[2025 Palembang Attraction] Travel Guide for Ampera Bridge (Updated Mar)

My Past Trip. The Ampera Bridge, which has become a symbol of the city, is located in the middle of Palembang City, connecting the Seberang Ulu and Seberang Ilir areas which are separated by the Musi River. The Ampera Bridge was built in 1962 with construction costs taken from the Japanese war plunder. This also happened in the construction of the Jakarta Monas monument. Initially, this bridge was named Soekarno Bridge, the president of Indonesia at that time. Giving the name is considered as a form of respect for the services of President Soekarno at that time. However, President Soekarno was less pleased because he did not want to create certain individual tendencies. For this reason, the name of the bridge was equated with the slogan of the Indonesian nation in 1960, namely the People's Suffering Mandate or abbreviated as Ampera.

Explore Palembang: A beautiful picture of Nanyang style Palembang, located in the southeast of Sumatra, Indonesia, is a city full of unique charm. As the cradle of the Srivijaya Kingdom, historical sites are everywhere. The majestic Palembang Grand Mosque, with its exquisite architectural craftsmanship, demonstrates a profound religious culture. The Giant Quran Museum houses many ancient books, telling the glory of the past. When night falls, the Ampera Bridge is lit up, and the red bridge body and lights complement each other, spanning the Musi River, becoming the most dazzling presence in the city, attracting countless tourists to check in and take photos. Palembang's name as a "water city" is also well-deserved. The crisscrossing waterways pass through the city, with coconut groves swaying along the banks and houses scattered. Take a small boat to shuttle among them, and feel the unique water town style with the breeze blowing on your face. Don't miss the local delicacies, the tender and juicy fish cakes, with special sauces, every bite is a treat for the taste buds. Come to Palembang, encounter the unique beauty of the intertwining of history and nature, and start an unforgettable journey to Nanyang.

AMPERA BRIDGE What fairly seen about Palembang city? It is definitely The Ampera Bridge. This bridge is typically Palembang city icon that located in the heart of Palembang city, that connected Seberang Ulu area and Seberalng Ilir that separated by the Musi River. The idea to unite the two mainland in Palembang "Seberang Ulu and Seberang Ilir" by the bridge, was actually existed since Gemeente era in 1906, when the Mayor of Palembang is held by Le Cocq de Ville, in1924. This idea was raised again and made a lot of effort to realize it. However, until Le Cocq was out of duty, or when the Dutch pull out of Indonesia, the project was never realized. Until 1965, this bridge was officially opened by Bung Karno, the Indonesia’s first President. The idea of this bridge came up to be a match for London’s Tower Bridge and the fund for the development is taken by Japanase war reparations, with Fuji Car Manufacturing Co. Ltd as the designer and constractioner. After the development, the early name of the bridge was Bung Karno Bridge, but following his fall, it was renamed to Ampera Bridge. The middle part of Ampera Bridge, duringthe first built, along 71.90 meters, with a 22 meters wide. Part of the bridge that the overall weight of 944 tons can be lifted at a speed of about 10 meters per minute. The two tower liftng is stand tall as high as 63 meters. The distance between the two towers is 75 meters. Two tower is equipped with two pendulum weights, each about 500 tons. #nationalpark