Explore Yogyakarta in 4 Days: Best Cultural and Historical Tour Experience

Yogyakarta is a relatively niche city in Indonesia, not as well-known as Bali or Bromo. However, this also means it doesn’t have the feel of a tourist hotspot, and traveling here allows for a better experience of the local life.

As a special region in Indonesia, Yogyakarta retains the position of a king who has the right to govern the special region. A part of the palace (p1) is open for tourists to visit.

The traffic in the city of Yogyakarta is particularly congested, with most roads being single-lane, squeezed into two or even three lanes, with many motorcycles weaving through. One can’t help but wonder if this increases the likelihood of traffic accidents. In four days in Yogyakarta, I saw no more than four red lights, some of which were broken.

Often, you can see people directing traffic at intersections, and passing drivers will roll down their windows to give them money. At first, I was puzzled; if they are staff, why aren’t they in uniform? Later, I learned that these are unemployed people who voluntarily direct traffic (p10), and passersby give them tips based on their mood.

Yogyakarta does not have public transportation like buses. Almost every household owns a motorcycle, and most people ride motorcycles. Even when the weather is very hot, they wear thick, long-sleeved clothing, perhaps because it gets quite cool in the early morning and late evening.

It’s difficult to walk around in Yogyakarta because there are no sidewalks, and you always have to be cautious of the motorcycles around you, fearing you might get hit.

There is a type of transportation in Yogyakarta called “guest first dead” (p6), where the guest sits in front, and in case of an accident, the guest goes first. On the last day, when rushing to catch a train, I called a Grab, but the driver never showed up, so I had to experience the “guest first dead.” It must be said, it was quite stylish, and you could even haggle with them.

Many people in Yogyakarta eat vegetarian food, and the locals are generally small and thin. Even when ordering meat dishes at restaurants, the portion of meat is very small.

Malioboro Street in Yogyakarta is very lively, similar to a pedestrian street in China. There are many horses on the street that you can ride for sightseeing, but the horses’ eyes are covered, perhaps to prevent them from running away? The hygiene of the food stalls on the snack street is not very good, making one hesitant to eat there.

Almost all toilets in Yogyakarta are paid, so you need to prepare some change.

Muslims in Yogyakarta pray five times a day, and you can hear the call to prayer everywhere around 5:30 in the morning, often broadcast through loudspeakers.

In the rooms of homestays in Yogyakarta, camphor balls are often hung under the air conditioner. Are they used to repel insects?

Next to the toilets in Yogyakarta, there is usually a small water gun. Is it used for washing after using the toilet?

You can immerse yourself in the vibrant world of traditional folk performances at the Yogyakarta Museum, where culture and history come alive.

At the Yogyakarta railway station, you’ll find a unique experience as passengers cross the tracks to board or exit the trains. When the train arrives, there’s a lively scene of people walking across the rails, reminiscent of a bygone era. The trains, though slow-moving like the green trains in China, are impeccably clean and well-maintained, offering spacious seats where you can stretch out and relax in comfort.

The popular pine forest is a charming, man-made park that offers a refreshing escape from the city. From the small hill, you can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of Yogyakarta, taking in the sights and sounds of this bustling city. As the bus prepares to depart from the scenic area, it honks in a rhythmic, almost musical pattern.

This cheerful sound prompts people on the roadside to break into spontaneous, joyful dances, creating a delightful and amusing spectacle that leaves everyone smiling.