Palembang, Capital city in South Sumatra, Indonesia.
Palembang is a city in South Sumatra, Indonesia, that spreads across both banks of the Musi River. The Ampera Bridge connects different neighborhoods and defines the cityscape along the water with its distinctive structure.
The city grew from the seventh century onward as the center of the Srivijaya kingdom, which controlled trade between China and India. Over the centuries, it remained an important trading post along the route through the Strait of Malacca.
Residents enjoy pempek, a local fish cake prepared fresh at stalls along the waterfront. Many restaurants serve the dish with a spicy vinegar-based sauce that follows recipes passed down through generations.
Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport sits outside the center and offers connections to Indonesian cities and destinations across Southeast Asia. Within the city, boats run along the river and link both banks together.
The city center holds numerous floating houses anchored directly on the river that form entire neighborhoods. Some of these residential structures have been inhabited by the same families for generations and move gently with the tides.
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