Indonesia: Guide to Yogyakarta

Funny place, Yogyakarta. You wonder whose idea it was to build the Indonesian city of half a million people right slap on one of the most seismically active parts of Java, with the inevitable results. Earthquakes and volcano eruptions delight in rocking the general area. On May 27 2006, an earthquake killed over 6,000 people and flattened over 300,000 houses.

That said, the epicenter was 25 kilometers north of the city, which dodged the worst the quake could throw at it. So, if you go, odds are, you'll be safe. Find out where the fun and fascination are in the history-soaked city with the nifty name often shortened to 'Yogya'.

Five reasons to visit Yogyakarta

1. Taman Sari

Largely ruined but still intriguing, Taman Sari once served as a pleasure park for the sultan. Lucky man! Taman Sari boasts palaces, pools and waterways. Thank a mystery architect from Portugal, who built the dazzling residence between 1758 and 1765. In reward, the sultan had the architect executed, to keep the park’s hidden pleasure rooms secret. To find the sultan's dilapidated des-res now, you need no guide – just look for travelers standing high atop the ruins.

2. Ministry of Coffee 

Let's be honest, one strong reason that Ministry of Coffee makes this list is its name’s low-key cool. That said, the cafe gets rave reviews. Aside from the coffee, visitors drool over everything from the lemon cake to the caramelized onion pastry salad. Plus, the Ministry has an upstairs terrace. Oh, and when you crash after your caffeine buzz, you can sleep there.

3. Affandi

Until he died in 1990, Affandi, Indonesia's most famous artist, lived and worked in a quirky riverside tree-house studio. Set in the studio, the Affandi Museum stands about six kilometers east of downtown Yogya. The museum displays Affandi's impressionist works and paintings by his daughter, Kartika, among other artists. In a rather creepy touch that makes the museum feel even more Affandi-esque, the artist is buried in the back garden. Don't miss the unique swimming pool embedded there, too.

Jalan Laksda Adisutjipto No. 167, Yogyakarta 55281. Open Monday-Sunday, 10 am-4 pm. Admission: Rp 20,000.

4. Gembira Loka Zoo

'Gembira' means 'happy' and 'Loka' means 'place'. That description might seem a bit rich if you are a resident flamingo. Still, if you are a visitor, you are in luck because Gembira Loka has tons of big-ticket attractions – "charismatic super-predators", such as tigers. Then there are the Sumatran elephants, crocodiles and Komodo dragons, among other 'pinch-me' primal exotica.

Jalan Kebun Raya no. 2 Yogyakarta, 55171 - Indonesia. Phone: +62 274 373861. Email: info@gembiraloka.co.id. Website: www.gembiraloka.co.id.

5. Greater Kraton Compound

Greater Kraton Compound sounds imposing, and it is. A walled city within a city, the compound contains a market, shops, batik and silver cottage industries, mosques and more. The sprawling landmark that now serves as the home of the sultan feels so buzzy and sensuous you could almost be in Morocco.

Getting there: The slickest way to get to Yogyakarta is by air. The local airport, Adisucipto, offers flights to all Indonesia's main cities plus Singapore and Kalimantan. You can also reach Yogyakarta by bus from towns including Jakarta, Surabaya and Badung. The other option is an eight-hour train ride from Jakarta.