Unique Things to Do in Yogyakarta That Most Visitors Skip

Temples, Malioboro, gudeg. Almost every visitor has that list already. If you are staying in Jogja for a while, set aside a few hours for something you take home as a skill.

Why look for something different?

Photos at famous spots all look alike. Things you do with your own hands are easier to remember.

Jogja has plenty of options. Batik workshops, gamelan classes, cooking lessons, cycling through villages. One more that rarely gets mentioned: learning a musical instrument.

Learn the guzheng on your holiday

The guzheng is a Chinese plucked zither with 21 strings. The sound is clear, and many people fall for it in the first lesson.

Fanny Yu is a guzheng player and singer from Surabaya, currently based in Sleman, Yogyakarta. After 10+ years in the music and entertainment industry, she decided to share her knowledge with anyone who wants to explore singing and the guzheng. Besides performing on her own, Fanny Yu also teaches guzheng classes online and offline. For visitors who are only passing through Jogja, Fanny Yu also has a special holiday program you can find here.

How the holiday program works:

• Private 1 on 1 lessons, 45 minutes each.
• At least 4 sessions, spread over 1 to 4 weeks.
• No need to read music. Complete beginners are welcome.
• Pick online, offline at the teacher's home (you use the teacher's guzheng), or offline at your place (you need your own guzheng).

Bonus: hanfu try-on and photoshoot

Right now there is a bonus hanfu try-on and a photoshoot at 1 tourist spot. We lend the guzheng for the photo session and help take the photos.

The bonus applies to selected packages and terms can change, so check the Holiday Program page for the latest.

What to pair it with

A lesson is only 45 minutes. The rest of your day is free. Some ideas:

• Morning: a temple or a village visit.
• Midday: lunch and a rest somewhere cool.
• Late afternoon: your guzheng lesson.

Who is it for?

Couples, friends and solo travelers staying a few days to a few weeks. It also suits remote workers and students living in Jogja for a while.

If your trip is only 2 or 3 days, 4 sessions may be too tight. Message us on WhatsApp first.