JP\/5\/SHOP1<\/p>\n
Surabaya long known as a shopping paradise<\/p>\n
Indra Harsaputra
\nThe Jakarta Post\/Surabaya<\/p>\n
"Look ... cheap, but genuine silk from Saudi Arabia," shouted a
\ncloth seller at the Ampel Market in Surabaya promoting his
\nmerchandise. However, a resident warned The Jakarta Post: "Don't
\nbe easily fooled into buying it."<\/p>\n
Not all silk cloth sold at the market is imported from the
\nMiddle East. But to convince buyers, most sellers claim their
\nmerchandise is from Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n
Besides being known as an area filled with religious settings,
\nthere also lies the grave of Sunan Ampel, a Muslim proselytizer
\nin East Java, who was also known as a silk trader from Arabia.<\/p>\n
Muslim prayer paraphernalia and dried dates are many to be
\nfound here. After performing their haj rituals in Mecca, many
\npilgrims usually buy souvenirs here that they had supposedly
\nbought in Mecca.<\/p>\n
In addition to cheap prices, most of the things sold are of
\nthe same kind and cheaper than those found in Mecca. And they
\ndon't have the hassle of bringing back troublesome luggage from
\nMecca.<\/p>\n
The Surabaya municipality had designated the place as a
\nreligious and shopping destination in 2004. Every holiday season,
\nthe market is frequented by many people, be they locals or from
\noutside East Java and even the expatriate community, to shop for
\ntextiles. Besides the Ampel market, the Kembang Jepun area, a
\nstone's throw from the Ampel Mosque, has also been established as
\na wholesale trade and shopping area.<\/p>\n
There are three wholesale trading centers located in the area;
\nthe Atom, Turi and Jembatan Merah markets. The oldest traditional
\nmarket, the Pabean, is found in the Kembang Jepun area.<\/p>\n
In 1743, the Kembang Jepun area was a center for the ethnic
\nChinese community during the struggle against Dutch colonial rule
\nled by Oei Tai Pan, one of Chinese Emperor Jon Tsing's princes,
\nwho fled China after losing his throne to his sibling, Kian Long.<\/p>\n
Since then, the area was known as a trade hub due to the
\nflourishing pacht business scheme authorized by the Dutch Indies
\nCompany for ethnic Chinese traders.<\/p>\n
Apart from the Chinese community, the area was also home to
\ncarpet, wooden dish and statue traders known as "wong keling", or
\ndark-skinned people.<\/p>\n
Head of the East Java Tourism Office, Harun, said that because
\nof Surabaya long reputation as a shopping and trading center, the
\nEast Java provincial administration has decided to promote the
\ncity as a shopping destination in 2005.<\/p>\n
The decision is reflected on the theme that has been adopted
\nfor the 2005 Majapahit Travel Fair that will be held at
\nSurabaya's Tunjungan Plaza III from June 1 to June 5.<\/p>\n
The East Java administration has been regularly conducting
\ntravel fairs every year since 1999, with each year having a
\ndifferent theme to present the province's potential, especially
\nin tourism related sectors.<\/p>\n
Harun said that the reason Surabaya was chosen as a shopping
\ndestination was due to the rapid growth of shopping centers in
\nthe city.<\/p>\n
Among the newly-built shopping centers in Surabaya are
\nCarrefour, Darmo Trade Center, Giant and the Pakuwon Trade
\nCenter, while the older ones include the Jembatan Merah Plaza,
\nthe Atom and Turi markets, the Tunjungan Plaza, the Surabaya
\nPlaza and the Galaxy Mall.<\/p>\n
The Majapahit Travel Fair will involve 55 participants from
\nthe hotels association, travel agencies, airlines, orchid growers
\nand handicraft producers.<\/p>\n
Various handicrafts like Malang and Madura masks, Madura and
\nSidoarjo batik, Gedhog Banyuwangi woven fabrics and the Mojokerto
\nPonorogo lumping horse made of plaitwork will be exhibited at the
\nfair.<\/p>\n
"Japan, Malaysia and several other Asian countries will also
\nparticipate in the event," said Harun.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jp5shop1-1447899208",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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