German Students Discover Sam Poo Kong in Semarang

· October 27, 2026 ·
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Cara, Melanie and Frederick pose in front of buildings at Sam Poo Kong in Semarang

On Friday, October 23, 2026, Cara, Melanie and Frederick, three exchange students from Albstadt-Sigmaringen University in Germany, spent a day at Sam Poo Kong with the International Office of Agung Putra University. The temple complex is a landmark in Semarang.

A site connected with Zheng He

Sam Poo Kong, also called Klenteng Gedung Batu, is a temple complex dedicated to Admiral Zheng He. According to the site's local historical account, the Chinese explorer reached Java during his voyages in the early 1400s and came ashore in this area, while a cave there became associated with his crew. The temple developed around that account and continues to receive worshippers and visitors.

Architecture and personal impressions

Frederick described how different the site felt from anything at home. Bright red buildings, gold decorations and sweeping roofs surrounded the group, and he stopped several times to take photographs. Cara focused on smaller details, from carvings on pillars to the smell of incense drifting across the courtyard.

For Melanie, hearing the account at the site changed how she viewed Semarang. She had read a little about Zheng He before arriving in Indonesia but had not expected to encounter his story in the middle of a city.

"I knew Indonesia had many cultures, but I didn't know Chinese history was so present here. Seeing it in person made it feel real, not just something from a textbook," Melanie said.

A living place of worship

The students also learned that Sam Poo Kong is not only a visitor attraction. People come to pray, light incense and ask for blessings. The students kept their voices low near the altars and followed their guide's advice about where to walk and where photographs were appropriate.

By the time they left, the group had gained another perspective on Semarang. Their hours at Sam Poo Kong offered a direct view of the city's Chinese-Indonesian heritage alongside its wider cultural setting.

Event Gallery

Cara, Melanie, and Frederick pose with two International Office team members before a red prayer hall.
The group visits Sam Poo Kong with the Agung Putra University International Office.
Visitors stand quietly among red columns inside a prayer hall at Sam Poo Kong.
The group visits a prayer hall at Sam Poo Kong respectfully.
A red temple building with sweeping tiled roofs, broad stairs, and statues faces the Sam Poo Kong courtyard.
A red temple building and courtyard at Sam Poo Kong.
A stone relief shows standing figures, bound captives, waves, and a horse beneath two red lanterns.
A historical relief carving at Sam Poo Kong with figures and maritime motifs.
A stone relief depicts groups of people near an arched doorway, palm trees, and a dragon motif.
A historical relief carving at Sam Poo Kong with an architectural scene and gathered figures.