Sunday, December 25, 2011

Discovering Semarang, The Dieng Plateau


Surrounded by mystic mountains, Semarang is an appealing place to unwind the mind and soul through excursions along the clay trails. Semarang has a mesmerizing old world charm towered with Dutch colonial architecture fused with contrasting modern mid-rises. Far away from the hustle and bustle of tourist destinations, Semarang presents itself as a place where you can enjoy the serenity along with the composite mix of Javanese, Chinese, Indian and Arabian cultures. The simplicity of Semarang is bound to strike an invisible chord with the traveler who has the passion to discover the natural ambiance of life as it is.


Semarang is the capital city of Central Java in Indonesia and is located on Java's northern coast. A trip to the Candi Hill gives a breathtaking view of the mystic plateau's port, the scenic lowlands and the green paddy fields. One of the major attractions in the city is the beautiful Sam Po Kong temple built in honor of the Chinese commander, Cheng Ho of the Ming Dynasty who visited Semarang in the early 15th century. The Dieng Plateau situated north of the small town named Wonosobo has many beautiful ancient Hindu temples which are worth a day's tour. Alternatively, within two hours distance, you can go to Borobudur temple in Muntilan and then to Prambanan temple in Klaten. Apart from the monument Tugu Muda, Semarang has quite a few museums showcasing Javanese culture. There a several amusement parks in the city which makes your trip all the more happening.


The best part in Semarang is its amazing landscape which owes a lot to its coastal area in the northern part with Tanjung Mas as its international harbor. The southern part has hills which stretch from Candi to Bukit Sari with the picturesque Mount Ungaran at the background. The hills of Bukit Sari are endowed with a dreamy appeal which looks charismatic during dusk and it's just the perfect place to be with your loved one. For nature lovers, make sure not to miss the scenic drive to Salatiga and the adjacent cities like Solo and Yogyakarta. Semarang is also popular for its street food which comes unbelievably cheap and you can actually pamper yourself with the authentic Semarang cuisine and other local delicacies. Semarang also boasts of a picturesque golf club, Semarang Golf Club, where you can indulge yourself all day long.
 Putting up is quite easy as there are several mid-range and luxurious hotels in Semarang which offer a combination of friendly and professional service. Nearly all the hotels are in set in admirable locations and offer an easy access and getaway to the Ahmad Yani International Airport. Taxis and rental cars are the preferable ways to explore the areas in and around Semarang.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1073787

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