Ambarawa is a small town in the mountains south of Semarang, in Central Java province, Indonesia.
Ambarawa is a small town located at the highlands of Central Java. It lies in the junction of several larger cities, such as Semarang, Yogyakarta, Salatiga and Surakarta. It has served as an economic and military hub town for centuries. The town is large enough to have a shopping center of its own, yet small enough that the shopping center lies less than a mile away from rice paddy fields.
The town is at the edge of a natural depression between Mount Telomoyo, Merbabu, and Ungaran that centers on Lake Rawapening. The town's climate is somewhat cooler than the low-lying Semarang in the north. The town is divided in two, with the urban north having a hilly terrain, and the agricultural south being much flatter, and in rainy seasons, occasionally turning into a swamp (rawa).
To the north, you can see Mount Ungaran, while to the south, Mount Telomoyo and Merbabu are also visible, especially in the morning, before clouds move in to cover their peaks. You can also see Lake Rawapening and the wide paddy fields to the south and southeast.
- The Indonesian Railway Museum, +62 298 591035. A railway museum, exhibiting many old locomotives, carriages, and other train paraphernalia. Before its current use as a museum, the station was decommissioned in the 1970s. It is possible to get a ticket for a diesel train trip to the nearby station in Tuntang on weekends, through which visitors can see the vast rice fields of Ambarawa, and the panoramic view of Lake Rawapening and Mount Merbabu, Telomoyo, and Ungaran. Rp5,000 for students, Rp10,000 for domestic visitors.
- Palagan Ambarawa Monument. A monument to commemorate the Battle of Ambarawa, in which the Indonesian army defeated the British and Dutch troops in 1945. It houses several weapons and vehicles used during the National Revolution Period.
- Fort Willem I. An 18th-century Dutch fortress which was used as a Japanese internment camp for Europeans during World War II, with the southern part now serving as a penitentiary facility and the northern part serving as the home of several of the facility's wardens and as a tourist destination. Rp5,000.
- St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Jl. Mgr. Soegijapranata, No. 56, Panjang, Ambarawa, Semarang, Jawa Tengah 50614 (500 m from Ambarawa Terminal, +62 298 591028. A Dutch church built in the early 1900s, this church was the center of missionary activity in Ambarawa. No entry fee.
- Eling Bening. A resort on a hilltop at Bawen, with a stunning view of the Mount Telomoyo, Merbabu, Lake Rawapening and Ambarawa.
The Indonesian Railway Museum, +62 298 591035. A railway museum, exhibiting many old locomotives, carriages, and other train paraphernalia. Before its current use as a museum, the station was decommissioned in the 1970s. It is possible to get a ticket for a diesel train trip to the nearby station in Tuntang on weekends, through which visitors can see the vast rice fields of Ambarawa, and the panoramic view of Lake Rawapening and Mount Merbabu, Telomoyo, and Ungaran. Rp5,000 for students, Rp10,000 for domestic visitors.
Palagan Ambarawa Monument. A monument to commemorate the Battle of Ambarawa, in which the Indonesian army defeated the British and Dutch troops in 1945. It houses several weapons and vehicles used during the National Revolution Period.
Fort Willem I. An 18th-century Dutch fortress which was used as a Japanese internment camp for Europeans during World War II, with the southern part now serving as a penitentiary facility and the northern part serving as the home of several of the facility's wardens and as a tourist destination. Rp5,000.
St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Jl. Mgr. Soegijapranata, No. 56, Panjang, Ambarawa, Semarang, Jawa Tengah 50614 (500 m from Ambarawa Terminal, +62 298 591028. A Dutch church built in the early 1900s, this church was the center of missionary activity in Ambarawa. No entry fee.
Eling Bening. A resort on a hilltop at Bawen, with a stunning view of the Mount Telomoyo, Merbabu, Lake Rawapening and Ambarawa.
- Ride the diesel train from the Ambarawa station to Tuntang station, or pre-order a ticket for a steam train trip to Bedono station.
- Visit the eerie and rundown Fort Willem I.
- Go fishing on Lake Rawapening using the local "Swamp Rod" (Pancing Rawa) using algae (lumut) as bait. These can be purchased at the local tackle shops (Toko Pancing) or rented from vendors at the edge of the lake.
- Swim at Eling Bening's Pool with a view of the mountains and fields.
Ride the diesel train from the Ambarawa station to Tuntang station, or pre-order a ticket for a steam train trip to Bedono station.
Visit the eerie and rundown Fort Willem I.
Go fishing on Lake Rawapening using the local "Swamp Rod" (Pancing Rawa) using algae (lumut) as bait. These can be purchased at the local tackle shops (Toko Pancing) or rented from vendors at the edge of the lake.
Swim at Eling Bening's Pool with a view of the mountains and fields.
Eva Coffee House - a coffee shop whose coffee comes from a local farm of the same owner. They also sell gudeg manggar (young coconut flowers stewed with coconut milk and some herbs). Jl Raya Bedono, Ambarawa.
The telephone area code of Ambarawa is +62298.