Location: Central Java
Top Things to do in Central Java
Top Restaurants in Central Java
Top 10 Budget-friendly 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. 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. 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
4. 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......
5. 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.
6. Mount Slamet
7. Mount Sikunir
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 242 reviews
Reviewed By SWidodo - Wonosobo, Indonesia
The best place to visit in the Dieng area. A nice and steep path makes it easy to capture every step at this location. Incredible views from the top of the hill, visible Kawah Sikidang and a Telaga Warna that make a wonderful photo background.
8. Selogriyo Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 121 reviews
Selogriyo temple is a village's Hindu temple situated on the foot of Sumbing Mountain, Windusari village. It is a nice area to visit by a walk through the village and rice fields. You may explore and feel the real Javanese atmosphere and environment.
Reviewed By twsp68 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
If you have more time, this is another site which optional to visit, take about an hour or less to explore and hike along the rich country side - passing lots of paddy field, children playing football, climbing the tamarind tree... if you lucky may stumble some water buffalo too. Recommend for those who seek and wants to know the life hood of local village and highest point is restore old temple. The view overlooking the rolling hills and terrace of rice field is very captivating.
9. Mount Merbabu National Park
10. Posong
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By Aripurwadi - Temanggung, Indonesia
Posong Area is like Grand Park. The view is so hard breathing, so spectaculer with the mountain, beautiful sky, fresh air, the weather is so cold, i love it.
