Palembang, Indonesia
Region: South Sumatra
Geographic Coordinates: -2.986100, 104.756000
Temperature Range: 25.0°C to 35.0°C (77°F to 95°F)
Climate: Tropical climate with high temperatures and heavy rainfall throughout the year.
Population: 1535952
Language: Indonesian
Palembang is a bustling city located in the southern part of Sumatra Island, Indonesia. It is the capital of South Sumatra province and one of the oldest cities in Southeast Asia, With a history dating back to the 7th century. The city has been an important trading center for centuries due to its strategic location along the Musi River. One of Palembang’s most iconic landmarks is Ampera Bridge, Which spans across the Musi River and connects both sides of the city.
The bridge was built during Indonesia’s colonial era and has become a symbol of Palembang’s progress and development over time. Visitors can take a stroll or rent bicycles to explore this magnificent structure while enjoying scenic views of Palembang. Another must-visit attraction in Palembang is Kemaro Island, Which lies on Musi River near Ampera Bridge. This small island is steeped in legend and folklore, With locals believing that it was once home to two star-crossed lovers who were separated by fate but reunited in death. Nowadays, Visitors can explore Kemaro Island’s beautiful Chinese-style pagoda temple dedicated to these lovers’ memory.
For those interested in history and culture, Kuto Besak Fort should be on their itinerary while visiting Palembang. This fort was built by Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II during his reign as an attempt to resist Dutch colonization efforts. Today it serves as a museum showcasing various historical artifacts from South Sumatra province. Palembang also boasts many culinary delights that are not found anywhere else on earth! Pempek (fish cake made from tapioca flour) is one such delicacy that originated here and has since gained popularity throughout Indonesia.
Visitors can sample this dish at various street food stalls or restaurants scattered around town. Pasar 16 Ilir is another popular destination for tourists seeking local souvenirs or goods unique to Indonesia – such as batik clothing, Traditional handicrafts, And food items. This market is known for its vibrant atmosphere and friendly vendors who are always ready to engage in a conversation with visitors. Palembang is a city that offers something for everyone – from history buffs to foodies, Nature lovers to culture enthusiasts.
Its rich history, Cultural heritage, Scenic beauty and delicious cuisine make it an ideal destination for travelers seeking an authentic Indonesian experience.
- Ampera Bridge
- Musi River
- Kemaro Island
- Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Museum
- Kuto Besak Fortress
- Great Mosque of Palembang
- Benteng Kuto Lamo
- Punti Kayu Forest Park
- Jakabaring Sport City Complex
- Al-Munawar Arab Village
Major Industries and Businesses in Palembang, Indonesia
- Oil and gas
- Agriculture
- Textiles
- Fishing
- Tourism
- Manufacturing
- Education
- Healthcare services
- Retail
- Transportation services
Oil and Gas
Palembang is home to several oil refineries including the Pertamina refinery.
Agriculture
The region is known for its production of rice, rubber, palm oil, and coffee which are major contributors to the local economy.
Textiles
The city has a thriving textile industry that produces batik fabrics.
Fishing
Fishing activities are prevalent in the area due to its location on the Musi River and near the sea.
Tourism
Palembang has several historical sites such as Ampera Bridge and Benteng Kuto Besak Fort that attract tourists from around Indonesia.
Manufacturing
The city has an emerging manufacturing sector with companies producing electronics parts, automotive parts, machinery, etc.
Education
Education is also a significant industry here with universities like Sriwijaya University attracting students from all over Indonesia.
Healthcare Services
Healthcare facilities are present in several hospitals throughout Palembang providing medical care to both locals as well as those coming from other places nearby.
Retail
In recent years, many shopping malls have been established catering to people’s needs for various items under one roof.
Transportation Services
Transportation services play a vital role in connecting people within the city or with other cities or countries making it another important industry present here. With an airport, bus terminals, train stations, etc., transportation services help connect people efficiently both locally as well as internationally.
- Srivijaya Empire: Palembang was the capital of the Srivijaya Empire, one of the largest and most powerful empires in Southeast Asia from the 7th to 13th centuries.
- Musi River: The Musi River, which flows through Palembang, played a significant role in trade and transportation during ancient times.
- Sultanate of Palembang: The Sultanate of Palembang was established in 1659 after defeating Dutch forces who attempted to colonize the area.
- Raden Saleh: Raden Saleh was a famous painter from Palembang who gained international recognition for his works during the colonial era.
- Ampera Bridge: The Ampera Bridge is an iconic landmark in Palembang that connects two parts of the city separated by the Musi River.
- Sriwijaya University: Sriwijaya University is a prestigious university located in Palembang that has produced many notable scholars and researchers over its history.
- Asian Games 2018: In 2018, Palembang co-hosted the Asian Games with Jakarta, showcasing its cultural heritage and modern infrastructure to millions around Asia and beyond.
- Ampera Bridge: A landmark bridge that spans the Musi River and offers stunning views of the city.
- Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Museum: A museum that showcases Palembang’s cultural heritage, including traditional clothing, weaponry, and artifacts.
- Kuto Besak Fort: A historical fort that dates back to the 18th century and played a significant role in Palembang’s history.
- Benteng Kuto Lamo: Another historical fort that was built during the Dutch colonial era and served as a defense against attacks from other countries.
- Al-Munawar Mosque: One of the largest mosques in Indonesia with beautiful Islamic architecture.
- Balaputradewa Museum: A museum dedicated to Balaputradewa, a legendary figure in Palembang’s history who is said to have founded the city.
- Museum Sumatera Selatan: A regional museum that showcases South Sumatra’s culture and history through exhibits on traditional crafts, textiles, music, and more.
- Punti Kayu Forest Park: An urban park with lush greenery, walking trails, picnic areas, and playgrounds for children.
- Jakabaring Sports City Complex: An Olympic-standard sports complex with facilities for various sports such as athletics, swimming tennis football (soccer), basketball etc…
- Palembang Icon Mall: The largest shopping mall in Palembang with hundreds of shops selling local products as well as international brands.
- Sriwijaya FC – Founded in 1976, Sriwijaya FC is one of the most successful football clubs in Indonesia. The team has won multiple championships and has a large following in Palembang.
- BSB PON Sumatera Selatan – This basketball team represents the province of South Sumatra and competes in national tournaments. The team was founded in 2012 and has quickly become one of the top basketball teams in Indonesia.
- PS Palembang – This football club was founded in 1954 and has a long history of success, including winning the Indonesian Cup championship twice.
- Kurnia Jaya Tennis Club – Founded over 50 years ago, this tennis club is one of the oldest and most prestigious sports organizations in Palembang.
- Musi Hoki Club – This field hockey club was founded over two decades ago and has produced many talented players who have represented Indonesia on international stages.
Overall, Palembang has a vibrant sports culture with many talented athletes and dedicated fans supporting their local teams.
- Musi Festival is an annual event in Palembang that showcases traditional music and dance performances.
- Pempek Festival is a food festival that celebrates Palembang’s famous dish, pempek (fishcake).
- Sriwijaya Festival is an annual event that celebrates the rich history of the ancient Srivijaya Empire, which ruled over the region from the 7th to 13th centuries.
- Tabot Festival commemorates the martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Imam Hussein, and is a religious festival.
- Cap Go Meh marks Chinese New Year in Palembang with a parade featuring dragon and lion dances, fireworks displays, and street food stalls.
- Lebaran Betawi celebrates Betawi culture with traditional dances and music performances during Eid al-Fitr.
- Independence Day Celebration takes place on August 17th across Indonesia including Palembang with parades, flag-raising ceremonies, and cultural events.
- Bumi Sriwijaya Cultural Expo (BSCE) showcases various aspects of South Sumatra’s culture annually from art exhibitions to culinary events to fashion shows.
- Kambang Iwak Carnival Parade takes place every December along Musi River in Palembang where decorated boats compete for prizes while spectators enjoy live music performances onshore.
- Jakabaring Sports City Anniversary Celebration commemorates the establishment of Jakabaring Sports City which has hosted many national & international sporting events since its inauguration in 2004 including Asian Games 2018.
- Pempek: a type of fishcake made from ground fish and tapioca flour served with sweet and sour sauce. Popular pempek restaurants are Pempek Pak Raden, Pempek Candy, and Pempek 123.
- Mie Celor: a noodle dish with shrimp broth, coconut milk, boiled egg, fried shallots, and celery leaves. Popular mie celor restaurants are Mie Celor 26 Ilir and Mie Celor Sriwijaya.
- Tekwan: a soup made from fish broth with minced fish balls inside. Popular tekwan restaurants are Tekwan Kuah Kuning Pak Raden and Tekwan & Model.
- Martabak Har: a savory or sweet pancake filled with meat or chocolate/cheese/nutella/banana/etc., then folded into square pieces before being fried on the pan until crispy on the outside but still soft inside. Popular martabak har stalls are Martabak Har Ojolali (Jalan Kapten A Rivai), Martabak Har Ibu Syamsiah (Jalan Jenderal Sudirman), Martabak HAR Sari Ratu (Jalan Basuki Rahmat).
- Nasi Minyak: rice cooked with coconut milk and spices such as cinnamon sticks or cardamom pods; usually served alongside various side dishes like beef rendang or chicken curry etcetera. Popular nasi minyak restaurant is Nasi Minyak Haji Ambo Dalle.
- Bika Ambon: Bika Ambon is an Indonesian dessert that originated from Medan city of North Sumatra made from tapioca flour, eggs, sugar, yeast & coconut milk. Popular Bika Ambon shops in Palembang include Bika Ambon Zulaikha & Bika Ambon Ratu.
- Pindang Patin: Pindang patin is a type of fish soup made from freshwater catfish called patin. The soup has sour taste due to the use of tamarind as one of its ingredients. Popular pindang patin restaurants are Pindang Patin Pak Raden (Jalan Kol H Burlian) and Pindang Patin 71 (Jalan Veteran).
- Taman Kambang Iwak
- Punti Kayu Park
- Bukit Siguntang
- Benteng Kuto Besak Park
- Jakabaring Sport City Complex
- Ampera Bridge
- Sriwijaya Kingdom Archaeological Park
- Al-Munawar Islamic Centre Park
- Palembang Icon Mall and Waterpark
- OPI Water Fun and Adventure Park
