Arts, Cultural & Heritage Tourism
Indonesia is a huge nation comprised of hundreds of cultures derived from local regions, making it one of the most diverse countries in the world. Explore the unique culture and heritage of each region in Indonesia!
Arts & Culture
Debus, The Ancient Martial Art and Culture of Banten
The province of Banten which was once part of the vast West Java province, was formed in the year 2000, and is today the youngest province on the island of Java. However, its people are long known in history to have their own distinct culture. One of its cultural traits that is definitely most spectacular and breathtaking is the ancient art of Debus. Debus is the traditional martial art unique to Banten that is imbued with supernatural powers.
Batik Solo: Keeping The Tradition Alive
The two famous traditional cloths produced in Solo are batik and lurik. Batik is an important icon of Indonesian culture. The batik which comes from the areas around Solo and Yogya is known as court batik. Traditionally the colors used in this batik are blue to symbolize earth, brown to symbolize fire and white to symbolize air and water. Batik Solo uses sogan (chocolate brown) on a pale yellow background.
Triwindu Antique Market, Exciting Ancient Trading Experience
Triwindu Antique Market is the center of excitement for lovers and collectors of antiques. Also known as Windujenar Market, Triwindu Antique Market is located on Jalan Diponegoro, not far from the Mangkunegaran Palace in Solo, Central Java. Upon entering the market complex, you will be greeted by a pair of statues, a man and a woman sitting in the cross-legged position. Solely dedicated to the sale of antiques, the atmosphere in Triwindu differs from other markets.
Traditional Ceremonies
The Yadnya Kasada Ceremony at Mt.Bromo
Mount Bromo in the Bromo Tengger-Semeru National Park in East Java is yet another one of Indonesia’s internationally popular tourist destinations and one of the most visited attractions in East Java. This unique volcanic mountain possesses a magnificent panoramic view and a mystical atmosphere unlike any other. With a cloud of smoke billowing from its crater, and its rugged surface rising high above the sandy landscape below, photos of Mount Bromo have graced magazines, newspapers, travel websites, post cards and brochures across the country and beyond. Recently, CNN GO listed Mount Bromo as one of its 50 Natural Wonders: The Ultimate List of Scenic Splendor.
Janger: Bali’s Dance For The Young at Heart
Dance moves that are simple but full of joy. The Janger dance is one of Bali’s unique dances created in the 1930s. With gamelan batel or gender wayang instruments playing in the background, Janger is danced by 10 pairs of young men and women. The group of women is called janger, while the men are called kecak. They would alternately dance together and sing the Janger song.
The Barong and the Kris Dance: The Eternal Battle Between Good and Evil
The wondrous island of Bali is not only blessed with fascinating beaches and outstanding landscapes, but it also has an amazing traditional culture that remains well preserved, highlighting the daily life of its people.
The Barong Dance is among the many art forms closely associated with spirituality, it is often performed in ritual ceremonies. Portraying the classic battle of “Good vs. Evil”, the dance is one of the most well-known and loved on the island.
The Penti Sacred Rituals in the Village of Wae Rebo on Flores
Every November, the Manggarai ethnic group in East Nusa Tenggara Province will conduct the sacred rituals of Penti which takes place at the Wae Rebo Traditional Village on Flores Island. As this is a unique occasion, make sure to witness the event.
Penti is a ritual of thanksgiving to celebrate the past year’s harvest and prayers for a prosperous, new agricultural year. The event is filled with a series of ancient rituals that usually last for one full day and night. The celebration is of such huge communal importance that all village members -even those living outside the village-will join the rituals.
Museums
KALIURANG on the slopes of sacred held MERAPI VOLCANO
Yogyakarta is a well known tourist destination, at the heart of Java’s age old herigate, art and culture. The city’s surrounding natural landscape is luxuriant with green paddy fields, streams of rivers, hills, looming volcanoes, beaches, and waterfalls.
One favorite destination in the province of Yogya is Kaliurang — a hill resort on the slopes of Mount Merapi Volcano, that offers a perfect cool climate for your getaway. Originally built as a holiday retreat for Dutch planters during colonial times, Kaliurang is located just around 25 kilometers north of the city center of Yogya.
The Ambarawa Railway Museum
On May 21, 1873, the Ambarawa Railway Station was built and named the Willem I Railway Station since it was the Dutch King Willem I who ordered its development. There were two types of railways running from Ambarawa. The 4ft 8.5in gauge passing Kedungjati to the northeast, and the 3ft 6in gauge line running south towards Yogyakarta via Magelang. Ambarawa was a hub between the two regions having different gauge sizes.
The National Museum, Indonesia’s Cultural History in One Place
Located on Medan Merdeka Barat, the National Museum is the pride of Jakarta, providing visitors an insight into Indonesia’s long history in cultural heritage from prehistoric days up to today. Having recently been expanded, the museum houses an impressive collection of no less than 109,342 objects covering Indonesia’s Prehistory, Archaeology, Ethnography, Numismatics-Heraldic, Geography and Historical Relics.
Enrich Your Photo Content in Motomoto Art Museum in BSD, Tangerang
In the age of Instagram, more and more places are popping up with fresh ideas to accommodate the need to take that perfect Instagramable shot. Motomoto Art Museum and Resto in QBIG, BSD City, Tangerang, Indonesia can cater your needs to those awe-inspiring Instagramable posts while also savoring some delicious food.
TeamLab Future Park Installation, Enjoy the Digital Art Gallery Experience
The teamLab Future Park is a whole new interactive art exhibition right here in Jakarta. It offers a harmonious collaboration between art and technology, and it wants YOU to be a part of the interaction! How is it interactive one may ask?
A ball might light up if you touch it, or an animal and a flower will move if you walk past and so much more.
Temples
Prambanan, the Most Beautiful and Graceful Hindu Temple in Indonesia
Located not far from the Buddhist Borobudur temple, the proximity of the two temples tells us that on Java, Buddhism and Hinduism lived peacefully next to one another. Prambanan is a magnificent spectacle and an icon of Indonesia’s cultural heritage. The temples at Prambanan were built in the 9th century and is known locally as Roro Jonggrang, coming from the legend of the ‘slender virgin’.
The sacred Royal Cemetery of IMOGIRI, Bantul Yogyakarta
Imogiri is the sacred held cemetery dedicated exclusively as last resting place for the kings and queens and royal descendants of the Islamic Mataram Kingdom, who until today rule the palaces of Yogyakarta and Surakarta.
Located on a beautiful hill, about 17 kilometers southeast of Yogyakarta, it is easily accessible by car and bus. The name “Imogiri” or often written “Imagiri” is derived from the Sanskrit word “Himagiri” which means “mountain of snow”. Although there is no snow here, yet the royal graveyard is reachable only by steep stone sets leading to its summit, so it will feel quite like climbing asnowy mountain to reach the peak. The set of stairs are symbols forimportant milestones. The set of 45 stairs mark the year when Sultan Agung passed away in 1645,the set of 9 symbolize the Walisongo, the nine religious leaders who spread Islam on Java, while the longest sets of 346 symbolize the 346 years of construction of the complex.
Kalasan Temple, The Oldest Buddhist Temple that Predating The Great Borobudur
Kalasan Temple is believed as the oldest Buddhist temple in Central Java and Yogyakarta, even predating the colossal Borobudur Temple. It is located on the southern main road between the cities of Yogyakarta and Solo, approximately 2 Km from the Prambanan Temple compound. The temple stands on a 45×45 meters rectangular base.
Mendut Temple: Witness the Holiest Day of the Buddhist Year in Indonesia
The month of May will be an exciting time for travelling to Yogyakarta. You can witness the eminent celebration of Buddhist holiest day, known as Vesak 2561/2562 that falls on May 11th, 2017. The date is set accordingly to the time of the brightest full moon that appears on the month of May or known as the Purnama Sidhi. Here in Indonesia, the procession annually held around the area of magnificent Buddhist temples of Central Java, one of them is the Mendut temple.
Singosari Temple
Not much remains of the once powerful 13th century East Java kingdom of Singosari. An unfinished temple and two giant statues that once stood guard in front of the palace are the only traces left of this great kingdom.
The kingdom of Singosari was founded in 1222 by a commoner by the name of Ken Arok, who managed to marry the beautiful princess Ken Dedes of Janggala after murdering her husband. Ken Arok later attacked neighbouring Kediri and thus united the two realms that were split by King Airlangga in 1049 as inheritance to his two sons.
Sam Poo Kong Temple, Beautiful Merge of Historical Cultures
The Sam Poo Kong Temple, also known as Gedung Batu (the Stone Building), is the oldest Chinese temple in Semarang, capital of the province of Central Java. Unlike most temples, the building does not belong to any specific religion, but rather functions as a place of worship for people of various ethnicities and religious groups including Buddhists, Taoists and muslims. The temple is located on Jalan Simongan, West Semarang.
Heritage
Grebeg Sudiro: Chinese New Year Celebration in the City of Solo
Chinese-Javanese communities in the royal city of Solo, otherwise known as Surakarta, celebrate the Chinese New Year (Imlek) with the Grebeg Sudiro carnival. The carnival showcases the acculturation between China and Java. It is usually focused around Pasar Gede.
The Philosophy
The word grebeg is a Javanese term for traditional celebration or a carnival, usually for, but not exclusive to, Islamic events, such as the commemoration of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, the Islamic New Year, and Eid al-Adha. The harmony between Javanese and Chinese culture is reflected during the Grebeg Sudiro carnival. A mountain-shaped pile of offerings (gunungan) comprising of basket cakes (kue keranjang), fruits and vegetables will be paraded around Pasar Gede before being swarmed by the crowds in a matter of minutes. The crowds are encouraged to obtain the offerings as it embodies the Javanese philosophy of “ora babah ora mamah”, meaning “you have to earn what you eat”. The offerings also symbolize gratitude to God Almighty.
The Kraton, Reflection of Javanese Cosmos
The Kraton (also spelled keraton or karaton) or the Palace of Yogyakarta, is a grand complex that was meticulously planned to reflect the Javanese cosmos.
This elegant complex of pavilions was constructed based on ancient beliefs, of the connection between the God, human and the natural realms. Each feature holds a special symbolic meaning related to the Javanese worldview, who consider the importance of Mount Merapi and The Indian Ocean.
The Kraton was built in the center, facing directly north towards the majestic Mount Merapi. Its south side was built facing the Indian Ocean, believed to be the abode of Kanjeng Ratu Loro Kidul, the Queen of the South Seas and the mystical consort of the Sultan.
This splendid example of traditional Javanese architecture has no equal. The basic and original layout of the main building of The Kraton began its construction during the reign of Sultan Hamengku Buwono I, in 1755 – 1756.
Tamansari Water Castle: A Place for Princesses to Bathe and be ‘Hunted’ by the Sultan
Located near the Kraton, this place was also known as the garden for the Sultan of Yogyakarta. Tamansari was originally built for multiple purposes yet now only several buildings remain. Some of its original functions were a place to rest, to meditate, to work, to hide and to defend the Sultan’s family. In this present day, some of its buildings have now become homes for local residents and only the mosque, resting and bathing space, and underground tunnels are accessible by tourists.
With its combination of eastern and western style building, this unique escape of the royal family has its own appeal and story. The most famous place in Tamansari is the bathing and resting place of the Sultan and his Princesses named Umbul Pasiraman. Most tourists find this place interesting as there is a unique story behind its origins.
