Overview
The axis is the point: the street is one segment of a line drawn between Mount Merapi, the palace and the Indian Ocean, and the city was laid out to hold that line. Beringharjo market at the southern end is the oldest market in the city and still the best place for batik by the metre. In 2022 the street vendors who had traded on the pavements for decades were moved into two purpose-built halls, which cleared the walkways and is still argued about.
Highlights
Walk it from the palace end northwards in the evening, when the street is at its busiest and the andong horse carts line up. Buy batik in Beringharjo rather than on the street; the upper floors are quieter and the prices are not aimed at visitors. Fixed-price shops post their prices, everything else is negotiable, and the becak drivers who offer a cheap tour are usually paid by the shop they take you to.