SEMARANG

Semarang is the largest city in the province of Central Java, with a population of 1.6 million people. It once served as major port during the Dutch colonial era. Today, the most popular reason to visit is to make a day trip to Borobudur, located 65 mi/ 105 km south of the city.
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Borobudur is the largest buddhist temple in the world, dating back to the 8th and 9th centuries. Along with Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Ayutthaya in Thailand, it is a pinnacle of historic sites in Southeast Asia. Taking a cruise arranged tour to visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site is advisable, as it is a 2.5-3 hour bus ride each way on narrow, winding roads with heavy traffic. Cruise lines often make arrangements with the local police service to help the bus navigate through traffic in order to make it back to the ship on time. You can arrange tours with local drivers upon arrival, and while it will be cheaper, be cautious about travel times. 
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If you wish to stay in Semarang, download an offline map and wander the streets lined with unique architecture. You will see various religious buildings from local mosques to Chinese temples as well as remnants of the city’s Dutch colonial past, particularly in Outstadt, the old Dutch Quarter.  
 
The downtown area is 4 mi/ 6.5 km from the cruise port, and your cruise line will likely offer shuttles.
  
Semarang is another opportunity to dive into Indonesia’s past and present, and you’re bound to love whatever adventure you choose to embark on!