Malang Sights: Squares, Temples, Boulevards
Malang’s sights fall into three layers: a Dutch colonial town planned in the 1920s and 1930s, Javanese civic squares and mosques, and a ring of temples built when East Java was ruled from the Singhasari and Kanjuruhan kingdoms. Most of the city centre can be seen on foot or by short angkot or ride-hailing hops, and the temples lie within 5 to 22 km. Prices are in rupiah (Rp).
Sights by Distance from Alun-Alun Tugu
| Sight | Where | Distance | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alun-Alun Tugu, Balai Kota | City centre | 0 km | Free, always open |
| Alun-Alun Merdeka, Masjid Jami’, Hati Kudus church | City centre | Short ride | Free |
| Jalan Ijen, cathedral, Museum Brawijaya | Klojen | Short ride | Museum about Rp 10,000 to 25,000 |
| Kayutangan heritage quarter | Jl. Jenderal Basuki Rahmat | Short ride | Free |
| Candi Badut | Karangbesuki, Sukun | About 5 km west | Donation |
| Candi Singosari and the Dwarapala statues | Singosari | About 10 km north | Small entry or donation |
| Candi Jago and Candi Kidal | Tumpang area | About 20 to 22 km east | Ask on arrival |
The Colonial Centre
Alun-Alun Tugu is the symbolic heart of town, laid out in the 1920s by the Dutch planner Herman Thomas Karsten. A lotus pond and the 1946 independence monument stand in the middle, and the square is also known as Wilhelmina Park. The City Hall, Balai Kota, faces it. It was built from 1927 to 1929 in a modern Dutch Art Deco style. Hotel Tugu Malang is across the road. The square is free and open all hours, and at night the fountains are lit.
Alun-Alun Merdeka on Jl. Merdeka is the older Javanese town square. Banyan trees shade pigeon coops, playgrounds and fountains. Masjid Jami’ Malang, founded in 1890 in a blend of Javanese and Arabic styles, stands on the west side. On the south side is the neo-Gothic Gereja Hati Kudus Yesus, built in 1905 and also called the Kayutangan Catholic church. Both are working places of worship, so dress modestly and keep your voice down inside.
Jalan Ijen was laid out in the 1930s as an elite residential boulevard. Royal palms line the broad parkway, and many Art Deco and Indische villas survive. The cathedral at Jl. Ijen No. 2, dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, dates from 1934. Every Sunday from 05:30 to 09:00 the street closes to vehicles for car free day, with street performers, exercise classes and breakfast stalls.
Museum Brawijaya at Jl. Ijen No. 25A is a military history museum. Its rear yard holds the Gerbong Maut, one of three railway wagons that carried prisoners in 1947, and a boat called Kapal Segigir stands in the courtyard. The wagon is a sombre exhibit and deserves a quiet visit. Listed hours are 08:00 to 14:00 or 15:00, and tickets cost between about Rp 10,000 and Rp 25,000 depending on the source.
Kayutangan is the city’s heritage quarter on Jl. Jenderal Basuki Rahmat, with cobbled walkways, old lamps and plaques. Behind it, Kampung Kayutangan keeps early houses with names such as Rumah 1870, Rumah Jam and Rumah Namsin. Both are free to walk through.
Temples Around the City
Candi Badut, about 5 km west of the centre, is the oldest surviving stone temple in East Java. It dates from 760 AD, during the Kanjuruhan kingdom under King Gajayana, and has a central linga-yoni shrine. Entry is by voluntary donation, and it is open from 08:00 to 17:00.
Candi Singosari, in Candirenggo about 10 km north, is a funerary temple from around 1300 AD for King Kertanegara, the last ruler of Singhasari. Its upper carvings were never finished and show Batara Guru and Kala figures. About 300 m to the west stand two huge Dwarapala guardian statues, more than 3.7 m tall. Expect a small entry fee or donation.
Candi Jago and Candi Kidal are in the Tumpang area, 20 to 22 km east. Jago is a 13th-century funerary temple for King Wisnuwardhana with narrative reliefs. The national heritage agency BPK Wilayah XI is restoring it, with a completion target of 2027, so ask about access before you travel. Kidal, in Rejokidal, is a 13th-century temple for King Anusapati known for its Garuda and amrita reliefs.
Kanjuruhan Stadium
On 1 October 2022, after a football match between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya, security forces fired tear gas into the stands at Kanjuruhan Stadium in Kepanjen, and the crush at the exits killed 135 people. The Jakarta Post reported in January 2025 that a memorial museum had been built at Gate 13, with a pillar engraved with the victims’ names, paintings and the dented gate. The families of the victims opposed demolition of the gate, and its future is still argued over. Treat the site as a memorial. Ask locally about access before you go, do not expect a guided tour, and keep photographs respectful.
More Ways to See the City
The free Macito bus gives a 40 minute orientation ride past many of these sights, booked in an app. For routes on foot see the walking tours guide .
Read more: activities in Malang and attraction tours . Overseas visitors arrive at Surabaya airport, described in the Surabaya guide . The museum details are in a detik report on Museum Brawijaya , the Gate 13 memorial is covered by the Jakarta Post , and guided city tours can be compared on GetYourGuide .