Semarang City Tour

The city's name derives from the Javanese words "asem" and "arang" which literary translate to "scarce tamarind."

Semarang lies in the northern part of Central Java. It is a bustling mid-sized city with 1.5 million population. More a business than tourism destination, it nevertheless has its own charm with contrasting modern mid-rises, Dutch colonial architecture, Chinatown, and small kampong jutting against each other.

The city's weather is hot and humid, so wear light cotton clothes. You do not need a long-sleeved shirt, instead a T-shirt and knee-long trousers are comfortable. However, some places like mosques (masjid) and temples require polite dress such as long trousers/skirts. Hot pants/mini skirts will attract people's attention in ways you might not like and might be considered impolite.

Semarang is off the tourist trail and knowing even basic Javanese or Indonesian will be helpful (and courteous), although younger educated people can often speak some English.

Get in

By plane

Semarang's Airport is Achmad Yani International Airport, quite nearby from the city centre. Daily flights are available to many major cities in Indonesia. Garuda Indonesia, Merpati Nusantara, Mandala Air, Batavia Air, Sriwijaya Air and Jatayu Airlines fly to Jakarta daily. Merpati also has daily flight to Surabaya. There is also flight service to Yogyakarta by Trigana Air/Kalstar. Trigana Air/Kalstar and Indonesia Air Transport also fly daily to Pankalanbun.

Batavia Air operates the only international flight to Singapore 4 times a week.

By train

Semarang is connected to Jakarta, Bandung and Surabaya by trains. Interestingly, there is no comparable railway service to Yogyakarta, although a railway line exists. The Argo Muria express connects Semarang to Jakarta, and with its relatively new equipment (2002), is very comfortable. The downside is the very early departure (5.00 AM!) to Jakarta. Overnight trains are also available. The fastest train between Semarang and Jakarta takes around 6 hours.

Bandung and Surabaya are also connected to Semarang with air-conditioned eksekutif class trains.

There are two main railway station in Semarang, Stasiun Tawang and Stasiun Poncol.

On the northern main line, between Semarang and Pekalongan, the railway line follows the coast line, providing passengers with beautiful views of the Java Sea.

By car

Semarang can be reached by car from Jakarta. It takes around 10 to 12 hours depending on the road traffic. You can choose to leave early in the morning from Jakarta to arrive in Semarang the next 12 hours. Over night drive is faster yet more challenging and even dangerous for "Pantura" non familiar driver. Pantura derives from "Pantai" which means Beach and "Utara" which means North.

From Jakarta you can take the route eastward via Cikampek toll road. Go along the toll road until your reach Cikampek toll gate, take left and you are in "Pantura Road". In Pantura road you have to follow the direction sign "Cirebon", "Pekalongan", "Kendal", "Semarang" or "Surabaya" as those cities are eastward from Jakarta.

You will pass small towns like Patrol, Jatibarang, and relatively bigger ones like Cirebon. Before entering Cirebon, you can take the toll road instead of taking into Cirebon traffic if you do not want to drop by in Cirebon. After exit from the Cirebon toll road, you will drive eastward along Losari and then you will pass Tegal, Pemalang, Pekalongan and Kendal before you arrive in Semarang.

Gas station are abundant, you can see them almost every 5 or 10 kilometers along the road. They have toilet facilities. Pay Rp1,000 (US$ 10 cents). Beware of small or old gas station, they have poor lighting and terrible toilet. Choose a newer and bigger gas station with good lighting parking space and clean toilets. Please make sure that you have locked your car and do not leave your valuable unattended.

By bus

Many bus services from Jakarta to Semarang. You can choose to go in the day time with air conditioned (A/C) from Pasar Rebo Bus Terminal in East Jakarta, Kalideres Bus Terminal in West Jakarta or from Lebak Bulus Bus Terminal in South Jakarta. The overnight bus with A/C are also available with good services. You can choose bus operators such as: "Rosalia Indah", "Raya", "Kramat Jati", Safari Dharma Raya as the good reputed bus serving Jakarta to Semarang. Sometimes the bus route is Jakarta to Solo via Semarang, you can choose them too, but please remind the bus driver's assistant (usually male, a person who check your ticket onboard the bus) to wake you up in Semarang.

There is also the executive-class tourist bus Joglosemar, that connects Jogjakarta, Solo and Semarang (hence the name). Joglosemar picks up tourists from specific hotels and provide snacks and water for your trip. Considerably pricier than other executive buses, it is more comfortable and provides a friendly service throughout the journey.

If you are on a group, you can also rent a "Tourist/Charter Bus"

By boat

Jakarta - Semarang (vice versa) traditionally travelled via railway, northern coast road ("pantura") or by plane. A trip by a sea vessel is uncommon due to its rare schedule and length of journey that takes too long compared with train (approx 6 hours) and over night bus (9 hours).

However, cruise ships occasionally spend a day in port. The port has few facilities for passengers, but an informal market of street vendors often assembles outside the secure area. Most passengers take day-tours to Borobudur.

Get around

By mini bus/bus

There are plenty of mini bus (locally called angkot/daihatsu) and medium-sized bus called Damri in the city. These mini bus go to different destinations as follows:

• Damri No.1 Route: Terboyo-Banyumanik. Fare: Rp.6.000

• Damri No.2 Route: Terboyo-Mangkang. Fare: Rp.4.500

• Damri No.5 Route: Johar-Kompleks Perumnas. Rp.5.000

As 2008 Dishub Pemda Semarang operating Damri AC for Rp 5,000

As September 2009 There is Bus rapid transit (BRT) called Trans Semarang planned route:

• Corridor I: Penggaron-Mangkang (Red Line)

• Corridor II Pudakpayung-Terboyo dibubuhi (Grey line)

• Corridor III Tembalang-Terboyo (Lime line)

• Corridor IV Banyumanik-Tanjung (Yellow Line)

• Corridor V Penggaron-Terboyo (Orange Line)

• Corridor VI Bandara A Yani-Terboyo (Pink line)

• currently only Corridor I active, and still got some problems. Fare: Rp. 3.500,00, students: Rp. 2.000,00

The mini bus has a route travelled written on the top-front of the bus. The route normally written in the form of 'origin-destination' and sometimes with 'via' information if there are more than 1 mini bus ply the same origin-destination but through a different path in between.

For example: Daihatsu Johar-Sampangan, means the origin is from Johar terminal and going to Sampangan and vice-versa. The fares for the mini-bus is around Rp.2000-3000.

Some popular places in Semarang that can be reached by mini bus/bus are:

• Pasar Johar, you need to board Daihatsu with the route Johar-Sampangan.

• ADA Siliwangi Supermarket, you need to board Daihatsu with the route PRPP-Klipang

• Tawang Train Station, Damri No.1 Terboyo-Banyumanik.

• Poncol Station, Daihatsu Semarang-Salatiga.

• Terboyo Bus Terminal, Damri No.1 or Damri No.2.

• Undip (Diponegoro University), Damri No.1 or Damri No.5.

Make sure you ask the conductor/driver of the minibus before you board for the route it goes and whether it pass the place you want to go.

By taxi

Taxis are very safe and comfortable, and reasonably priced (starting price of Rp4000).

Make sure you understand the route or ask your friend. Make sure the driver use the meter ("argo"). If he refused to use the meter, use other taxis. List of taxi companies:

• Astria, Jl Jatisari 1, Semarang 50235, ☎ 62-24-7460940.

• Centris Multipersada, Jl Majapahit 583, ☎ 62-24-6723624.

• Kosti, Jl Pamularsih 15, Semarang 50148, ☎ 62-24-7613333.

• Pandu Persada Saranamukti, Jl Kaligawe Km 4/46, ☎ 62-24-6591234.

• Puri Kencana, Jl Rogojembangan Raya 68, ☎ 62-24-6705050.

By car

Fuel for your car (if you rent a car) are "Premium", "Pertamax" and "Pertamax Plus" for gasoline fueled car and "Solar" for diesel engined car. It is not self service, you cannot fill in the gasoline yourself. The gas station has their employees who will help you and you have to pay to them for the fuel according to the fuel meter reading.

See

Sam Po Kong Temple

Gereja Blenduk

• Sam Po Kong Temple, Jl. Simongan No. 129, ☎ +62 24 7605 277. The beautiful Sam Po Kong temple (Gedung Batu) was built to respect the Muslim Chinese commander named Cheng Ho of Ming Dinasty who visited Semarang in the early 15th century. It was extensively renovated in 2006 to celebrate the 600th anniversary of Cheng Ho's voyage to Semarang.

Northern Semarang has a lot of old Dutch colonial buildings. This was where the old walled city located. The wall is no longer there, but many of the old building remains, especially in the area called Kota Lama (The Old Town or Oudstadt). On certain months, this part of Semarang is flooded by the rising tide (called "rob" in Javanese).

• Tanjung Mas. A busy, important port during Dutch occupation (from 17th century to 1945).

• Gereja Blenduk, Jalan Letjen Suprapto 32. The name means "domed church". A beautiful Protestant church built in 1753, it is the oldest church in Semarang. It has a baroque organ, a rarity in Indonesia

• Stasiun Tawang. The oldest major railway station in Java, completed in 1870.

• Simpang Lima. a vast square at the heart of Semarang. At night, you can eat, drink, or just bring yourself wandering around Simpang Lima.

• Taman Budaya Raden Saleh. at Jalan Sriwijaya No.29, is a beautiful garden located at the city centre. It has a total area of 89,926 square meters. Suitable for the family recreation.

• Wayang Wong Ngesti Pandowo. Inside Taman Budaya Raden Saleh, Jl. Sriwijaya No. 29 Ki Narto Sabdho building. A weekly show of Javanese drama, with stories from folklore, mahabarata, ramayana, etc.

Semarang has a very good landscape, some says best landscape thanks to its coastal area in the northern part of the city with Tanjung Mas as its international harbour and hilly area in the southern part streching from Candi area to Bukit Sari with picturesque Mount Ungaran at the background.

Before you get into hilly area named Bukit Sari, you will see on your left Taman Tabanas Gombel where you can stop by, drink tea and see Semarang's view from the hill. It's view is really beautiful and romantic during the night time.

Gunung Ungaran with its tea and jasmine plantation, Gua Kreo/Kreo Cave with its interesting stalactite and stalagmite and of course Marina at Tanjung Mas are the alternatives for those who has more than 2 free days in Semarang.

Monuments

Lawang Sewu

Tugu Muda is one of Semarang's landmarks. It is situated westward off Simpang Lima, one of the 5 streets crossing Simpang Lima named Jalan Pandanaran. This monument commemorates the 5 days of fierce battle (October 14-19, 1945) between Indonesian freedom fighters and Japanese soldiers who refused to surrender.

There are some Dutch colonial buildings around Tugu Muda; the most famous one is Lawang Sewu which means A Thousand Doors. It was built as the headquarter of the local railway company. During World War II, it was used as the Japanese army's headquarters. The building is now undergoing restoration although it is still open to the public. Though reputed to be haunted due to the great number of executions there during WWII, Lawang Sewu remains one of Semarang's most prominent landmarks.

Museums

• Museum Ronggowarsito, Jl. Abdurrahman Saleh No. 1, ☎ +62-24-7602389, 8AM-2PM, except on Monday. Javanese culture and art. Rp2.000 (Mar 2008).

• MURI (Museum Rekor Indonesia), Jl. Setiabudi no.179 Srondol. Monday to Friday, 8AM-4PM. Indonesian Record Museum.

• Nyonya Meneer. Jamu (traditional Javanese drink) museum. Jl. Kaligawe. Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 10AM–3PM.

• Mandala Bhakti. Military museum. Jl. Mgr.Sugiyopranoto Semarang.

Amusement parks

• Water Blaster (Water Boom). Entry through Graha Candi Golf Real Estate, with its dazzling hills view and quite an exotic feels of high breeze.

• Catfish Park (Taman Lele). Kecamatan Tugu. Open daily. Facility: children playground, cultural and art shows, animal shows.

• Marina Beach. North Semarang. Facility: swimming pool, children playground, beach volley ball, water sports.

• Ngaliyan Tirta Indah, jalan Raya Ngaliyan Kecamatan Ngaliyan. Facility: swimming pool, beautiful plantation, flower garden, sports centre.

• Puri Maerokoco and Kampoeng Laut. Tawangmas PRPP, a clone of TMII (Jakarta). Facility: cultural and art shows, boat, water bike, small train, fishing pond.

• Sodong, 20 km from Semarang. Facility: beautiful plantation, fishing pond, swimming pool.

• Mangkang Zoo, located in the West Semarang. It's newly opened. There a lot of animal preserve there but it lacks of attraction.

Do

• Semarang Fair, Jalan Sriwijaya no 29 Semarang. Visit this annual which showcases various cultural entertainment. It is held every July.

• Jateng Fair, at PRPP Marina, Annual showcases of Central Java Promotions and Development. It's held between June and July.

• Wayang Orang Ngesti Pandowo, Jalan Pemuda. Watch Javanese theatrical performances

• Jaran Sampo, Tay Kak Sie and Sam Po Kong Temples. Attend the biggest ceremony of the Chinese community in Java, featuring a colourful procession and dances of decorated horses and 'liong' (dragon)

• Dug Der Festival, Johar, kota lama, polder tawang. Annual festival, one week before fasting month, or puasa. The name is derved from the sound of Bedug (Dug), and Bamboo Canon (Der). At the end of the festival there's "Ngarak Warak", means procession to brings Warak across the city's main street (normally from the Mayor's office to the Johar Market). Warak is a mythology animal, part giraffe, part lion, part chinese dragon, part horse part bird. It's the icon of the festival. You could buy the toy on the festival, normally these warak will be laying an egg, thus the name "Warak Ngendog".

• Semawis Night Market, Gg. Warung, Chinatown, Weekly night market, during Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. You could walk along the Gang Warung, and enjoy the hawker style local food, also some souvenir from semarang. There's also annual, larger Semawis Market before the Chinese New Year. Check the website for more information.

Learn

Semarang is the hosts of some universities/colleges. Diponegoro University is the state university. It is the biggest and the oldest university with good reputed faculty of law, economics, medicine, architecture, engineering, fisheries etc. It hosts more than 10 thousand students in its two campus, Pleburan (in the downtown) and Tembalang in the southern hilly part of Semarang. Islamic University of Sultan Agung and Catholic University of Soegijapranata are major private universities in Semarang.

Work

For business travellers, Semarang is a transit city where you only have a chance to see Semarang's bustling activities from the taxi or hotel's window.

Semarang is also an industrial city. Many companies open their manufacture sites in eastern, western and southern part of Semarang. For foreigner who wants to work in Semarang, this place is a good place because of its landscape. You can live in the hilly and considerably cooler housing area in Candi or Bukit Sari while you work in the downtown area. Traffic jam is considered fewer than Bandung or Surabaya. For visitor from Jakarta, driving car in Semarang is "heaven" for its much fewer traffic jam compared with Jakarta.

Semarang is the home of the biggest "Jamu" (means "javanese traditional herbal") industry such as Jamu Jago, Nyonya Meneer and others.

Most of Jakarta's major banks and companies open their branches in Semarang. For its relatively close vicinity with Jakarta (only 40 minutes by plane) and 6 hours by train, Semarang receives many branches of companies and enjoys its status as the major hub in Java island.

Buy

Currency used is Rupiah (Rp). You can find money changer in the downtown area, or simply get into banks and you will get fair exchange rate. Please note that in practice, money changer and banks are not accepting US$ bank notes with issuance year 1999 backwards because of the experience in Indonesia mostly found US$ with issuance year 1999 backward had been forged.

Near the airport in Jendral Sudirman street, there is Money Changer "Golden Valasindo", which accept most of foreign currency include US$ bank notes with issuance year before 1999. The phone number is (024) 766 32631.

Banks are open between 8.30 a.m to 3.00 p.m.

You can visit some malls available in Semarang such as Sri Ratu (the first mall in Semarang from the 80's), Matahari Plaza, Ciputra Mall Java Mall and the DP Mall. There, you can buy batik (Javanese handwritten cloth), antiques and the traditional items in "Johar Market" or in Bahasa Indonesia called "Pasar Johar" (spell "Pa Saar Jouw Har). They have plenty of choices. Ask if you can get assistance from hotel staff or a travel agent staff to take you around Pasar Johar. It is also accessible by Angkot (vans) from Simpang Lima.

Semarang have many arts and crafts shops around the city. They normally sell Javanese arts, paintings and clothes including Batik. Some shops popularly visited by tourist are:

• Andika Art & Crafts Gallery, Jalan Puri Anjasmoro Street Block O-1/5., ☎ +62-24-7606123.

• Lia Gallery, Jalan Genade Selatan 2., ☎ +62-247498700.

• Goedang Art & Antique, Jalan Pemuda 37., ☎ +62-24-3564453.

• Galery Gerbang, Jalan Dr. Wahidin 56., ☎ +62-24-8447860.

• Pandjang Art Shop, Jalan Widoharjo 31A., ☎ +62-24-3541460.

• La Vogue, Jl. Pemuda. The city's oldest Antique shop located centrally at the heart of Semarang.

Eat

Budget

Many travelers buy Bandeng (locals call it Bandeng presto or Bandeng duri lunak, which is pressure cooked Milkfish), Lumpia Semarang (a kind of spring rolls with bamboo shoots filling), and Wingko Babat (sticky rice and coconut in a variety of flavors). You can get purchase any of these at either food stores called "toko-oleh oleh" (a lot located in street called "Jalan Pandanaran") or from street vendors/open stalls. If buying from street vendors or open stalls, you might look for locals as an indication of which ones are done right.

There are hawker-style food stalls and tents all across Semarang. They are very popular and offer good food at unbelievably cheap prices. Please note as they are not permanent establishments, they do not have phone numbers and exact address. However, they usually open in the same spots and at a regular time everyday. Also, as in any hawker-style establishments, hygiene is not a top priority here.

Simpang Lima in the heart of Semarang has plenty of food stalls offering variety of Indonesian and Javanese food. The price is cheap, sometimes very cheap, you can eat 1 piece of leg or thigh of fried chicken plus 1 plate of steamed rice for as little as Rp 10,000 (equivalent to US$ 1). You can also get into other tents to try other meals, some of them offering "lesehan" or "sit down on a carpet" during your meal time. Beef or chicken satay (grilled beef of chicken) is mouth watering with peanut sauce and hot chilli while "fried rice" or nasi goreng babat situated in "Air Mancur" or fountain southward off Simpang Lima and in front of Diponegoro University campus is delicious.

Along Jalan Pahlawan, south of Simpang Lima, you will also face many food stalls under tents, selling a variety of foods from "Gudeg" (Javanese steam sweet sour vegetables), Bubur ayam (Chicken porridge), Jagung bakar (grilled corn) and many others. Pamper yourself with plenty of good foods yet very cheap.

Semawis is another place to go for hawker-style food. Located on Gang Warung in the China Town, it opens only weekend nights (friday, Saturday and Sunday) and has a variety of food stalls offering authentic Semarang cuisine and delicacies.

"Jalan Pandanaran" is a street specialized for having numerous stores selling locally made "Semarang-ish" products worth getting for your loved ones and friends before you leave Semarang. Although parking is a bit of a hassle, it may only take you a minute or two walking from where you are parked to visit these shops.

Food Stalls (Note: Unless stated otherwise, these foodstalls only open after sunset everyday)

• Ayam Goreng Salim, Pringgading (Corner of Mataram and Pringgading). Tasty fried chicken (12,15)

• Bandeng Juwana Elrina in Jalan Pandanaran (Jalan Pandaran no.57, (024) 831 1488) is one of the places for you to buy and bring home Semarang's traditional foods (open from 6:30am - 10pm Sunday to Thursday, 6:30am-11pm Fridays and Saturdays). It ranges from "Bandeng Juwana Elrina -Bandeng duri lunak" (which is a pressure cooked ready to eat , well packed & soft boned milkfish) to wet or dried "Lumpia Semarang". They also sell Semarang's traditional "Wingko", which is a flame broiled coconut delicacy that is definitely a must to try and taste (they have free sample tasting in that store! They make it fresh everyday, under the name of "Dyriana", which is a name of a local bakery that is also affiliated with that store). GPS Coordniates: -6.986428S, 110.413279E

• Kalasan Fried Chicken in Simpang Lima offers good food with cheap price

• Koee Lekker Paimo Indonesian interpretation of dutch pancake, Jl. Karanganyar, in front of Loyola High School (a famous school in Semarang). Daytime, weekdays only (Monday - Saturday)

• Lumpia Gang Lombok at Lombok Street, in Chinatown, next to Tay Kak Sie Temple (open from the morning)

• Fried Tofu and Tempe of Prasodjo is also famous for their hot and fried tofu and tempe (soybean cake), eat them while it's hot with green chilli named "rawit"

• Mbok Berek in Jalan Jendral Sudirman 58A offers a traditional Javanese fried chicked called Ayam Penyet (smashed Fried Chicken) served with a fried coconut milk and local salads (lalapan).

• Nasi Ayam Bu Wido in Kemuning offers Nasi Ayam or Javanese Chicken Curry (open for dinner only).

• Satay Pak Kempleng in Ungaran area is delicious and known for years for its big cut satay portion (open for lunch).

• Soto Bangkong (or Chicken Soup Bangkong) is well known for its delicious soto

Mid-range

• Bahagia, Jl. Gajahmada 85 C. Home-style chinese and sea food. The "mie goreng" (fried noodle) and "kee-kian goreng" (fried pork meat) are must-try.

• Bandeng Juwana Elrina-Warung (2nd floor), Jl. Pandanaran 57. Serving different dishes of milkfish with local taste. (024) 831 1488. GPS coordinates: -6.986428S, 110.413279E

• Bentuman Steak, Jl. Taman Beringin No. 23.

• Elrina Restaurant, Jl. Pandanaran 83. Serving different dishes of milkfish with local taste, chinese, and seafood. Air-conditioned. (024) 831 0205. GPS Coordinates: -6.987110S, 110.415114E

• Dyriana Bakery&Cafe, Jl. Pandanaran 51A (Go to Jalan Pandanaran, look for the big OVAL billboard sign that says Dyriana bakery and cafe.), ☎ 024-8318531, 6:30am-10pm. Freshly made baked breads with specific local taste (try the "roti pisang" or banana bread), cakes, and a nice cafe serving local hot foods and cold drinks.Air conditioned. (024) 844 5175. This bakery often has live demonstrations of traditional products being made right in the bakery (call first, often around 3-5pm). GPS coordinates: -6.986197S, 110.412804E affordable. (-6.986197,110.412804)

• Nglaras Rasa Jl MH Thamrin 124. Tel.: (62)(24) 8319 766. Indonesian fast food.

• Manggala food court, Jl. Gajah Mada (first traffic light from simpang lima, on the left side of the road). Food court of various food, indonesian, chinese, japanese, indian, western.

• Toko Oen Jl Pemuda 52, Bodjong, Semarang 50138. Tel.: (62)(24) 354 1683. A Semarang institution since Dutch colonial days. Famous for its ice cream, steak, and fried rice.

Splurge

• tungdeblang Resto, Jalan Sultan Agung 107 Semarang. . European, Asian & Indonesian Cuisine with A Semi-fine Casual Dining Concept, side by side with tungdeblang pool.

• Nori The Japanese Kitchen Lounge, Jalan Jangli, Semarang. Ask your taxi driver for Graha Candi Golf residence, it's located right at the main entrance. They have the best sushi in town. Contemporer Japanese dining with lounge-like ambience.

• Pringgading Restaurant, Jalan Pringgading 54. Chinese food with Indonesian flair. Yum cha on Sunday mornings. Always full, very lively and chaotic. Service not outstanding though.

• De Joglo Live Seafood Resto, JL S.Parman no. 76. Live and fresh Seafood. Venue styled as a traditional Javanese house ("joglo").

• Xiang Yuen, Grand Candi Hotel - Jl. Sisingamangaraja No. 16 Semarang 50232, +62 24 8416 222, M-F 6.30AM-3PM & 6.30PM-10.30PM, Sa-Su 7AM-3PM & 6.30PM-10.30PM. Authentic Cantonese & Szechuanese. Rp 100,000.00-Rp 1,000,000.00

• Pesta Keboen, Jalan Veteran 29. Indonesian and Dutch cuisine served in a restored Dutch colonial house furnished with antiques and Dutch East Indies memorabilia. Go there for the ambience.

• Seoul Palace, Jalan Pandanaran 109 Semarang, +62 24 844 7414. Authentic Korean-style restaurant, with delicious barbecue, flavorful soups, and noodle dishes.

• Sisingamaraja Site, or popularly known as 'S2'. Across the street from the Hotel Grand Candi on Jl. Sisingamaraja. A modern and hip mix-use complex where people can hang out, drink, eat Japanese, Peranakan, or Western cuisine, or have coffee and desserts. There is also a gym on the second floor.

• Lemon, Gayam Street 1-3 (from simpang 5 you must go to the Matahari Mall, the Achmad Yani St, going straight, and before the second trafic light, turn right at the last lane in the right side, then you can find a big board in yellow). M-F 10AM-10PM, Sa 10AM-11PM. Special course: lamb steak africa, lamb chop, lamb fried rice. Supported with Free hot spot and Wi Fi area. IDR 13,000-50,000.

• The Blue Lotus CoffeeHouse, JL. Ahmad Yani 197 (Between Panin Bank and CIMB Bank), ☎ +628122869248. 9am-9pm. A Perfect place for coffee lovers! Freshly home roasted Indonesian coffee beans. 6 different ways of brewing your coffee. Famous home made Cheese Cake! We serve authentic western food with 100% natural ingredients. Maybe the only Real Coffeehouse in Town! (Closed on Monday) (659'39 S,11025'53 E)

Drink

In Semarang it is not easy to find bars. However, lately a few stylish venues have sprung up, mainly caters to the trendy young population.

• E-Plaza, Jl. Ruko Gajahmada Lantai II No.29. Located in an entertainment complex which comprises a cinema, a restaurant, and pool game venue.

• Nori The Japanese Kitchen Lounge, Jl. Jangli (entrance to Graha Candi Golf complex). A great sushi joint and one of few places in town serving "sake", with live accoustic music on weekends. Can get very crowded though.

There are few bars and cafe around 'Simpang Lima' location (right in the downtown).After sunset, please avoid small tents selling homemade tea (teh poci) as lots of hookers looking for targets, especially rich looking travellers.

Wedhang means hot soothing drink. You can get them in Simpang Lima, hotels or restaurants in Semarang. One of the most popular variety is STMJ (Susu Telor Madu Jahe, a concoction of milk, egg, honey, and ginger drink). For more Wedhang:

• Istana Wedhang, Jl. Pemuda No. 125 (next to Novotel Hotel). A classic place to drink wedhang, this place provides various wedhang, and some local food like nasi goreng, nasi campur, etc.

• Es Kelapa Muda Kartika, Jl. MT. Haryono 83 (near to Bubakan). The most delicious young coconut drinks. Daytime only, just get there early because late afternoon they're most likely sold out already.

• On-On Pub, a Bar located inside oldish Hotel Candi Baru, Jl. Rinjani. Place to gather with Semarang's Expatriate.

• Black Canyon Coffee Bar, near On-On Pub. Stylishly designed, in front of Hotel Candi Baru. Cozy place but very crowded especially during week ends.

• The Blue Lotus CoffeeHouse, JL. Ahmad Yani 197. (Between Panin Bank and CIMB Bank), ☎ =+628122869248. 9am-9pm. A Perfect place for coffee lovers! Freshly home roasted Indonesian coffee beans. 6 different ways of brewing your coffee. Famous home made Cheese Cake! We serve authentic western food with 100% natural ingredients. Maybe the only Real Coffeehouse in Town! (Closed on Monday)

Sleep

Budget

If you want to travel with backpackers style, you can go to Jalan Kauman and you'll find a lot of hostel there. With less than u$20 you can get a nice, clean, and air-conditioned room in Hotel Bali, Hotel Olympic and Rahayu at Jalan Imam Bonjol.

Mid-range

• Hotel Merbabu, Jl. Pemuda 122-124, ☎ +62 24 3547491, 3547492, 3554991, 3557982 (fax: +62 24 3547491, 3547492, 3554991, 3557982). checkout: 13.00. Rooms from single bed to family room for 4 people. Room facility (for standard rooms and above): air-conditioning, telephone, television, indoor bathroom, hot water. Also, a refrigerator for deluxe rooms and above. Rp50.000-Rp370.000.

• Santika Hotel, Jl. Jend. Ahmad Yani No. 189, (semarang2@santika.com, fax: +62-24 8414 083), 2-star hotel in prime location.

• New Metro Hotel, Jl. Haji Agus Salim 2-4, ☎ +62 24 3547 371 (info@metrohotel.co.id, fax: +62-24 3510 863), Newly-refurbished 3-star hotel. Close to Pasar Johar traditional market.

• Candi Baru, Jl. Rinjani 21 (Start at Simpang Lima, the modern shopping centre. All taxi drivers know where this is. From here take Jalan Pahlawan, when it leads uphill it changes name: Jalan Diponegoro. After 500 metres you will see on the left a remarkable pink building with two towers. Here you turn right into Jalan Argopuro, past the post office, at a three-forked junction turn right. Another 200 metres and Hotel Candi Baru is on your left. Don’t confuse it with the Rinjani Hotel on the right.), ☎ +62 24 315 272. Another dutch colonial style-hotel in Semarang's hilly district. Also the host of OnOn Pub (an expatriat favourite gathering, so you could find some information about Semarang on their bulletin board) and Black Canyon Cafe, a Thai Cafe chain.

• Hotel Grasia-the Family and Convention (Hotel Grasia Semarang), Jl. S.Parman 29 (Coordinat 7.0'18S : 110.24'34E), ☎ +62 24 8 444 777 (grasia@indosat.net.id, fax: +62 24 8 317 288), checkin: 13.00 pm; checkout: 12.59 pm. Three-star hotel in Gajahmungkur (@the old european village area)--include: buffet breakfast,pick-up service from/to airport,car wash,unlimited internet hotspot IDR367000. (16.00,)

• Hotel Muria-The Family and Convention (Hotel Muria Semarang), Jl. Dr. Cipto 73 (Coordinate 6.58'41S: 110.26'5E), ☎ +62 24 351 3622 (muria@indosat.net.id, fax: +62 24 351 5843), checkin: 1.00 pm; checkout: 12.59 pm. The two-star hotel near Chinese business area for the Family and Convention located in Rejosari Semarang--include: 6 representative meeting rooms,buffets breakfast, pick up service from/to airport, car wash,unlimited internet Hotspot IDR 290000. (15.00,)

Splurge

• Hotel Ciputra, Jalan Simpang Lima, ☎ +62 24 8449 888 (semarang@swiss-belhotel.com, fax: +62 24 8447 888),.Managed by Swiss-Belhotel, this hotel has an unbeatable location in Simpang Lima area overlooking the town square. It is connected to Semarang's largest shopping mall, Mall Ciputra.

• Grand Candi Hotel, Jl. Sisingamangaraja No. 16, ☎ +62 24 8416 222 (fax: +62 24 8412 688), The only five-star hotel in Semarang, Grand Candi Hotel is in an upscale residential area on the hill. It is located next to a golf-course and has several excellent restaurants.

• Novotel Semarang, Jalan Pemuda No. 123 Semarang 50132, ☎ +62 24 3563 000 (reservation@novotelsemarang.com, fax: +62 24 3584 252), The latest international chain to open in Semarang, Novotel is in the CBD area.

• Horison Hotel, Jl. KH Ahmad Dahlan No. 2, Simpang Lima, ☎ +62-24-8450045 (info@horisonsemarang.com, fax: +62 24 8419 009), Located in Simpang Lima area, connected to Plaza Simpang Lima shopping center.

• Patra Semarang, Jl. Sisingamangaraja (From Jalan Sisingamangaraja, turn into Jalan Ungaran. It leads straight to Patra Jasa Hotel), ☎ +62 24 8414 141 (reservation.semarang@patra-jasa.com, fax: +62 24 8314 448), . This resort style hotel is in the hilly area of Candi Baru

• Santika Premiere Semarang (formerly Graha Santika Hotel), Jl. Pandanaran No. 116-120, ☎ +62 24 8413 115, 8413 121 (semarang@santika.com, fax: +62 24 8413 113), .

• A four star hotel close to the city center.

• Hotel Ibis, near simpang lima, 4 star hotel

• Hotel Quest, kranggan, 3 star hotel

• Hotel Gumaya, Gajah Mada, 4 star hotel

• Hotel Dafam Semarang, Jl. Imam Bonjol 188 Semarang, ☎ +62 24 3554111 (info@dafamsemarang.com, fax: +62 24 3545111), . The affordable three-stars hotel for business and leisure travelers who seek new standard of comfortable accommodation.

Stay safe

Semarang's safety is considered moderate. The people are nice, especially to stranger (western tourist especially); People are helpful and friendly.

Never touch anyone's head (especially teenagers and older men) as it is considered as "insult" and might invite troubles. In the crowded bus/train/small car used as public transportation, "un-intended touch" is tolerated. Never look at someone (especially young men) straight to the eyes more than 3 times as it might be considered as "challenging them to fight" (this is apply especially in bigger town/city - as the villagers are more friendly to strangers).

Semarang is neither a small city nor huge like Jakarta. Everyone is urged to take account universal rules such as "only walk in the light-bright area"; do not attempt to deal with hookers or trans-sexual hookers which are usually done under secluded and dark area; lady travelers are urged not to travel alone after 11 p.m especially in an unknown dark neighborhood, sometimes even in residential areas. For precautions do carry a mace or pepper sprays. Only take moderate amount of money in an open air ATM.

When riding the public transportation it is not encouraged to wear jewelry, or gaudy and branded or designer watches. Petty thieves are common, but they do not strike when it isn't obvious. During the night take public transportations that have more than a few people in them.

Stay healthy

Tap water in Indonesia is not potable. So do not drink your hotel tap water unless you boil it first. Bottled water is very popular and not expensive, popular brand is AQUA, ADES, 2 Tang etc. You can find them in department stores and mini mart such as Indomart, Alfa Mart and even in small street stalls (usually in the corner of street intersection). In unfamiliar establishments or where you have no assurance of of sanitation standards, also take care with ice used in drinks.

Hospitals with 24 hours emergency rooms (ER):

• RS Umum Pusat Dr. Kariadi, Jl. Dr. Sutomo No. 16, Tel.: (62)(24) 413993, (62)(24) 413764, (62)(24) 413476.

• RS. St. Elizabeth, Jl. Kawi No 1. Tel.: (62)(24) 831 0035

• RS. Telogorejo, Jl. K.H. Achmad Dahlan, Tel.: (62)(24)446000.

• RS. Panti Wilasa Cipto, Jl. Dr.Cipto 50, Tel.: (62)(24) 546040.

• RS. Panti Wilasa Citarum, Jl. Citarum No. 98. Tel.: (62)(24)3542224.

Contact

Post offices are easy to find. DHL, TNT, Fedex and other international courier also available. Local courier and shipping company (also serving international courier and freight) is ELTEHA (LTH). Ask your hotel staff to help you dealing with these courier companies.

Cope

• Ambulance: 118

• Police: 110

• Central Java Police HQ. Jl. Pahlawan 1. Tel.: (62)(24) 831-1382

• Semarang Police HQ. Jl. Dr Sutomo 19. Tel.: (62)(24) 844-4444, (62)(24) 8418400

Police stations:

• Central Semarang. Jl. Brumbungan Tengah 41. Tel.: (62)(24) 354-5175

• North Semarang. Jl. Letjen Suprapto 45. Tel.: (62)(24) 6921275

• South Semarang. Jl. Sultan Agung 103. Tel.: (62)(24) 8315123.

• West Semarang. : Jl. Ronggolawe Selatan. Tel.: (62)(24) 7610698

• East Semarang. Jl. Majapahit. Tel.: (62)(24) 6710863

Tourism Information Centre :

• Jalan Madukoro Blok BB. Tel.: (62)(24) 7608570.

• Jalan Pemuda 147. Tel.: (62)(24) 3515451. Next to Novotel Hotel.

Get out

Semarang is the major hub city of Central Java. From Semarang you can go to Dieng Plateau situated north off small town namd Wonosobo for one day tour seeing ancient hindus temple/candi in a former ancient city lies in the misty plateau.

Alternatively, within one and a half hours you can go to Borobudur temple in Muntilan and then to Prambanan temple in Klaten and buy some antiques and batik in Yogyakarta. It take less than 2 hours drive from Semarang to Yogyakarta. Solo is also only one and half hour drive from Semarang.

You can also go further southward to some small towns like Ungaran, Salatiga, Ambarawa, Kopeng and Bandungan. It will take at least a one day tour but is really worth it. You will see beautiful scenery on the way between Semarang, Salatiga and the adjacent cities like Solo and Yogyakarta. You can reach Solo (sometimes called Surakarta) or Yogyakarta in less than 2 hours.

• Karimunjawa - marine national park in small islands north of Semarang

• Kudus - the centre of Indonesia's cigarettes industry, where some prominent manufacturers are located, of which 'Djarum' is the most famous.