–Ancient Kingdoms: Singosari and Majapahit
–Explore around Malang and Blitar

–For Travel to Bromo, Ijen and Crossing to Bali–
Click: https://alamasia.net/east-java-volcanoes-ijen-to-bromo/

East Java’s history saw the rise of powerful kingdoms after the decline and shift of dynastic families from Central Java. Control of the maritime trade routes was the key to a prosperous kingdom and a series of rivalries fueled by internal royal family disputes, succession struggles, and power grabs took place.
Kediri, a Hindu kingdom from 11th-13th century was overthrown by Ken Arok who then founded his own Singosari kingdom. This lasted only until 1292 when Singosari’s last King Kertanegara was assassinated, paving the way for the powerful Majapahit Kingdom to establish itself as a vast empire covering much of Southeast Asia from 13th-14th centuries.
Internal conflict with more succession crises led to financial and political decline, and with the rise of the Islamic sultanate of Demak ( on North Java coast), the Hindu-Buddhist rule in East Java was brought to an end. The fall of Majapahit marked a major transition, with the Islamization of many areas of Java, the
Majapahit elites went into exile to Bali.

Under Dutch colonial rule, East Java became a major plantation area for crops like coffee, rubber, cacao and tobacco, with Surabaya becoming a major port for the Dutch VOC- East Indies Company.
Surabaya later became a center of resistance in Indonesia’s fight for independence. 

The fertile land of Java is thanks to its rich volcanic soil. East Java is home to numerous volcanoes, including famous active ones like Mount Semeru, Java’s highest and in continuous eruption since 1967.
Mount Bromo within the Tengger caldera attracts many visitors and Mount Ijen, at the far east of Java is famous for its blue flames. The natural beauty and historical sites make East Java rich in heritage and adventure.

Early morning coffee at Mount Bromo and Emerald green fields looking out to Mount Ijen.

Travel Overland Java

Many people drive across Java but Trains are very comfortable, clean and efficient.

Click for Travel to Bromo and Ijen and Crossing Bali:
https://alamasia.net/east-java-volcanoes-ijen-to-bromo/

East of Solo to Surabaya via the ancient sites of Majapahit:
Coming from Solo or from Yogya, train as far as Jombang
Coming from Surabaya, get off the train in Mojokerto
Trowulan, in between Jombang and Mojokerto, is where you can see the red-brick candis of the Majapahit era standing silently as witness to their past glory.
There is also an Majapahit Archeological Museum in Trowulan.

Candi Brahu in Trowulan

The Majapahit Empire (1293–c. 1527) was a powerful Hindu-Buddhist maritime empire, known for its vast influence across Southeast Asia, reaching its peak under King Hayam Wuruk and Prime Minister Gajah Mada, unifying much of the archipelago before its gradual decline due to internal strife and rising Islamic sultanates. The history of Majapahit is unknown to most visitors to Indonesia today. History buffs, especially those interested in maritime trade, will find the stories fascinating. 

Check out the Book by Herald van der Linde:
Majapahit: Intrigue, Betrayal and War in Indonesia’s greatest Empire:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/210408024-majapahit

Malang and Blitar

Continuing travel by train or car to Surabaya and onward to Mt. Bromo and Ijen and cross over to Bali

Or drive to the lovely city of Malang, south of Surabaya.   

Malang Train Station is very close to the Hotel Tugu Malang

There is a train to Malang via Surabaya makes it a longer journey. The drive is around 2 hours from Jombang to Malang.
There may be Direct Trains between Yogyakarta and Malang via Blitar if not visiting Trowulan.

Malang was a center of East Java kingdoms including the Singosari Kingdom of 13th century.
Ancent stupas are found throughout East Java, attesting to Hindu-Buddhist influence before the rise of the Majapahit Empire, and have left cultural and religious legacies.

Ken Dedes and the Prajnaparamita

A famous 13th-century statue found near the ruins of Candi Singosari (Singhasari) just north of Malang, is believed to be a deified portrait of Ken Dedes, the first queen of Singosari after her marriage to Ken Arok, founder of the kingdom. The statue is believed to be the embodiment of Prajnaparamita, the Mahayana Buddhist Goddess of perfect wisdom. Ken Dedes was considered a brilliant and wise woman and Ken Dedes saw her as a divine sign and crucial to the development of the Singosari Kingdom.

The statue of Prajanaparamita was discovered in almost perfect condition and taken by the Dutch in 1820.
Finally in 1978, this exquisite statue was returned to Indonesia by the Dutch in 1978 and joined a precious collection of artifacts at the National Museum in Jakarta. 

Candi Singosari is another place where you step back into time and imagine the spiritual energy of Prajnaparamita, the divine female force of wisdom and compassion- so needed and often missing in our world.

A few kilometers from Candi Singosari, you can wander back into a quiet forest to a holy bathing place where pilgrims come for purification.

The city of Malang is a vibrant University town with a coffee culture amongst colonial Dutch buildings. Explore colorful markets and sample local food, and venture out to the Rainbow Village known as Kampung Warni Warni-where students and locals painted run-down houses in bright colors turning the neighborhood into a popular tourist attraction.

Hotel Tugu Malang, a wonderful heritage property, filled with a collection of art, is a destination in itself.
https://tuguhotels.com/hotels/malang/

Blitar

Blitar ( to the west of Malang ) was the hometown of Indonesia’s first president Soekarno where he now rests at his mausoleum.

The tomb of Soekarno and to the right is the Istana Gebang, the residence of his youth, now a museum preserving his family’s legacy and colonial-era artifacts.

Candi Penataran is a Hindu temple complex built during the Kediri Kingdom era and later served the Singosari Kingdom, and finally became the state temple of the Majapahit Empire, acting as vital religious site dedicated to Shiva. Famous for reliefs telling stories of the Ramayana, Candi Penataran is a popular pilgrimage spot for the Balinese.

Blitar is a town enjoying a slower pace of life, preserving rich cultural and religious narratives in stone, and with access to beautiful countryside.
The Hotel Tugu Blitar, an elegant historic mansion is also where Soekarno once kept a room and office.
https://tuguhotels.com/hotels/blitar/

More on Train Travel across Java:

KAI-  Kereta Api Indonesia ( national railways ) has an App to download, but can be difficult to navigate.
Train tickets throughout Indonesia may be booked very easily on  Tiket.com   or download their App.

The Man in Seat 61  is always a wonderful resource for Train Journeys around the world:
https://www.seat61.com/Indonesia.htm

Travel to Mt Bromo and Ijen and crossing to Bali:

Click Below:
https://alamasia.net/east-java-volcanoes-ijen-to-bromo/


Back to Central Java– Yogyakarta, Solo, Borobudur and Prambanan:
https://alamasia.net/asia-destinations-news-and-links/bali-and-indonesia/java/

Jakarta’s Old Town of Batavia- center of the Dutch VOC East Indies Company:
https://alamasia.net/jakarta-kota-tua-batavia/

Enjoy your Journeys- Travel Gently and Live Consciously- Selamat Jalan!