SEMARANG is the little Dutch city

Semarang is the only city in Indonesia that still have an old town with lots of ancient building in certain places. even though the security of these old buildings is still not well, yet visitors are still safe to enjoy this tourist attraction.

As the capital city of Central Java, Semarang still develops itself become not only as a trading and industrial city but also as a tourist city.

In the Dutch colonial regime this city used to be a harbor town, making this city as a fundamental place for doing trading among islands and even countries.
You still can see many building with Dutch architecture at the Old Semarang Town on 70 hectares wide which also called "Oude Staad" (Little Dutch)

As a prove that the city used to be a big city in previous time, there is a Dutch train company in Semarang. The first train track was built here which was officially used on 17th june 1864. At that time the trail connected Kamijen and Tanggung with the lenght of 26 kilometers.

As the capital city of Central Java, Semarang is also major seaport and commercial center for central java, with excellent harbor. The city contains shipyard, railroad workshop and industries in which machinery, electrical equipment, shoes, textile and glassware manufacture

Savouring Appetite

Semarang's famous light meals is Lumpia (spring roll) Semarang, It is one of the most popular food in this city. When you come to Semarang, this food is "a must try" food. Another what you can try are Wingko, Bandeng Presto (tendered fish), Tahu Pong (fried Tofu), Gimbal Udang which contains cut of fried tofu, egg, fried schrimp with spicy peanut sauce. Another light meal what was very popular on local are Bolang Baling, Untir untir and Cakwe, the three of them have the same ingredients such as flour, water and sugar. There are a lot of restorant in this city offering delicious food of Indonesian, Chinese and European cuisine. The area of Gang Lombok and Jl Gajah mada are famous with its Chinese restorants, in Jl Ahmad Yani there are tasteful Javanese restorants.

Accomodation

There are number of starred hotel in Semarang. But if you want a different atmosphere then try Gombel Area which is located at the upper side of Semarang.. Here you will find numerous hotels and inns that are not starred hotels. Staying in this area is quite interesting because it has splendid view at nights where you can watch from far flickering light of Semarang, the beach and Tanjung Mas harbor.

Shopping

Pasar Johar is very popular market in this city. The market sell everyday's need, clothes, copperworks and small funny things. West of the pasar johar is the busy crossing with jalan Pemuda, Semarang shopping street. In the colonial time this was the well known' Bodjongweg' (Bodjong road).

Surrounding Areas

Demak and Kudus

The holy town of Demak located 24 km east of Semarang. It is a famous city for the spread of Islam in Java (the first Islamic kingdom in Java was born in 1511 in this city). In the center of the town facing the Alun - Alun (Square), is the famous oldest mosque in Central Java called Mesjid Demak, built by the Wali Songo (nine saints). The mosque combines the elements of Javanese Hindu and Islam

Kudus, about halfway between Jepara and Semarang, could be taken in on the same trip, as well as Demak, So Kudus and Demak are two towns having the same direction as to Jepara, and both having historical significance.

Kudus are 55 km east from Semarang. A rich clove - town, famed as center for the clove cigarette industry. Though a stauch islamic town, some old pre - Hindu customs. Kudus have the Minaret Mosque called Menara Kudus which was built in the 15th century. Menara Kudus and Masdjid Demak are very interesting structure from the architecture point of view.

Jepara

Jepara is northeast of Semarang, is a town with white sandy beaches, that is famous for its wood carving industry. Most master of this sophisticated are come from around this area which is also the birth place of Indonesia's heroine of the national women's liberation movement; Kartini.

Karimun Jawa Islands

Karimun Jawa is the Marine National Park, There comprises an area of 110,000 ha and lies 90 km north east of Jepara in Central Java. You can reach Jepara by bus from Semarang. The ferry from Jepara harbor takes about 6 hours (ferry depart twice a week). The park consists of group of 27 small coral island covered by mangrove and beach forest. Only seven of the island are inhabit. The park is named after the largest island Karimun Jawa. A number of endemic animals live on the island while on the beaches sea turtles lay their eggs. The attraction is really not in this main island but in other island such as snorkeling, enjoying the white beach and coral reefs but you can do these activities only by chatered small boat. Karimun Jawa can best be visited during the dry season: May - September.

Ambarawa

Ambarawa are 40km south of Semarang, there is a Railway Museum housing locomotives - some of them dating the 19th century - which is interesting to see. But what even better is taking a 10km ride on an old German cogwheel train.

Passing through plantations and villages, it is easy to imagine how different life must have been back in the days when the train was in regular use