Ampera Bridge

The Ampera Bridge is a vertical lift bridge in Palembang that connects Seberang Ulu and Seberang Ilir which lie separated by the Musi River. The bridge stands with a length of 224 meters and a span of 61 meters with a 9-meter clearance beneath it. The bridge was built in efforts to make something as grand as the Tower Bridge in London. Ships can no longer pass from under the bridge as it was officially declared in 1970 that the bridge would not open anymore, a major reason for this being an inconvenient disruption of the traffic flowing from the two regions it connects because the mere operation of the bridge’s large wings would take about half an hour.
During the time the bridge could be opened, it would rise up at a speed of 10 meters per minute for ships of a maximum height of 44.5 meters to pass underneath the bridge. The bridge also had ballast weights in place to balance it, but they were removed in 1990 to prevent foreseeable accidents.

Apart from the disruption in traffic flow, the bridge was also made dysfunctional because of the dicey foundation of the bridge which was laid on soft mud, and as the years passed by the bridge got so deformed that it could no longer be opened, besides, large ships could no longer pass easily because of the silting of the river.

Agung Mosque

The Great Mosque of Palembang, also known as Masjid Agung Palembang, is the chief mosque of the city and also the largest one in the entire archipelago of South Sumatra. Established in 1748 by one of the most prominent rulers of the Sultanate of Palembang, Madmud Badaruddin I, the mosque has evolved exponentially over the course of its history. Therefore, it has assimilated in its architecture quite a multicultural vibe and makes for a great place to visit for the understanding of the dynamic cultural fabric of Indonesia’s past and present.

Monpera

Monpera, or the Monument of People’s Struggle, is a famous tourist attraction in Sumatra Island because of its rich history and magnificent concrete structures. The heritage site was built in honour, and to memorialize the local rebellion against the Dutch colonialists and tells the story of the occurrences before and after the declaration of Indonesia’s independence that took place on the 17th of August, 1945.

The monument is known for its jasmine flower-shaped structure and the buildings surrounding it, like the main gate with six concrete forks and the large size of the building which stands at 17 meters with eight levels and 45 lanes. The seventh level of the building provides a stunning view of downtown Palembang, including the Grand Mosque of Palembang which is located in the same vicinity as that of Monpera.

How To Reach Monpera

• Monpera is located on Jalan Merdeka in Palembang, adjacent to the Great Mosque of Palembang and visitors can use both private and public transportation to reach the location.
• Tourists mostly opt for getting to the venue via Ampera Lane, as it doesn’t take a lot of time to reach from the main city, and the most preferred means of travel is private transport for better comfort and faster travelling.
• The main bus station in the area is Halte Transmusi Monpera with Halte Bawah Ampera and Halte Pengadaian at a distance of 3 minutes and 6 minutes on foot respectively.
• The most convenient bus line that stops near the station is KOR 1.

Benteng Kuto Besak

Overlooking the River Musi in Palembang, Indonesia is the 18th-century royal fortress Benteng Kuto Besak which was once the heart of the Sultanate of Palembang. It was a strategic construction built in 1780 and took almost seventeen years to complete. This ‘Kraton’ once served as a defensive design against the enemies of the Sultanate before it fell to the occupation of the Dutch colonials and is at present used as the headquarters of Sriwijaya Military District Command.

This fortress has now turned into a major tourist attraction with the polishing of the surrounding area here where the visitors can relax in the open space and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Ampera Bridge by the River Musi at night. The fortress is however out of bounds for the public.

How To Reach Benteng Kuto Besak
The routes to pick if you plan to drive from Palembang City till here are via Jl. Veteran and via Jl. Veteran and Jl Jend.

Kambang Iwak Besak Park

Nestled in the tranquil Talang Semut neighbourhood, Kambang Iwak Besak Park is a large public garden surrounding an artificial lake with a fountain. Flanked by tall shady trees, the park features a jogging track, sitting areas, and graceful swans and is popular among families and locals during weekends. There is also a food court with stalls selling tasty traditional snacks and sweets.

Kemaro Island

Located in a small delta of the Musi River about 6 kilometers downstream of the Ampera Bridge, Kemaro Island is a famous tourist attraction in South Sumatra because of the scenic beauty it has to offer along with the various temples and festivals that tourists and the frequenting locals can visit and enjoy. The island acts as a recreational site for many, as it is located 40 kilometers away from the hustle bustle of the main city of Palembang.

The island is also home to a Chinese Vihara, or Klenteng Hok Tjing Rio, which has nine stairs and is located in the middle of the Kemaro Island. The structure has a typical Chinese style of architecture and is known as the signature icon of the island. Tourists tend to flock the place during the time of major Chinese festivals like the Cap Go Meh or the Imlek New Year, and the venue also has other structures like a Buddha temple and the graveyard of Prince Tan Bun An from China and Princess Siti Fatimah of Sriwijaya.

How To Reach Kemaro Island
Kemaro Island is located amongst the industrial regions of the Sriwijaya Fertilizer Plant and the Pertamina Oil Refinery in Plaju and the Gerong River. Tourists can rent boats from the Ampera Bridge to reach Kemaro Island directly, wherein one can also see the stilt houses and the floating gas stations along the river.

Palembang Icon Mall

The relatively young establishment, Palembang Icon, is a shopping mall which is equally loved by both locals and tourists. It was established in 2014 and is also known by other names like Picon, Pl or Palkon and is known for having multiple stores and showrooms of famous international and local brands. The mall is located in Kelurahan Lorok Pakjo, in the Ilir Barat Satu district of Palmebang city. The Palembang Icon is acclaimed as the biggest and the best mall in South Sumatra by its administrators and the locals alike.

The building has a total of five floors, with a balcony on the topmost floor that offers beautiful views of the Palembang city. The mall is also home to a small pond located within its complex which further adds to its beauty along with the modern architecture. Palembang Icon is also known for having one of the first branches of Cinemaxx Cinema which is located outside Jabodetabek, with the Cinemas being known for having eight studios like the Regular Studio, the Ultra XD studio and the Cinemaxx Gold studio.

How To Reach Palembang Icon
The Palembang Icon Mall can easily be reached via both private and public transportation. It has two separate entrances that end on different lanes, the North Lobby is located on Jalan Angkatan 45 and the South Lobby is located on Jalan POM IX. Visitors can use public transportation such as the TransMusi Bus, City Transportation and the LRT Trains to reach the venue. The closest stations to the Palembang Icon Mall are Bank Mandiri B and the Halte Jasa Raharja, both located at a distance of 469 meters and 482 meters each, which would approximately take 7 minutes to reach on foot. The most convenient bus line that stops near the mall is KOR 3.