Travel Guide Malang

90 km south of Surabaya, in the foothills of the Semeru massif, this city of 890,000 inhabitants owes its foundation to the coffee plantations in the region. The Dinoyo inscription dated 760 tells us that Malang was also at the heart of a country ruled by Hindu princes; many temples remain in the area. Situated along the Brantas River at an altitude of 450 m, surrounded by a ring of volcanoes, Malang was founded by the Dutch at the end of the 18th century. Small enough to be visited on foot, it is also a classic base for climbing Mount Bromo.Malang grew up around the Alun-Alun (the square) as early as 1882, and a new center was established in 1914 on the other side of the river, as well as a new residential district to the northwest with its beautiful trees. The streets of Agus Salim and Pasar Besar remain the focal point around which shopping arcades, hotels and restaurants, enlivened by the presence of strolling musicians, have spread out. Jalan Basuki Rachmat features banks and numerous restaurants. The markets (Pasar Senggol and Pasar Bunga) are very busy at night when hawkers sell their rujak cingur or tahu campur. The Ayani mosque boasts a beautifully tiled dome. If you continue along Jalan Basuki Rachmat, you'll see a number of colonial buildings whose facades have been renovated. The highlight of the colonial period is the Toko Oen, which was opened by the current owner's father in the 1930s and was a jewel of colonial architecture. The new commercial districts are located in the south-east of the city, around Jalan Agus Salim.