Enchanting Taman Sari (adult/child 25,000/20,000Rp), a once-splendid refuge for Yogya’s royal family, is a short becak ride west from the Kraton. According to Javanese cosmology, a royal garden is considered to be the imitation of heaven, and Taman Sari is a wonderful complex of old walls, an orchard, bathing pools and tunnels.
The original 10-hectare Taman Sari complex was built between 1758 and 1765. Much of the complex still stands intact today, but many of its 57 buildings were damaged during a major earthquake in 1867. Instead of restoring the complex, the sultan invited people whose homes had been destroyed to live on the grounds, and the descendants of this original community continue to live there today.
You are welcome to explore the Taman Sari grounds on your own, but guides (who work on a tip basis) are available and it’s worth taking a walk with one of them. Most of the guides are from the community here and their family history is deeply connected with the palace; they will regale you with stories of days gone by, taking you on a journey through life in a sultan’s royal playground. Much like a visit to the Kraton, a visit to Taman Sari provides a unique glimpse into the daily lives of sultans past.
