Semarang has a huge Muslim population and finding a Masjid in the city is not a problem. The biggest Masjid in Semarang is the Masjid Besar or the Grand Masjid. The Jummah Salaath is conducted around 12:00PM. The sermon is conducted in the local language and there are prayer rooms available for women.
Semarang has a number of Halal restaurants where travelers can relish local as well as international dishes. Some of the local delicacies include Bandeng Presto, Lumpia Semarang and Wingko Babat.
There are a number of Old Dutch colonial buildings in northern Semarang. This is the area where the old walled city was located; the wall however is not existent now. Travelers can see several old buildings in the area of Kota Lama or the Old Town. Other landmarks to see include Tanjung Mas, which was a busy port during the Dutch period. Stasiun Tawang the oldest railway station in Java. The Simpang Lima is a huge square in the center of the city.
To the west of Simpang Lima is the youth monument or the Tugu Muda monument. The Lawang Sewu Building boasts numerous doors and windows. The Pagoda Avalokitesvara is the tallest landmark in Indonesia soaring to about 164 feet high. Visitors can also see a number of museums in Semarang. Some of these museums include the Mandala Bhakti or Military Museum, Ronggowarsito Museum, Jamu Museum or the Herbal Museum and the Museum Rekor Indonesia. The Sam Po Kong Temple is dedicated to the Muslim Chinese commander, Zheng He Ho of Ming Dynasty.
Semarang boasts of some exclusive beaches where travelers can enjoy swimming, water-skiing, snorkeling and scuba diving. Some of the most famous beaches include the Marina Beach and Kartini Beach. There are several other beaches within easy reach of the city. The Semarang Harbour is a good place for visitors to relax and enjoy a quiet time.
Semarang has some amazing amusement parks like Water Blaster, Catfish Park, Ngaliyan Tirta Indah, Puri Maerakoco Theme Park, TBRS Amusement Park and the Lele Park. Travelers can also enjoy visiting the Taman Budaya Raden Saleh a beautiful park centrally located in the city. The Mangkang Zoo is one of the favorite destinations to visit among children.
The best place to shop in Semarang is the Jalan Pemuda in central Semarang. The Plaza Simpang Lima and the malls surrounding the area are other places where travelers can shop. Also have fun at the Semawis Night Market and malls like DP Mall, Ciputra Mall and the Java Supermall.
