Semarang in Java: what to see and things to do in Indonesia's historic city

Semarang is the capital and largest city of Central Java. It is also called the Venice of Java. And it really does resemble its Italian namesake, because the city is crossed by an extensive network of canals built during Dutch colonization. Today the canals have become a popular tourist location. What to visit in Semarang and why it is worth setting aside time for this city - read on in the article.

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What to see in Semarang

In the 16th century the city was a center of international trade, and also a place where the cultures of the whole world mixed: Chinese, Indian, Arab and European. And to this day it remains one of the busiest economic centers of the country.

Semarang Old Town

Semarang's rich history is reflected in the Old Town. Here you will find many buildings from the colonial era. And the streets are decorated with original Chinese shop houses. In particular, the Kota Lama area is a must for a walk and for exploring this mix of architectural traces.

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Kampung Pelangi - Semarang's Rainbow Village

Rainbow Village Semarang, also known as Kampung Pelangi, is a colorful village in the southern part of Semarang. The project to transform the village began in 2017. The initiative came from a local teacher who suggested repainting the houses in bright colors to improve the appearance of the area and attract tourists. The government supported the initiative, and about 230 houses were covered with bright, multicolored patterns in Javanese traditions.

Rainbow Village Semarang is a unique place where tourists stop to take unusual photos against the backdrop of rainbow-colored houses, buy souvenirs and try local delicacies.

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Raden Saleh Cultural Park

The cultural park (Taman Budaya Raden Saleh, or TBRS) is a cultural and public center named after Raden Saleh, the famous Indonesian painter who was born in Semarang. Here you will find theater and exhibition halls, galleries, auditoriums, and open spaces for outdoor cultural events. The park is often used for exhibitions, theatrical performances, music concerts and dance performances.

Gedong Songo

This is the name given to a group of ancient Hindu temples located on the slopes of Mount Ungaran at an altitude of about 1200-1500 meters above sea level. These temples are considered some of the oldest on Java. The Gedong Songo temples were built in the 8th-9th centuries during the Mataram Kingdom (Medang Kingdom). Their name translates from Javanese as "Nine Buildings", although only five of them remain today.

The temples were built in the classical Indian style typical of the early period of Javanese architecture. On the walls you can see numerous carved elements and images of Hindu deities. The Gedong Songo temple complex is about 45-50 kilometers from Semarang. By car the drive takes 1-1.5 hours.

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Thousand Doors

Lawang Sewu or "Thousand Doors" was built as the headquarters of the Dutch East Indies railway company. The name comes from the design with numerous doors and arches. The building has about 600 large windows. Lawang Sewu is wrapped in many mystical legends and ghost stories, which has made it popular among curious tourists. In the building's basement, where a prison operated during the Japanese occupation, ghosts are supposedly still there.

In 2013 the city authorities of Semarang announced plans to remove the eerie image of the place and began its renovation. Today the building houses a museum and exhibition halls where you can learn about its history and the importance of Lawang Sewu for the development of Semarang. The evening lighting adds even more mystery to the building, attracting photographers and tourists.

Photo by Alfin Auzikri on Pexels

Sam Poo Kong Temple

The oldest Chinese temple in Semarang. It was originally founded by the Chinese Muslim explorer Zheng He (also known as Sanbao). Today it is shared by Indonesians of different religious confessions, including Muslims and Buddhists, and ethnic groups, including Chinese and Javanese. The Sam Poo Kong complex includes five temples in a mixed Chinese and Javanese architectural style. The buildings are spread across an area of 3.2 hectares.

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Karimunjawa Islands

Not far from Semarang you can relax on the Karimunjawa Islands, famous for their beautiful coral reefs, rich marine fauna and crystal-clear water. The islands are covered with tropical forests and mangroves, while the coastal waters are full of various fish species, sea turtles and other marine life.

This place is ideal for diving, snorkeling and exploring the underwater world. On some islands there are small resorts and guesthouses offering comfortable accommodation.

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Brown Canyon

Brown Canyon is a popular tourist place and is compared to the Grand Canyon in the United States. It appeared as a result of many years of sand and stone mining. Over several decades of active mining, the landscape changed and formed high cliffs and deep gorges resembling a canyon, with majestic rock walls, deep ravines and impressive views. It is especially beautiful here at sunset.

The canyon is 10-15 kilometers from the center of Semarang, and it can be easily reached by car or motorbike. The road can be dusty, especially in the dry season, so it is worth bringing suitable clothes and shoes.

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Laguna Swimming Pool Semarang

Popular pools not far from the city center. Several pools of different depths are suitable for both adults and children. Various water activities take place here. And for the youngest visitors there are shallow pools with safe play areas.

Laguna Swimming Pool is located in an accessible area of Semarang that is easy to reach by public transport or by car. There is parking around the pool for visitors.

Tay Kak Sie Temple

A visit to Semarang would be incomplete without a walk through the lively Chinatown. This district, reflecting a strong Chinese influence, is a mix of cultures, with temples and markets serving the large Chinese community. Be sure to come here to visit the famous Tay Kak Sie Temple, built in 1746. It is dedicated to the goddess of mercy Guan Yin, who is popular among Chinese Buddhists and Taoists. The temple is built in the traditional Chinese style, with a richly decorated roof and carved dragons.

Midori, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Celosia Flower Garden

Celosia Flower Garden is a popular tourist attraction. The garden is known for its lush celosia flowers blazing in various shades, from bright red and pink to yellow and orange. These flowers create colorful and picturesque landscapes that are often used for photo shoots.

The flower garden offers many themed corners and decorations designed especially for colorful photos: flower arches, bridges and sculptures. Celosia also has play areas and rides suitable for family holidays, small cafes and souvenir shops. And in the garden you can also see a number of miniature world symbols, such as a miniature Eiffel Tower from France and a miniature Merlion from Singapore.

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A walk to the waterfalls

Head to the "gems" hidden in the tropical forest: the two most beautiful waterfalls of Semarang - Curug Lawe and Curug Benowo. They rise to a height of 40 meters and are located near each other. The two waterfalls are often visited as part of one route. They are surrounded by dense forest, which creates a feeling of privacy and peace. To reach the waterfalls you need to follow a trail through the forest. The walk can take from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the starting point.

It is best to visit during the rainy season or soon after it, when the waterfalls are especially full and impressive. This trip usually requires good physical fitness, as the routes pass through forest trails and mountainous terrain.

Location: Gunungpati area, about one hour from Semarang by car.

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How to get to Semarang

If you are already in Indonesia, you can get there by almost any kind of transport.

• By plane. Ahmad Yani International Airport is located not far from the city center. It receives flights from many cities in Indonesia. Flights to Semarang also operate from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
• By train. You can get there by train from Jakarta, Bandung and Surabaya. You can choose an express train that takes about 6 hours from Jakarta. Semarang has two main railway stations, Stasiun Tawang and Stasiun Poncol.
• By bus. Bus companies run daily trips from Jakarta to Semarang. For example, Rosalia Indah, Raya, Kramat Jati, Safari Dharma Raya. You can find both daytime and overnight routes. The trip can take up to 12 hours, but it all depends on the road situation.

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