Malang

Malang is a regency in East Java. Its capital city is the second largest city in East Java with a rapidly growing population of about 887,000 in the city (2017), and 2.8 million in the urban area. Modern-day Malang, although significantly urbanised, has retained much of its historical character, remains vibrant and is regarded as by far the most attractive large city in the East Java region.

Understand
The capital city of great historical significance. The oldest existing record of Malang as a regency is from the 8th century when it was the seat of government of the ancient Kanjuruhan and Singhasari kingdoms. The region became part of the all encompassing Javanese Mataram kingdom in the 17th century which by that time was controlled by the Dutch colonialists. Unsurprisingly given that history, there are several interesting Hindu relics in this area. The region quickly became very popular with the Dutch due to its cool climate, very attractive rural surrounds and easy reach from the main trading port city of Surabaya.

Malang Regency is between two groups of mountains with Mount Semeru, the highest mountain on Java, and Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park to the east. The biggest attraction here is the beautiful landscape; there are some temples not far away.

By plane


Alternatively, Malang can be reached via Surabaya's Juanda International Airport, served by many domestic and international flights. From Surabaya airport, you can reach Malang using a private shuttle service (Rp 80,000-100,000/person), public transportation (DAMRI airport bus to Bungurasih bus terminal, then an intercity bus to Malang, see the main Surabaya article), or taxi. A 95-km journey will take 2-3 hours or more, depending on traffic and mode chosen.

By car
Malang is about 95 km south of Surabaya; 2-3 hr via the Surabaya-Gempol highway, but frequently takes 4 hours to reach.

By bus
There are frequent bus services into Malang's from Bungarasih bus terminal in Surabaya. Non AC from Probolinggo Rp 14,000.

By train
Overnight train services link Jakarta and Bandung to the. There are many train services every day from Surabaya. One advantage to arriving in Malang by train is that the station is much more central than the long-distance bus terminals. There is also three daily trains from Malang to Yogyakarta (Rp 250,000, 8 hours) via Solo or you can also go to Yogyakarta via Surabaya. Surabaya is served by economy trains (2-3 hours). there is one train a day to Banyuwangi (ferry port to Bali) (Rp 65,000, 8 hours) the train goes via Probolinggo, good for visiting Mount Bromo.

By taxi
Formal and informal taxis are available in the Malang city. The two biggest firms offer telephone advance booking and instant ordering: Argo Perdana. and Citra Kendedes. The price of a regular taxi (November 2014) is first flag fall Rp 6,000 for first kilometre, Rp 4,350 for every next kilometre, and Rp 43,500 for one-hour waiting (fractional in one minute) including stuck in traffic jam. While the executive taxi is Rp 9,000, Rp 6,650 and Rp 66,500 respectively. Both with minimum payment Rp 30,000, because Malang is a big city with low price, so the metering maybe stated lower than Rp 30,000.

Online ride-hailing-services such as Gojek and Grab are abundant.

By minivan
City mini-vans in Malang, called "mikrolet" or "angkot" by locals, are blue and can be hailed at random. Two- or three- letter acronyms indicate their routes, and journeys are flat-priced at Rp 2,500 for students, indicated by their uniform, and Rp 4,000 for everyone else. There are multiple routes that the mini-vans take, and prices may differ on how far you ride.

By becak
Becaks (pedicabs) are a great way to see the Malang city and are easy to find, often on the side of the road waiting for customers.

On foot
With its relatively cool climate and wide colonial streets, Malang is a good city to walk around. But keep with you an umbrella in the Wet Season (Oct-Apr), and wear cool clothes in the Dry Season (May-Sep). Though Malang has cooler temperatures, it still is a tropical climate.

See
In a region of such great cultural and historical significance there are lots of cultural attractions and any visitor to Malang should dedicate some time to exploring these.

There are also a number of beautiful sights in the rural areas surrounding the city. Malang is home to multiple temples and mountains, as it is a mountainous region. Several mountains such as Panderman, and Bromo and Semeru, surround the regency and can be seen in the early morning and evening.







Do

 * Visit the many Buddhist and Hindu temples in the area.
 * Climb one of the mountains surrounding the regency.
 * Climb one of the mountains surrounding the regency.
 * Playing golf with a mountain view.
 * Go to Mount Bromo on your own. There are many "sunrise" tours available to Mount Bromo that can be booked in Malang. This is the "safe" (yet arguably dull) way to get there. If you are feeling more adventurous, you can rent a motorbike and go see the park by yourself. The ride takes about 2-3 hours each way. This ride is also not suggested for inexperienced motorbike drivers and it is not suggested that you do the ride when it is dark, so seeing the sunrise may not be an option unless you want to stay there over night. However, going later in the day guarantees that you will be at the main sights at a time when it is not swarming with tourists and you will have the freedom to chose when to stop, where to eat and where to go. Driving through the "Sea of Sand" on your own bike can be particularly exhilarating, though somewhat challenging. Many of the people working at the hotels will tell you that the roads are too dangerous and that you can't rent motorbikes in Malang. Neither of these things are true. You can rent 150cc manual dirt bikes/ trail bikes for Rp 200,000 a day from "Moto East Java" (+628123399902) in Jalan Simpang Sulfat Utara 63. The roads heading there and back are usually in pretty good condition after repaving that was completed in 2016, though they are very steep. Riding with 2 people on one bike may require that the passenger gets off and walks for a few short distances during the steep inclines, but it is by no means not doable. If you head to Cemoro Lawang using a map or GPS, you should have no problem figuring out where to go from there.

But most people visit Malang as a starting point for a trip to the nearby volcanoes, or as a place to enjoy cooler weather for a time.

Buy
Malang has some large shopping malls but you are better off in Surabaya for those. But you can visit one of the multiple bazaars that sell all sorts of things from traditional knives to foods to clothing.

Local textiles and handicrafts can be found at Batik Keris, Jl Merdeka Timur 2d.



Indonesian
Eating is a highly rated experience here. Local specialities are best sought out at street stalls and simple warungs and include:
 * Ayam goreng kampung (fried village chicken).
 * Apples (Apel). The highlands around Malang are the apple-growing centre of Indonesia and the small green beauties (manalagi) are very highly prized. Eat them here and they are sure to be fresh from the tree.
 * Bakso Malang. The regency's own unique and delicious take on the Indonesian meatball soup staple. Try Bakso Bakar, which literally means "grilled meatball". The famous one will be the one in Jl Pahlawan Trip, in the corner of the junction with Jl Ijen
 * Cwie mie. Malang's noodle dish.
 * Jagung bakar (grilled young corn on the cob) is everywhere. Best eaten at a streetside stall fresh from the coals. Some of them congregate in Pulosari Stalls.
 * Orem-orem. Tempeh dish with boiled salted egg and chicken in coconut milk soup.
 * Tempe mendol


 * Malang's night market on Jalan Merdeka operates every Saturday. A riot of flavours and smells will assault your senses. A must do for any visitor to Malang.

Drink
Malang is by no means famous for its nightlife, being a more relaxed and less party-intensive city, however there are still some decent bars if you're up for a drink.



Sleep
Malang offers a full range of accommodation through from simple homestays to star-rated hotels.

Connect
The telephone area code for Malang is 0341

Go next

 * Batu - nearby hill town. Very cool, fresh and visually extremely attractive, with a few theme parks and beautiful views.
 * Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park - active volcanoes and unearthly scenery.
 * Blitar, where the first president of Indonesia was buried, is around 2 hours west by road
 * Lumajang
 * Pasuruan
 * Surabaya, a port city that's a hub for local life.
 * Wendit - a little lake with a woody place full of monkeys, nice to see and to swim.
 * Sengkaling - a place for swimming with crystal clear water.