Semarang

THE CITY OF SEMARANG

Semarang is a city on the north coast of the island of Java, Indonesia. It is the capital and largest city of the province of Central Java.  It has an area of 373.70 square kilometres (144.29 sq mi) and a population of approximately 2 million people, making it Indonesia's sixth most populous city and the fifth largest Indonesian city after Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, and Medan. The Mayor is known as Walikota (current reign of Drs. H. Soemarmo HS, MSi) serves as the mayor of Semarang City.

The motto of Semarang City is Semarang Kota ATLAS  (Aman, Tertib, Lancar, Asri, Sehat). Aman means that this city free from pressure and interference of security, order and peace . Tertib means orderly life in all areas including traffic rules. Lancar means smooth in the case of easy service including the smooth traffic. Asri means a clean, beautiful and comfortable environment. Sehat means the healthy life of the community both physically and mentally. 

Approximately 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 centre. NIS company head office (Gedung Lawang Sewu), Semarang, Dutch East Indies. The historic presence of a large Indo (Eurasian) community in the area of Semarang is also reflected by the fact a creole mix language called Javindo existed there.  The Japanese military occupied the city, along with the rest of Java, in 1942, during the Pacific War of World War II. During that time, Semarang was headed by a military governor called a Shiko, and two vice governors known as Fuku Shiko. One of the vice governors was appointed from Japan, and the other was chosen from the local population. After Indonesian independence in 1945, Semarang became the capital of Central Java province.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN SEMARANG

1. Lawang Sewu
   
   Lawang Sewu was the name of an ancient building in the city of Semarang. Built in 1904 by the Dutch, Lawang Sewu used to serve as the office of the Dutch railway company. The name Lawang Sewu means a thousand doors comes from the shape of the building that has a lot of doors and windows. What's interesting is Lawang Sewu mystical atmosphere that comes with the typical magnificent architecture of antiquity. Lawang Sewu building also has a basement that was once used as a prison. The admission Lawang Sewu price is Rp 10,000.
   
   
2. Great Mosque of Central Java
   
   Central Java Grand Mosque is located in the city of Semarang, precisely on Jalan Gajah Raya. Great Mosque of Central Java is one of the grandest mosques in Indonesia which are visited not only for worship, but also for tourist activities. Inaugurated in 2006, the Great Mosque of Central Java, which has an area of ​​over 7,500 square meters can accommodate about 16,000 worshipers. In addition to the main building of the mosque, in Central Java Grand Mosque there are also many other facilities such as the ceremony room, auditorium, library, lodging, museum of Islamic culture, cafes, souvenir shops, train rabbits, children's playground, and others.
3. Pagoda Buddhagaya Watugong
   
   Watugong Buddhagaya Pagoda is a pagoda with a height of over 45 meters and is the tallest pagoda in Indonesia. Watugong Buddhagaya pagoda located in Independence Pioneer Road is a place of Buddhist worship at the same place in Semarang tourist attractions to visit because of the uniqueness and beauty of the building.
   
   
4. Gereja Blenduk (An Immanuel Church)
   
   This is one of popular old building in Semarang downtown, established in 1750 and renovation in 1894 by the Dutch architects HPA De Widle and Westmass. This is Immanuel church with unique architecture, the red dome is a semicircle and by Java Language it is called Blenduk (semi circle).  The building is decided by local Government as one of Semarang Heritage building.
   
   
5. Sam Poo Kong
   
   Sam Poo Kong also known as Gedung Batu Temple, is the oldest Chinese temple in Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia. Originally established by the Chinese Muslim 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.

GEOGRAPHY

Semarang is located on the northern coast of Java. The northern part of the city is built on the coastal plain while the southern parts, known as Candi Lama and Candi Baru, are on higher ground. Two Dutch-built aqueducts run through the city to control the yearly flood, one on the east side and one through the west side, essentially dividing the city into three major areas.

Semarang features a tropical rainforest climate that borders on a tropical monsoon climate. The city features distinctly wetter and drier months, with June through August being the driest months. However, in none of these months does average precipitation fall below 60 mm, hence the tropical rainforest categorization. Semarang on average sees approximately 2800 mm of rain annually. Average temperatures in the city are relatively consistent, hovering around 28 degrees Celsius.

TRANSPORT

Air

Achmad Yani International Airport (Indonesian: Bandar Udara Internasional Achmad Yani) (IATA: SRG, ICAO: WAHS) serves Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia. It is located at Jl. Puad Ahmad Yani, 50145, Indonesia
+62 24 7607596 ext. 331

Airlines and destinations

Road

Taxis are widely available. The primary means of public transportation is by minibus, called "bis." Semarang's largest bus terminals are Mangkang and Terboyo. A bus rapid transit serves Semarang, called TransSemarang. Semarang has a toll road, Jalan Tol or the Semarang Artery. Semarang-Solo Toll Road is under construction. Semarang is on Indonesian National Route 1 that connects it to Merak and Ketapang (Banyuwangi). Indonesian National Route 14 toward Bawen starts here.

Rail

There are two large train stations in Semarang: Semarang Poncol, located at Jl. Imam Bonjol, North Semarang and Semarang Tawang located at Jl. Taman Tawang No. 1 Semarang.

Sea

The main seaport is the Tanjung Mas seaport.