Getting around in Semarang

The best and fastest way to move in Semarang, especially if you are in a group, is by using a taxi. The fare is relatively cheap compared to those in other countries. Here are some cab companies available in Semarang:

• Kosti
  (+62 24) 761 33 33
• Atlas
  (+62 24) 659 17 17
• Blue Bird
  (+62 24) 670 12 34

If you plan to visit places around Semarang, renting a car with a driver should also be considered. A family utility car (e.g. a Toyota Kijang Inova), accommodating 6 passengers plus a driver, will cost you around US$80 per 12 hours, gasoline included (based on 2009 rates). An older version of a Kijang car will cost cheaper.

If you are alone, using an ojek (motorcycle taxi) is worth considering. It is fast and cheap, if you know how to bargain.

It is fun to try a becak (tricycle) ride, especially in the evening when it is no longer hot. Cool breeze touching your face during the becak ride is indeed enjoyable. You will also need to bargain like with an ojek, however. But I believe that becak bargaining is not a pure business deal. I personally consider a becak ride as helping tourism and the poor.

Airlines, trains, passenger ships and tourist buses also serve your transportation needs in and out of Semarang. For further information, please consult the following:

• Garuda Airlines
  (+62 24) 845 47 37
  http://www.garuda-indonesia.com
• Lion Air
  (+62 24) 761 43 15
  http://www.lionair.co.id
• Mandala Air
  (+62 24) 844 47 37
  http://www.mandalaair.com

• Train: PT Kereta Api
  (+62 24) 354 53 82
  http://infoka.kereta-api.com
• Passenger ship: PT Pelni
  (+62 24) 354 67 23
  http://www.pelni.co.id
• Tourist bus: Joglosemar
  (+62 24) 747 27 65
  (+62 24) 358 69 80
  http://joglosemarbus.blogspot.com

Lawang Sewu building

What is it?

This is an old building, built during the Dutch colonial era. It has many doors. In Javanese language, lawang means 'door' and sewu means '(a) thousand'. That is how the Javanese express something which means 'a lot' or 'many'.

This building was formerly used as the head office of the colonial Dutch railway company. It is now owned by the Indonesian railway company but is no longer used as an office. It is empty.

The company maintains the appearance of the building although not to its maximum beauty. So visiting Lawang Sewu is not to see a clean and well-maintained building. It is to appreciate the Dutch architecture and structural technique. It is amazing. A small entrance fee is levied to help some volunteers clean the building.

How to get there?

Lawang Sewu is located in the very heart of Semarang. Everybody knows where it is. Just ask.

Gedong Songo temples

What is it?

This is a site where you will find nine small Hindu temples. In Javanese, gedong means 'building' while songo means 'nine'.

These temples are scattered on the steep side of Mount Ungaran. Their location is typical of Hindu temples, very difficult to reach. I think the old Javanese Hindus tried to remind us that it is not easy to communicate with God. Serious and special effort is needed to do it.

When you manage to reach one of the temples, try to enter it, sit down, take a deep breath and feel the silence. Try to see yourself: that is, you will recall your behavior in life so far. This is how to communicate with God. You will feel what was right and what was wrong with you so far. You don't need to agree or to deny your own evaluation. Nobody is there, only you and your God.

How to get there?

There is a public bus going to the Gedong Songo site. From Semarang take a bus going to Bandungan. From there, you need to take a smaller public transportation car (called angkot or 'village transportation') going directly to Gedong Songo. Ojek is also available.

It is not recommended to visit Gedong Songgo on weekends or holidays. It is terribly crowded.

Sam Po Kong / Gedong Batu temple

What is it?

For the local people, this temple is known as Sam Po Kong or Gedong Batu. It is a Chinese temple to commemorate the great Admiral Ceng Ho or Zheng He. He was sent by the Ming dynasty emperor to visit foreign lands. Ceng Ho landed in Java in the early 14th century. One of his navigators was a Chinese Moslem. That is why some Moslems do their praying in one of the buildings inside the complex.

Gedong Batu was recently renovated. Behind the main building, along the back wall, a diorama telling the voyage of the great Admiral Ceng Ho was built. New buildings and ornaments were added to the complex as part of the renovation. Apparently many rich Chinese business people contribute generously for the renovation.

How to get there?

Gedong Batu is so famous. If you ask people, and if they are local, they will show you. Just like finding Sacre-Coer in Paris or Buckingham Palace in London. You don't need the name of the street. Anyway, it is on Jalan Simongan No.129, phone +62 24 760 52 77.

Gang Pinggir temple

What is it?

It is a lively temple, with many Chinese coming here to pray. Visitors are welcome to enter, even to just take pictures. It is worth visiting to appreciate the beliefs of others. God is indeed one but appears differently in different beliefs.

Not far from this temple, there is a warung or small food shop selling lunpia (or some pronounce it as lumpia), the signature food of Semarang. It is a slightly larger version of your usual springroll, with its main filling of rebung or bamboo shoots. Tasting it is a must, the Gang Pinggir lunpia in particular, since they say it is the best in Semarang.

How to get there?

This temple is located inside a small road called Gang Pinggir. It is a bit difficult to find, but taxis, becak or ojek drivers know where it is.

Watu Gong vihara

What is it?

This is a relatively new vihara, probably built in the early 1950s. It has a beautiful tower. Feel free to enter and take pictures.

Inside, you can meet the man on duty. You can ask him about fortune telling. He will provide you with a bunch of sticks in a can. Each stick has its own sign. You need to shake the can until one of the sticks pop out and fall on the floor. The man will give you the interpretation of the falling stick based on the sign. At least it is fun.

You may contribute some money to keep the vihara clean and beautiful. The person on duty will not accept money. He or she will ask you to put your contribution into a special box.

In the complex there is also a hall. Visit it. Inside, you will appreciate the silence. You might be lucky enough if you can find someone from the vihara management, who can tell you the meaning of the carvings around the hall. You will see the cycle of human life there.

How to get there?

This vihara is outside Semarang. It is about halfway from Semarang to Ungaran using the old road (not the toll road). It is on the left side of the road. You are unlikely to miss the vihara because its tower is so visible.

Gereja Blenduk

What is it?

This is an old church, built by the Dutch Christian community in 1753. It was first renovated in 1895-1895 and again in 2002-2003. The furniture, ornaments, floor, stair, organ, doors and windows are kept in their original condition. This church is still in use so it is well kept.

Gereja means 'church', while blenduk is a Javanese term referring to the bloated shape of the church's dome.

How to get there?

Gereja Blenduk is on Jalan Letjen Suprapto 32, in the old part of Semarang city. Becak or taxi drivers should know this place.

Rawa Pening lake

What is it?

This is a fresh water lake. It is worth visiting to appreciate how this lake gives life to many groups of people. Fishermen, rice farmers, furniture makers and even an old colonial Dutch hydro power plant –they all depend their lives on this lake.

How to get there?

This lake is about 50 km south of Semarang, on the way from Semarang to Solo (non-toll-road). You won't miss it since it is so visible from the road.

Gua Kreo wild monkey site

What is it?

This is a natural cave. Wild monkeys live in the vicinity of this cave. They depend on wild fruits and food provided by management of the site. Usually visitors voluntarily provide nuts, which can be purchased on site. Be careful, these monkeys are able to smell any food in your pockets.

It is worth visiting, especially if you have children with you. From the parking lot, take a walk down the stair pathway towards the cave, and if you bring peanuts, you will soon find real fun with the monkeys.

Watch the behavior of the monkeys carefully. The strong males are very scary and show their power in getting your peanuts. The females are responsible for the babies. You will probably see similarities in how humans –the two-legged animal– fight for wealth. We see ourselves in these animals.

How to get there?

You need to rent a car since there is no public transportation that goes to this cave. Drivers know how to go to Gua Kreo. On the way from Semarang to Ungaran via Gunung Pati, on the left side of the road, you will find a small road with a sign showing Gua Kreo. Follow that road and you will find the cave.

Lerep art village

What is it?

This village is built, owned, and managed by an art lover named Handoko.

Artists of any discipline and from anywhere can interact creatively. They can exchange ideas or present their work. They can stay for a few days in this village to paint, make sculptures and ceramics, write poems or novels, rehearse dancing and drama, or just day-dream.

The art village has one main building, which is the master house, and a number of other wooden houses where artists can work. There are also some workshops for high school and university students wishing to learn how to paint, make batik (dyed patterned cloth), ceramics and earthenware.

How to get there?

From Semarang go to Ungaran. Many public transportation serve this route. Get off at Ungaran's alun-alun (town square). From there, take an ojek to piggy-back you to the Lerep art village. You need to bargain with the ojek driver.

Banaran coffee plantation

What is it?

It is a former colonial Dutch coffee plantation. An organized visit can be arranged with the management. Just come and join the folks there.

A 'train-car' is available for the visitors. It is worth to visit to appreciate the hard work embedded in a cup of coffee. After visiting the site, try to enjoy a cup of hot coffee or tea with some local food.

How to get there?

The Banaran plantation is very visible from the main road. Any public bus going southward from Semarang (to Salatiga, Ambarawa, Magelang, Yogya or Solo), will pass this plantation.