Cirebon sits on the north coast of Java, a harbour city known locally as Kota Udang (Shrimp City) for the prawns that come in from its waters. The name itself comes from the local word for shrimp. It is a city where Javanese, Sundanese, and Chinese cultures overlap, giving it a character distinct from either Bandung or the Javanese heartland to the east.
The city's historical importance comes from Sunan Gunung Jati, one of the nine Wali Songo saints who spread Islam across Java. His legacy is visible in the city's mosques and tombs. Cirebon is unusual in having two royal palaces: the Keraton Kasepuhan (the Elder) and the Keraton Kanoman (the Younger), a split engineered by the Dutch to weaken the Sultan's power. Both are open to visitors and house collections of royal heirlooms and batik.
Cirebon is also known for its food — particularly Nasi Jamblang, steamed rice wrapped in teak leaves and served with an array of side dishes. The old sugar mills on the outskirts of town, some still in operation, are another point of interest.