Shadow puppets
UNESCO-listed heritage.
One of the key museums of Javanese culture, opened in 1935 in a traditional Javanese-style building on the north square of the sultan's palace, holding a rich collection of Javanese and Balinese heritage: leather shadow puppets, masks, kris daggers, batik, stone and bronze statues from the temple age, and gamelan instruments. Its best-known offering is the evening Javanese shadow-puppet show, in which the dalang storyteller moves leather puppets behind a lit screen to gamelan music, telling ancient epics, a tradition UNESCO lists as intangible heritage of humanity. The museum ticket is a token fee, with the evening show ticketed separately. Most halls are air-conditioned, and it may close on Mondays. Visit by day with the nearby Kraton, then come back in the evening for the shadow play. It is steps from Kilometre Zero and Malioboro.
UNESCO-listed heritage.
Javanese and Balinese heritage.
A traditional building.
North square of the Kraton, central Yogyakarta
Kauman Great Mosque (Masjid Gedhe)The great royal mosque of the Yogyakarta sultanate, built by Sultan Hamengkubuwo3 minutes walk
Fort Vredeburg and its MuseumA square Dutch fort with white walls and corner bastions, built by the Dutch in 4 minutes walk
The Kraton, Yogyakarta Sultan's PalaceThe palace of the Sultan of Yogyakarta, the heart of the city and centre of its 4 minutes walk
Taman Pintar Science ParkA children's educational science park at the heart of Yogyakarta, steps from Kil5 minutes walk
Malioboro StreetYogyakarta's best-known street and its lively commercial heart, running from the12 minutes walkThe dialogue is Javanese, but the spectacle, music and puppets are enjoyable in themselves, and English story summaries may be available. The evening show is shorter than traditional all-night ones.