
Weird & Unusual Attractions in Semarang, Indonesia
1. Tangkuban Perahu Crater
A active volcanic crater resembling a turned-over boat, offering breathtaking views and sulfur mine visits.
- Active Volcano: Provides an opportunity to explore an active volcanic site.
- Sulfur Mine: Offers a unique experience to venture into a sulfur mine.
- Stunning Views: Allows visitors to admire breathtaking landscapes from the crater's edge.
2. Gereja Blenduk
An unusual church with a circular design and seven tiers resembling a giant candle. The interior is adorned with Dutch colonial architecture.
- Circular Design: Distinctive circular structure makes it stand out among other churches.
- Dutch Colonial Architecture: Showcases the rich history of Dutch colonial influence in Semarang.
- Seven Tiers: The seven tiers represent the seven virtues, offering visitors a religious experience.
3. Lawang Sewu
An old Dutch-style building with hundreds of empty rooms, known as 'thousand doors' due to its numerous entrances.
- Thousand Doors: Intriguing structure with numerous entrances creates a mysterious atmosphere.
- Historic Building: A historical site that reflects the Dutch colonial era's architectural style.
- Haunted Reputation: Adds to its allure as a potential haunted location, popular among paranormal enthusiasts.
4. Simpang Lima
A unique traffic intersection where five major roads converge, creating a bustling and lively atmosphere.
- Five Roads Convergence: Rare location where five significant roads meet, creating a vibrant intersection.
- Busy Atmosphere: Bustling with various activities and vendors making it an interesting place to explore.
- Historical Significance: Has historical importance as a significant traffic hub in Semarang.
5. Mangku Buwono III Monument
A statue commemorating the last king of the Mataram Sultanate, situated in a busy roundabout.
- Last King Commemoration: Honors the legacy of Mangku Buwono III, the last king of Mataram.
- Centrally Located: Positioned in a busy roundabout, making it easily accessible for visitors.
- Ornate Design: Features an ornate design that showcases traditional Javanese artistic craftsmanship.
6. Pasar Laran Solo
A unique market selling various bizarre items like snakes, rats, and scorpions.
- Bizarre Items for Sale: Offers exotic and unusual items that are not typically found in markets.
- Cultural Immersion: Provides an opportunity to immerse oneself in the unique local culture.
- Adventurous Shopping Experience: Offers a thrilling shopping experience for those seeking something truly unusual.
7. Kampoeng Gajah
A traditional Javanese village transplanted into the heart of Semarang, offering a glimpse into rural life.
- Traditional Village in Urban Area: Preserves the traditional Javanese way of life within an urban setting.
- Authentic Cultural Experience: Offers a unique opportunity to experience authentic Javanese culture firsthand.
- Craftsmanship Demonstrations: Features demonstrations of traditional crafts like batik, pottery, and metalwork.
8. Grojogan Sewu
An unusual settlement built on stilts over rice fields, offering a unique perspective of rural life.
- Built on Stilts: Constructed on stilts above the rice fields, creating an impressive view.
- Rural Life Perspective: Provides a unique perspective of rural Javanese life.
- Photography Opportunities: Offers stunning photography opportunities over the rice fields.
9. Kota Lukis
A graffiti village where artists from around the world come together to create colorful murals.
- International Graffiti Artists: Attracts talented graffiti artists from various countries.
- Colorful Murals: Showcases vibrant and thought-provoking murals.
- Street Art Experience: Offers a unique street art experience for visitors.
10. Gedong Songo Temple Complex
An ancient temple complex featuring seven temples built in the 8th century, each dedicated to a different Hindu deity.
- Seven Ancient Temples: Features seven well-preserved ancient temples dating back to the 8th century.
- Religious Significance: Holds religious significance for Hindus and offers an insight into Javanese history.
- Historical Importance: Significant historical importance as a major archaeological site in Semarang.
11. Benteng Tji Sam Po Kong
A Chinese temple and fortress built to protect the local community from pirates.
- Chinese Temple and Fortress: Combines a temple and fortress in one structure, offering a unique experience.
- Historical Protection: Constructed to protect the local Chinese community from pirates, showcasing its historical significance.
- Cultural Fusion: Represents the cultural fusion between the Chinese and Javanese communities in Semarang.
12. Taman Sari Water Castle
An ancient palace complex with waterways, gardens, and underground passageways.
- Waterways and Gardens: Features intricate waterways and beautiful gardens.
- Underground Passageways: Includes underground passageways, adding mystery and intrigue to the site.
- Royal History: Provides insights into the royal history of the Mataram Sultanate.
13. Candi Sewu
A Buddhist temple complex featuring thousands of small stupas and intricate carvings.
- Thousands of Small Stupas: Features thousands of small stupas, creating an impressive sight.
- Intricate Carvings: Showcases intricate carvings that represent Buddhist teachings and iconography.
- Buddhist History: Offers insights into the rich history of Buddhism in Indonesia.
14. Tembang Slilat Performance
A traditional Javanese art form featuring music, dance, and storytelling.
- Music, Dance, and Storytelling: Combines music, dance, and storytelling in a mesmerizing performance.
- Cultural Preservation: Helps preserve the traditional Javanese culture for future generations.
- Entertainment Experience: Offers visitors an entertaining and enlightening cultural experience.
15. Semarang Fish Market
A bustling market offering a variety of fresh seafood and unusual sights such as fish auctioning.
- Fresh Seafood Variety: Offers a wide variety of fresh and exotic seafood.
- Unusual Sights: Features unusual sights like the fish auctioning process.
- Culinary Experience: Provides a unique culinary experience for visitors interested in Indonesian seafood cuisine.