Destination Around Semarang

Semarang sits at the mouth of the Sermarang River and was visited by the Chinese in the f15th century.

It was then an Islamic settlement until being taken over by the Dutch in the 17^th century. It became a thriving commercial center and handled the transportation of agricultural produce grown in the hinterlands.

The historic harbor district features old warehouses and a Dutch church. The Chinese influence is still very much apparent, and a walk through the Chinatown district is most rewarding.Tay Kak Sie in Chinatown is the city’s larges Chinese temple, while Gedung Batu is the oldest.

New buildings spring up every day in this bustling trade and business town. Along the main street of Jl. Pemuda area many places of interest, including Simpang Lima, a shopping square and the Tugu Muda youth monument, which stands in memory of the fight for independence.

At the start of Ramadhan, the fasting month, Semarang plays host to the Dugderan festival, while in Hyly the local Chinese community celebrate the Jaram Sam Po festival with a barongsai (lion dance)

Near the city are a traditional jamu herbal medicine factory, the temple complex of Gedung Songo and the relaxing hill resort of Bandungan.

Semarang Old city
In Candi, the higher part of the city, are remnants of the Hindu rulers. Prince Puger’s fortifications and the grave of Ki Ageng Pandan Arang and Ki Saleh in Jl. Mugas are popular sites. To the west of the city is the 15^th century Gedung Batu, which was dedicated to Chinese Muslim Admiral Cheng Ho, whose fleet arrived in 1406. Nearby in Jl. Lombok is the Tay Kak Sie Buddhist temple, built in 1772. Gereja Blenduk is the oldest Christian church in Central Java and was build by Dutch in 1753. It has a huge dome and a baroque organ. In the streets around the church there are several other Dutch colonial buildings.

Ronggowarsito museum
It has displays illustrating the cultural history of the area and a short history the country.

Sam Phoo Kong
The biggest Chinese temple in Semarang is that of Sam Poo Kong. It marks the landing site of Chinese explore Admiral Zheng. He is ship in the sixteenth century. Beautiful relief carvings depicting daily religious activities adorn the building, along with red pillars and dangling paper lanterns. Make sure you get your fortune told while you’re there.

Lawang Sewu
This Old Dutch colonial administrative building is said to have one thousand doors – and ghosts to much. Should you ne undaunted by the thought of spectral inhabitants, pay the guard a few thousand rupiah and take a tour. During the Japanese occupation Javanese fighters used the building as a stronghold. Beautiful stained glass windows mean that a sunny day is the best time to visit.

Majid Agung Jawa Tengah
The grand mosque in Java

Buddagaya Watugong Monastery
You can find the real contributions of Buddha Dhamma in temple buildings as the relics that are spread from every nooks and crannies, like Borobudur and Mendut temple. Find Watu Gong, an original stone which has a shape like a Gong (one of Javanese music instrument). It is being used as the name of the area around Buddagaya Monastery. Next, go to Plaza Borobudur, an open area which has Mandala shape f Borobudur temple. It has a function for Buddhist ceremony in the open area. You can find Dhammasala, the main building of Buddhagaya Monastery. There are also relieves of Paticcasamuppada. If you want to participating meditation, go to Kuti Meditasi. Taman Bacaan Masyarakat, it is a library about Buddhism books.  You can find the place for Bhikku of Samanera (a monk), Kuti Bhikku, the room design is very simple.

Cetho Temple
You want to be enlightened? Or just to be a new human with new vision? Cetho temple is place where you must go. Located in 1.400 above sea level, quite, and holly. You will feel like you are standing above the sky with a great view of tea plantation and Valley of Lawu Mountain.

If you interesting in spiritualism, stay there for at least one night and if you are lucky, you’ll see village temple practicing yoga, usually Monday night.

It takes one hour to the south from Solo city and it is suggested stop over in Tawangmangu waterfall nearby.

Dieng Plateu
The Dieng Plateu is an ancient pilgrimage destination, the geographic center of Java and its highest inhabitable region. It’s great altitude has earned it the name of the abode of the Gods.

The caldera of an extinct volcano it surrounded by the ruins of Hindu and Buddhist temples and jagged, mist-shrouded mountains.

At night, temperatures drop sharply, making the tropical word of the low-lands seem a continent away -  so bring warm clothes!

The locals are used to the weather and can be seen draped in heavy clothing carting loads of wood and farm produce up the steep mountain tracks.

The soil is rich, volcanic mud that means the area is lush and green, and the cooler climes make it excellent potato growing territory (of all things!)

The temple lies among the area’s vegetable fields and bubbling hot springs that also dot the landscape. If you are doing both the plateau and the temple, it’s likely to take around 10 – 12 hours. It’s also possible to take public buses to the plateau from Yogya or Semarang, which takes about three hours.

Basic but comfortable accommodation is available on the plateau for those who want to spend the night.

Bandungan
Bandungan, a small town on the slopes of Mount Ungaran, is a popular weekend resort. The air is cooler than on the plains, and the views of the mountain and the extensive walking trails make for a refreshing break. The accommodation is available in Bandungan who want to spend the weekend.