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AsiaIndonesiaSouth Sumatra

Palembang

South Sumatra, Indonesia · Asia

About Palembang

Palembang sits on the route: 15 minutes from Talangbetutu.

Palembang is a major city located in South Sumatra, Indonesia. With a population of 1,668,848, it is one of the largest urban centers in Asia.

On a road trip, Palembang sits in Indonesia, where you drive on the left. It's in the Asia/Jakarta time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Palembang to your route.

About Palembang

Palembang (Indonesian pronunciation: [paˈlɛmbaŋ] , Palembang: Pelémbang, Mandarin: 巨港 (Jùgǎng), Hokkien: 舊港 (Kū-káng), Jawi: ڤليمبڠ‎) is the capital city of the Indonesian province of South Sumatra. The city proper covers 352.51 square kilometres (136.10 square miles) on both banks of the Musi River in the eastern

Read more lowlands of southern Sumatra. It had a population of 1,668,848 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as at mid 2024 was 1,801,367 (comprising 901,923 males and 899,444 females). Palembang is the second most populous city in Sumatra, after Medan, and the twelfth most populous city in Indonesia. The Palembang metropolitan area has an estimated population of more than 2.7 million in 2023. It comprises the city and parts of regencies surrounding the city, including Banyuasin Regency (11 administrative districts), Ogan Ilir Regency (seven districts), and Ogan Komering Ilir Regency (four districts). Palembang was the capital of Srivijaya, a Buddhist kingdom that ruled much of the western Indonesian Archipelago and controlled many maritime trade routes, including the Strait of Malacca. Palembang was incorporated into the Dutch East Indies in 1825 after the abolition of the Palembang Sultanate. It was chartered as a city on 1 April 1906. Palembang was the host city of the 2011 Southeast Asian Games and the 2018 Asian Games along with Jakarta. The first light rail system in Indonesia was operated in Palembang in July 2018. The city attracted 2,011,417 tourists in 2017, including 9,850 foreign tourists. Traffic jams, floods, slums, pollution, and peatland fire are problems in Palembang. The city of Neiva in Colombia is the antipode of Palembang. Palembang and Neiva are the only pair of antipodal cities in the world where both cities have a population of above 300,000 people.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Palembang

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Palembang?

Palembang offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Palembang?

Plan your road trip to Palembang with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Palembang as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Palembang located?

Palembang is located in South Sumatra, Indonesia, Asia. The coordinates are -2.9167 latitude, 104.7458 longitude.

What is the population of Palembang?

Palembang has a population of approximately 1,668,848 people, making it a major city in Indonesia.

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Quick Information

Population
1,668,848
Continent
Asia
Country
Indonesia
Region
South Sumatra
Timezone
Asia/Jakarta
Coordinates
-2.9167, 104.7458

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Indonesia

Police
110
Ambulance
118
Fire
113
All emergencies
112
Driving side
left
Full driving guide for Indonesia

Tags

AsiaIndonesiaSouth SumatraMajor City

When to drive here

Year-round

Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Palembang.

Talangbetutu

🇮🇩 Indonesia

7 km away

Sungaigerong

🇮🇩 Indonesia

13 km away

Indralaya

🇮🇩 Indonesia

38 km awayPop. 42,498

Pangkalan Balai

🇮🇩 Indonesia

39 km away

Tanjungraja

🇮🇩 Indonesia

47 km away

Glumbang

🇮🇩 Indonesia

50 km away

Tanjung Lubuk

🇮🇩 Indonesia

50 km away

Kayu Agung

🇮🇩 Indonesia

54 km away

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence