ID · West Java · 6.71°S 108.56°E

cirebon

Megamendung batik, sultan palaces and nasi jamblang on Java's north coast.

Best time
The drier months, roughly May to September, are best. Avoid the Hari Raya holidays, when the city sits on Java's busiest balik kampung route.
How long
1–2 days
Getting there
Fly from KL to Jakarta, about 2 hours. From Jakarta, trains take about 3 hours, or it's about 3–4 hours by car on the toll road.
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ID · West Javacirebon6.71°S 108.56°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Megamendung batik, sultan palaces and nasi jamblang on Java's north coast.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingCirebonID, West Java
KLcirebon
≈ 1,335 km from KL, as the crow flies
Pilgrims praying before the sanctuary of Ong Tien at Sunan Gunung Jati cemetery site, Cirebon.

Photo: Cahyo Ramadhani · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A port city on Java's north coast, where Sundanese, Javanese, Arab and Chinese influences meet. It was the seat of a sultanate, and its palaces, old mosque and royal tombs are still in use. Cirebon is also known for megamendung batik, with its cloud patterns, and for food you won't find done quite the same way elsewhere.

Makan

  1. Nasi jamblangRice wrapped in teak leaves, with a spread of side dishes you pick yourself.Map ↗
  2. Empal gentongA rich beef curry cooked in clay pots over a wood fire.Map ↗
  3. Tahu gejrotFried tofu in a sweet, sour and spicy sauce with shallots and garlic.Map ↗
  4. Nasi lengkoRice with tofu, tempeh, bean sprouts and peanut sauce.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Kasepuhan PalaceThe oldest of the city's palaces, with Chinese porcelain set into its walls. The old Sang Cipta Rasa mosque is next door.Map ↗
  2. Kanoman PalaceA second royal palace, reached through a busy traditional market.Map ↗
  3. Gua SunyaragiA curious garden of coral-rock caves and passages built for the sultans.Map ↗
  4. Trusmi batik villageStreets of batik workshops and shops just outside the city, the best place to buy megamendung.Map ↗
  5. Tomb of Sunan Gunung JatiThe hillside tomb of one of the Wali Songo, Java's nine Islamic saints, and a major pilgrimage site.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Dress modestly at the palaces, the mosque and the royal tombs.
  • Prices at Trusmi vary a lot between shops, so look around before you buy.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.