Pulau Kemaro

Pulau Kemaro is a small river island in the Musi River, about 6 km from central Palembang in South Sumatra, Indonesia. Formed as a delta island, it is known for its 9-storey Buddhist pagoda, Hok Tjing Rio Temple, and a Chinese-Palembang love legend. The island blends Chinese and Palembang cultures and serves as a Buddhist pilgrimage site and recreational park, especially popular during the Cap Go Meh festival.

Visitors reach the island by motorized boat from piers near Ampera Bridge and explore a flat, landscaped river island with a prominent 9-storey pagoda, a Chinese Buddhist temple (Hok Tjing Rio), statues, gardens and paved walkways. The setting is on the Musi River with views of river traffic and Palembang skyline. Visitors can walk around the temple complex, view cultural ornaments, take photos, and experience a quiet park atmosphere with food stalls and souvenir vendors.

Pulau Kemaro is associated with a local legend of a Chinese trader Tan Bun An and Palembang princess Siti Fatimah, whose story is linked to the island's origin. The island developed as a cultural site for the Chinese-Indonesian community in Palembang. The 9-storey pagoda was constructed in 2006 and the Hok Tjing Rio Temple serves as a long-standing Buddhist place of worship on the island.

The island is a symbol of Chinese-Palembang cultural harmony and a Buddhist pilgrimage site. It hosts the annual Cap Go Meh festival on the 15th day of Chinese New Year, attracting visitors for prayers, offerings and cultural performances. The temple, pagoda, and statues reflect Chinese architectural and religious traditions within South Sumatran context.