Things To Do in Semarang, Indonesia

Semarang Things to Do

Tourists who have a few days to spend in Semarang, Indonesia can choose from among many things to see and do in the city.

Check Out the Ethnic Areas

The Chinatown in Semarang, known as Pecinan in the local language, is a bustling market area with a few distinct  Chinese architectural elements remaining. The main entrance to this area is through the gate on Jalan KH. Wahid Hasyim. Once within Chinatown, tourists can visit temples (the most famous is called “Tay Kak Sie” from the 18th century), shop at the local market, take photographs of the traditional Chinese-style buildings, or have a meal in one of the local restaurants serving Chinese and Indonesian food.

The former Dutch business center in Semarang is known as “Little Nederand”, and many of the buildings in the area date back to the time of Dutch Colonial rule. Tourists who enter the district by crossing over the Berok Bridge can see the old Post Office. Along Jalan Kampung Perkutut 1 is an old restored factory called, “Pabrik Rokok Praoe Lajar”.  Many visitors finish their tour by taking photos of the “Gereja Blenduk”, an old Dutch church on Jalan Letnan Jenderal Suprapto, and then browsing through the antique shop  opposite the church.

Located in the Old Town is one of the city’s most famous buildings in the entire city, Lawang Sewu. The name means “the building with a thousand doors” because of the large number of doors in the building. It was originally built as the headquarters of the Dutch Indisch Railway Company, but has served many different functions over the years, including a prison, and as a military headquarters for local troops fighting the Japanese during WWII. It is located on Jalan Pemuda, Komplek Tugu Muda.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about things to do in Semarang, Indonesia.