Reaching 1.63 Million Visitors, Lawang Sewu Becomes a Heritage Tourism Magnet in Semarang
Lawang Sewu has recorded 1.63 million visitors from 2024 to August 2026. This figure demonstrates that the historic building located in the Tugu Muda area of Semarang, Central Java, remains a significant magnet for heritage tourism.
Throughout 2024, Lawang Sewu recorded 639,091 visitors. The number of visits in 2025 reached 620,550, while from January to August 2026, 376,997 visitors were recorded. In total, the number of visits to Lawang Sewu during the period from 2024 to August 2026 reached 1,636,638.
Lawang Sewu is closely linked to the history of railways in Indonesia. The building was constructed by the Nederlandsch-Indische Spoorweg Maatschappij (NIS), a private Dutch East Indies railway company. Construction of the main Lawang Sewu building began in 1904 and was completed in 1907. At that time, the building served as the headquarters for NIS, which played a key role in the development of the railway network.
Lawang Sewu is well-known to the public for its architectural character, featuring numerous doors and windows. Today, the building serves as a space for the public to learn about the history of Indonesian railways through its available collections and historical information.
Anne Purba, Vice President of Corporate Communication at KAI, stated that heritage destinations like Lawang Sewu are an integral part of the visitor experience when travelling to Semarang. “Railway history is closely linked to the development of various cities in Indonesia, including Semarang. Lawang Sewu is one of the legacies that preserves the stories of railway journeys from the past to the present. The public can learn this history through the building, collections, and information available during their visit,” said Anne.
Travel to Semarang is further supported by railway services operating at the city’s two main stations. From January to August 2026, Semarang Tawang Station recorded 1,262,315 passengers, consisting of 628,946 departing and 633,369 arriving passengers. Meanwhile, Semarang Poncol Station served 1,867,005 passengers, comprising 902,984 departing and 964,021 arriving passengers.
This high level of travel activity aligns with Semarang’s position as a major tourist destination. According to data from the Semarang City Central Bureau of Statistics, the number of tourists visiting Semarang in 2024 reached 7,345,373 people. This figure consists of 7,321,077 domestic tourists and 24,296 international tourists.
In addition to being a historical tourist attraction, Lawang Sewu also serves as a heritage building that records the development of railways in Indonesia. Its existence is now part of the tourism experience for those visiting Semarang, particularly for those wishing to enjoy the blend of history, architecture, and the long journey of Indonesian rail transport.