Whether you know it as Yogyakarta, Jogjakarta, or Jogja, this is a place that conjures the image of an ancient city that has withstood the tides of times.

Perhaps this is because most people know Yogyakarta by its two famous Unesco World Heritage Sites - Borobudur and Prambanan - both of which lend an old-world charm to Yogyakarta, quite unheard of in other Indonesian cities.

Borobudur Temple
The Borobudur Temple complex is one of the greatest monuments in the world, built between the end of the seventh and beginning of the eighth century.

What is interesting is that the complex is composed of 55,000 sqm of lava-rock erected on a hill. The whole structure is in the form of a lotus, the sacred flower of Buddha. Within the complex, there are countless Buddha statue and various scenes from Buddhist scriptures. Little wonder then, that the Borobudur was the spiritual centre of Buddhism in Java for over a century, before it was lost and then rediscovered in the 18th century.

A visit to Borobudur requires a fair bit of walking and stair-climbing. But once you reach the summit, which is 40m above ground, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view of the verdant plains of Java, with Mount Merapi - Indonesia's most active volcano - towering in the distance.

Prambanan
Prambanan, on the other hand, is the largest Hhindu temple compound in Indonesia, built in the 10th century. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, its tall and pointed architecture makes it one of the most elegant and graceful monuments in Java.

On evenings of the full moon from June through October, the Hindu epic Rramayana is performed alfresco with Prambanan as the backdrop. A huge gamelan orchestra accompanies the 500 dancers participating in the spectacle. Fascinating.

A lively city
Today, Yogyakarta is actually a thriving city. Take a walk down Jalan Malioboro: the place for souvenirs, and you get what I mean.

For those with a penchant for history, take a walking tour of the Kraton - the palace compound of the sultans of Yogyakarta located in the heart of the city. Tthere, you can admire large courtyards surrounded by traditional architecture. You can view collections of gilded chairs, royal china and silver sets, and wayang puppets. If you are lucky, you might even catch a performance of royal court dancers.

South of Taman Sari is the centre of Jogja's batik industry. Studios and shops featuring paintings, batik and antiques are plentiful. Silver works are found throughout nearby Kota Gede, a 15-minute drive from bustling Jalan Malioboro.

Brenton Wong is a freelance writer.

Garuda flies direct from Singapore to Yogyakarta three times weekly. There are also daily flights from Singapore to Yogyakarta via Jakarta.

Photos: Indonesian Embassy in Singapore

Note: This article was part of the Natas Travel 2006 Special published in The Straits Times on March 23, 2006. As a reference to the project's main lead, 'Travel is a numbers game', it's original headline in print was: '55,000 sqm of lava-rock has made Borobudur an endearing Buddhist monument'.

Photo: Jon Romlan