Celebrating Chinese New Year is a special moment filled with tradition and togetherness. In Indonesia, a country with rich cultural diversity, Chinese New Year celebrations are always colored with warmth, festivity and nuances of local wisdom that are unique to each region. From lion dance to lantern-filled night markets, there are many cities in Indonesia that offer unforgettable Chinese New Year experiences. Here are seven of the best cities to celebrate Chinese New Year in Indonesia:
1. Jakarta
Jakarta celebrates Chinese New Year with great fanfare, especially in the Glodok area. The streets are decorated with red lanterns, with night markets offering specialties such as kue keranjang and longevity noodles. At Dharma Bakti Monastery, devotees gather to pray and honor ancestors, making it a center of spiritual activity during Chinese New Year.
Apart from Glodok, major malls also enliven the atmosphere with distinctive decorations, lion dance performances and culinary bazaars. The fusion of Chinese traditions and modern lifestyles makes Jakarta an attractive place to enjoy Chinese New Year celebrations.
2. Surabaya
As the capital of East Java, Surabaya is one of the best places to experience the festivities of Chinese New Year. With a large Chinese community, the celebrations are full of color and cultural significance.
Sanggar Agung Temple
Klenteng Sanggar Agung, or Hong San Tan Temple, is the main icon of Chinese New Year in Surabaya. Located on the edge of Kenjeran Beach, this temple combines Chinese and Javanese architecture. Here, visitors can witness solemn prayers, traditional rituals and cultural performances against a backdrop of sea views that add to the beauty of the atmosphere.
Surabaya Chinatown
The Chinatown area on Kembang Jepun Street is the center of the Chinese New Year crowd. The streets are filled with red lanterns, a night market selling specialties such as kue keranjang and lontong cap go meh, and lively lion and dragon dance performances. The atmosphere is magical, especially at night.
Surabaya is also a culinary paradise during Chinese New Year. Not only Chinese dishes, but also local adaptations such as lontong cap go meh, kue mangkok, and ayam kodok are favorites of many families. For foodies, Surabaya is a must-visit destination to satisfy your appetite during Chinese New Year.
3. Solo
Solo, or Surakarta, is a cultural gem where Chinese New Year is celebrated with splendor and inclusivity. Solo’s long-standing Chinese-Indonesian community has made Chinese New Year an important part of the city’s festive calendar.
Grebeg Sudiro
One of Solo’s most iconic events is the Grebeg Sudiro festival, a unique blend of Javanese and Chinese culture. The celebration involves a parade along Pasar Gede street, with lion dance performances, dragon dances, traditional Javanese performances and gunungan kue keranjang that are distributed to the public.
Pasar Gede
Pasar Gede is the center of Chinese New Year festivities. The market is decorated with red lanterns, while vendors offer Chinese food, traditional handicrafts and Chinese decorations. Visitors can enjoy typical Chinese New Year dishes while soaking up the colorful atmosphere.
Tien Kok Sie Temple
Temples like Tien Kok Sie are the center of spirituality during Chinese New Year in Solo. Devotees gather to pray, burn incense, and honor their ancestors, creating a calm balance amidst the city’s dynamic celebrations.
4. Semarang
If cultural heritage were a capital city, Semarang would be a prime candidate. The city celebrates Chinese New Year with elegance and style, offering an unforgettable experience.
Sam Poo Kong Temple
The historic Sam Poo Kong temple is the centerpiece of Chinese New Year celebrations. This magnificent structure, which honors Admiral Cheng Ho, hosts spectacular ceremonies and performances. The temple’s courtyard adorned with lanterns and decorations creates a magical atmosphere.
Traditional Parade
The Cap Go Meh parade in Semarang is a big show. Imagine dragons dancing through the streets, colorful floats, and communities coming together to celebrate in style. It’s a must-see event and reflects the city’s spirit of inclusivity.
Tuk Panjang
Looking for a memorable communal dining experience? Tuk Panjang in Semarang is a communal dining experience full of warmth and togetherness. Long tables filled with traditional dishes, from savory meals to sweets, are ready to be enjoyed together.
5. Medan
As one of the largest cities in Indonesia, Medan celebrates Chinese New Year with gusto. Its diverse traditions, culture and cuisine make it a special place to experience the warmth of the Chinese community celebrations that have become an important part of the city’s identity.
Religious Tourism
Medan’s largest temple is the center of prayer and ritual during Chinese New Year. Devotees come to burn incense, make offerings and pray. The atmosphere is even more solemn with the flickering candles and the soothing aroma of incense, especially on New Year’s Eve.
In addition to enjoying Gunung Timur Monastery, visitors can visit the magnificent and soothing Maha Maitreya Monastery in Cemara Asri.
Chinatown Area
Medan’s Chinatown, such as on Jalan Selat Panjang and Jalan Semarang, comes alive during Chinese New Year. The streets are decorated with red lanterns, the night market is full of specialty foods like kue keranjang and bakpao, and the lion dance performances are mesmerizing.
Medan is a culinary paradise, especially during Chinese New Year. Dishes such as lontong cap go meh, Hainanese chicken rice, longevity noodles, and Medan specialties such as bika ambon and dodol are not to be missed.
6. Singkawang
Nicknamed the “City of a Thousand Temples,” Singkawang in West Kalimantan is a must-see destination during the Chinese New Year. In addition to the many temples, the spectacular Cap Go Meh tradition has made the city internationally famous.
Tatung
The highlight of Chinese New Year celebrations in Singkawang is the Cap Go Meh parade, which features Tatung, spiritual mediums who perform extreme attractions such as walking on hot coals and thrusting sharp objects. This unique tradition attracts tourists from all over the world.
Iconic Temples
Singkawang has many temples, including Klenteng Tri Dharma Bumi Raya, the oldest temple in the city. Devotees gather to pray and honor ancestors by burning incense and making offerings.
During Chinese New Year, downtown Singkawang turns into a huge festival. The streets are filled with dazzling lanterns, traditional markets with specialty foods such as longevity noodles and buns, and Chinese New Year crafts and decorations.
7. Malang
Located in East Java, Malang brings traditions to life during Chinese New Year. The city is home to celebrations that reflect both its Chinese heritage and local charm.
Eng An Kiong Temple
Eng An Kiong Temple, built in 1825, is the center of Chinese New Year celebrations in Malang. The temple attracts devotees to pray, burn incense and make colorful offerings. The beautiful decorations make every visit feel like a step into a living work of art.
Cultural Performances
Imagine lion and dragon dancers dancing among the crowd, the rhythm of drums echoing in the air, and a city square full of energy. That’s the atmosphere in Malang during Chinese New Year. Public spaces like Alun-Alun Malang become mesmerizing performance stages.
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