Tolin's 2024 World Cruise blog posts, Day 56 Mar 5, 2024, Semarang, Indonesia; Discover Semarang

Semarang is the capital and largest city of Central Java province in Indonesia. It was a major port during the Dutch colonial era, and is still an important regional center and port today. The city has been named as the cleanest tourist destination in Southeast Asia by the ASEAN Clean Tourist City Standard (ACTCS) for 2020–2022.

It has an area of 144.32 square miles and had a population of 1,555,984 at the 2010 census and 1,653,524 at the 2020 census, making it Indonesia's ninth most populous city after Jakarta, Surabaya, Bekasi, Bandung, Medan, Depok, Tangerang, and Palembang; the official population estimate as at mid-2022 was 1,659,975, comprising 821,305 males and 838,670 females.  The built-up urban area had 3,183,516 inhabitants at the 2010 census spread over two cities and 26 districts.  The Semarang metropolitan area has a population of over 6 million in 2020.  The population of the city is predominantly Javanese with significant Chinese presence.

The history of Semarang goes back to the 9th century, when it was known as Bergota. At the end of the 15th century, an Arab named Kyai Pandan Arang founded a village and an Islamic school in this fishing village. On 2 May 1547, Sultan Hadiwijaya of Pajang Kyai declared Pandan Arang the first bupati (mayor) of Semarang, thus creating Semarang administratively and politically.

In 1678, Sunan Amangkurat II promised to give control of Semarang to the Dutch East India Company (VOC) as a part of a debt payment. In 1682, the Semarang state was founded by the Dutch colonial power. On 5 October 1705 after years of occupations, Semarang officially became a VOC city when Susuhunan Pakubuwono I made a deal to give extensive trade rights to the VOC in exchange of wiping out Mataram's debt. The VOC, and later, the Dutch East Indies government, established tobacco plantations in the region and built roads and railroads, making Semarang an important colonial trading center.

^{More info:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semarang}

The Protestant Church in Western Indonesia Immanuel Semarang, better known as Blenduk Church, is a Protestant church in Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia. Built in 1753, it is the oldest church in the province.

Local bank

Phone booth converted to a mobile phone charging station

Sam Poo Kong, also known as Gedung Batu Temple, is the oldest Chinese temple in Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia. Originally established by the Chinese explorer Zheng He (also known as Sanbao), it is now shared by Indonesians of multiple religious denominations, including Muslims and Buddhists, and ethnicities, including Chinese and Javanese.

The original temple was reportedly destroyed in 1704, collapsing under a landslide. In October 1724 the temple was completely renovated. A new cave was made, next to the old one.

Temple dancers

More info:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Poo_Kong

The foundations of Sam Poo Kong were set when Chinese Muslim explorer Admiral Zheng He arrived in the western part of what is now Semarang via the Garang River; the year is disputed, with suggestions ranging from 1400 to 1416. After disembarking from his ships, Zheng found a cave in a rocky hillside and used it for prayer. He established a small temple before leaving Java but, having grown fond of the area, his deputy Wang Jing and several crewmen remained behind. A statuette of Zheng was installed in the cave.

Zheng He (1371–1433 or 1435) was a Chinese mariner, explorer, diplomat, fleet admiral, and court eunuch during the early Ming dynasty often regarded as the greatest admiral in Chinese history. He was originally born as Ma He in a Muslim family and later adopted the surname Zheng conferred by the Yongle Emperor. Commissioned by the Yongle Emperor and later the Xuande Emperor, Zheng commanded seven expeditionary treasure voyages to Southeast Asia, South Asia, West Asia, and East Africa from 1405 to 1433. According to legend, his larger ships carried hundreds of sailors on four decks and were almost twice as long as any wooden ship ever recorded.

As a favorite of the Yongle Emperor, whom Zheng assisted in the overthrow of the Jianwen Emperor, Zheng He rose to the top of the imperial hierarchy and served as commander of the southern capital Nanjing.

More info:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zheng_He

There are many stories of small villages or neighborhoods that have been transformed into hugely popular sites around the world. From Taichung Rainbow Village in Taiwan to Lx Factory in Portugal, people have always tried to reinvent places. Another such example is the incredible Kampung Pelangi Village, the Rainbow Village of Semarang.

Kampung Pelangi is now one of the top tourist attractions in Semarang and if you plan to visit this city, make sure to add this neighborhood to your itinerary. The Rainbow Village is a unique place, a colorful and joyful place that once used to be a slum.

It’s important to know this place’s history before visiting. To attract more tourists to Semarang and grow the local economy, the local government decided to transform a small neighborhood, home to a little over 200 houses, into a thriving tourist destination.

The project was initiated by Slamet Widodo, a 54-year-old junior high principal who was inspired by Malang Rainbow Village’s success. Together with the local authorities, Slamet decided to implement the same strategy in Semarang and paint an entire neighborhood with bright colors.  With a budget of 300 million rupiah (around $22 k) the authorities managed to transform the lives of many people. Once a slum, now a hot tourist attraction, Kampung Pelangi is an example of determination and innovation.

The colorful houses cover an entire hill, creating a spectacular view. Everything around is covered in bright colors, including a few small bridges, local shops, and pathways.  Children play on streets and locals seem to enjoy the tourists’ company. Due to the influx of tourists, the local shops are thriving and locals living in this village have a better quality of life.

This village is the perfect example of a job well-done. Once a slum, now a veritable tourist destination. 

More info:  https://dailytravelpill.com/kampung-pelangi-rainbow-village-semarang/

We will be on a two-seaday voyage to Viet Nam and Saigon for a-three day visit