Jalan Malioboro is centrally located in downtown Yogyakarta. The street stretches from Tugu Railway Station to the Sultan's Keraton, spanning across some 2 1/2 kilometres in length. Major roads in the city such as Jl Jenderal Sudirman, Jl Mangkubumi, Jl P. Senopati, Jl Sultan Agung, Jl KH A Dahlan and Jl Pasar Kembang will converge at this street.
Enjoying shopping experience, hunting exclusive souvenirs of Jogja, tourists may walk on foot along the arcades of Malioboro Street. There are many vendors selling their merchandises, ranging from such local handicrafts as batik, rattan ornament, leather puppet, bamboo handicrafts (key holder, ornament lamp, and others) as well as blangkon (Javanese / Jogjanese traditional cap) and silver goods to general little things that you may find in other trading places. Along the arcade, tourists will not only enjoy shopping peacefully on sunny or rainy days but they also enjoy bargaining prices. If they are good at bargaining and have good luck, they will end up buying at third quarter or even half of the prices offered.
Do not forget to save energy. There is still one big traditional market tourists must visit. Well known as Pasar Beringharjo, this market provides complete traditional products in addition to similar goods sold along the arcade of Malioboro Street. In addition to local products of Jogja, products from neighboring areas such as Pekalongan batik and Solo batik are available. There are many choices of hand made batik, printed batik, window curtain with unique motifs and batik bed sheet. This place will satisfy the desire of buying unique goods at reasonable price.
Please make sure that you are not cheated by the offered prices. Usually, the vendors will increase the prices for tourists.
During your stroll, you will also ran across traditional modes of transportation that you may be tempted to try. The most ubiquitous one is the trishaw, a three-wheel pedal-powered bicycle cart, locally known as becak or beca. For the hopeful romantics, there is also an exquisite horse carriage, which is locally known as andong or dokar. Normally, you don't have to look for these carts. The operators will definitely offer you a ride. Some get to the point of chasing you. If you are not interested, do politely decline. If you fancy a ride, a short tour along Jl Malioboro on becak should start from Rp10.000 ($1.20) upwards, depending where you want to go. I was toying with the idea of hiring a becak, but during the haggling discussion, I found out that the becak operator was ready to dupe me (he quoted something like Rp50.000 for a trip to the Sultan's Keraton after knowing I was from Malaysia). Walking away, mortified, he chased me and said, "Rp30.000", and then "Rp20.000". I ended up flagging a reliable and honest taxi driver to my destination for a mere Rp10.000.
In short, do exercise caution when dealing with the street vendors - be it gift sellers or becak operators.
Ref: www.yogyes.com; java.uluwatu.org
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