A nine-storey pagoda
Seen from afar above the trees.
A small island in the middle of the Musi River, about six kilometres east of the Ampera Bridge, reached by boat on a pleasant trip past floating homes, factories and ships on the river. Its best-known sight is a nine-storey Chinese pagoda visible from afar above the trees, with an old Chinese temple. The island is tied to a local legend of a Srivijayan princess and a Chinese prince who loved her and came to ask for her hand, bringing jars he thought were full of vegetables; he threw them into the river in anger, then found they had hidden gold, leapt in after them, and the princess followed him. The tale says the island rose where they fell, and it holds a grave attributed to the princess. Entry to the island is free, while boats from the Kuto Besak jetty start at about twenty-five thousand rupiah per person, or you can hire a whole boat. The island opens from nine to seven and is very crowded at Chinese New Year. The site is largely Chinese-religious, so for Arab visitors it is a river outing, a legend and photographs more than a religious destination. The boat ride itself is one of the best things in Palembang.
Seen from afar above the trees.
Past floating homes and ships.
The princess and the Chinese prince.
In the Musi River, about 6 km east of the Ampera Bridge
For lovers of river outings, yes: the boat ride itself is a pleasure. If time is short, a shorter cruise under the Ampera Bridge to the Al-Munawar Arab quarter comes first.