Since many century, the North Coast of Java island or most popularly called the Pesisir (meaning "beach edge" or "fringe") Coastal ports were important stopovers on international trade routes for Java Island. The Pesisir ports became the focus of a thriving international trade driven by spices. Indian textiles, Chinese silks & ceramics, and European silver & gold were all brought to Java to be exchanged for Indonesian spices. In this period, Cirebon was one of the powerful and wealthy city states beside Demak, Jepara, Kudus, Tuban, Gresik, Surabaya, Banten, Pasuruan, and others North Coast city. 

Cirebon may in fact have been the first Islamic city-state on Java beside Gresik and Demak. Until Now, the Sultan's palace or kratons attracts many visitors for it's ceremonial antique collection and historic musical gamelan instruments. Four kilometres from downtown Cirebon lies the royal burial place, where the tombs of kings of Cirebon family and the powerful person in Cirebon history Sunan Gunung Jati was rested.