Palembang

Palembang is the capital of the province of South Sumatra. The second largest city in Sumatra Island, about 2 million inhabitants have filled the area right before the delta of the Musi River, and acts as the economic center for southern Sumatra.

Palembang Halal Explorer

History

Palembang was founded as the capital city of the Srivijaya Kingdom in the 7th Century, which was the largest Buddhist kingdom in Indonesia. For centuries, it was a sprawling center of trade, government, and religion. When Srivijaya fell in the 14th Century, Palembang came under the control of the Java-based Majahapit Empire. The Majahapit would rule the city for a century, after which the city became the center of the Palembang Sultanate. The Sultanate lasted until 1825, when the Dutch seized the area. Under Dutch rule, canals were built and the Musi River was optimized for trade and transportation.

Palembang was the site of a battle between the Allies and Japan during WWII, and several conflicts during the National Revolution period of the late 1940s. Since independence and the city has undergone major development. In the 1960s and the iconic Ampera Bridge was built to allow development to the eastern side of the city.

In 2011 and the city was the venue for the Southeast Asian Games, and for the 18th Asian Games in 2018 (jointly with Jakarta).

Orientation

The development of Palembang spreads along the Musi riverbank. The Ampera bridge is visible from everywhere at the riverbank in order to locate how far one is from the downtown.

Travel to Palembang

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Palembang

• Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport IATA Flight Code: PLM - Just built in 2005 to replace an old airport. There are tons of flights daily from Jakarta, as well as an international flight each from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. The Palembang LRT connects to the city with a special fare of Rp30,000. Taxis can be hailed and will take you to the city in 30 minutes for roughly Rp300,000. You can also use the TransMusi to Terminal AAL, and then transfer to other lines that can take you to the city proper, all for only Rp7,000!

Muslim Friendly Rail Holidays in Palembang

Palembang's train network is serviced from Stasiun Kertapati GPS -3.016574,104.751667, 2 kilometers south of the downtown along Jl. Kemang Kertapati road. However service is limited to trains from Bandar Lampung in Lampung, to Lubuklinggau in western South Sumatra, and a light rail to Sriwijaya University. From Lampung and there are tw trains daily, one daytime express economy class train, Rajabasa and one overnight executive class, Sriwijaya.

Travel on a Bus in Palembang

Palembang is connected by bus from other cities in Sumatra (Jambi, Padang, Pekanbaru, Medan and Lampung) as well to Jakarta in Java. The main terminal is Alang-Alang Lebar GPS -2.9166,104.6807 (locally known as AAL) north of Palembang.

How to get around in Palembang

It is quite easy to get around in Palembang since there are a lot of public buses, modified vans (Angkots or Angkutan Kota) and for short distances there is always becak. Don't be surprised if they keep packing the buses and angkots with people even though they are full. Short trips should be no more than Rp7,000. Taxis are scarce, far between, and often refuse to use meters and insists on fixed price for certain distance. Just like other Indonesian cities and the most reliable and safe taxi in Palembang is Blue Bird. On land, motorcycle taxis, ojeks, are cheap, quick, and everywhere. Boats can be hired on the river.

By light rail

To prepare for the 2018 Asian Games, a light rail system was built. The single line of the system has 6 operational stations, with 7 others yet to be completed. It connects the airport to the stadium complex.

Travel on a Bus in Palembang

TransMusi is the best public transportation so far. For a flat rate of Rp7,500 (April 2022) you can hop on along its 11 lines in operation:

• Corridor 1 : Bus stop below the Ilir part of Ampera Bridge - Alang Alang Lebar Bus Station (KM 12)
• Corridor 2 : Perumnas Bus Station - PIM (Palembang Indah Mall)
• Corridor 3 : Plaju - PS Mall (Palembang Plaza Mall)
• Corridor 4 : Jakabaring - Karya Jaya Bus Station (Kertapati)
• Corridor 5 : Alang Alang Lebar Bus Station (KM 12) - Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport
• Corridor 6 : Pusri - Palembang Plaza (PS)
• Corridor 7 : Kenten - Letkol Iskandar
• Corridor 8 : Alang Alang Lebar Bus Station (KM 12) - Terminal Karya Jaya (Kertapati)
• Pangkalan Balai Corridor : Alang Alang Lebar Bus Station (KM 12) - Pangkalan Balai
• Indralaya Corridor : Terminal Karya Jaya - Indralaya
• Unsri Corridor : Unsri Bukit - Unsri Indralaya

What to see in Palembang

• Ampera Bridge - The second largest bridge in Indonesia (lost to Surabaya's Suramadu in 2009), as well as the landmark of Palembang and the glory of the Musi River.

• Masjid Agung Palembang - This grand mosque has been renovated a few times already. Now it is a very large and beautiful mosque. In some sections of the mosque you can see old Sriwijayan style architecture. It is located in front of the main roundabout in Palembang which you will pass coming from the Musi Bridge.

• Benteng Kuto Besak - The old fort on Musi riverbank.

• Museum Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II - The museum building is in Palembang Limasan traditional architecture, displaying the history of Palembang city, from the perioid of Buddhist Srivijaya empire to Palembang Sultanate and colonial era.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Palembang

• Musi River - The riverfront plaza on front of Kuto Besak fort overlooking Musi river and Ampera bridge is a popular spot for local family, youngsters and visitors to enjoy late afternoon breeze in Palembang. It is a nice place for hang around and people seeing. The "warung terapung" (floating warung) are boat eating establishment offering nice and affordable Snacks and Palembang famous dishes such as pempek. On east side of Ampera bridge, numbers of traditional eating establishments offering various local delicacies.

• Jakabaring Sport City - The sports complex with its grand Gelora Sriwijaya Stadium was the host of the 2011 Southeast Asian Games and some of the 2018 Asian Games. On Sunday morning it is a popular spot for local residents to converge, do jogging or exercise.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Palembang

• Songket. Among Indonesians, Palembang is famous for its songket handycraft. It is a traditional handwoven cloth with metallic golden or silver threads. Songkets are available in most Palembang marketplaces and even available in Palembang airport, however for richer variety and choices, several songket handycraft centres, production houses, boutique or showroom are available in the city.
• Pempek. Although pempek can be found in most of Indonesian cities and the original Palembang pempek is said to have distinct taste and beyond compare. Unfried, packed, precooked boxed pempek is popular as food souvenir among Indonesians visiting the city. Fish based Palembang krupuk is also popular choice.

• Palembang Plaza - PS - A quaint yet crowded mall at the heart of the city, attached to the Aryaduta Hotel and Siloam Hospital. While the original mall looks old, its new underground extension is more spiffy and has better restaurants.

• Pasar 16 Ilir - To the right of the Ampera bridge is one of the most crowded places in Palembang. Some people refer to this bazaar as the Tanah Abang of Palembang. Women's clothing is widely sold. A lot of clothing sold here are in beautiful colours and embroidery with Indian/Pakistani styles. Bargaining here is a must. Pasar 16 is also good to buy traditional palembang textile called Songket. A must-buy in Palembang, you can get songket as a textile to make clothes, songket shoes, purses, cushion covers, calligraphy, art, hand fans, etc.

• Palembang Indah Mall - PIM - The classiest mall in Palembang. The most quantity of branded fashion, anchor stores, and food tenants in one building. It also hosts a lavish movie theater.

Halal Restaurants in Palembang

Palembang cuisine is the second most well-known from Sumatra after Padang. They primarily use freshwater fish and prawn as ingredients due to the paramount role of the Musi River for the area. Spices are also generally included although not as liberal as its same-island counterpart. (Malay), Indian, and Chinese culture has also influenced Palembang's culinary scene. Do try these while you are here:

• Pempek is the dish virtually everyone in Indonesia thinks of when mentioning Palembang cuisine. It is a dough of fish cake which can be either boiled, fried, or grilled and is eaten with a sweet and spicy Sauce called Cuko,topped with cucumber and prawn powder. Because it is actually a dough, local residents have intelligently crafted them into shapes and sizes, as well as being creative with fillings. Examples include lenjer (long cylinder shaped), keriting (curly), kapal selam (literally: submarine. filled with egg), adakan (round and fried) and pites (filled with cooked young papaya).

• Model are a variety of pempek with tofu fillings.
• Tekwan are small pempek balls served with fresh shrimp soup.
• Mie celor is a soup of thick yellow Noodles served with coconut milk broth, topped with egg and prawn.

• Pindang Ikan is a spicy smoked fish soup, similar to Thai's tom yum soup. It is normally eaten with Rice, with side dishes like seluang goreng and sambal buah.
• Pepes Tempoyak is made of patin fish seasoned with durian and spices.
• Nasi Minyak is Palembang's version of Briyani Rice. The Rice is seasoned with ghee and other spices to create the fragrant and distinct taste. Best served with Ayam Kecap (soysauce chicken) or Malbi (spiced stewed beef).
• Mie Celor 26 Ilir - The most famous mie celor restaurant in Palembang, situated at a market. The Mie Celor is similar to laksa, but less spicy and more condensed broth, with scents of prawn and coconut milk.

• Pempek & Es Kacang Vico - A constant flow of clients are craving for pempek at this tenant across the Palembang Indah Mall. Its Es Kacang Merah (red bean ice) can neutralize the spiciness of the broth or to be enjoyed on its own on a hot day. A popular gift idea from Palembang and they do delivery across the nation even by air cargo!

• Pempek Saga Sudi Mampir - While most of the pempek you see are typically either fried or steamed, this establishment has it baked or grilled, making the texture crispy outside and soft inside, without the guilt of too much oil. Recommended for its pempek lenggang (pempek filled with duck egg, grilled while wrapped in banana leaves).

• Martabak HAR - The HAR stands for its founder, an Indian immigrant named Haji Abdul Razak who opened the murtabak restaurant which still stands 70 years later in the same spot! One of the most famous restaurants in town and their specialty is the Murtabak filled with minced Meat and duck egg, eaten with Curries. You can also order a plain murtabak or prata, or other Indonesian delights.

• Pagi Sore - Most major cities in Indonesia have at least one prominent Padang restaurant, and this is the one that Palembang has. Famous for all-rounders of the spicy Padang food.

• Sri Melayu - The restaurant, which is next to the governor's office, offers pindang - a smoked or steamed fish in a sweet, sour, and spicy soup - as its specialty. While Palembang primarily uses Pangasius (ikan patin) fish as its ingredient and the restaurant has other varieties such as fish head, shrimp, or other fishes, such as the second most favorite, ikan baung. Top it off with the sweet srikaya pudding or coconut water.

• River Side Restaurant | A dining experience by the bank of the Musi River with a fantastic view of the iconic Ampera bridge. Primary offerings include the Palembang's local delicacy, especially its pindang, seafood, and a few Chinese dishes.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Palembang

Palembang - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Palembang, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Palembang. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Palembang and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Palembang. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Palembang. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inPalembang: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Palembang.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Palembang: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Palembang, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Palembang.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Palembang, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Palembang, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Palembang and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Palembang, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Palembang, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Palembang without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Palembang is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Palembang.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Palembang is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Palembang, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Palembang Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

• Tune Hotel Palembang - The no-frills hotel brand that lets you pay only for what you need, but has complete facilities such as breakfast, Wi-Fi, air conditioning and TV.

• Zuri Express - Budget hotel with noticeably modest but clean rooms and minimum design. Restaurant is in a separate building downstairs but don't expect a wide variety of menus.

• Aston Palembang Hotel & Conference Center - This Aston hotel is more modest than its bigger city counterparts. Provides large deluxe rooms, suites, and an option that includes Palembang cuisine for breakfast.

• Novotel Palembang - One of the best hotels in the city. Typical Accor style hospitality with spacious rooms, generous breakfast, a wide swimming swimmingpool and jogging area. Generally suitable for business travelers and families.

• Hotel Aryaduta Palembang - An 18-storey atrium hotel offering 174 rooms. One of the facilities they offer to guests is their the largest banquet and meeting space in South Sumatra, accommodating up to 2,500 guests reception-style. Guests could also enjoy their experience in their Pool Café that offers healthy food, Snacks, and light refreshments.

Travel Next

• Travel by road to Jambi
• Go to Lampung by train
• Travel by ferry along the Musi River estuary to Bangka Island

Copyright 2015 - 2024. All Rights reserved by eHalal Group Co., Ltd.
To Advertise or sponsor this Travel Guide, please visit our Media Kit and Advertising Rates.