Best Cities for Chinese New Year in Indonesia

Chinese New Year in Indonesia unfolds as a quiet spectacle of light, memory, and belonging. It’s a season when incense drifts through temple courtyards, lacquered doors glow beneath rows of crimson lanterns, and cities pause to honour traditions carried across oceans and centuries. The celebration is not confined to ceremony alone; it lives in shared meals, whispered prayers, and the careful choreography of rituals repeated year after year.

The story of Chinese communities in Indonesia is one of early arrival and enduring presence. Drawn by ancient trade routes, Chinese merchants and settlers began establishing roots along the archipelago’s ports long before modern borders existed. Over generations, these communities shaped—and were shaped by—the cultures around them, creating a distinctly Chinese-Indonesian identity. Even during periods when customs were practised discreetly, heritage endured, safeguarded within families and sacred spaces.

Today, the Chinese New Year marks a moment of renewed visibility and quiet triumph. The season reflects not excess, but intention—an elegant convergence of ancestral reverence and regional character. Each city interprets the Lunar New Year through its own cultural lens, weaving local flavours, architecture, and traditions into celebrations that feel deeply personal and unmistakably Indonesian.

Here are the top cities where the Lunar New Year is observed with enduring grace. These are the destinations where Chinese New Year is experienced not as spectacle, but as atmosphere—layered, luminous, and profoundly rooted in place.

Malang

In the cool highlands of East Java, Malang celebrates Chinese New Year with an understated charm that feels both intimate and expressive. At Eng An Kiong Temple, one of the city’s oldest, richly adorned altars and offerings create a painterly scene of devotion. Beyond temple walls, public squares come alive with lion and dragon dances, drumbeats echoing through the air as residents and visitors gather in shared celebration. The result is a Lunar New Year experience that feels heartfelt, artistic, and deeply rooted in place.

Medan

Bold, diverse, and richly layered, Medan celebrates Chinese New Year with unmistakable spirit. The city’s temples take centre stage as devotees gather amid candlelight and incense, particularly at Gunung Timur Temple and the serene Maha Maitreya Monastery in Cemara Asri. In Chinatown districts such as Jalan Semarang, lanterns cast a warm glow over bustling night markets, where lion dances captivate onlookers, and festive treats abound. Medan’s culinary reputation reaches its peak during the season—think Hainanese chicken rice, longevity noodles, bika ambon, and fragrant local sweets that anchor celebrations at the family table.

Jakarta

The capital marks Chinese New Year with a cosmopolitan flourish, most notably in Glodok, Jakarta’s historic Chinatown. Lantern-lined streets glow against the night sky as stalls brim with festive delicacies, from sticky-sweet kue keranjang to symbolic longevity noodles. At Dharma Bhakti Temple, incense curls through the air as worshippers gather in quiet devotion, creating a powerful counterpoint to the city’s energetic pulse. Beyond Glodok, Jakarta’s luxury malls embrace the season with curated décor, lion dance performances, and refined culinary pop-ups. 

Semarang

Few cities honour history as gracefully as Semarang. During Chinese New Year, its architectural legacy and maritime past set the stage for celebrations steeped in elegance. The revered Sam Poo Kong Temple, dedicated to Admiral Cheng Ho, becomes a focal point as its expansive courtyards are illuminated by lanterns and ceremonial displays. The Cap Go Meh parade follows with theatrical flair: undulating dragons, vivid floats, and crowds united in celebration. One of Semarang’s most cherished traditions, Tuk Panjang, invites guests to dine communally along extended tables laden with symbolic dishes—an embodiment of abundance, harmony, and togetherness.
 

Singkawang

Often called the City of a Thousand Temples, Singkawang is synonymous with the Chinese New Year in Indonesia. Located in West Kalimantan, the city draws international attention for its extraordinary Cap Go Meh rituals. The legendary Tatung procession is unlike anything else—spiritual mediums perform awe-inspiring acts of endurance believed to ward off misfortune and restore balance. Throughout the city, temples such as Tri Dharma Bumi Raya become sites of reverence, while the streets transform into a sprawling festival of lanterns, markets, and ceremonial art.

Solo

Elegant and inclusive, Solo (Surakarta) approaches the Chinese New Year as a cultural dialogue. The city’s deep-rooted Chinese-Indonesian heritage ensures the celebration feels both authentic and warmly communal. The highlight is Grebeg Sudiro, a signature festival blending Javanese pageantry with Chinese symbolism. A grand procession fills Pasar Gede with lion and dragon dances, traditional performances, and towering gunungan of kue keranjang, shared generously with the public. At Tien Kok Sie Temple, moments of quiet reflection unfold as devotees present incense and prayers.

Surabaya

In East Java’s bustling capital, Chinese New Year is deeply woven into the city’s cultural fabric. Home to a longstanding Chinese-Indonesian community, Surabaya celebrates with confidence and colour. Sanggar Agung Temple, perched dramatically along the Kenjeran coastline, becomes the spiritual and visual heart of the festivities. Its fusion of Chinese and Javanese architectural elements is set against the open sea, offering a striking backdrop for prayer rituals and cultural performances. Meanwhile, Kembang Jepun Street pulses with energy as lanterns illuminate night markets and dragon dances weave through the crowds. The city’s culinary landscape shines during the season, highlighting classics like lontong cap go meh, ayam kodok, and traditional steamed cakes.