Java Travel & Tourism - Java is the most
populous and the most developed island in the Indonesian archipelago.
The island is politically divided into the provinces of West Java, East
Java and Central Java. The capital city of Jakarta is also located on
this island. Java is an epitome of rapidly changing society: beautiful
countryside and filthy cities; tranquil rural scenes and streets
congested with traffic.
Weather and Climate of Java
The temperature in Java doesn't vary much, ranging from a minimum of 23°C
to a maximum 31°C. The rainy season is from April to October and
the dry season is from May to September. Humidity is high throughout the
year.
Best Time to Visit
Dry season is also the best time to visit Java because weather is
clear, roads in the interiors are open, and temperatures are at their
best.
Tourist Attractions/Places to See
Bandung: Also known as the city of flowers and Paris of Java, it
is the provincial capital of West Java and the third largest city of
Indonesia. Bandung is located at a distance of 175 km from Jakarta and
provides a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of Jakarta. The
majority of the population is the native Sundanese from West Java, who
are famous for their extroverted, easy-going nature and are reputed as
zealous guardians of their ancient culture. … (More)
Borobudur: One of the greatest Buddhist monuments in Southeast
Asia, Borobudur was built in the 8th century and stands on top of a hill
surrounded by volcanoes and overlooking green fields. … (More)
Prambanan Temple Complex: Rivalling the Buddhist monument of
Borobudur, this magnificent Hindu temple is the largest in Java and the
most beautiful in Indonesia. Prambanan was built in the 9th century,
possibly to compete with the splendour of Borobudur, or to celebrate the
return to power of the Hindu dynasty in Java at the time. From May to
October the Ramayana Ballet, a traditional Indonesian dance based on the
Ramayana story, is performed on an open-air stage at the complex during
the full moon and is a spectacular sight involving hundreds of dancers,
singers and musicians.
Yogyakarta: Yogyakarta is one of the most attractive and ancient
historical cities in Java. Because of its proximity to Borobudur and
Pramban Temple Complex, it is a major stop on the tourist route. …
(More)
Sangiran: Located in Central Java, Sangiran is an important
archaeological excavation site, where some of the best examples of
fossil skulls of prehistoric 'Java Man' were unearthed by a Dutch
professor in 1936.
National Museum: Located in Central Jakarta, and built in 1862,
National Museum is the best museum in Indonesia and one of the finest in
Southeast Asia. It has an enormous collection of cultural objects of the
various ethnic groups - costumes, musical instruments, model houses et
al. - and numerous fine bronzes from the Hindu-Javanese period.
Shopping in Java
Yogyakarta is the best place for shopping in Java. You can buy an
incredible variety of souvenirs, arts and crafts, woodcarvings batik
cloths and garments, hand-woven fabrics, traditional and local
jewellery, leather puppets, basketry, tortoise-shell accessories,
trinkets, brassware and other decorative items, and all kinds of
antiques. Shopping in Bandung is also full of fun. As the city is
capital of Western Java, you can look for traditional as well as
imported goods in the market.
How to Reach Java
Jakarta is Indonesia's busiest international airport and is the hub of
the domestic air network. Bandung also has an airport and is connected
to Jakarta and other places in Indonesia. Indonesia has one of the most
extensive ferry and passenger ship networks in the world, with regular
boats running between all the main inhabited islands. A ferry shuttles
between Ketapang in eastern Java and the west-Balinese port of
Gilimanuk. There are numerous ships and ferries between Java and various
ports in Sumatra. Regular ships also ply between Jakarta and Singapore
via the Indonesian island of Tanjung Pinang.
