A dependence of the Kebun Raya of Bogor, Kebun Raya Cibodas is given over to the study and preservation of high-altitude tropical plants. More than 200 species have been brought from Mt Halimun National Park and around. Perched 1 400m above sea level..

The discovery of cranial bones belonging to " Java Man " in the Solo River (Surakarta) in 1891 lent credence to Darwin's theory of evolution by proving that Homo erectus had existed in Asia as well as in Africa. You can see a cast of the sk..

A sublime Art Deco villa designed by the Dutchman Schoemaker for the media magnate DW Berretty (1932-1933). With a nod to the circular towers of Javanese temples, the Villa Isola, a tall building surrounded by gardens, was constructed using the circl..

From Bandung, take the Banjaran road. At the foot of Mt Malabar (2 321m) lies Situ Cileunca artificial lake , a glistening expanse of water in the middle of tea plantations that stretch as far as the eye can see. You can stop for lunch in Pengale..

Indo-Javanese architecture in all its splendour (1529-1677) with, inside, a mixture of styles characteristic of the cultural melting pot that Cirebon once was. Above the entrance to this sultan's palace (actually more of a mansion), is a sculpted mot..

An interesting jumble of Javanese gamelans (14C), Egyptian chests inlaid with mother-of-pearl, Javanese weaponry and 16C Portuguese chain mail. On display in an adjoining room is the Kereta Singa Barong (1549), an incredible red and gold royal carr..

The road from Samarang takes in some magnificent panoramic views . Almost imperceptibly you enter Kamojang's crater, a large wooded plateau dotted with geysers that erupt with an impressive force. Don't miss the steaming little mud lake , which f..

A tourist hotspot of the Pangandaran region, the Green Canyon (35km) owes its name to the colour of the little river that formed it. It gets its green colour from the volcanic alluvium in its waters (which turn brown when it rains). After sailing upr..

The Alun-alun Utara is a vast green square adorned with two sacred banyan trees which plays host to the city's parades and events. For one month in the year, the square is given over to a public festival but for the rest of the time it is the preserv..

Built in 1773 under Hamengkubuwono I, the Great Mosque or Mesjid Agung has maintained all of its original components. Closely linked to the kraton and its various ceremonies, the mosque comes under the direction of a city notable, the pangulu , wh..

A sacred seat of power, the palace is to this day occupied by the sultan – currently Hamengkubuwono X – who is roughly equivalent to a governor. Its layout reflects Javanese cosmogony: the multiple courtyards and buildings are laid out around the Pe..

Taman Sari was the sultans' pleasure palace. Although seriously damaged by an earthquake in 1867, it has retained the old-fashioned charm of a spot devoted to relaxation and meditation. Behind the residence (the water palace , as the Dutch called it..

A modest but fascinating private collection that survives as best it can from donations left by the 10 or so visitors each month. Only some of the 400 pieces in the museum's collection are on display (most come from Pekalongan, on the north coast), b..

Nowadays, the first capital of Mataram, founded in 1575 by Panembahan Senopati (whose tomb is greatly venerated by the Javanese), is nothing more than a quiet suburb of Yogyakarta. Yet it has preserved from its golden age a robust silver work tradi..

Lying at the bottom of a caldera 2 000m above sea level, this marshy plateau is worth visiting to see the scattered vestiges of the kingdom of Sanjaya as well as for the mysterious atmosphere that prevails in the morning mist. Make an early start to ..

Between Yogyakarta and Prambanan, unbeknownst to tourists lies a string of temples. Near Kalasan stands one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Indonesia (778, although its current guise is thought to date from the 10C). It is dedicated to Tara, a stel..

Discovered by a peasant in 1966, buried beneath a 6m-thick layer of volcanic ash, Candi Sambisari was only excavated in 1996. It is probably one of the last Shaivite sanctuaries built by the Sanjayas (10C). It is thought that the pillars of the terra..

This was once the capital of the greatest Hindu kingdom in Indonesia, the Majapahit kingdom (1294-1478). Given the fragility of the construction materials used (brick and wood), the vestiges now only amount to a few isolated elements, but the inspiri..

Before exploring the site, stop at the Trowulan Museum, which provides an excellent introduction to Majapahit art and civilisation. Statues, pottery, ridge tiles and vases… terracotta has pride of place. The piggy banks are remarkable. Note the excep..

Although linked to Surabaya by a 5.4km bridge since 2009, Madura has conserved its distinct character. Here, the volcanic landscape gives way to flat, dry terrain; the population of fishermen, salt-makers and cattle rearers has been traditionally Mus..