11 Breathtaking Photo Spots in Yogyakarta that prove it is a Photographer’s Heaven

Greetings Steemians,

If going home with dope photos from your travels is something you love, you need to visit Yogyakarta. It really doesn’t matter if you are an amateur or a veteran photographer, great sights aren’t hard to capture in a city as photogenic as this.

1. Mount Merapi

No other props are needed when the you have an actual active volcano as your backdrop. Pose with a jeep, and you look cooler ten folds instantly. The best time to visit Mount Merapi is at dawn so you might need to leave extra early in the morning but we promise the views will be worth it!

1. Borobudur

Borobudur Temple is often the only reason why tourists visit Yogyakarta in the first place. This vast Buddhist temple compound consists of 72 stupas, the bell-shaped enclosures with Buddha statues in them. We got there at 5:30am and the good spots were already filled up! Although we hear the views are just as gorgeous at sunset and there’s close to no one at that hour.

1. Prambanan

Similarly to Borobudur, Prambanan Temple is one of the eight inscribed UNESCO heritage sites in Indonesia. These grandeurs of the past make excellent photo spots. Built in the 9th century, this majestic Hindu temple does bare an uncanny resemblance to Cambodia’s Angkor Wat — which was actually built later, in the 12th century. Our picture was taken in the afternoon, but we hear that sunset views at Prambanan are amazing too.

1. Taman Sari

Channel your inner Lara Croft at Taman Sari, an ancient palace that was once the recreational garden and prayer house of the Sultan of Yogyakarta. Get lost within its hidden chambers underground, and scout for the best photo spots where the sun rays hit. See how the locals do it by searching #sumurgumuling on Instagram. Best times to visit, just when it opens or just before it closes, as there will be less crowds and less chance of photo-bombers hijacking your tomb raiding pictures.

1. Jomblang Cave

I swear, none of these magical sun rays are photoshopped in, its no wonder why the locals term it “Heaven’s Light”. The ethereal rays shine into Jomblang Cave the nicest at 11:30am to 12noon.

You do not need to be a pro-photographer to capture extraordinary views of this place, in fact, any point-and-shoot cameras will do. Nature frames the picture, and all you have to do is press the shutter.

1. Jurang Tembelan

Yogyakarta has many of such photo spots in the least expected places! So do keep a lookout for these lookouts, or simply check with your local guide/driver if he knows of any awesome photo spots like this (and don’t be surprised if he’s a secret Instagram super star)!

1. Chicken Church

We finally found the chicken which crossed the road! It seems contented being there, so stop asking. Besides being one of the oddest buildings in the world, this place of worship was once a rehabilitation centre for troubled youth. The highest point of the Chicken Church is also a great lookout overseeing the Mangelang region, and you can even spot Borobudur temple in the distance. Stop being a cockanadan, and visit Yogyakarta.

1. Pinus Pengger

An area still relatively unknown to foreign tourists, Pinus Pengger is a prized attraction among locals. Random photo spots litter the pine tree forest, each conveying a deep message from the artists behind the sculptures. We especially enjoyed this place at night, when spotlights from the ground illuminate the sculptures, making our photos

1. Timang Beach

Cable cart across the sea and capture this thrilling moment against the bluest waters! Originally used by local fishermen, this cable cart is now a tourist attraction at Timang Beach! Just be careful not to drop your camera into the sea while you’re on the rocky cable cart. Unlike Jomblang Cave, this cable cart activity’s fee does not include insurance, so do be aware of risks!

1. Gumuk Pasir

Most cities have light pollution so bad the stars are hardly visible even at night. At Gumuk Pasir, however, it gets pitch dark at night as it is a beach area with no high rise buildings in its vicinity. You will need a tripod for stability, and your cameras on low ISO and long exposure settings to capture the hundreds, if not thousands, of twinkling stars in the sky.

Before sunset, you can enjoy sandboarding activities at the beach. Do note that Gumuk Pasir is a little out of the way, so you might want to cluster your beach activities within the area on the same day!

1. Sungai Oyo

So, being close to nature and lazing next to such scenic waterfalls was a rejuvenating treat for me. Needless to say, pictures taken here look effortlessly great with the beautiful scenery.