Alun-Alun Kidul, also known as Alun-Alun Pungkuran, is a key part of the overall layout of the Yogyakarta Kraton. It sits on the southern side of the palace complex.

The layout of Alun-Alun Kidul is like a square field, measuring 162 m x 162 m, with a sandy surface enclosed by asphalt roads and sidewalks on all four sides.

In the middle of the field, there are two fenced banyan trees (wari ngin kurung/waringin sengkeran) known as “supit urang.” At the northern end of the road leading to Plengkung Nirbaya (Plengkung Gading), there are two banyan trees known as “Wok” (Brewok).

Location, Operational Hours, and Entrance Fee

Location: Alun Alun Kidul Street, Patehan, Kraton District, Yogyakarta City, Special Region of Yogyakarta

Operational hours: Open 24/7, every day of the week

Entrance Fee: Free

Parking fee: Rp2,000 for motorcycles and Rp5,000 for cars

This 150×150-meter square Alun-Alun is close to the Kilometer Zero Point, just a quick 6-minute ride on your wheels. Whether you’re coming from the west, north, or east of the Kilometer Zero Point, head south and turn into Pangurakan Street.

Take a left onto Alun-Alun Utara Street, and follow the route until you hit Wijilan Street and Gamelan Street. You’ll enter the Alun-Alun Kidul area through Langenastran Lor Street.

Apart from Langenastran Lor Street, there are four other entrances and exits: Langenastran Kidul Street, Langenastran Lor Street, Ngadisuryan Street, Patehan Lor Street, and Gading Street.

You can tell Alun-Alun Kidul from Alun-Alun Lor by peeking into the middle of the square to spot the two banyan trees.

What to do?

Here’s the Alun-Alun Jogja attraction. You can experience some unique Jogja vibes and some interesting activities.

1. Crossing Between 2 Banyan Trees to Get Your Wish Come True!

As the evening drifts into the night in our beloved city, things ease up from the daily grind.

A gentle breeze whispers, brushing against the joyous faces in a bustling yet magical place. It’s Alun Alun Kidul, where the youth gather to celebrate happiness.

Picture this: you have to cover both your eyes with a scarf or a batik cloth, or you can even rent a blindfold at Alun Alun Kidul.

Then, you stroll through the area between two banyan trees in the middle of Alun Alun Kidul. Legend has it that whoever manages to pass through with pure intentions gets their every wish granted!

Just one rule: you have to have a sincere heart. Word has it that someone with a pure heart can navigate between the two banyan trees without veering off, shifting right or left, and staying laser-focused on the goal.

2. Biking and Riding Odong-odong

One thing that lights up Alun-alun Kidul in the evening is the presence of tandem bikes and tourist pedicabs or odong-odong.

Decked out in colorful lights and creatively decorated, these two modes of transport will accompany you as you cruise around the square.

For a pocket-friendly fee of around Rp 25,000 to Rp 30,000, you can rent a tandem bike or odong-odong. Pedaling through the street traffic and the hustle and bustle of people becomes quite a fun experience.

3. Chilling Out & Sitting Low

One cool way to enjoy Alun-alun Kidul is by grabbing snacks from street vendors or sitting low on a mat.

While digging into your ordered food, you can chat about anything, from killer professors, piling assignments, never-ending lectures, and rejected love to pretend to be serious about discussing the state.

The sprinkle of stars in the night sky and the chill creeping in will make your night at Alkid even more romantic.

For the foodies, the culinary adventure at Alun-alun Kidul kicks off around 5:00 PM when the street vendors set up their tents.

Alun-Alun Kidul, or Alkid for short, also has other food stalls offering treats like wedang ronde, tempura, fried ice cream, cilok, and other snacks. It’s worth trying out these childhood-reminiscent snacks.

There are also cafes and coffee shops in Alun-alun Kidul that you can check out.

4. Shopping at Malioboro Mall

Want to try mall hopping in Jogja? Well, Mall Malioboro could be your go-to spot! Unlike malls in other big cities, you’ll find popular outlets here, from restaurants and coffee shops to clothing stores.

Situated on Malioboro Street, it also makes it easy to hunt for unique Jogja souvenirs. You can snag all sorts of unique items at wallet-friendly prices here.

5. Visit Keraton Jogja

Exploring Alun-alun Jogja at night offers a plethora of activities. Apart from enjoying various nighttime delights, you can also explore other attractions around Alun-Alun Jogja.

One such place is the Yogyakarta Palace (Keraton Yogyakarta). Besides being the Sultan’s and his family’s residence, the palace hosts art performances open to the public.

These performances feature palace artists, showcasing traditional arts like shadow puppetry, dances, literary readings, and more. It’s a must-visit, ticket buddies!

6. Catchin’ Out a Shadow Puppet Show

A Shadow Puppet Show is quite synonymous with Javanese culture. Around Alun-Alun Jogja, you can witness a fascinating shadow puppet performance that’s entertaining and packed with life lessons.

Each shadow puppet show Typically lasts about 2 hours and presents a unique storyline. If you’re up for some shadow puppet action, one spot you can hit up is the Sonobudoyo Museum near Alun-alun Jogja.

Quick Tips to Follow!

An important tip for those heading to this square: visit in the evening. You’ll catch the sparkling charm of decorated bikes or odong-odong. Don’t forget to bundle up and bring an umbrella.

And hey, don’t leave your smartphone or fully charged digital camera behind for some photo fun. Always keep the area clean and dispose of your trash in the designated bins.

Let’s Explore Yogyakarta!

Embark on an unforgettable journey to Java, Indonesia, where a world of wonders awaits! Java, the heart and soul of Indonesia, is a treasure trove of diverse landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and breathtaking experiences.

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