Semarang City

Semarang

Semarang is the capital of Central Java in Indonesia. The city's name derives from the Javanese words "asem" and "arang" which literary translate to "scarce tamarind." It was founded by Ki Pandan Arang who is said to have also named Salatiga and Boyolali. The city is a melting pot of Javanese, Chinese, Indian and Arabian cultures.

Understand

Semarang lies in the northern part of Central Java. It is a bustling mid-size town with 1.5 million population. More a business than tourism destination, it nevertheless has its own charm with contrasting modern mid-rises, Dutch colonial architecture, China town, and small kampongs jut against each other.

The city weather is hot and humid. Wear cotton clothes. You do not need long sleeves shirt, instead a T-shirt and knee-long trousers are comfortable. Some places like mosques (masjid) and temples require polite dress such as long trousers/skirts. Hot pants/mini skirts will attract people attention and might be considered impolite.

Semarang is off the tourist trail and knowing even basic Indonesian will be helpful (and courteous), although younger people can often speak some English.

Tourism Information Centre TIC:

* Jalan Madukoro Blok BB. Tel.: (62)(24) 7608570.

* Jalan Pemuda 147. Tel.: (62)(24) 3515451. Next to Novotel Hotel.

Get in

By plane

Semarang's Airport is Ahmad Yani International Airport, quite nearby from the city centre. Daily flights are available to many major cities in Indonesia. Garuda Indonesia, Merpati Nusantara, Mandala Air, Adam Air, Batavia Air, Sriwijaya Air and Jatayu Airlines fly to Jakarta daily. Merpati also has daily flight to Surabaya. Deraya flies to Pangkalanbun and Bandung. There is also flight service to Yogyakarta by Trigana Air/Kalstar. Trigana Air/Kalstar and Indonesia Air Transport also fly daily to Pankalanbun. The airport's only international flight is to Singapore four times a week by Garuda Indonesia.

By train

Semarang is connected to Jakarta, Bandung and Surabaya by trains. Interestingly, there is no comparable railway service to Yogyakarta, although a railway line exists. The Argo Muria express connects Semarang to Jakarta, and with its relatively new equipment (2002), is very comfortable. The downside is the very early departure (5.00 AM!) to Jakarta. Overnight trains are also available. The fastest train between Semarang and Jakarta takes around 6 hours.

Bandung and Surabaya are also connected to Semarang with air-conditioned eksekutif class trains.

There are two main railway station in Semarang, Stasiun Tawang and Stasiun Poncol.

On the northern main line, between Semarang and Pekalongan, the railway line follows the coast line, providing passengers with beautiful views of the Java Sea.

By car

Semarang can be reached by car from Jakarta. It takes around 10 to 12 hours depending on the road traffic. You can choose to leave early in the morning from Jakarta to arrive in Semarang the next 12 hours. Over night drive is faster yet more challenging and even dangerous for "Pantura" non familiar driver. Pantura derives from "Pantai" which means Beach and "Utara" which means North.

From Jakarta you can take the route eastward via Cikampek toll road. Go along the toll road until your reach Cikampek toll gate, take left and you are in "Pantura Road". In Pantura road you have to follow the direction sign "Cirebon", "Pekalongan", "Kendal", "Semarang" or "Surabaya" as those cities are eastward from Jakarta.

You will pass small towns like Patrol, Jatibarang, and relatively bigger ones like Cirebon. Before entering Cirebon, you can take the toll road instead of taking into Cirebon traffic if you do not want to drop by in Cirebon. After exit from the Cirebon toll road, you will drive eastward along Losari and then you will pass Tegal, Pemalang, Pekalongan and Kendal before you arrive in Semarang.

Gas station are abundant, you can see them almost every 5 or 10 kilometers along the road. They have toilet facilities. Pay Rp1,000 (US$ 10 cents). Beware of small or old gas station, they have poor lighting and terrible toilet. Choose a newer and bigger gas station with good lighting parking space and clean toilets. Please make sure that you have locked your car and do not leave your valuable unattended.

By bus

Many bus services from Jakarta to Semarang. You can choose to go in the day time with air conditioned (A/C) from Pasar Rebo Bus Terminal in East Jakarta, Kalideres Bus Terminal in West Jakarta or from Lebak Bulus Bus Terminal in South Jakarta. The overnight bus with A/C are also available with good services. You can choose bus operators such as: "Rosalia Indah", "Raya", "Kramat Jati", Safari Dharma Raya as the good reputed bus serving Jakarta to Semarang. Sometimes the bus route is Jakarta to Solo via Semarang, you can choose them too, but please remind the bus driver's assistant (usually male, a person who check your ticket onboard the bus) to wake you up in Semarang.

There is also the executive-class tourist bus Joglosemar, that connects Jogjakarta, Solo and Semarang (hence the name). Joglosemar picks up tourists from specific hotels and provide snacks and water for your trip. Considerably pricier than other executive buses, it is more comfortable and provides a friendly service throughout the journey.

By boat

Jakarta - Semarang (vice versa) tradisionally travelled via railway, north beach (pantura) road or by plane. A trip by a sea vessel is seldom due to its rare schedule and lenght of journey that is considered too long compared with train (approx 6 hours) and over night bus (9 hours).

Get around

By taxi

Taxis are very safe and comfortable, and reasonably priced (starting price of Rp4000).

Make sure you understand the route or ask your friend. Make sure the driver use the meter ("argo"). If he refused to use the meter, use other taxis. List of taxi companies:

* Astria, Jl Jatisari 1, Semarang 50235. Tel.: (62)(24)7460940.

* Centris Multipersada, Jl Majapahit 583. Tel.: (62)(24) 6723624.

* Kosti, Jl Pamularsih 15, Semarang 50148. Tel.: (62)(24) 7613333. Good service.

* Pandu Persada Saranamukti, Jl Kaligawe Km 4/46. Tel.: (62)(24) 6591234.

* Puri Kencana, Jl Rogojembangan Raya 68. Tel.: (62)(24) 6705050.

By car

Fuel for your car (if you rent a car) are "Premium", "Pertamax" and "Pertamax Plus" for gasoline fueled car and "Solar" for diesel engined car. It is not self service, you cannot fill in the gasoline yourself. The gas station has their employees who will help you and you have to pay to them for the fuel according to the fuel meter reading.

See

* Sam Po Kong Temple, Jl. Simongan No. 129, ☎ +62 24 7605 277. The beautiful Sam Po Kong temple (Gedung Batu) was built to respect the Muslim Chinese commander named Cheng Ho of Ming Dinasty who visited Semarang in the early 15th century. It was extensively renovated in 2006 to celebrate the 600th anniversary of Cheng Ho's voyage to Semarang.

Northern Semarang has a lot of old Dutch colonial buildings. This was where the old walled city located. The wall is no longer there, but many of the old building remains, especially in the area called Kota Lama (The Old Town). On certain months, this part of Semarang is flooded by the rising tide (called "rob" in Javanese).

* Tanjung Mas. A busy, important port during Dutch occupation (from 17th century to 1945).

* Gereja Blenduk, Jalan Letjen Suprapto 32. The name means "domed church". A beautiful Protestant church built in 1753, it is the oldest church in Semarang. It has a baroque organ, a rarity in Indonesia

* Stasiun Tawang. The oldest major railway station in Java, completed in 1870.

Simpang Lima (means "five intersection") is a vast square at the heart of Semarang. At night, you can eat, drink or just bring yourself wandering around Simpang Lima.

Semarang has a very good landscape, some says best landscape thanks to its coastal area in the northern part of the city with Tanjung Mas as its international harbour and hilly area in the southern part streching from Candi area to Bukit Sari with picturesque Mount Ungaran at the background.

Before you get into hilly area named Bukit Sari, you will see on your left Taman Tabanas Gombel where you can stop by, drink tea and see Semarang's view from the hill. It's view is really beautiful and romantic during the night time.

Gunung Ungaran with its tea and jasmine plantation, Gua Kreo/Kreo Cave with its interesting stalagtit and stalagmit and of course Marina at Tanjung Mas are the alternatives for those who has more than 2 free days in Semarang.

Monuments

Tugu Muda is one of Semarang's landmark. It is situated westward off Simpang Lima, one of the 5 streets crossing Simpang Lima named Jalan Pandanaran. This monument commemorated the 5 days fierce battle (October 14, 1945) between Indonesian freedom fighters and Japanese soldiers who refused to surrender their weapon.

The buildings around Tugu Muda are some from the old Dutch buildings, the famous one is Lawang Sewu or "Thousand Windows" derives from its many windows. During the World War II, the building was the Japanese army's headquarter.

Museums

* Mandala Bhakti. Military museum. Jl. Mgr.Sugiyopranoto Semarang.

* MURI, Indonesian National Record Museum. Jl. Setiabudi no.179 Srondol Semarang. Website: Muri. Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 08.00 AM - 04.00 PM.

* Nyonya Meneer. Jamu (traditional Javanese drink) museum. Jl. Kaligawe Semarang. Opening hours: Monday-Friday, 10.00 AM – 03.00 PM.

* Ronggowarsito. Javanese culture and art museum. Jl. Abdul Rahman Saleh. Opening hours: daily 08.00-14.00 WIB, except on Monday.

Amusement parks

* Istana Majapahit. Jl. Majapahit 288-290. Opening hours: daily, 06.00 AM -09.00 PM. Facility: swimming pool, children playground, small train, cultural centre (puppet show/wayang).

* Lele Park (Kampoeng Wisata). Kecamatan Tugu. Open daily. Facility: children playground, cultural and art shows, animal shows.

* Marina Beach. North Semarang. Facility: swimming pool, children playground, beach volley ball, water sports.

* Ngaliyan Tirta Indah, jalan Raya Ngaliyan Kecamatan Ngaliyan. Facility: swimming pool, beautiful plantation, flower garden, sports centre.

* Puri Maerokoco and Kampoeng Laut. Tawangmas PRPP, a clone of TMII (Jakarta). Facility: cultural and art shows, boat, water bike, small train, fishing pond.

* Sodong, 20 km from Semarang. Facility: beautiful plantation, fishing pond, swimming pool.

* Mangkang Zoo, located in the West Semarang. It's newly opened. There a lot of animal preserve there but it lacks of attraction.

Do

Semarang is the major hub city in Central Java. From Semarang you can go to "Dieng Plateau" situated north off small town namd "Wonosobo" for one day tour seeing ancient hindus temple/candi in a former ancient city lies in the misty plateau; Alternatively, within one and a half hours you can go to Borobudur temple in Muntilan and then to Prambanan temple in Klaten and buy some antiques and batik in Yogyakarta. It take less than 2 hours drive from Semarang to Yogyakarta. Solo is also only one and half hour drive from Semarang. Many places to see in Solo and Yogyakarta from old Kraton/Sultanate Palace, old Sultanate mosques, old Dutch fort, batik stores, handycraft/antiques shops etc. for you to see.

Learn

Semarang is the hosts of some universities/colleges. Diponegoro University is the state university. It is the biggest and the oldest university with good reputed faculty of law, economics, medicine, architecture, engineering, fisheries etc. It hosts more than 10 thousand students in its two campus, Pleburan (in the downtown) and Tembalang in the southern hilly part of Semarang. Islamic University of Sultan Agung and Catholic University of Soegijapranata are major private universities in Semarang.

Work

For business travellers, Semarang is a transit city where you only have a chance to see Semarang's bustling activities from the taxi or hotel's window.

Semarang is also an industrial city. Many companies open their manufacture sites in eastern, western and southern part of Semarang. For foreigner who wants to work in Semarang, this place is a good place because of its landscape. You can live in the hilly and considerably cooler housing area in Candi or Bukit Sari while you work in the downtown area. Traffic jam is considered fewer than Bandung or Surabaya. For visitor from Jakarta, driving car in Semarang is "heaven" for its much fewer traffic jam compared with Jakarta.

Semarang is the home of the biggest "Jamu" (means "javanese traditional herbal") industry such as Jamu Jago, Nyonya Meneer and others.

Most of Jakarta's major banks and companies open their branches in Semarang. For its relatively close vicinity with Jakarta (only 40 minutes by plane) and 6 hours by train, Semarang receives many branches of companies and enjoys its status as the major hub in Java island.

Buy

Currency used is Rupiah (Rp). You can find money changer in the downtown area, or simply get into banks and you will get fair exchange rate. Please note that in practice, money changer and banks are not accepting US$ bank notes with issuance year 1999 backwards because of the experience in Indonesia mostly found US$ with issuance year 1999 backward had been forged.

Banks are open between 8.30 a.m to 3.00 p.m.

You can visit some malls available in Semarang such as Sri Ratu (the first mall in Semarang from the 80's), Matahari Plaza, Ciputra Mall and the Java Mall.

No special souvenirs can be bought in Semarang. Most travelers will buy Bandeng Presto (pressure cooked milk fish), Lumpia Semarang (a kind of spring rolls with bamboo shoots filling), Roti Sanitas (famous bakery), Wingko Babat (sticky rice and coconut in a variety of flavors)

You can buy batik (Javanese handwritten cloth), antiques and the traditional items in "Johar Market" or in Bahasa Indonesia called "Pasar Johar" (spell "Pa Saar Jouw Har). They have plenty of choices. Ask if you can get assistance from hotel staff or a travel agent staff to take you around Pasar Johar. It is also accessible by Angkot (vans) from Simpang Lima.

Eat, Cheap

There are hawker-style food stalls and tents all accross Semarang. They are very popular and offers good food at unbelievably cheap prices. Please note as they are not permanent establishments, they do not have phone numbers and exact address. However, they usually open in the same spots and at a regular time everyday. Also, as in any hawker-style establishments, hygiene is not a top priority here.

Simpang Lima in the heart of Semarang has plenty of food stalls offering variety of Indonesian and Javanese food. The price is cheap, sometimes very cheap, you can eat 1 piece of leg or thigh of fried chicken plus 1 plate of steamed rice for as little as Rp 10,000 (equivalent to US$ 1). You can also get into other tents to try other meals, some of them offering "lesehan" or "sit down on a carpet" during your meal time. Beef or chicken satay (grilled beef of chicken) is mouth watering with peanut sauce and hot chilli while "fried rice" or nasi goreng babat situated in "Air Mancur" or fountain southward off Simpang Lima and in front of Diponegoro University campus is delicious.

Along Jalan Pahlawan, south of Simpang Lima, you will also face many food stalls under tents, selling a variety of foods from "Gudeg" (Javanese steam sweet sour vegetables), Bubur ayam (Chicken porridge), Jagung bakar (grilled corn) and many others. Pamper yourself with plenty of good foods yet very cheap.

Semawis is another place to go for hawker-style food. Located on Gang Warung in the China Town, it opens only weekend nights (friday, saturday and sunday) and has a variety of food stalls offering authentic Semarang cuisine and delicacies.

* Koee Lekker Paimo Indonesian interpretation of dutch pancake, Jl. Karanganyar, in front of Loyola High School (a famous school in Semarang). Daytime, weekdays only (Monday - Saturday)

(Note: Unless stated otherwise, these foodstalls only open after sunset everyday). "Kalasan Fried Chicken" in Simpang Lima offers good food with cheap price; Fried Tofu and Tempe of Prasodjo is also famous for their hot and fried tofu and tempe (soybean cake), eat them while it's hot with green chilli named "rawit"; Lumpia Gang Lombok at Lombok Street (open from the morning); "Juwana" in Jalan Pandanaran is the place for your to buy and bring home tradisional Semarang's traditional food (open from the morning). It ranges from "Juwana Bandeng Presto" or "Cooked, well packed & Soft Thorn Fish" to wet or dried "lumpia. "Soto Bangkong" (or Chicken Soup Bangkong) is well known for its delicious soto, Satay "Pak Kempleng" in Banyumanik area is delicious and known for years for its big cut satay portion (open for lunch).

Mid-range

* Bahagia, Jl. Gajahmada 85 C Semarang. Home-style chinese and sea food. The "mie goreng" (fried noodle) and "kee-kian goreng" (fried pork meat) are must-try.

* Nglaras Rasa Jl MH Thamrin 124. Tel.: (62)(24) 8319 766. Indonesian fast food.

* Toko Oen Jl Pemuda 52, Bodjong, Semarang 50138. Tel.: (62)(24) 354 1683. A Semarang institution since Dutch colonial days. Famous for its ice cream, steak, and fried rice.

* Bentuman Steak, Jl. Taman Beringin No. 23. Steaks modified to suit Indonesian taste.

Splurge

* Infusion, Jl. Thamrin Square Lantai II No.5 Semarang. Fine dining and a bar. Stylish, contemporary venue.

* Pringgading Restaurant, Jalan Pringgading 54. Chinese food with Indonesian flair. Yum cha on Sunday mornings. Always full, very lively and chaotic. Service not outstanding though.

* De Joglo Live Seafood Resto, JL Gombel Lama 32. Live and fresh Seafood. Venue styled as a traditional Javanese house ("joglo").

* Xiang Yuen, Grand Candi Hotel - Jl. Sisingamangaraja No. 16 Semarang 50232, +62 24 8416 222, [2]. M-F 6.30AM-3PM & 6.30PM-10.30PM, Sa-Su 7AM-3PM & 6.30PM-10.30PM. Authentic Cantonese & Szechuanese. Rp 100,000.00-Rp 1,000,000.00

* Pesta Keboen, Jalan Veteran 29. Indonesian and Dutch cuisine served in a restored Dutch colonial house furnished with antiques and Dutch East Indies memorabilia. Go there for the ambience.

Drink

Drinking alcohol is not a custom in Indonesia, and in Semarang it is not easy to find bars. However, lately a few stylish venues have sprung up, mainly caters to the trendy young population.

* E-Plaza, Jl. Ruku Gajahmada Lantai II No.29. Located in an entertainment complex which comprises a cinema, a restaurant, and pool game venue.

* Infusion, Jl. Thamrin Square Lantai II No.5 Semarang. Stylish decor and intimate ambience.

There are few bars and cafe around 'Simpang Lima' location (right in the downtown).After sunset, please avoid small tents selling homemade tea (teh poci) as lots of hookers looking for targets, especially rich looking travellers.

Ask for STMJ or Wedhang Jahe for a hot soothing drink. You can get them in Simpang Lima, hotels or restaurant in Semarang. For more Wedhang:

* Istana Wedhang, Jl. Pemuda No. 125 (next to Novotel Hotel). A classic place to drink wedhang, this place provides various wedhang, and some local food like nasi goreng, nasi campur, etc.

* Es Kelapa Muda Kartika, Jl. MT. Haryono 83 (near to Bubakan). The most delicious young coconut drinks. Daytime only, just get there early because late afternoon they're most likely sold out already.

Sleep, Budget

If you want to travel with backpackers style, you can go to Jalan Kauman and you'll find a lot of hostel there. With less than u$20 you can get a nice, clean, and air-conditioned room in Hotel Bali and Rahayu at Jalan Imam Bonjol. But, if you want to experience an colonial style of lodging, you can stay in Hotel Candi Baru at jalan Rinjani. Although, its an old building, we can get clean room and also nice view of Downtown Semarang. Don’t confuse it with the Rinjani Hotel on the right.

Mid-range

* Santika Hotel, Jl. Jend. Ahmad Yani No. 189 Semarang 50242 (semarang2@santika.com, fax: +62-24 8414 083), [3]. 2-star hotel in prime location.

* New Metro Hotel, Jl. Haji Agus Salim 2-4 Semarang 50138, ☎ +62 24 3547 371 (info@metrohotel.co.id, fax: +62-24 3510 863), [4]. Newly-refurbished 3-star hotel. Close to Pasar Johar traditional market.

* Inna Dibya Puri, Jl. Pemuda No 11 Semarang 50139, ☎ +62 24 3547 821. Dutch colonial style-hotel (built in 1882) located in Semarang's commercial district.

Hotel Gracia in jalan S.Parman, Hotel Pandanaran in Jalan Pandanaran, and Hotel Siliwangi are some other moderate-class hotels in Semarang

Splurge

* Hotel Ciputra, Jalan Simpang Lima, Semarang 50134, ☎ +62 24 8449 888 (semarang@swiss-belhotel.com, fax: +62 24 8447 888), [5]. Managed by Swiss-Belhotel, this hotel has an unbeatable location in Simpang Lima area overlooking the town square. It is connected to Semarang's largest shopping mall, Mall Ciputra.

* Grand Candi Hotel, Jl. Sisingamangaraja No. 16 Semarang 50232, ☎ +62 24 8416 222 (fax: +62 24 8412 688), [6]. The only five-star hotel in Semarang, Grand Candi Hotel is located in an upscale residential area on the hill. It is located next to a golf-course and has several excellent restaurants.

* Novotel Semarang, Jalan Pemuda No. 123 Semarang 50132, ☎ +62 24 3563 000 (reservation@novotelsemarang.com, fax: +62 24 3584 252), [7]. The latest international chain to open in Semarang, Novotel is conveniently located in the CBD area.

* Horison Hotel, Jl. KH Ahmad Dahlan No. 2, Simpang Lima,Semarang 50241, ☎ +62-24-8450045 (info@horisonsemarang.com, fax: +62 24 8419 009), [8]. Located in Simpang Lima area, connected to Plaza Simpang Lima shopping center.

* Patra Semarang, Jl. Sisingamangaraja Semarang 50232 (From Jalan Sisingamangaraja, turn into Jalan Ungaran. It leads straight to Patra Jasa Hotel), ☎ +62 24 8414 141 (reservation.semarang@patra-jasa.com, fax: +62 24 8314 448), [9]. This resort style hotel is located in the hilly area of Candi Baru

* Santika Premiere Semarang (formerly Graha Santika Hotel), Jl. Pandanaran No. 116-120 Semarang 50134, ☎ +62 24 8413 115, 8413 121 (semarang@santika.com, fax: +62 24 8413 113), [10]. A four star hotel close to the city center.

Stay safe

Semarang's safety is considered moderate. The people are nice, especially to stranger (western tourist especially); People are helpful and friendly.

Never touch anyone's head (especially teenagers and older men) as it is considered as "insult" and might invite troubles. In the crowded bus/train/small car used as public transportation, "un-intended touch" is tolerated. Never look at someone (especially young men) straight to the eyes more than 3 times as it might be considered as "challenging them to fight" (this is apply especially in bigger town/city - as the villagers are more friendly to strangers).

Semarang is neither a small city nor huge like Jakarta. Everyone is urged to take account universal rules such as "only walk in the light-bright area"; do not attempt to deal with hookers or trans-sexual hookers which are usually done under secluded and dark area; lady travelers are urged not to travel alone after 11 p.m especially in an unknown dark neighborhood, sometimes even in residential areas. For precautions do carry a mace or pepper sprays. Only take moderate amount of money in an open air ATM.

When riding the public transportation it is not encouraged to wear jewelry, or gaudy and branded or designer watches. Petty thieves are common, but they do not strike when it isn't obvious. During the night take public transportations that have more than a few people in them.

Stay healthy

Tap water in Indonesia is not potable. So do not drink your hotel tap water unless you boil it first. Bottled water is very popular and not expensive, popular brand is AQUA, ADES, 2 Tang etc. You can find them in department stores and mini mart such as Indomart, Alfa Mart and even in small street stalls (usually in the corner of street intersection).

Hospitals with 24 hours emergency rooms (ER):

* RS Umum Pusat Dr. Kariadi, Jl. Dr. Sutomo No. 16, Tel.: (62)(24) 413993, (62)(24) 413764, (62)(24) 413476.

* RS. St. Elizabeth, Jl. Kawi No 1. Tel.: (62)(24) 831 0035

* RS. Telogorejo, Jl. K.H. Achmad Dahlan, Tel.: (62)(24)446000.

* RS. Panti Wilasa Cipto, Jl. Dr.Cipto 50, Tel.: (62)(24) 546040.

* RS. Panti Wilasa Citarum, Jl. Citarum No. 98. Tel.: (62)(24)3542224.