Sam Poo Kong temple to become Central Java provincial icon
Sam Poo Kong temple to become Central Java provincial icon
Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, Semarang
As Semarang celebrates the 600th anniversary of the arrival of
Chinese explorer Zheng He in the city, Central Java Governor
Mardiyanto has promised to make Zheng He's legacy, the Sam Poo
Kong temple, the province's icon.
"The Sam Poo Kong temple will not only be a place of worship,
but also a tourist attraction," the governor said.
The renovation of the Sam Poo Kong temple in Gedung Batu,
Simongan, here, is not altogether finished. Several buildings,
such as the inn in the Western part of the complex are yet to be
restored, though the eastern gateway, the Zheng He Cave, the main
temple building and the tomb of Admiral Zheng He's fleet helmsman
named Wang Jin Hong -- locally known as Kiai Juru Mudi Dampo
Awang -- have been completed.
Sam Poo Kong is purportedly the area where Zheng He's massive
fleet landed in 1413 on the banks of an estuary of Garang river,
which was 50 meters deep and 1,000 m wide at that time.
Zheng He resided in Semarang for a year. His helmsman Wang Jin
Hong, alias Ong King Hong, alias Dampo Awang, lived and later
died in Simongan.
Governor Mardiyanto said Zheng He's mission had not only been
one of friendship, peace or trade. He had also disseminated
advanced scientific knowledge during his time in Semarang.
"Ultimately, Sam Poo Kong is not only the pride of a certain
group of people but also people of diverse backgrounds as a
whole. Zheng He, who facilitated cultural exchanges, also forged
interreligious harmony," said Mardiyanto.
Meanwhile, the People's Republic of China's Vice Ambassador to
Indonesia Yu Hong Yao emphasized that Zheng He's exploration was
a mission of peace and not aggression, let alone colonization.
"We can maintain the friendly mission, especially the ties
between Indonesia and China, which are now improving
considerably," he said.
The Sam Poo Kong temple was bustling with around 2,000
visitors on Wednesday alone. Heavy rain from Tuesday night until
Wednesday afternoon had not discouraged people from visiting the
biggest temple in Southeast Asia.
Hundreds of people, mostly Chinese Indonesians, took turns
entering the Zheng He Cave at Gedung Batu, located right behind
the main temple. In the cave stands a statue of Admiral Zheng He,
which was brought in from China long ago.
Around 2,000 lanterns, suspended by cables, decorate the
temple compound. The heavy rain has not damaged the cloth
lanterns, which were imported from China.
Lecturer at the Semarang State University Conny Handayani said
she was of the view that the Sam Poo Kong temple, which had for
centuries displayed a blend of Chinese and Javanese features,
should be promoted for tourism purposes.