Malang

Welcome to Malang, a city located in East Java known as a base for visiting the Bromo Volcano. The city is known for its 2 colorful neighborhoods and a variety of local delicacies! What else you can do in Malang besides the Bromo, including tips for local cuisine, can be read in this blog!

How to get to Malang?

Malang is located in East Java, about a 2-hour drive from the large northeastern port city of Surabaya. There are buses, but you can also take a shared cab from Surabaya airport for about €14.50. Malang itself also has its own airport for some domestic destinations. Should you cross from Bali to Java by ferry, you will be able to travel by train via Banyuwanyi (base for the Kawah Ijen volcano), for example. This will take about 7.5 hours. From Jogjakarta it is about 6 hours by train.

Once in Malang, you will be introduced to the busy traffic of this Javanese city. I personally found the traffic in Bali more chaotic, especially because in some places the roads were a lot narrower. In Malang, you will also see many traffic controllers to guide you when, for example, joining a busy road. It is customary to give them a small tip then.

Accommodations in Malang

Plenty of accommodations in Malang, so there is certainly no lack of choice. Compared to Bali, the backpacker vibe is less present, but it makes Java a lot more authentic. I stayed at the Mador Malang Dorm Hostel, where I had a bed in a 4-person room for only € 4.00 per night. The staff is very friendly and guarantees personal service, giving you plenty of tips to go out in the area and city.

The hostel also offers its own Bromo tour, more on that in this blog.

What to do in Malang?

Visit Jodipan Village

One of Malang's must-see attractions is the colorful Jodipan district, also known as the "Rainbow Village." This is a neighborhood where the houses are painted in all the colors of the rainbow, giving it a vibrant and unique atmosphere.

The story behind the transformation of Jodipan is fascinating. This used to be a slum with few amenities and a lot of garbage was dumped in the adjacent river. A group of students had the idea to paint the houses to make it attractive for tourism, something the local municipality naturally embraced.

In 2016, the neighborhood was refurbished with the help of local artists. The houses were painted in all the colors of the rainbow and featured some beautiful murals. Now it is a vibrant and colorful neighborhood that the local community is proud of and where tourists love to go to take pictures.

Entrance fee: IDR 10,000

Blue Village

The transformation of the Jodipan Village proved to be a success, as in 2018 the neighborhood across the street was also transformed. All the houses here are painted light blue, which makes for beautiful pictures. This neighborhood is home to many fans of the local FC (Arema), which is also reflected several times in the murals.

Visit the temples of Singosari!

The temples of Singosari are a series of temples built during the Singosari Kingdom in the 13th century. Known for their beautiful architecture and carvings, the temples are an important cultural heritage of Indonesia.

Climb an active volcano: Mount Bromo!

Mount Bromo is one of Indonesia's most spectacular natural sights. Located in eastern Java, the volcano, at 2,329 meters, is one of the highest peaks in the Tengger Mountains. The beautiful scenery produces picturesque images and is an absolute must to explore on your own.

What your day (read night) will look like while visiting the Bromo read in this blog!

City parks!

Alun Alun Malang & Alun-Alun Tugu Malang are two city parks in the city that you can visit while exploring the city. The Tugu monument, located at the Tugu city park, is an iconic monument in Malang and symbolizes Indonesia's independence. It is an important site for locals.

Discover the local specialties of Malang!

Delicious and very affordable!

Bakso

Bakso is a popular Indonesian meatball soup made from beef meatballs. These meatballs are cooked in a chicken or beef broth and served with noodles, vegetables and fried onions. Bakso is often served as a quick and nutritious meal at street stalls and is a favorite among locals in Malang. You can have it for breakfast, lunch or dinner!

Tip: Bakso Tutus Sukun (€1.00 - €1.50)

Tahu Lontong

Tahu Lontong is a popular dish from Malang's local cuisine, and is often eaten for breakfast, snack, lunch or dinner. It consists of pieces of tahu (tofu) that have been cut into small cubes and then deep-fried. Then these cubed tofu are served with pieces of ketupat (rice cake), peanut sauce and crispy onions. A good choice for vegetarians!

Tip: Tahu Lontong Lonceng (€ 1,40)

Tahu Campur

Tahu Campur is a popular street food dish in Malang. It is a noodle soup consisting of tofu, vegetables and noodles in a broth. It is often served with a spicy sauce and crackers. Delicious for breakfast or lunch!

Tip: Near the Pasar Besar Malang, there was a delicious street food stall. I don't know if it always stays at this regular spot, but here I had a delicious bowl of Tahu Campur for €1.00.

Es Cin Cau

While eating the Tahu Campur, I got talking to locals. They recommended to me as "dessert" a glass of Es Cin Cau, made by the neighbor's stall. It is made from green grass jelly, milk and sugar. The local rule of thumb is: if it's not sweet, it's not a good Es Cin Cau either. It has a really refreshing taste and is ideal to have after finishing a meal.

I paid only €0.25 for a glass!

Visit the National Museum of Malang

The Brawijaya Museum in Malang offers a unique look at the history and culture of Indonesia, as well as the city. The museum has an extensive collection of artifacts and exhibits on the struggle for independence from Indonesia.

Out and about in the area!

Malang is not only the base for visiting the Bromo volcano, but also some beautiful waterfalls. The Tumpak Sewu is the highlight of these: the waterfall is surrounded by breathtaking scenery and offers a unique experience you won't easily encounter at other waterfalls.

How many nights in Malang?

Personally opted for 3 nights so I had 1 day to do the Bromo tour and a full day to further explore the city. If you want to visit the falls from a day tour you will possibly need an extra night.

From Malang to?

Lumajang (Tumpak Sewu): 2 hours
Yogyakarta: 6 hours by train
Surabaya: 2 hours
Banyuwanyi (Kawah Ijen): 7 hours by train