When you mention a holiday in Indonesia, Semarang probably won’t be the first city that crosses your mind. However, Semarang actually offers a lot for tourists that will introduce you to its vast cultural influence. This energetic port city of Central Java has influences from the Dutch colonial era, Arab, and Chinese. Hence, there are churches, mosques, and pagodas with unique architecture in this city. So, here are some places you should visit to spend your holiday in Semarang.
Blenduk Church (Gereja Blenduk)
This beautiful church, which was completed in the 18th century, is eye catching with its traditional Dutch architecture crowning dome and towers. You can find this Protestant church within the Old City (Outstadt) area of Semarang.
Semarang Harbour
Get an experience of this busy harbor and watch different ocean-going boats and sailing vessels come and go. You can also see the impressive sight of traditional Indonesian sailing ships, known as Pinisi, that frequently visit the Tambak Lorok wharfs.
Lawang Sewu
This building is also known as ‘Building of a Thousand Doors and Windows’ due to its excessive number of doors and windows. It was completed in 1907, so it once served as the headquarters for the city’s railway company and also a colonial office for Dutch and Japanese Governments. However, it has been empty for a period of years, and the government did nothing for its maintenance. To top it all off, the locals considered this building haunted, so tourists who would like a little supernatural ‘challenge’ would love this place.
Tay Kak Sie Temple
If you’re visiting Semarang around the Chinese New Year, make sure you don’t miss this temple that comes to life for the Chinese New Year Celebration with red lanterns and banners. This Confucian Temple is a major landmark in the Chinatown district and completed in early 1770s.
Sam Po Kong Temple
This 15th century Temple was built to honor Admiral Cheng Ho of the Ming Dynasty, a Muslim Chinese commander and eunuch that visited Semarang in 1405. Sam Po Kong Temple, with its three-tiered rood and oriental styled, was renovated in 2006.
Grand Mosque
This mosque was rebuilt in 1885 and is the biggest mosque in Central Java. It accommodates more than 10,000 people and definitely eye catching with its huge dome, 4 minarets, and 4 tall pillars standing by the main steps. The Grand Mosque have a nice blend of Asian, Middle Eastern, and European architecture.
TBRS Amusement Park
This amusement park is located on Tegalwareng Area, and the place to be if you want to enjoy wayang shows such as Indonesian shadow puppetry (wayang kulit), and people theatre (wayang orang).
Pagoda Avalokitesvara
Pagoda Avalokitesvara is fully illuminated in the night, so it really stands out on the skyline, thanks to its elevated setting. It measures at around 50 metres high, and is the tallest landmark of its kind in Indonesia. This pagoda honors Kuan Yin, the goddess of mercy.
There are other places in Semarang for you to visit. For instance, if shopping is your thing and you want to try Central Java’s street food, you should visit Simpang Lima that has shopping malls, restaurants, and cinema complexes alongside endless food stalls. Hopefully these tips would be handy for you. So, have a nice holiday in Semarang!
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