Central Java

The heartland of Javanese culture, with Borobudur, the Solo palaces, the Dieng Plateau and the Karimunjawa Islands.

Central Java lies in the middle of the island of Java. Its capital, Semarang, is a port city that preserves a Dutch-era old quarter and Sam Poo Kong, a temple associated with Admiral Zheng He. The UNESCO World Heritage site of Borobudur is in Magelang Regency in this province and is usually visited from Yogyakarta. Solo (Surakarta) retains its court culture, batik markets and royal palaces. The Dieng Plateau has ancient Hindu temples, colorful lakes and highland sunrises, and the Karimunjawa Islands off the north coast are good for snorkeling. The dry season, May–Sep, is the best time to visit. The gateways are the airports at Semarang and Solo, and you can also arrive via Yogyakarta.

Destinations

Itineraries