the time to stop and indulge yourself into the view with your loved ones. The view down into the rain forest was also so perfect that it just brought me away from the busy life in town. Come enjoy the view even if you are non-photogenic
8. Semawis Market
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 256 reviews
Reviewed By Genidinihari - Jakarta, Indonesia
This market will be open every night of weekend. A lot of food they sell here. All was a street food, from appertiser, main course until dessert. All was good taste.
9. Semarang Old Town
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 568 reviews
Reviewed By nomia930 - Denpasar, Indonesia
There is often one exotic historic area in every city waiting to be explored. In Semarang, Central Java, the area is named Kota Lama (Old Town) or Outstadt. Situated in the intersection of Jl. Pemuda and Jl. Imam Bonjol, Kota Lama is also known as Little Netherlands. Established in the 18th century when Indonesia was a Dutch colony, its location is currently separated from a residential area.
10. Simpang Lima
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 438 reviews
Reviewed By btri_hadi - Jakarta, Indonesia
A great place to waste hanging out while looking at the beauty of the night in Semarang City. Many snacks that we can choose around. Colorful with the existence of decorative bicycle rentals that add to the vibrant night in Semarang. Always crowded even though it's midnight.
