Semarang Today

Travel & Culture

Dyeing to Learn: Inside Semarang's Secret Batik Studios Where Ancient Art Meets American Curiosity

Tucked inside Semarang's winding historic alleyways, family-run batik studios are quietly becoming one of Indonesia's most rewarding hands-on cultural experiences for international visitors. We went inside three of them to find out what makes these workshops so special — and why American travelers keep coming back. Here's everything you need to know before you dip your first wax stylus.

Aug 12, 2026

Opinion & Analysis

Who Gets to Keep the City? The Complicated Truth Behind Semarang's Old Town Revival

Semarang's colonial-era Kota Lama district is having a moment — restored facades, boutique cafés, and a flood of Instagram content are putting this long-neglected neighborhood on the map. But behind the beautiful pictures, a harder conversation is happening about who this transformation actually serves. We looked at both sides of the story, and neither is entirely comfortable.

Aug 12, 2026

Food & Drink

Lumpia, But Make It Fashion: Meet the Semarang Street Vendors Giving Classic Indonesian Food a Modern Makeover

Semarang's street food scene has always been legendary among Indonesians — but a new wave of vendors is pushing things further, blending generations-old recipes with contemporary flavors and presentation without losing the soul of the dish. We hit the streets to find the innovators keeping tradition alive while turning heads at home and abroad. Your appetite is about to have a very good time.

Aug 12, 2026