The Majapahit dynasty, based in and around East Java, began the foundations of an empire that was to dominate the entire Indonesian archipelago, the Malay Peninsula and part of the Philippines for hundreds of years. This was the beginning of profitable trade relations with China, Cambodia, Siam, Burma and Vietnam. As the power in Central Java declined in the 10th century, powerful kingdoms rose in East Java to fill the power vacuum. During the reign of King Erlangga both East Java and Bali enjoyed lucrative trade with the surrounding islands, and an artistic and intellectual renaissance. Parts of the Mahabarata epic were translated and re-interpreted to conform to an East Javanese philosophy and view of life, and it was from this era that East Java inherited much of its temple art. Today the open-air amphitheater at Pandaan performan-ce¬s tell some of the stories of this glorious past, set against an impressive backdrop of distant volcanoes, capturing the spirit of the province’s culture and scenery. East Java’s claim to fame in modern history is its vanguard role in the struggle for independence against colonial forces in 1945. Little of the Majapahit Empire’s former glory still stands in East Java. Nevertheless, East Java has a variety of attractions, ranging from temple sites to unspoiled beaches, stunning volcanoes, extra ordinary highland lakes, resplendent marine parks and fantastic wildlife reserves. The provincial capital, Surabaya is second in size, population, and commerce only to Jakarta. It is also the most industrialized province in the nation with the strong economy based on agriculture, (coffee, mangoes and apples), fisheries and oil.

Tourist Office

Jl. Wisata Menanggal, Surabaya 60241, Phone. (031) 853114-6, 8531820-1 Fax. (031) 8531822 Website : http//www.eastjava.com Email : eastjava@indosat.net.id.

Getting there

The province is efficiently connected to the rest of Java by good roads, regular trains, and air services between Surabaya and other major cities in the country including Denpasar on Bali, which is only half an hour’s flight away.

Tourism Events

• Reog Ponorogo is a unique and daring performance in which dancers carry a very heavy headdress of tiger head ornamented with peacock feathers. The dance depicts a fight between a tiger and two noblemen on horseback. The Reog Festival held every August 17 in Ponorogo, 200 km southwest of Surabaya.
• Karapan Sapi (Bull Races) in Bangkalan Madura, about two hour by speedboat from Surabaya is a very popular sport among locals. It is an annual championship event and held every September and October after harvests.

Places of Interest

Trowulan - Pandaan - Tretes.

Trowulan - Pandaan - Tretes. Trowulan village and the surrounding area is believed to be the site of ancient capital of Majapahit. Archaeological excavations in the area have recovered many teracotta ornaments, statues, pottery and stone carvings which are displayed at the Trowulan Museum. The map in the museum is a guide to nearby sites of historical interest. The Candra Wilwatika open-air theatre in Pandaan, 45 km south of Surabaya presents classical East Javanese ballet performances on each full moon night from June to November. The performances are based either on the Ramayana stories or East Java’s legends and folklore. The backdrop of Mt. Panangungan makes the performances an enchanthing experience. 10 km from Chandra Wilwatika is Tretes, one of the most beautiful mountain resorts of East Java.

Mount Kawi Fortune Hunting.

Mount Kawi Fortune Hunting. This sage’s grave on Mt. Kawi is a famous pilgrimage site for those who seek to increase their worldly blessings. Possesing an intensely Javanese atmosphere, with frequent wa¬yang and gamelan performances, the grave itself is built on a hilltop. On both sides of the long stairway leading to the top is an assortment of sacred springs, Chinese houses of worship, flower and souvenir stalls and other interesting sights.

Surabaya.

Surabaya. This city offers many good hotels, shooping centres and plentiful sources of entertainment. Its well stocked zoological garden includes several species of Indonesia fauna: orang utans, komodo dragons and a collection of noctural animals. Kalimas is an old traditional harbour for the world famous Bugis Schooners, which can still be seen in all their former glory.

Mount Bromo.

Mount Bromo. Many local and foreign tra¬velers make the trek for the mystical experience of watching the sun rise from the crest of the Bromo volcano. A pony ride from the village of Ngadisari takes you over a sea of sand to the foot of the volcano. Ascend the 50 steps to reach the rim. On the vast expanse of sand, formerly a Caldera, there are two volcanoes: the extinct Batok which is the perfect cone and Bromo. Volcanic sulphur fumes and smoke still emanate from the depths, and when the God of Bromo begins to rumble, the surrounding population quickly brings their offerings. The annual offering ceremony of Kasada is held on the 14th day of Kasada, the 20th month in Tenggerese calendar year. It is a dazzling event where villagers from the surrounding areas bring their humble offering to holy volcano.

Alas Purwo National Park/Wildlife Reserve.

Alas Purwo National Park/Wildlife Reserve. Located on the tip of East Java, just off the Surabaya-Banyuwangi mainroad, is dry country side of open savanah, forests and scrubland, bordered by marshes, swampy groves and white sand beaches. 81 km to the south of Banyuwangi, this park is a home to 700 wild buffaloes and many other species of world animals which can be observed from viewing tower. A landrover or jeep is needed to traverse these rugged, grassy plains. In the nearby there is G (Grajagan) Land which the waves is famous for foreign surfers.

Kaliklatak.

Kaliklatak. A commodities plantation 450-750 m above sea level on the slopes of Mt. Merapi, Kaliklatak covers 2.500 acres of land producing coffee, rubber, cocoa and spices. Tour the plantation to see the entire process, from cultivation to harvest and processing for export.

Sukamade Turtle Beach.

Sukamade Turtle Beach. 78 km south of Banyuwangi, the beach is known for its deep turquoise waters and 250 kg sea turtles which come to lay their eggs here.

Meru Betiri Reserve.

Meru Betiri Reserve. Here at the southeastern tip of province is where the last of the Javenese tigers sought refuge. A hundred and fifty years ago the Javanese tiger inhabi¬ted most of Java and was even considered a nuisance in some populated areas. Wildlife of all kinds thrives here, like black panthers, leopards and sea turtles.

Malang.

Malang. 90 km south of Surabaya lays Malang, one of the most attractive hill towns on Java. A strong sense of civic pride is evident from the well-maintained and elaborately painted becaks, the groomed Main Square, and clean buildings and streets. The cool climate is a welcome respite from Surabaya. 20 km from Malang on the southern flank of Mt. Arjuna, are Selecta and Songgoriti, popular hill resorts with hot springs. Nearby Batu is famous for its apples gardens.

Temples.

Temples. Between Surabaya and Malang is the town of Singosari, where remnants of the 13th century Singosari Kingdom include a temple and two gigantic guardian statues, the main gateway to the capital of the kingdom. Jago temples dates back to 1268, and is one of the most enchanting temples in East Java.
Scenes from folktales and the Mahabarata epic decorate the side panels. Kidal temple was completed in 1260 to honor one of the kings, and is a gem of Singosari temple art. Located 120 km southwest of Malang and 11 km North of Blitar is well-preserved Penataran temple in the Singosari-Majapahit temple complex, dating from the fourteenth century. The temple terraces are decorated with Ramayana bas reliefs.

Bull Races (Karapan Sapi)

Bull Races (Karapan Sapi) Across the Madura Strait, half an hour by ferry from Surabaya is the island of Madura, famous for its unique traditional bull races (Karapan Sapi).

Kawah Ijen (Ijen Crater).

Kawah Ijen (Ijen Crater). The volcanic cone of Ijen dominates the landscape at the eastern end of Java. Crater of Ijen is filled by a spectacular turquoise blue lake, its surface streaked in wind-blown patterns of yellow sulphur. Kawah Ijen is the world’s largest highly acidic lake and is the site of a labor-intensive sulfur mining operation in which sulfur-laden baskets are hand-carried from the crater floor. Many other post-caldera cones and craters are located within the caldera or long its rim. The largest concentration of post-caldera cones forms an E-W-treding zone across the southern site of the draw to its waterfalls, hot springs, and dramatic volcanic scenery. It is located at Licin sub district, 45 km from the city of Banyuwangi. (Visit Indonesia)