Semarang's safety is considered moderate. The people are nice, especially to stranger (western tourist especially); People are helpful and friendly.

Never touch anyone's head (especially teenagers and older men) as it is considered as "insult" and might invite troubles. In the crowded bus/train/small car used as public transportation, "un-intended touch" is tolerated. Never look at someone (especially young men) straight to the eyes more than 3 times as it might be considered as "challenging them to fight" (this is apply especially in bigger town/city - as the villagers are more friendly to strangers).

Semarang is neither a small city nor huge like Jakarta. Everyone is urged to take account universal rules such as "only walk in the light-bright area"; do not attempt to deal with hookers or trans-sexual hookers which are usually done under secluded and dark area; lady travelers are urged not to travel alone after 11 p.m especially in an unknown dark neighborhood, sometimes even in residential areas. For precautions do carry a mace or pepper sprays. Only take moderate amount of money in an open air ATM.

When riding the public transportation it is not encouraged to wear jewelry, or gaudy and branded or designer watches. Petty thieves are common, but they do not strike when it isn't obvious. During the night take public transportations that have more than a few people in them.
[edit] Stay healthy

Tap water in Indonesia is not potable. So do not drink your hotel tap water unless you boil it first. Bottled water is very popular and not expensive, popular brand is AQUA, ADES, 2 Tang etc. You can find them in department stores and mini mart such as Indomart, Alfa Mart and even in small street stalls (usually in the corner of street intersection).

Hospitals with 24 hours emergency rooms (ER):

* RS Umum Pusat Dr. Kariadi, Jl. Dr. Sutomo No. 16, Tel.: (62)(24) 413993, (62)(24) 413764, (62)(24) 413476.

* RS. St. Elizabeth, Jl. Kawi No 1. Tel.: (62)(24) 831 0035

* RS. Telogorejo, Jl. K.H. Achmad Dahlan, Tel.: (62)(24)446000.

* RS. Panti Wilasa Cipto, Jl. Dr.Cipto 50, Tel.: (62)(24) 546040.

* RS. Panti Wilasa Citarum, Jl. Citarum No. 98. Tel.: (62)(24)3542224.

You can also keep your health by having reflexology treatment. Enjoy how reflexology treatment can be harmonically mixed with aromatherapy and soundtherapy at SINERGY REFLEXOLOGY :

Jl KH Ahmad Dahlan 11A, tel : (024) 70170788 (Simpang Lima Area)
Jl Majapahit 218C, tel : (024) 70388838
Bandara A Yani, Arjuna Lounge, tel : (024) 70355535

[edit] Contact

Post offices are easy to find. DHL, TNT, Fedex and other international courier also available. Local courier and shipping company (also serving international courier and freight) is ELTEHA (LTH). Ask your hotel staff to help you dealing with these courier companies.
[edit] Cope

* Ambulance: 118
* Police: 110
* Central Java Police HQ. Jl. Pahlawan 1. Tel.: (62)(24) 831-1382
* Semarang Police HQ. Jl. Dr Sutomo 19. Tel.: (62)(24) 844-4444, (62)(24) 8418400

Police stations:

* Central Semarang. Jl. Brumbungan Tengah 41. Tel.: (62)(24) 354-5175
* North Semarang. Jl. Letjen Suprapto 45. Tel.: (62)(24) 6921275
* South Semarang. Jl. Sultan Agung 103. Tel.: (62)(24) 8315123.
* West Semarang. : Jl. Ronggolawe Selatan. Tel.: (62)(24) 7610698
* East Semarang. Jl. Majapahit. Tel.: (62)(24) 6710863

[edit] Get out

Semarang is the major hub city of Central Java. From Semarang you can go to Dieng Plateau situated north off small town namd Wonosobo for one day tour seeing ancient hindus temple/candi in a former ancient city lies in the misty plateau.

Alternatively, within one and a half hours you can go to Borobudur temple in Muntilan and then to Prambanan temple in Klaten and buy some antiques and batik in Yogyakarta. It take less than 2 hours drive from Semarang to Yogyakarta. Solo is also only one and half hour drive from Semarang.

You can also go further southward to some small towns like Ungaran, Salatiga, Ambarawa, Kopeng and Bandungan. It will take at least a one day tour but is really worth it. You will see beautiful scenery on the way between Semarang, Salatiga and the adjacent cities like Solo and Yogyakarta. You can reach Solo (sometimes called Surakarta) or Yogyakarta in less than 2 hours.

* Karimunjawa - marine national park in small islands north of Semarang
* Kudus - the centre of Indonesia's cigarettes industry, where some prominent manufacturers are located, of which 'Djarum' is the most famous.