Malang’s new station, opened in 2021, is a nice building, but every time I arrive by train, I still head for the old west gate. Even though it's old, to me, it feels like the city’s real front door. Here is why.

The current new building sits on the east side, much like the city's original 19th-century tracks. However, in the early 20th century, as Malang gained city status and began growing toward the west, the Dutch built a new one on that side to face the center.

Take a look at these old maps to see what I mean:

When I look at the old maps, I realize that the first train station was built on the east side for a specific reason: military strategy.
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Back in the late 19th century, Malang wasn’t the bustling city it is today. It was a strategic military post for the Dutch. They built the first station on the east side in 1879 to keep it close to the military barracks and open fields, making it easier to move troops and supplies.

​Today, that same spot has a very different vibe. Instead of soldiers and open horizons, the space is mostly used for parking. The view has changed completely, where there used to be a tactical advantage, there’s now just rows of motorbikes and cars.

So, when I stand on the East Side today in that parking lot, I feel like I'm standing exactly where the soldiers and supplies used to arrive. But when I walk out the West Gate of the new station building built in 1941, I’m walking through a design by architect J. van der Eb. It was built to fit perfectly into the 'Garden City' legacy of the famous city planner Thomas Karsten, welcoming travelers directly into the heart of the city.

That’s exactly why the West Gate feels like the 'real' entrance. To me, it was designed specifically to welcome people into the heart of the city. I like to look at this old map of Bouwplan II and let the city’s layout tell me its story:

The moment I step out that way, I’m facing the heart of the city: the historic Daendels Boulevard and the iconic second alun-alun, with mountain views that perfectly capture the soul of Malang.

Here’s my secret for the best experience: Skip the modern skybridge that everyone uses to get to the new east building or the old west building. Instead, look for the historic tunnel. Built during WWII and reinforced as a bunker, it’s a hidden piece of history that makes you feel like you’re walking through a time capsule.

​I made a short video about it, check this out:

Tips

1. This old train station is just the beginning of Malang's story. If you want to see exactly how the city was developed in the early 20th century, join my Malang Revitalization walking tour.

2. You're only a short walk away from the famous Jodipan Rainbow Village. It’s a stunning example of urban transformation, but there is much more to its story than just bright colors. Read my guide to Jodipan here before you visit, or find out more by joining my full city walk.

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