Semarang Landmarks and Monuments

(Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia)



A very interesting city to visit, Semarang is full of character, Dutch colonial buildings and ostentatious landmarks. A number of these strongly reflect its Chinese heritage and current population, being particularly noticeable within the 'Old City' area.

Several grand Chinese temples and monuments are to be discovered within Semarang, such as both the Tay Kak Sie Temple, the Sam Po Kong Temple and the Pagoda Avalokitesvara. Other very significant landmarks in Semarang include the prominent Youth Monument (Tugu Muda Monument), and the Grand Mosque (Mesjid Besar). The Lawang Sewu Building also deserves a mention and has earned itself the nickname of the 'Building of a Thousand Doors and Windows'.


Tay Kak Sie Temple

Address: Gang Lombok, off Jalan Pekojan, Semarang, Indonesia, ID
The Tay Kak Sie Temple is a major landmark in the Chinatown district of Semarang and was completed in the early 1770s. Located just off the Jalan Pekojan and close to the river, the Tay Kak Sie Temple really does come to life during the exciting Chinese New Year celebrations, when it is decorated with huge quantities of glowing red lanterns and banners. This Confucian temple is amongst the oldest that the city has to offer and enjoys high visitor numbers, throughout the year.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Sam Po Kong Temple (Gedung Batu)

Address: Jalan Simongan 129, Semarang, Indonesia, ID
The Sam Po Kong Temple was constructed in the early part of the 15th century, honouring Muslim Chinese commander and eunuch, Admiral Cheng Ho of the Ming Dynasty, who visited Semarang in 1405. With its sweeping three-tiered roof and oriental facade, the Sam Po Kong Temple enjoyed extensive renovation in 2005/6, marking its 600th anniversary and further commemorating Cheng Ho's historical expedition to Java. The Sam Po Kong Temple is located some 5 km / 3 miles to the south-west of the city centre and features a spacious main hall, around which there is an inner chamber, flanked by two stylized Chinese dragons. Of interest, the buildings official name of Gedung Batu literally translates as 'stone building'.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Grand Mosque (Mesjid Besar)

Address: Jalan Pemuda / Pasar Johar, Semarang, Indonesia, ID
The Grand Mosque of Semarang certainly lives up to its name, since is really is a very eye-catching building. Rebuilt in 1885 after the previous mosque standing here was destroyed by fire, the Grand Mosque immediately became the biggest of its kind in the whole of Central Java. Known locally as the Mesjid Besar, the Grand Mosque has a sweeping red-tile roof and is to be found on the Jalan Pemuda, next to the Pasar Johar square, where it faces the market. The landmark is able to comfortably accommodate more than 10,000 people and is easy to spot, since it is topped with a huge dome and four towering minarets, while four tall pillars stand outside, by the main steps. With a successful mixture of Asian, Middle Eastern and European architecture, the Grand Mosque also boasts an elaborately decorated interior, where no expense has been spared.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Youth Monument (Tugu Muda Monument)

The Youth Monument is situated on the westerly side of the Simpang Lima attraction, in the city centre. This obelisk was erected to commemorate the city's fight for independence, the Tugu Muda remembers those soldiers who sadly lost their lives during the five-day battle between freedom fighters from Indonesia and Japanese soldiers, in October 1945. The heroes monument stands in a large roundabout and is bounded by a number of further prominent structures, such as the Gedung Lawang Sewu.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Lawang Sewu Building (Building of a Thousand Doors and Windows)

Known as the 'Building of a Thousand Doors and Windows', the Lawang Sewu once served as the headquarters for the city's railway company, although it was formerly a colonial office for both Dutch and Japanese governments. The Lawang Sewu really does boast an enormous number of windows and doors, with some beautiful stained glass windows. Building of the Lawang Sewu commenced in 1903 and was finally completed in 1907, when it was officially inaugurated. The twin towers add a definite Gothic appearance and although it really is a beautiful and enormous structure, its future remains somewhat uncertain, after it has been left empty for a period of years and suffered with leaky roofs and subsequent rain damage. Many locals consider the Lawang Sewu to be haunted, so do keep an eye out for the supernatural.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Pagoda Avalokitesvara

Address: Jalan Perintis Kemerdekaan, Semarang, Indonesia, ID
Enjoying an elevated setting, the Pagoda Avalokitesvara is particularly hard to miss at night, when it is fully illuminated and really stands out on the skyline. Part of the city's Vihara Buddhagaya Watugong complex, the Pagoda Avalokitesvara measures in at just under 50 metres / 164 feet high, which makes it the tallest landmark of its kind in Indonesia. The pagoda honours Kuan Yin (Kwan Im), the goddess of mercy, and there are numerous statues of this goddess dotted around the structure.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge