Cheng Ho
A Muslim admiral who landed here.
Yunita Lestari — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Kiaryabagusadiwardana — CC BY 4.0 · Kiaryabagusadiwardana — CC BY 4.0 · Pemerintah Kota Semarang — Public domain
A large Chinese temple complex honouring the Muslim admiral Cheng Ho, who, the stories say, landed here in the early fifteenth century during his great voyages and rested in a small cave that later became a shrine. The site draws Chinese Indonesians and Javanese Muslims alike, as Cheng Ho is revered by both. Its broad square holds red buildings with curved Chinese roofs, a huge bronze statue of Cheng Ho, ornate gateways and reliefs telling of his voyages. Traditional Chinese costumes can be rented for photos, and it is one of Semarang's most photographed places. The outer-square ticket is around forty thousand rupiah, a little more for foreigners; the inner temples are usually for worshippers, and respect for the rites is asked. An hour is enough, and late afternoon is loveliest, when the sun softens on the red buildings. It pairs with Lawang Sewu for a half day.
A Muslim admiral who landed here.
Curved Chinese roofs.
A favourite photo.
Simongan, west Semarang
Because Cheng Ho was a Muslim credited with a role in spreading Islam along Java's coasts, so Javanese Muslims respect him as the Chinese honour him.
