Palembang is the capital of the province of south Sumatra, in southern Indonesia. It is set on the banks of the Musi river, the longest in Indonesia.
Palembang was the capital of a Buddhist kingdom of the emperor Srivijaya. It remained the capital from the 7th century to the 14th century A.D. The Dutch established a trading post in the city in 1659, and also built a fort. The Japanese occupied it during the second World War, and currently, since it has a working port, is an important trade venue.
The Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport has both domestic and international flights. It connects Palembang with most important cities in Indonesia. There are some samples of architecture bearing the effects of Dutch colonization in the city.
The most important attraction is the bridge on the Musi river. It is the largest bridge in all of Indonesia. Another place to see is the Masjid Agung Grand Mosque. A beautiful mosque, it has gone through a number of renovation. It has traces of the Buddhist architecture from the days of the Buddhist empire in Palembang. A trip down the Musi river is also an immensely pleasant experience.
Palembang is famous for its traditional recipe, Pempek fish cakes. Pempek or Empek-Empek is a delicacy, made from fish and sago. It is eaten with a dark sauce called Cuko or Cuka, which is made from brown sugar, chili pepper, garlic and salt.
Accommodation in Palembang is top-notch,with modern hotels, with restaurants serving very good food and fast food outlets and joints abundant on the streets of the city.
