The 2022 Chinese New Year celebrations are just around the corner. These are seven locations that are thick with the celebration of the new year which falls on February 1 later.

Indonesia has a number of Chinatown areas. Every Chinese New Year arrives, the area turns red, a typical Chinese New Year ornament.

Here are seven locations in Indonesia that are thick with Chinese New Year celebrations:

1. Lumbini Natural Park Pagoda, Karo

Lumbini Natural Park Pagoda is located in Tongkoh Village, Berastagi, Karo, North Sumatra. This pagoda is a replica of the Shwedagon Pagoda or the Golden Dagon Pagoda, a 98 meter high gold-plated stupa or pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar.

Having a golden hue, the Lumbini Natural Park Pagoda is as majestic as the Golden Dagon Pagoda.

2. Sam Poo Kong Temple, Semarang

Sam Poo Kong Pagoda, Semarang’s iconic and landmark building. (Shutterstock)

Sam Poo Kong Temple is located at Jalan Simongan No. 129, Semarang. This temple is a historical building as well as a place of worship and tourism. This temple was founded with the aim of honoring Admiral Cheng Ho.

With typical Chinese architecture, this temple is an exciting destination that you can visit during the Chinese New Year celebrations.

3. Singkawang, West Kalimantan

The City of a Thousand Temples or Singkawang City is one of the cities as the center of the largest Chinese New Year celebration in Indonesia.

The atmosphere of the lanterns in Singkawang before Chinese New Year. (Revelation Setyo Widodo / detikTravel)

Derived from the word “San Kew Jong” in the Hakka language, Singkawang means city at the foot of the mountain near the sea estuary. There is a dragon statue in the middle of the city which is the hallmark of this city. The dragon is believed to be a symbol of strength and luck by the Chinese community.

4. Maha Vihara Adhi Maitreya, Medan

Called the largest monastery in Indonesia, Maha Vihara Adhi Maitreya is located in the Cemara Asri housing complex, Jalan Boulevard Utara No. 95-5, Medan, North Sumatra.

This monastery is divided into three main buildings, namely; Sakyamuni Buddha, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, and Satyakalama Bodhisattva. The unique architecture of the monastery makes it seem as if you are not in Indonesia.

5. China Town, Jakarta

Various preparations were made by Chinese residents in Petak Sembilan, Jakarta, to welcome Chinese New Year. Red knick-knacks have decorated their village. (Rengga Sencaya/detikcom)

Glodok or known as Chinatown is the oldest Chinatown area in Jakarta.

Travelers can visit Petak Sembilan Market or the temples around Glodok during Chinese New Year to feel a different atmosphere.

In addition, a traveler also enjoys a typical Chinatown culinary tour there, to be precise at Gang Gloria.

6. Sanggar Agung Temple, Surabaya

Sanggar Agung Temple Surabaya Photo: (Brigida Emi Lilia/d’Traveler)

Located at Jalan Sukolilo No. 100, Sanggar Agung Temple is often known as Hong Sang Tang Temple. The statue of Dewi Kwan Im with a height of 20 meters is the icon of this temple and at the same time makes it look even more majestic.

Sanggar Agung Temple has a unique building because on the roof it uses a Javanese building style. While at the bottom there is a thick Balinese feel so that this temple does not seem to be just elements of Chinese culture.

7. Big Market, Solo

Explore Harmony Pasar Gede, Solo, Sunday (30/1/2022). Photo: Kartika Bagus/detikcom

Pasar Gede Solo preening up to welcome the Chinese New Year. Colorful lanterns are installed along the road in the largest Chinatown area in the city of Solo.

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