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5 must-visit destinations in Surabaya
Those visiting Surabaya only briefly can consider visiting five destinations.
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The symbol of the city, the Heroes Monument is dedicated to soldiers who died in the Battle of Surabaya on Nov. 10, 1945. (Shutterstock/File)
S
urabaya, the capital of East Java, is known not only for its Sura and Baya monument but also other attractions with different themes, such as religious, historical and maritime. Moreover, Surabaya is relatively easy to reach from capital city Jakarta, which is one and a half hours away by plane.
Those visiting the city only briefly can consider visiting these five destinations, according to kompas.com:
Haji Muhammad Cheng Hoo Mosque
Located on Jl. Gading, the Haji Muhammad Cheng Hoo Mosque is known for its unique shape as it was inspired by the Niu Jie Mosque in Beijing. Influenced by Chinese culture, it is mainly yellow, red and green. According to Surabaya Culture and Tourism Board (Disbudpar), the mosque was named after a Muslim Chinese admiral, Zheng, also known as Cheng Ho, who propagated Islam when he traveled to Southeast Asia. Besides learning about tolerance and religious diversity, visitors can also purchase souvenirs and snacks as well as undergo traditional therapy in the mosque’s compound.
Heroes Monument and 10 November Monument
Considered the symbol of the city, the Heroes Monument (Tugu Pahlawan) is dedicated to soldiers who died in the Battle of Surabaya on Nov. 10, 1945. It is located in the heart of the city. People can marvel at historical objects, namely a car that belonged to national hero Bung Tomo and the 10 November Museum. Visitors can also wander around the old part of town near the monument where they can find the Santa Maria Church, the governor's office and Jembatan Merah (Red Bridge).
Read also: Explore a different side of Indonesia in these museums
The premises of the House of Sampoerna was initially an orphanage. In 1932, it was bought by the founder of Sampoerna, Liem Seeng Tee. Sampoerna is one of the largest cigarette producers in Indonesia. Besides learning about the history of the company, visitors can also watch the process of making hand-rolled Dji Sam Soe cigarettes. The House of Sampoerna is located on Jl. Taman Sampoerna. Those wanting to visit in a group should contact the museum first at (+6231) 3539000.
Submarine Monument
Monumen Kapal Selam (Submarine Monument) is the original KRI Pasopati 410 submarine that was utilized during the 1952 liberation of West Irian from the Dutch. It was also used in the past to fight at the enemy line and for surveillance. Opened to the public in 1998, it offers information about maritime matters and visitors can watch a movie about the glory of Indonesia's maritime past. The Submarine Monument is located on Jl. Pemuda beside Plaza Surabaya.
Ampel
The Ampel area is where Javanese and Middle East cultures meet. Visitors may feel a different atmosphere once they enter the area, where they can try Middle Eastern delicacies, such as samosa, nasi jagung (corn rice) and nasi kebuli (spiced rice). (wir/asw)
