Information
Landmark: Alun-Alun KidulCity: Yogyakarta
Country: Indonesia
Continent: Asia
Alun-Alun Kidul, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Asia
Overview
Alun-Alun Kidul, known as the Southern Square, sits in the heart of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, its wide expanse steeped in history.It’s one of the two main squares in the Sultan’s Kraton Palace complex, with the other-Alun-Alun Utara, or the Northern Square-stretching out just beyond the palace walls.In Yogyakarta, the square is a gathering place rich with history, culture, and community life, where visitors might watch children chase kites or locals share stories over sweet tea.Alun-Alun Kidul sits just south of the Kraton Yogyakarta, right across from Alun-Alun Utara, where the palace walls cast long afternoon shadows.It sits close to busy streets and major landmarks, so both locals and visitors can reach it easily.The place is called Alun-Alun Kidul-Javanese for “Southern Square,” with “Kidul” meaning south.The square’s name sets it apart from the Alun-Alun Utara, which sits on the Kraton’s northern side.Alun-Alun Kidul holds historical weight too, forming an integral piece of the Kraton Yogyakarta’s carefully planned layout, where its broad open space still echoes with centuries-old traditions.Alun-Alun Utara and Alun-Alun Kidul were built to echo the Kraton’s symbolic ties to the land around it, and during the Sultan of Yogyakarta’s reign, the northern square often filled with the sound of drums and the bright colors of ceremonial gatherings.The Alun-Alun Kidul once echoed with music from festivals, the clatter of royal processions, and the murmur of public gatherings.People say it also served as a post for the Sultan’s military or royal guards during the Sultanate.In Javanese tradition, it’s a place rich with meaning, tied to spiritual balance and the symbols of power.The way the squares are arranged and linked to the Kraton mirrors the Javanese idea of a cosmic order, and in the center, two towering banyan trees-leaves whispering in the breeze-carry their own deep ties to tradition.Locals say that if you can cross the space between the towering banyan trees with your eyes shut, you’ll earn the Sultan’s blessing or a moment of rare clarity; at the heart of Alun-Alun Kidul, those two ancient trees rise like silent sentinels over the square.In Javanese culture, these trees carry deep spiritual meaning, often seen as living symbols of life and the sacred.Local legend says if you walk between them with your eyes shut, you test both your balance and the clarity of your mind.At Alun-Alun Kidul, families gather to enjoy simple games and shared laughter under the warm glow of streetlights.One of the square’s biggest draws is the “becak mini,” tiny pedal-powered cabs kids and families can rent to circle the plaza under the warm sun.Locals and visitors gather here to play old favorites like “sampan,” little wooden boats drifting in shallow tubs, and to sample treats from street stalls sizzling with the smell of grilled satay.As night falls, Alun-Alun Kidul bursts into life as a bustling night market.The square fills with street vendors, their stalls piled high with spicy peanuts, sugary pastries, and hand-carved wooden toys.Don’t miss the famous “sego abel,” a fragrant traditional rice dish worth every bite.In the square, families, couples, and friends linger under the warm glow of streetlamps, soaking up the lively evening air.Just to the south of Alun-Alun Kidul, the Gelanggang Sriwedari hosts open-air shows-Javanese dance, music, and wayang kulit shadow puppets bring the night to life.Visitors can soak up the energy of cultural performances, watching Javanese art come alive in colorful dances, and with Malioboro Street just a short walk away, the buzz of shops and street music is right at hand.From the square, visitors can stroll to Malioboro, where shops overflow with batik, markets bustle, and souvenir stalls spill bright trinkets onto the street, making it easy to see both in one trip.At Alun-Alun Kidul, the famed “Sewu Rupo” challenge adds its own twist to the visit.People say the Sultan once tested his subjects by making them walk, eyes shut, in a straight line between two sprawling banyan trees whose roots curled like thick ropes.Today, the tradition lives on as a ritual, with both locals and visitors stepping carefully between the trees, lids pressed shut, hoping to make it all the way without veering off course.Many believe finishing the walk shows deep spiritual strength and sharp mental focus.During the day, Alun-Alun Kidul offers a calm escape where you can wander under wide banyan canopies and enjoy the open, sunlit lawn.Families and travelers eager to soak up everyday life in Yogyakarta will love it here.As dusk falls, the square bursts into color with sizzling food stalls, a buzzing night market, and music drifting through the warm air.Sunset’s a stunning time to stop by, when the square glows gold and the hills and the Kraton stand clear against the fading sky.You can reach Alun-Alun Kidul from central Yogyakarta without much trouble.The square sits just a short walk from Jalan Malioboro, with plenty of buses rumbling past and taxis ready to pull up at the curb.It’s just a short walk from Kraton Yogyakarta and lively Malioboro Street, where you can try the eyes‑closed challenge between the twin banyan trees, hop in a becak mini or a clip-clopping horse‑drawn carriage, snack on sizzling street food as the air fills with the smell of grilled satay, browse the night market for handmade souvenirs, and end the evening with a Javanese cultural performance at Gelanggang Sriwedari-because Alun‑Alun Kidul isn’t just a square, it’s where Yogyakarta’s culture, tradition, and community pulse come alive.You can wander through tales of old kings, savor spicy street snacks, or dive into the lively hum of the night market, and the square will still give you an honest taste of Yogyakarta’s heart.Alun-Alun Kidul, with its deep cultural roots, sweeping night views, and one-of-a-kind activities, still draws both locals and visitors-whether they’re watching lanterns drift into the dark or just soaking up the lively atmosphere.
