Java is by far the most populated of Indonesia's islands. It is a land of enormous diversity ranging from unspoiled tropical beaches and colorful marine gardens to virgin jungles and active volacanoes. Ancient monuments reveal a rich and colorful history strongly influenced by a Hindu-Javanese culture thet flourished between the 8th and the 10th centuries, and Mahayana Buddhism. Visit Borobudur, the world's biggest Buddhist monument and one of the eight wonders of the world.

Adventure and Outdoor Activities
The coastline form Anyer to Labuhan in Banten, the island's westernmost province, is very popular as a seaside resort. Inland, Java's magnificent mountain scenery is spectacular. The volcanoes Gede-Pangrango, Papandayan in West Java are covered in lush forests, while the crater and legendary sea of sand at Mount Bromo, the "sulphur mountain" of Welirang and the rugged Ijen Plateau in East Java boast a magnificent stark landscape.

Take a hike to Telaga Warna, a pretty colored lake, or to Kawah Sikidang in Central Java, with steaming vents and bubbling mud pools. The limestone and quartz landscape of Gunung Kidul have created caves that beg to be explored. There's also a vertical wall that is often frequented by climbers. Java is also increasingly known as a surfing destination thanks to the numerous locations that have high waves perfect for surfing, such as Plengkung-Grajagan is East Java, better known as G-Land. Nearby Meru Betiri and Alas Purwo National Park offer superb trekking. Yearning for an adrenalin rush? Climbing volcanic Mount Semeru or challenge the rapids in the Padegolan and Progo rivers in Central Java.

The lush and fertile land offers inimitable opportunities for agro tourism. Various regions in Central Java offer tea, coffee, rubber, cloves and cocoa plantations tours. Others invite you to experience lif ein a traditional Javanese village, such as working in the rice fields, making traditional snacks and jamu, the all-curing herbal concoction.

Nature Reserves
With awesome Krakatau looming in the distance, explore the undisturbed wildlife reserve of Ujung Kulon on the southwestern tip of Java, home of the Javan one-horned rhinoceros. Watch thousands of migrating birds arrive at Pulau Dua Bird Sanctuary off the coast of Banten between the months of March till July. Sheltering hundreds of tropical plant species of the world, the world renowned Bogor Botanical Gardens next to the Presidential Palace is a treat to visit. Almost every plant species in Indonesia exist here and some of the trees are centuries old. Where else can one view seven volcanoes from one spot? At the Ketep View Point mid way between Solo and Borobudur, seven mountains form a spectacular background for the paddy fields. On tranquil Sukamade beach, East Java, take a peek at the giant turtles that often come ashore to laytheir eggs in the sand.

Cuture
Old Banten which is 10 kilometers north of Serang was once th capital of the old Sultanate. Fort Speelwijk, the Grand Mosque of Banten, and ruins of the Surosowan Royal Palace still standing today are witness of Banten's former glory. Traditional villages and isolated communities can still be found in West Java. In southern Banten, the Baduy have been cut off from their outside influences and modernity for over 500 years, retaining the belief and customs of their forefathers. In Tasikmalaya, the people of Kampung Naga still perform purification rituals for their village.

The land of Java preserves cultures of the past and present. From the west, treasure the royal palaces of Cirebon and moving to the east, the courts of Surakarta and Yogyakarta have been patrons of culture, traditions and values which the Javanese have treasured for so many generations. Grand and elegant Javanese Kraton architecture guards priceless royal heirlooms and precious antiques. The kraton has daily gamelan, dance and wayang rehearsals. Don't miss the spectacular Ramayana ballet and opera performed in an open air stage in the Prambanan Temple complex during full moon evenings. The archeological site of Trowulan in was once the ancient capital of the Great Majapahit Empire. On the island of Madura, feel the exhilaration of the daring bull races called karapan sapi, regularly held at the Pamekasan Stadium.

Cuisine
The Sundanese of West Java is fond of raw vegetables eaten with prawn and chili paste (sambal). A typical meal ussually consist of deep-fried freshwater fish, salted fish or steamed fish wrapped in banana leaves (pepes) accompanied by a sweet and sour vegetable soup (sayur asam). Towards the Central Java, taste tend to be rather sweet and spicy as cooking uses a leberal amount of palm sugar and chilli. As for East JAva, many of the local dishes are flavored with the local delicacy petis, a dark shrimp paste.

Shopping
Java offers a wonderful range of handicrafts. West Java has hand-carved wooden puppets and screen, silverwork, hand-wooven and painted cottons and silks, embroidery, shell-ornaments, basketry, sandstone statues and bamboo furniture. Jepara in Central Java is famous for its teak carvings; leather goods, puppets and masks are produced in Yogya. Creative ideas have made the famous batik and lurik into sarongs, bed covers, upholstery and garments. Visit the village of Kauman where hand-painted batiks are made.