The Borobudur Cultural Heritage, History, and Natural Heritage Destination Management Area (DSP Borobudur) is a coordinated effort encompassing Borobudur in Yogyakarta, Solo in Sangiran, Semarang in Karimunjawa, and a 309-hectare integrated cultural eco-resort tourism area currently under development.
Spanning the regions of Central Java and the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), this DSP area boasts numerous captivating attractions centered around cultural, historical, and natural wonders, both natural and man-made.
In this region, you'll find a rich tapestry of Javanese cultural heritage, reflecting in its distinctive cuisine, daily life, craftsmanship, and art. In 2019, the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) recorded 189 tourist attractions in DIY and 290 in Central Java.
For history and culture enthusiasts, three UNESCO World Heritage sites grace the DSP area. These include the majestic Borobudur Temple in Magelang, the grand Prambanan Temple in Yogyakarta, and the ancient human fossil site of Sangiran, located just 15 kilometers from Solo.
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Furthermore, Yogyakarta, Semarang, and Solo abound with cultural and historical landmarks such as the Yogyakarta Palace, the Old Town of Semarang, the Solo Palace, and various temples like Ratu Boko and Mendut Temple, aside from Borobudur.
DSP Borobudur also features many cultural experience-based villages. In the villages around Borobudur Temple, visitors can immerse themselves in the rural beauty while partaking in various activities like pottery and batik making, cycling through the villages on vintage bicycles, or even coffee bean hunting. The area is also replete with natural attractions, with 34 in DIY and 102 in Central Java.
The DSP Borobudur holds great potential for wellness tourism. Yogyakarta is renowned for its Javanese massage tradition, meditation, retreats, and artistic therapies. Solo, on the other hand, could become a herbal tourism destination with a variety of traditional herbal remedies and aromatherapy.
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Culinary tourism in DSP Borobudur is another highlight. Yogyakarta is a haven for local delicacies like gudeg, sate klathak, tengkleng, geplak, and bakpia pathuk. Meanwhile, Solo and Semarang, both located within the DSP Borobudur region, offer unique specialties such as selat Solo, timlo Solo, nasi liwet, serabi Solo, tahu gimbal, and tahu petis Semarang.
To support these attractions, the DSP Borobudur area also features tourism accommodation facilities (sarhunta) managed in partnership with local industries and capacity-building for the local community. Notably, there are 382 homestays within this region, providing a variety of lodging options for visitors.