traveling: MALANG paris in east java

Malang is the second largest city in East Java with a rapidly growing population of about 1.2 million.
This is a city of great historical significance. The oldest existing record of Malang as a regency is from the 8th century when it was the seat of government of the ancient Kanjuruhan and Singhasari kingdoms. The city officially became part of the all encompassing Javanese Mataram kingdom in the 17th century which by that time was controlled by the Dutch colonialists. Unsurprisingly given that history, there are several interesting Hindu relics in this area. The city quickly became very popular with the Dutch due to its cool climate, very attractive rural surrounds and easy reach from the main trading port city of Surabaya.
Modern day Malang, although significantly urbanised, has retained much of its historical character, remains vibrant and is regarded as by far the most attractive large city in the East Java region.
Malang Regency is located between two groups of mountains with Mount Semeru, the highest mountain on Java, and Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park to the east. The biggest attraction here must be the beautiful landscape, in addition there are some temples not far away.

[edit] Tourist information Centres

Malang Tourism Centre [1], Jl Jendral Basuki Rachmat No 11, Malang. Tel: +62 341 341879, info@malangtourism.com.
East Java Tourist Office, Jl Jendral Basuki Rachmat 6, Malang. Tel: +62 341 323966.
Indonesian Guides Association, Jl Semeru 4, Malang. Tel: +62 341 366852.
Malang City Tourist Office, Jl Tugu 1, Malang. Tel: +62 341 327661.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Malang's Abdul Rachman Saleh Airport (MLG) is a small airport with a few flights everyday from Jakarta on Garuda Indonesia [2], Sriwijaya Air [3], and Batavia Air [4].

[edit] By car

Malang is about 90 km south of Surabaya; 2-3 hours via the Surabaya-Gempol highway.

[edit] By bus

There are frequent bus services into Malang's Arjosari bus station from Bungarasih bus terminal in Surabaya.

[edit] By train

Overnight train services link Jakarta to Malang. There are several train services a day from Surabaya. One advantage to arriving in Malang by train is that the station is much more central than the long-distance bus terminals.

[edit] Get around

Becaks (pedicabs) are a great way to see the city and are easy to find.
Formal and informal taxis are available in the city. The two biggest firms offer telephone advance booking and instant ordering: Argo Perdana: +62 341 49044 and Citra Kendedes: +62 341 490555.
Local bemo bus vans in Malang tend to be blue and can be hailed at random. Short city journeys priced at Rp 2,500.
With its relatively cool climate and wide colonial streets, Malang is a great walking city.

[edit][add listing] See

In a city of such great cultural and historical significance there are lots of cultural attractions and any visitor to Malang should dedicate some time to exploring these.
There are also a number of beautiful sights in the rural areas surrounding the city.

Balekambang Beach, south of Malang

Balekambang Beaches, (about 60 km south of Malang). There are actually three beaches here: Balekambang, Ngliyep and Sendangbiru. All three are quite beautiful, are close by to each other and locals most often refer to all 3 as just Balekambang. It is best to visit on weekdays as this is a very popular weekend escape and it can get get crowded. It is not safe to swim here but these are great relaxation beaches relax which offer some stunning coastal scenery. There is a offshore island called Pulau Simpu (Sempu) which can be visited by chartering a boat from Sedangbiru beach. At Balekambang beach there are three little islets just offshore which are attached to the beach by walkways. Of the three beaches, Balekambang itself is perhaps the most attractive but all three ar worth visiting. The beaches are easily day-tripped from Malang in a car but for the adventurous there are basic places to stay at and around all three. Rp 10,000. edit

Ijen Boulevard, Malang. This is a quite beautiful street in the city. It is lined with well tended bougainvillea against a backdrop of old colonial structures. The street houses a number of interesting buildings including the Brawijaya Army Museum, Immanual Catholic Church and the city library. You should take in this area as part of a becak or walking tour of the historic downtown area. edit

Pandepokan Seni Mangun Dharma (Mangun Dharma Art Center), Desa Tulus Besar Tumpang, Malang 65156, ☎ +62 341 787907 (psmd@indo.net.id), [5]. Arts centre dedicated to the research, promotion and performance of traditional East Javanese artforms including dance, batik, shadow puppetry and carving. Superb place. Dance performances can be arranged on demand and are of excellent quality as the dancers are trained from childhood. Their motto is Rescuing the Arts of East Java. edit

Purwodadi Botanical Gardens (Kebun Raya Purwodadi, Pasuruan), Jl Raya Purwodadi (about 20 km north of Malang), (kriblipi@bogor.wasantara.net.id), [6]. Opened in 1941, This is one of the four official botanical gardens in Indonesia (the others being the headquarters at Bogor, Bedugul in Bali and Cibodas in West Java. The 85 hectares of gardens house an impressive collection and the splendid Baung waterfall. edit

Singosari Temple near Malang

Singosari Temple (Candi Singosari), Singosari, Malang (about 12km north from Malang). This well preserved Hindu temple dates from 1300AD and is a reminder of the great Hindu kingdoms that ruled East Java before the arrival of Islam. A visit to the nearby bathing pools at Ken Dedes combines perfectly with Singosari Temple. Ken Dedes was the wife of the first King of Singhasari (later Singosari) and these bathing pools are believed to have been part of the royal court. There are some quite wonderful statues here. The whole area has some other fine relics from the early Hindu kingdoms including Candi Jago and Candi Kidal. Ask your guide or at Singosari Temple for further directions. edit

Taman Rekreasi Senaputra (Senaputra Park), Jalan Brawijaya, Malang. Traditional East Java dances every Sunday morning at 10.00AM in the park during the dry season only. Every last Wednesday of the month there is a Wayang Kulit shadow puppet show starting at 10.00PM. edit

[edit][add listing] Do

Take a tour of this fine old city by becak.

[edit][add listing] Buy

Malang has some large shopping malls but you are better off in Surabaya for those.
The best place to find special local textiles and handicrafts is Batik Keris, Jl Merdeka Timur 2d.

[edit][add listing] Eat

As in so much of East Java, eating is a very highly rated experience by the residents of Malang. Local specialities are besr sought out at street stalls and simple warungs and include:

Ayam Goreng Kampung (fried village chicken).
Bakso Malang. The city's own unique and delicious take on the Indonesian meat ball soup staple.
Jagung Bakar (grilled young corn) is everywhere. Best eaten at a streetside stalls fresh from the coals.
Apples! (Apel). The highlands around Malang are the apple growing centre of Indonesia and the small green beauties (manalagi) are very highly prized. Eat them here and they are sure to be fresh from the tree.

Malang's night market on Jalan Merdeka operates every Saturday. A riot of flavours and smells will assault your senses. A must do for any visitor to Malang.

Bakmi Gajah Mada, Jl Pasar Besar 21, Malang. East Javanese noodle dishes at their very best. edit

Ingill's, Jl Gajah Mada no4, Malang, ☎ +62 341 332110. Highly rated restaurant specialising in Javanese cuisine. edit

Warung Pojok, Jl Pejajeran 25, Malang. Very well known for rujak (salad with spicy sweet peanut sauce). edit
Martabak Cairo. Quite simply the best coffee I've ever had. The kopi jahe is infused with cloves for a powerful and simply decadent taste. The martabak, sate kambing and nasi goreng cairo are fantastic as well—and cheap! edit
Warung Subuh. Dizzying array of foods, incredibly cheap, fresh and delicious. This place is booming with locals, so you no it's good. A great place to try some new and interesting food and drink. edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

There are several bars, mostly attached to hotels. The only late night disco is at the rather ostentatious Kartika Graha Hotel on Jalan Jaksa Agung Suprapto.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Malang offers a full range of accommodation through from simple homestays to star-rated hotels.

[edit] Budget

Bamboe Denn, Jl Arjuna No1, Malang, ☎ +62 341 366256. A bit of legend on the backpacker circuit, this dorm is attached to an English language school and you will be asked to talk to the kids. From Rp 30,000. edit

Gress Homestay, Jl Kahayan no.6, Malang, ☎ +62 341 491386 (grace@gresshomestay.com), [7]. A nice budget option. Stay in a family house owned by the charming Mrs Grace Marten who speaks English, Dutch and Indonesian. Rp 100,000 to 110,000. edit

Hotel Helios, Jl Patimura No37, Malang, ☎ +62 341 362741 (joh.jansen@planet.nl), [8]. Great value place aimed at backpackers. Free wireless internet. English, Dutch and Indonesian speaking. Rp. 75,000 to 175,000. edit

[edit] Mid-range

Pelangi Hotel, Jl Merdeka Selatan 3, Malang, ☎ +62 341 365151. Well located mid range hotel in the city. From about Rp 400,000. edit

Graha Cakra Hotel, Jl Cerme No16, Malang 65112, ☎ +62 341 324989 (infotgc@thecakrahotels.com), [9]. A converted colonial building that dates from 1930s. Designed by Dutch architect Ir Mueller. Has been operating as a hotel since 1994. 52 rooms, large swimming pool and restaurant. From €33. edit

Regent's Park Hotel, Jl Jaksa Agung Suprapto 12-16, Malang 65111, ☎ +62 341 363 888 (regent@indo.net.id). Large 100 room modern hotel which is a little lacking in character but offers good value and service. From Rp 430,000. edit

[edit] Splurge

Tugu Hotel, Jl. Tugu No3, Malang, East Java, Indonesia, ☎ +62 341 363891 (malang@tuguhotels.com), [10]. The sister hotel of the famous Tugu Hotel in Canggu, Bali and a similar type of property. It is fitted and furnished with a range of fine Javanese antiquities and very much recreates an atmosphere of colonial splendour. The owners of the Tugu nobly rescued and relocated many splendid old trees here when property developers razed the old Malang botanical gardens. Located in the heart of the old town and looks out on the Tugu Monument which commemorates the independence struggle in Indonesia. A four star property but it feels better than that. Highly recommended From US$ 105 for a deluxe room up to 1,000 for the Apsara suite. edit