Sam Poo Kong Temple Tourism

Sam Poo Kong Temple or gedong Stone is a Chinese temple located in the area Simongan , Semarang , Indonesia . This place is a haven once said to Admiral Cheng Ho , a Chinese explorer who are Muslims .
Sam Poo Kong temple is famous up to foreign , even doing a spot that has been set by the Chinese government as a tourist destination for travelers from China . The most unique tourist destination by Chinese Muslims and / or Islam cultural nuances , not the Chinese cultural nuances inherent with incense and candles . This is due to the Chinese Muslims of Yunnan Province is very familiar and well know and believe that Admiral Zheng as warlords Persian envoy of Chinese descent have an Islamic background .
Building the core of this temple is a stone cave and is the main point of this location . This stone cave believed to be the initial landing and the headquarters of Admiral Zheng He and his men during a visit to the island of Java . In it there is a statue that is believed sabagai statue of Sam Poo Tay Djien or Admiral Zheng . At this location can also be found the altar and the tomb of Admiral Cheng Ho's confidence while in Java , which is often visited by visitors to pilgrimage .

Giving the name of the building / buildings are quite unique given based on the naming of objects from the ship . For example , Mbah Kyai Cundrik Earth is where all types of weapons that are used to arm boat crew . Kiai / Nyai Tumpeng relating to the affairs of the food on the ship and put Kiai Djangkar place anchors . While Mbah Djurumudi suspected / believed to be the tomb of the helmsman ship . In the building dihiasai with various paintings and sculptures depicting Zheng trip to Java including the two pillars on the surface of the main building .

Architecture Travel in Sam Po Kong
Visiting Sam Po Kong temple is an architectural tour for me . Various forms are eclectic architectural appeared in the temple area . From the shape of the pyramid roof Javanese , Chinese roof and interior architecture , as well as some decorations are reminiscent of the carved stone temples in Java .
There are many interesting things that I have met there . A boat with a tree that is believed to locals as the tree grows from the anchor being thrown by Cheng Ho , draw attention to the shape of the hanging roots that is similar to the anchor chain .

Then , a kiln in the form of a pumpkin , reminds me of a childhood fairy tale that tells the story of the fruit that fell from heaven . Fruit that falls from heaven is a pumpkin , perhaps because it was burning prayer in it will speed up the " letter " to heaven .
Two dragons , which is typical of the real China , also reminds me of the usual two dragons meet on either side of the house or temple architecture of Java . A picture on the wall murals also depict two dragons came out from behind the waves of the sea gelagak trying to swallow a rounded shape that may symbolize the sun . " Sun " is located right above the entrance to the main cave .

The world of design is always borrowed from various parts of the world . Picture " broken machete " on batik is very similar to the decoration of the group object cognate with Dong Son Drum , also known as Moko Drum , drum known for rain . Likewise, in the temple area we could find the elements of design that mixes between that come from outside the local culture .

Existing altar table use in the typical carved wooden legs using Java ( Jepara models ) with tendrils that adorn the trees and flowers .
The frosting on some sculptures that time I could not look , also decorated with carvings typical Java seems to originate from the design bermaknakan " mega " or the cloud .
This temple is also decorated with trip details Zheng He visited the island of Java , and who knows how many more are still an attractive addition that can be extracted from this place .

Although the people of Chinese descent in Semarang gedong stone temple is a place of prayer , worship , and seeking Chiam sie ( forecast ) , apparently international tourists from China more dominant is tourists who are Muslims . It appears centuries after Zheng He passed away , he still invites the group to visit the island of Java, such as that used routinely done .