Jombang is a town in East Java. It's known as Kota Santri (Islamic-student City) because there are lots of Islamic boarding schools.
Understand
[edit]The word of "Jombang" is an acronym from Javanese word, both Ijo (green) and Abang (red). "Green" represents the students (religious), and "Red" represents the Abangan (nationalists). Muslims in Jombang live side by side with other religions in peace despite being majority religion, that’s why this city as an example for pluralism in Indonesia. Indonesian former fourth President, Kyai H. Abdurrahman Wahid, who taught humanism and pluralism, was born in Jombang.
Get in
[edit]
Map of Jombang
By plane
[edit]The closest airport is Juanda International Airport in Surabaya.
By train
[edit]1 Jombang Railway Station. Check the schedule and fare on the official KAI website[dead link].
By car
[edit]Jombang is accessible via Kertosono–Mojokerto Highway.
By bus
[edit]2 Kepuhsari Bus Terminal is the main bus terminal in Jombang.
- To and from Surabaya, find bus in Purabaya/Bungurasih Bus Terminal. Any bus with this destinations Yogyakarta, Madiun, Ponorogo, Kertosono, Nganjuk, Tulungagung is passing Kepuhsari Bus Terminal. The journey will take about 2 hours and you should pay Rp10,000 for bus with AC. Please bear in mind that after 16:00 or 17:00, any bus will not enter the bus terminal, instead, they only stop at the front gate of the bus terminal. Jombang have 3 stop points commonly used by local traveler: Kepuhsari Bus Terminal (main terminal), Terminal Lama (Old Terminal, T-intersection near Darul Ulum University), and the last is the Jombang Train Station.
- To and from Malang, find the blue-colored bus named Puspa Indah in Landungsari Bus Terminal. The journey will take around 3 hours. Please note that the bus from Malang is a small, non-AC bus, with a driver that drove like crazy because the road is full of up and down, but the scenery is great because they passed the mountain and paddy's field. The fare is Rp18,000.
- To and from Yogyakarta, from Giwangan Bus Terminal find bus depart to Surabaya. All buses that goes to Surabaya is passing Jombang Bus Terminal and the journey will take around 6 hours. The economy bus fare is Rp43,000.
Get around
[edit]Angkot (angkutan kota) has 24 routes that reaches all Jombang sub-districts, however ride-hailing via the usual apps is increasingly common.
Talk
[edit]Most people in Jombang speak with two languages which is Indonesian language as the national language and Javanese language as the local language. English speakers are uncommon.
See
[edit]
- 1 Jombang Sport Stadium (Stadion Merdeka Jombang).
- 2 Masjid Agung Jombang (Masjid Agung Baitul Mukminin), Jl. KH. A. Dahlan No.28, Jombatan (Close to Alun-Alun (City Square) and Jombang Railway Station). The great mosque of Jombang.
Do
[edit]- 1 Tirta Wisata. A park and recreation center with a swimming pool and a tennis court.
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]- 1 Pujasera Kebonrojo, Jl. KH. Wachid Hasyim (near Alun-Alun square). 10:00-22:00. A local open-air food court featuring various stalls. Great for families as it includes a playground. Ayam Geprek to local noodles and snacks. Rp15,000 - Rp40,000.
- 2 Nasi Pecel Bu Djiah (Pecel Bu Djiah), Jl. KH. Wahid Hasyim No.9, ☏ +62 321 864506. 06:00-22:00. A legendary breakfast and lunch spot serving "Nasi Pecel" (traditional vegetable salad with spicy peanut sauce). It is famous for its vast array of side dishes, including fried empal (sweet beef), lungs (paru), and beef tongue. Rp20,000 - Rp50,000.
- 3 Sate Kampret Jula-Juli (Sate Kampret), Jl. Buya Hamka No. 36. 19:00-00:00. A famous night-time culinary icon. "Kampret" (bat) refers to its late operating hours. It serves very spicy beef satay accompanied by savory lodeh (vegetable curry) or rawon soup. A must-visit for spice enthusiasts. Rp25,000 - Rp50,000.
- 4 Nasi Kikil Redjo Agung (Gus Dur's Favorite), Jl. KH. Hasyim Asy'ari No.144, Diwek (in the Pulosari area, south of the city center), ☏ +62 321 865203. 17:00-23:00. It features tender beef tendon (kikil) in a rich coconut milk soup, served on a traditional banana leaf (pincuk). Rp25,000 - Rp45,000.
- 5 Rawon Rosobo, Jl. Raya Mojoagung No.191 (n Mojoagung, about 15-20 minutes east), ☏ +62 321 495441. 05:30-21:00. Renowned for having the best Rawon (black beef soup) in East Java. The signature feature is the thick and tender chunks of "Empal" (fried beef) served with the soup. Rp35,000 - Rp60,000.
- 6 Soto Dok Seger (Soto Dok), Jl. PB. Sudirman No.34 (near the sugar mill (PG Jombang Baru).). 07:00-21:00. A Javanese beef soup experience where the vendor bangs the soy sauce bottle against the table, creating a loud "Dok!" sound. It offers a savory clear broth with bean sprouts and tender beef. Rp15,000 - Rp30,000.
- 7 Tahu Pong Gloria, Jl. Sawunggaling No.5 (near the train station area). 08:00-20:00. A popular spot for "Tahu Pong" (hollow fried tofu). Served crispy with a signature spicy dipping sauce. Rp15,000 - Rp30,000.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Essemu Coffee & Kitchen, Jl. Empu Barada, Kepanjen (Near the town center.), ☏ +62 813-8883-3505. Lifestyle cafe. It offers a cozy interior, outdoor seating on the second floor, and a wide variety of espresso-based drinks and refreshments. Good Wi-Fi and plenty of power outlets. Rp25,000 - Rp50,000.
- 2 TJ Coffee Lab, Jl. Panglima Sudirman No.1 (in front of PG Jombang Baru (Sugar Mill)), ☏ +62 856-5622-2216. A 24-hour coffee shop in an old colonial-style building, a former sugar mill staff house. Known for its affordable prices and historical "vintage" atmosphere. Rp10,000 - Rp25,000.
- 3 Narastory Coffee, Jl. Urip Sumoharjo, Tugu, Kepatihan, ☏ +62 882-0104-85794. Another reliable 24-hour spot with a spacious outdoor area. It is very popular with local students and is often crowded during weekend nights. The service is fast, even when it is busy. Rp20,000 - Rp40,000.
- 4 STMJ & ITB Simpang 3, Jl. Gus Dur No.16, Mojongapit (near the Simpang Tiga intersection). A local night spot serving STMJ (Milk, Egg, Honey, and Ginger). The "ITB" in the name refers to "Ika Teki Bakar" (grilled snacks). It is a traditional way to enjoy the night air while staying warm with ginger-infused drinks. Rp12,000 - Rp20,000.
- 5 Kuliner Malam Jombang (Jombang Night Market), Jl. Gubernur Suryo (near Alun-Alun square). This street becomes a lively night market after 5 PM. While mainly for food, it's the best place to find local drinks like "Es Teler", "Susu Segar" (fresh milk), and "Kopi Ijo" from various street vendors at very low prices. Varies (Cheap).
Sleep
[edit]Budget
[edit]- 1 Dewi Hotel, Jl. Cempaka No. 2, Peterongan (near Peterongan), ☏ +62-321 854111. The most popular budget option in the area. Very basic but sufficient for backpackers looking for a low-cost place to sleep. Rp100,000 - Rp160,000.
- 2 Tree On Hotel, Ruko Cempaka Mas, Jl. Soekarno - Hatta, ☏ +62-321 8490333. A modern minimalist hotel within a commercial shop-house complex. Rooms are clean with reliable AC and hot water. From Rp200,000.
- 3 Green Red Hotel Syariah Jombang, Jl. Soekarno - Hatta No.55, Peterongan (on the main road), ☏ +62-321 851168. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. A Sharia-compliant hotel known for its cleanliness and friendly service. From Rp250,000.
=Mid-range
[edit]- 4 Hotel Netral Jombang, Jl. RE Martadinata No. 124, Kepatihan, ☏ +62-321 861711. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. It features meeting rooms and a 24-hour cafe. Married couples may be asked to provide proof of marriage. From Rp260,000.
- 5 Yusro Hotel Restaurant & Convention, Jl. Soekarno Hatta No.25, ☏ +62-321 878800, [email protected]. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. A well-established 3-star hotel featuring an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, and a very spacious parking area. Frequently used for conventions and wedding events. Rp486,000 - Rp905,000.
- 6 Cempaka Mas Hotel, Jl. Cempaka No.18 A, Peterongan, ☏ +62-321 855011. Offers a quiet atmosphere with an outdoor swimming pool and sports facilities. Set back slightly from the main highway for a more peaceful stay. Rp250,000 - Rp400,000.
Splurge
[edit]- 7 Azana Style Hotel Jombang, Jl. Soekarno - Hatta, Kepuhkembeng, Peterongan (near the Jombang city entrance gate), ☏ +62-321 5221000. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. The first 4-star hotel in Jombang, opened as of late 2025/early 2026. It offers modern facilities including Google TV in every room, a grand ballroom with videotron, and a rooftop restaurant. From Rp435,000.
Stay safe
[edit]Connect
[edit]Phone
[edit]Telephone kiosks called Wartel/Warung Telepon are rare. Buy a cheap local SIM instead.
Internet
[edit]There are many internet cafes or Warnet/Warung Internet in Jombang which offer speedy access to the internet, they charge around Rp2,500/hour. Several hotels provide Wi-Fi on the lobby. Always ask the front desk about internet access. Many cafes in Jombang provide free Wi-Fi, or you can use public Wi-Fi in the Jombang town square (Alun-Alun) for free.
Cope
[edit]Emergency number
[edit]- Police: 110
- Ambulance: 118 or 119
- Search and Rescue: 115
- Fire figther: 113 or 1131
Hospitals with 24-hour emergency
[edit]- 1 Jombang Islamic Hospital (Rumah Sakit Islam Jombang), Jl. Brigjen Kretarto No. 22 A, ☏ +62 321 860 074.
- 2 Jombang Regency General Hospital (Rumah Sakit Umum Daerah Kabupaten Jombang), Jl. KH. Wachid Hasyim No. 52, ☏ +62 321 863 502, [email protected].
- 3 Moedjito Dwidjosiswojo General Hospital (Rumah Sakit Umum dr. Moedjito Dwidjosiswojo), Jl. Hayam Wuruk No. 9, ☏ +62 321 877 276, [email protected].
- 4 Muhammadiyah Hospital (Rumah Sakit Muhammadiyah Jombang), Jl. Dr. Soetomo, ☏ +62 321 853 480.
Go next
[edit]Jombang is pretty close with neighborhood tourism city such as Surabaya, Mojokerto, and Malang.