Located on Java's north coast, this economic hub has centuries-old landmarks like Sam Poo Kong temple and the colonial Lawang Sewu building, plus five major universities.
Semarang, the capital of Central Java, is Indonesia's fifth-largest city. Walk through the Old Town district to see the copper-domed Blenduk Church from 1753 and climb the grand staircase of Lawang Sewu, a former railway headquarters. Stop at Pasar Semawis night market to try Chinese-Indonesian street food, visit the red-painted temples of Sam Poo Kong complex, and taste the city's famous lumpia spring rolls filled with bamboo shoots and shrimp.
Exploring Kota Lama
Walk past more than 50 colonial buildings from the Dutch East Indies period in Semarang's Old Town district. Look up to see the tall windows and European-style facades, and notice how the thick walls keep interiors cool. The streets form a European grid pattern, where former shipping companies, banks, and trading houses line wide boulevards. Step inside the Blenduk Church to see its copper dome and twin spires up close - the church still holds regular services. The district's high ceilings and covered walkways show how European architecture adapted to tropical weather.
Chinese Cultural Sites
Visit the Sam Poo Kong temple complex, built where Chinese admiral Zheng He landed in the 15th century. The red temple buildings mix Chinese roof designs with Javanese stone carvings. Head to Semawis market in Chinatown after sunset, when food stalls and vendors set up their stands. Join local families to eat Chinese-Indonesian dishes and browse specialty cooking ingredients.
Local Food Scene
Try the city's signature lumpia spring rolls, packed with bamboo shoots, chicken, and shrimp. Look for restaurants serving bandeng presto (pressure-cooked milkfish), wingko (coconut cake), and tahu gimbal (fried tofu with shrimp cakes). Walk along Gang Warung street to find food vendors clustered together - you can sample multiple local dishes in one visit. Order jamu, a traditional drink made from local ingredients like turmeric, ginger, and tamarind, at most local restaurants.
Getting Around
Take metered taxis within the main areas of Semarang. Public buses connect different neighborhoods - look for destination signs in Indonesian. Catch trains at Stasiun Tawang on the northern edge of Old Town for connections to Jakarta, Surabaya, and other major Javanese cities. Ahmad Yani International Airport lies 8 kilometers from downtown, with flights to Indonesian cities plus Singapore and Malaysia.
