See the Story, Not Just the Scenery

Mount Bromo and Tumpak Sewu Waterfall are the reasons travellers visit Malang—unless they are interested in a story. The city itself holds a much deeper narrative that is, unfortunately, missed by those in a hurry.

If you are travelling in Malang, here are three things I hope will change the way you see this city and why a walking tour is the only way to truly find its soul:

1. You need a storyteller, not just a guide

Without a storyteller, it is nearly impossible to truly connect with the soul of a city. You might see the Dutch colonial facades or the vibrant colours of Kampung Jodipan, but without the why, the how, and the who, they remain empty backdrops. When I speak of a storyteller, I mean something deeper than a traditional guide. A guide simply points things out; a storyteller provides the context and the expertise that brings them to life.

2. Focus on the layers that matter

Malang is a city of many layers, from its Dutch colonial roots to its modern revitalisation. If you try to see everything, you end up seeing nothing. To truly connect with the city, you must focus. Whether we are tracing the city's evolution or the social transformation of a local kampung, focusing on one or two layers allows the details to finally make sense.

3. Join a walking tour in Malang

The best way to experience these stories is on foot. Through the Malang Revitalisation Walk, I add an educational layer that most tourism avoids. By walking these streets together, we don’t just observe the city; we understand its heritage, its challenges, and its future.

As a full-time storyteller, I see thousands of tourists, but very few travellers.

Most decline when I invite them to walk the city. It doesn’t hurt my feelings, it makes me disappointed for them. They invest the time and the money, but they leave bankrupt of any real understanding.

Don't be one of them!