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VISIT YOGYAKARTA!
Update 4 on 28 June 2006 |
Many of travel enthusiasts wanted to know about ravel to Yogya. Is it still possible to truly enjoy the wonderful sights of this place, dubbed the Cradle of Javanese Culture ?
After a personal visit to the city and its surroundings last weekend, we can safely and resoundingly say YES !
These are the reasons why.
The earthquake of 27 May last devastated only a relative small geographical area south of the Royal City of Yogyakarta, still proud keeper of all things Javanese. Within the city borders, the damage is quite minimal and will hardly be noticed by anyone.
You will not however be confronted with the consequences of the earthquake on the way to the traditional highlights of Yogyakarta.
Most of these highlights can be visited with just a few restrictions in place. Temporarily it is not allowed to enter the niches of the temples of Prambanan. But as before the true beauty of these magnificent medieval structures, is to be enjoyed from the outside. Thus one should not be deterred to visit the archeological park !
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Pictures taken on 26 June 2006 |
The Borobudur, north of the city, can be visited without any restrictions at all. There is no damage to the impressive Buddhist monument some 40 km north of town.
Pictures taken on 26 June 2006 |
In the Kraton, there is just some minor damage to a few of the rooms. But the Palace of the venerable Sultan of Yogyakarta remains open for the public.
Pictures taken on 26 June 2006 |
 The most important reason why we ask you not to refrain from a visit, lies in the welcoming smile of the people of Yogya, whom do not deserve to be punished a second time around.
People need to be able to resume economic activity as before. Only then recovery can be speedy.
Tourism is an important factor of employment. Your visit can and will make a difference.
Following hotels are undamaged, absolutely safe and open to the public as before: Hyatt Regency, Grand Mercure Resort, Yogyakarta Plaza.
The airport functions almost at a level from before the earthquake. Some parts of the main building are now under renovation, but all air traffic has resumed.
 The Merapi volcano remains active.
At times the mountains treats visitors and residents alike with a rare show.
Yet Yogya at a safe distance of 25 km remains far away from any possible danger even in the event of a total eruption – which scientists do no longer expect to happen.
For those who want to, there is an opportunity to meet the survivors. It is quite an experience to find the faces of those who have lost nearly everything, covered with gracious smiles.
In more than one way, a visit to Yogyakarta in these times offers more perspectives than one could imagine... |
| Update 3 on 13 June 2006 |
Tourism Heritage Sites in and around Yogya
Yogyakarta’s tourism is largely based on cultural tourism, focusing on the magnificent architectural heritage as well as the rich living Javanese culture. Therefore, the status of the main tourism heritage sites is of key importance in assessing Yogyakarta’s current tourism status, which now is as follows:
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UNESCO World Heritage Site , one hour’s drive from Yogyakarta |
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No damage |
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Functioning normally |
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UNESCO World Heritage Site , just outside Yogyakarta near airport |
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Some damage to some buildings |
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Limited areas open to visitors |
| Kraton (Sultan’s Royal Palace) |
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Trajumas Museum inside Kraton – severe damage, closed |
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Other parts – some cracks in buildings, statues |
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Limited areas open to visitors |
| Taman Sari (Water Castle) |
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Limited to severe damage to parts of this heritage complex located next to the Kraton |
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Limited areas open to visitors |
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Severe damage to grave-stones of generations of Sultans and their families |
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Closed to visitors |
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Limited to severe damage to some heritage buildings and 45% of homes/ workshops of silver villages in areas |
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Closed to visitors |
Handicraft villages:
The main handicraft villages were all in the worst hit area of the earthquake zone. These villages export their arts and crafts throughout Indonesia as well as overseas, and are an attraction for both domestic and overseas visitors coming to Yogyakarta.
Kasongan (pottery), Manding (leatherwork), and Pundong (ceramics, pottery) villages all suffered severe damage to homes, workshops, and infrastructure, and had significant loss of life. All are struggling to rebuild their shattered homes. Economic production is currently minimal with only a few galleries or workshops open. These villages are a top priority for government programs to help them get back on their feet as soon as possible. |
Shopping Malls
In the past few years, Yogyakarta has become an important regional centre for shopping, with two brand new malls opening in 2006 alone. Status as follows: |
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Well established, up-market mall |
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Few cracks in walls |
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Operating normally |
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Popular mall in heart of tourism zone |
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Some damage to stores, physical infrastructure |
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Expected full operational re-opening: 2 weeks / end June |
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New, up-scale mall (opened 2006) |
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Some damage to stores, physical infrastructure |
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Expected full operational re-opening: 2 weeks / end June |
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New, popular mall (opened 2006) |
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Some damage to stores, physical infrastructure |
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Expected full operational re-opening: 2 weeks/ end June |
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| Update 2 on 30 May 2006 |
The situation in Yogya is now as follows:
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No damage to Borbudur, slight damage to Prambanan, Kraton will re-open within 14 days. |
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airport in operation again, though not 100%. |
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Shops and supermakets open with full stocking of goods; normal price level; local and traditional market in Yogya city centre fully open. |
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indonesiatravelplan.com initiates a limited but personal relief effort by transferring funds to its trusted Yogya assistant, on the ground in the worst-hit area, to alleviate the needs of people who have lost everything in his neighborghood. Funds will not have to pass any buraucracy at all and will go to the directly to the victims. Click here for details. |
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| Update 1 on 29 May 2006 |
The situation in Yogya is now as follows:
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State of emergency has been announced an probably to last for three months as from now. |
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Most hotels have minor damage; most of them remain open mostly for relieve teams (see information bulletin from Accor Group Hotels in Yogya). |
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Borobudur only slightly damaged. |
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Prambanan medium heavily damaged. |
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Airport destroyed and closed until further notice |
No one of the indonesiatravelplan.com team lost relatives, friends or associates.
We lost contact with our representative in Yogya until Sunday afternoon, but at 15h30 he turned up unharmed, although he lived in the worst hit area.
At least one story with a happy ending...
This does not diminish our feelings of deep sorrow for all the victims and their families. |
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