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!
USD 115
per night
Jl. Sisingamangaraja
USD 30
per night
Desa Keji RT.6 / RW.1 Mapagan-Ungaran
USD 35
per night
Jl. Pattimura No. 1B Sisemut, Ungaran
USD 12
per night
Jl. Plampitan No. 37 - 39
USD 82
per night
Jalan Gajahmada No. 59-61
USD 30
per night
1/27 Singosari
USD 31
per night
Jalan Gajah Mada 172
USD 12
per night
Jalan Pandanaran No. 58
USD 13
per night
Jalan Wahid Hasyim No 125-127
USD 15
per night
Jalan Dr. Cipto No. 73
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USD 47
per night
Jl. Pemuda 138
The Amaris Pemuda Semarang is located in Semarang making it one of the best hotels to stay at while in town. The Amaris Pemuda Semarang boasts a convenient location with modern amenities in every gue...
USD 17
per night
Jalan Imam Bonjol 188
The Dafam Hotel is perfectly located for both business and leisure guests to Semarang. The 103 guestrooms at this 3-star hotel provide all the essential amenities needed by the business and leisure t...
USD 41
per night
Jl. Arteri Utara Blok D-4 Puri Anjasmoro
Discover all that Semarang has to offer with Hotel Puri Garden as a base. All of the hotel's 57 guestrooms are equipped with standard in-room amenities to ensure the maximum comfort for its guests. ...
USD 37
per night
Majapahit 282
With its central location, Dalu Hotel is within easy reach of most tourist attractions and business addresses in Semarang. The Dalu Hotel boasts a convenient location with modern amenities in every g...
USD 13
per night
Jalan Wahid Hasyim No 125-127
The Semesta Hotel is perfectly located for both business and leisure guests to Semarang. The hotel is a high-rise building with 142 fully equipped rooms. Each of the hotel's guestrooms offers desk, ...
USD 12
per night
Jalan Pandanaran No. 58
The Pandanaran Hotel is perfectly located for both business and leisure guests to Semarang. All the modern facilities are available in all of the hotel's 170 rooms. In-room facilities include inter...
USD 82
per night
Jalan Gajahmada No. 59-61
The Gumaya Tower Hotel Semarang is located in Semarang making it one of the best hotels to stay at while in town. All 259 at this 5-star property offers well-furnished rooms and attentive service. R...
USD 31
per night
Jalan Gajah Mada 172
The Ibis Semarang Simpang Lima is perfectly located for both business and leisure guests to Semarang. The Ibis Semarang Simpang Lima boasts a convenient location with modern amenities in every guestr...
USD 32
per night
Imam Bonjol Street, 28
The Hotel Surya is perfectly located for both business and leisure guests to Semarang. This 2-star hotel offers 47 comfortable guestrooms with a range of in-room facilities suitable for the modern tr...
USD 45
per night
Jl. Haji Agus Salim 2- 4
The New Metro Hotel is perfectly located for both business and leisure guests to Semarang. All 90 rooms at the hotel are well-appointed with necessary amenities to ensure that each guest's satisfacti...
USD 16
per night
Jl. Setia Budi No.16
With its central location, Nyata Plaza Hotel is within easy reach of most tourist attractions and business addresses in Semarang. This 3-star hotel offers 78 guestrooms, each presenting guests with a...
USD 10
per night
Imam Bonjol street 177 B
The Imam Bonjol Hostel is located in Semarang making it one of the best hotels to stay at while in town. All of the hotel's 5 guestrooms are equipped with standard in-room amenities to ensure the max...
USD 115
per night
Jl. Sisingamangaraja
Discover all that Semarang has to offer with Patra Semarang Convention Hotel as a base. The Patra Semarang Convention Hotel boasts a convenient location with modern amenities in every guestroom and s...
USD 12
per night
Jl. Plampitan No. 37 - 39
With its central location, Quest Hotel is within easy reach of most tourist attractions and business addresses in Semarang. All 155 rooms at the hotel are well-appointed with necessary amenities to e...
USD 21
per night
JL. Pandanaran 116-120,
The Hotel Santika Premiere Semarang is located in Semarang making it one of the best hotels to stay at while in town. The Hotel Santika Premiere Semarang boasts a convenient location with modern amen...
USD 65
per night
Jl. Pemuda 118
Discover all that Semarang has to offer with Crowne Plaza Semarang Hotel as a base. All 270 rooms at the hotel have all the modern facilities guests' would expect from a hotel of this class. Each gu...
USD 77
per night
Jalan S. Parman No. 29
The Grasia Hotel is located in Semarang making it one of the best hotels to stay at while in town. All 76 rooms at the hotel have all the modern facilities guests' would expect from a hotel of this c...
USD 33
per night
Jalan Raya Wiradesa 25
With its central location, Marlin Hotel is within easy reach of most tourist attractions and business addresses in Pekalongan. All 39 at this 2-star property offers well-furnished rooms and attentive...
USD 30
per night
1/27 Singosari
Discover all that Semarang has to offer with Singosari Residence as a base. With the guests' convenience in mind, each of the 4 guestrooms at the hotel is well designed and fully equipped to cater to...
USD 49
per night
Jl KH Ahmad Dahlan No 2, Simpang 5
The Hotel Horison Semarang is perfectly located for both business and leisure guests to Semarang. The 165 guestrooms at this 4-star hotel provide all the essential amenities needed by the business an...
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