The provincial capital, Semarang is situated on the northern coast. A network of good roads, highways, railway and air services through three main airports, assure the visitor of ease of access. Two major seaports, Tanjung Emas on the northern coast opens to the Java Sea, while Cilacap is a natural port to the Indian Ocean, in the south. These ports function as outlets for the transport of the province's agricultural and industrial products to the rest of Indonesia and to the world at large. The land is generally fertile and perhaps therefore, is also heavily populated by a people with age-old traditions as well as a rich culture. Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Christianity have all played their role in the evolution of Central Java as is today. To most Indonesian visitors, Central Java's history and its social influence over the whole nation are relatively well known. The very first Moslem kingdom on the island was founded in 1511 at Demak, about 40 km from Semarang. This became the beachhead from which Islam spread out throughout the archipelago. Today Demak is a sleepy little town, however, its glory of the past is still visible from one of the major relics now still well preserved, the Grand Mosque, a quaint blend of Hindu and Islamic architecture, still visited for worship by Javanese pilgrims. Surakarta, better known as Solo, which is the cradle of Javanese culture, with two royal houses in one single city: the Kraton of Solo and the Mangkunega Court. Descendants of these two royal houses are still considered leaders of Javanese culture and traditions which are today patterned after their sophistication and bearing. Pre-Independence Heads of Regencies, functioning like small kingdoms throughout Java during the Dutch colonial era, were mostly descendants or relatives of the Solo royal houses which were at the time sufficiently co-operative with the colonial administration. Thus, centuries of living feudalism can still be felt and observed by watchful eyes in spite of almost half a century of the republican administration since Indonesia's independence from the Dutch. Majestic ceremonies and royal festivals are still held with great pomp nowadays. Towering over Central Java is the smoking volcano of Mount Merapi along with a dozen other smaller mountains, making this province one the prettiest and greenest.

Ambarawa Railway Museum Fifty km south of Semarang, Ambarawa is the home of Java's antique locomotives, housed in a museum. Not only are there displays of locomotives of various types and ages, but it is still possible to ride on a cog railway between Ambarawa and Bedono, a village nearby. Prior arrangements should be made for groups. Also of interest are a collection of antique telephones and other instruments used for railway communication. Bandungan and Gedong Songo Temples This is a holiday resort on the slope of Mt. Ungaran, about 900 meters above sea level. Gedong Songo (nine buildings), a group of small 8th century Hindu Javanese temples, can be reached either by car or on horseback from the town. Built at about the same time as the temples of the Dieng complex, Gedong Songo is one of the most beautifully sited temple complexes in Central Java and the views alone are worth the trip. Baturaden One of Central Java's most outstanding resort is approximately 14 km north of Purwokerto. It occupies a fine site on the slope of Mount Slamet, at an elevation of 650 m above sea level. It has remarkable weather with a cool mountain breezes. The temperature ranges from 18 degree C to 25 degree C. The resort area is surrounded by gardens, hot springs, ponds and bungalow-style hotels. Other features include 200 ha of pine forest, a nearby market and marvelous views. Borobudur The name "Borobudur" is believed to have been derived from the Sanskrit words "Vihara Buddha Uhr" the Buddhist Monastery on the hill. The Borobudur Temple was built in the eighth century by the Cailendra dynasty and is located at Magelang, 90 km southeast of Semarang, or 42 km northwest of Yogyakarta. Visitors have the option of going by taxi or public bus to reach this temple. One of the world's most famous temples, it stands majestically on a hilltop overlooking lush green fields and distant hills. Borobudur is built of gray andesite stone. It rises through seven terraces, each smaller than the one below it. At the top is the Great Stupa, standing 40 meters above the ground. The walls of Borobudur are sculptured in bas-reliefs extending over a total length of six kilometers. It has been hailed as the largest and most complete ensemble of Buddhist reliefs in the world, unsurpassed in artistic merit, each scene an individual masterpiece. The monument has been completely restored and was officially opened by the President on 23rd February 1983. The restoration took eight years to complete, funded by the Government of Indonesia with aid from the UNESCO and donations from private citizens as well as from foreign governments. Borobudur was in danger of collapsing as its stone statues and bas-reliefs were effected by stone decay, moss and lichen. During the Buddhist festival of Waisak, processions start from Mendut temple. Dieng Plateau Four hours from Semarang is the Dieng Plateau at an elevation of more than 6,000 feet. Here some of the oldest Hindu temples of Java are found. These small monuments, which are not more than 50 feet high stand on a crater floor amidst sulfur fumes. The stark Shivaite temples are impressive. The road to the Dieng Plateau passes through tobacco plantations and beautiful mountain scenery. Jatijajar Jatijajar Cave is about 49 km west of Kebumen, or 20 km from Gombong. It is the most interesting cave complex in Central Java with its stalactites and stalagmites. Inside, there is Kamandaka statue which has its own legend. Jepara Northeast of Semarang, is a town with white sandy beaches around it, and is also famous for its wood carving industry. Most masters of this sophisticated art come from around this area. It is also the birthplace of Indonesia's heroine of the national women's liberation movement. An ancient Portuguese Fort can be found to the east of Jepara. Krakal Hot Water Springs Located 13 km north-east of Kebumen. Bathing rooms are available. Like many other hot water-springs, it is an effective remedy for skin diseases. Kudus and Demak Kudus, about halfway between Jepara and Semarang, could be taken in on the same trip, as well as Demak. Kudus and Demak are two towns which both have historical significance. Kudus has the Minaret Mosque which was built in the 15th century, whereas Demak has the oldest mosque in Central Java, both of them very interesting architecturally. Mangkunegoro Palace Features typical Javanese architecture, a complete collection of masks, heirlooms, wayang golek, handicrafts, Javanese musical instruments and superb antiques are exhibited here. Mendut Temple Located only three kilometers from Borobudur, Mendut is said to face toward Benares, India, where Buddha Gautama taught his five disciples. The smaller temple of Mendut, which houses the great statue of Buddha and the Pawon temple, form an integral part of the Borobudur complex. The three-meter tall Buddha together with the two Bodhisatva figures of Lokesvara and Vajrapani are, in the view of some experts, among the greatest manifestations of Buddhist thought and art. The pilgrim must pass by these smaller temple complexes before ascending the great Borobudur monument. Sangiran Sangiran, the Land of Mystery is located 15 km from Surakarta. It contains many fossils from prehistoric times. In 1891, Eugene Dubois, a French anthropologist discovered fossils of Phitecantropus Erectus or "Java man", the oldest known man. Again in 1930 and 1931, Ngandong Village, Trinil-Mojokerto, was marked with the discovery of fossils of a man that belonged to the Pleistocene Period. Prof. Dr. Van Koenigswald in 1936 found more evidence about human evolution. He discovered some fossils that support the theory of human evolution. Other fossils, which include those of mammoths (prehistoric elephant) are now preserved in the Bandung Geological Museum. In mid 1980, scientists were startled by the finding of a complete 4m tall elephant. Semarang Semarang is situated on Java's normally flat northern coast and lies just about halfway between the two extreme east and west coasts of the island. Few cities in Indonesia have mountains so clearly visible from their seaports. Candi is a hill within Semarang's perimeter from where breathtaking panoramas on all directions can be witnessed. The older part of the city, close to the harbour, houses an interesting collection of odd-looking buildings dating back to the Dutch colonial era and further back still, to the time of the Dutch East Indies Company. The city's zoo, is worth a visit. Ngesti Pandowo Theater: Evening performances of Wayang Wong, a drama played by live actors, actresses and dancers. Sempor Dam 3 km north of Gombong, is surrounded by scenic mountains. Recreational facilities are also provided here. Solo Solo is a city that never sleeps. From the evening throughout the whole night one can always find something to eat or buy, as vendors of all kinds as well as small food-stalls remain active and open 24 hours a day. The home of two royal houses with centuries of power and influence over the city, Solo today remains distinctly Central-Javanese with an elegance of its own. It is one of the major centers of batik making and other Javanese fabrics. Souvenir hunters can find exquisite "objects d'art" and very ornate trinkets and other decorative items. Those interested in old Javanese culture and art should not miss Solo on their itinerary, as the royal palaces are open to the public. Once in Solo which offers excellent accommodation, short trips to its surrounding areas can easily be made by car or coach. Sukuh Temple With wayang stone carvings of Hindu origin and it is the only sample of an erotic temple in Java having the shape of a stepped pyramid like the ones in South America of the Maya culture. There are also a two-century old palace of King Pakubuwono, an art Gallery exhibiting Royal heirlooms, various Javanese weapons, antiques and other invaluable items. Taman Kyai Langgeng Kyai Langgeng Park , is a tranquil oasis of nature within public transport distance from Magelang. There you can see many kinds of rare plants from all over Indonesia, a collection of dinosaur statues, fishing ponds, traffic gardens, an aquarium, green houses, a swimming pool, and an open air theater, Large enclosures house various kinds of tropical birds and animals. The river provides canoeing . Restaurants, souvenir shops, a tropical fruit market, indoor tennis courts and a hotel are also found in the park. Tawangmangu Located 40 km east of Solo, on the slopes of mount Lawu, with an elevation of 1300 m above sea level, Tawangmangu is a recreational resort offering cool weather, scenic views, swimming pools, bungalow style hotels and restaurants. Other features include nearby temples in ruins, a national park and the 40m high waterfall of Grojogan Sewu. Shopping Batik cloths and garments, hand-woven fabrics, traditional and local jewelry, leather puppets, basketry, trinkets, brass-ware and other decorative items, and all kinds of antiques are local specialties. Souvenir and art objects are available in all major towns of Central Java, mostly in the downtown areas and popular market places or shopping centers. See the archipelaGo listings for more information.

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