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The iconic Jambi in 24 hours

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Menara Air Benteng
The Menara Air Benteng, used as a drinking water reservoir for the people of Jambi City. Built in 1928. (Freddy Wally)

Menara Air Benteng 

Menara Air Benteng is Jambi’s Water Tower, located at Slamet Riyadi Street in Telanaipura District. It is one of the remnants of the former Tanah Pilih Palace, not far from the Al-Falah Grand Mosque, after the Dutch destroyed the palace. Besides Menara Air Benteng, the remaining buildings of the palace are the AlFalah Grand Mosque and the Jambi People’s Museum Perjuangan (The Museum of Jambi’s people’s struggle against the Dutch). One of the most important histories recorded in Jambi was raising the national fag for the first time by the local fighters on August 19, 1945, at the top of the Menara Air Benteng. 

The water tower consists of three rows of towers, with the tallest main building in the middle between the two lower buildings on the left and right. A spiral staircase is attached to reach the top of the building. 

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The 90-meter Water Tower was originally built and functioned as a defense fortress following the destruction of Tanah Pilih Palace during the Dutch colonial period in 1928. The Dutch used the tower to spy on enemies attacking vital Dutch facilities. Following Indonesia’s independence, this tower became a building to accommodate drinking water for Jambi residents up to now. 

Hok Tek Temple
Located in the Beringin Village, Jambi City, the former 48 square-meter Hok Tek Temple, a typical temple facade completed with an altar. (Freddy Wally)

Hok Tek Temple 

The Hok Tek Temple is the oldest in Jambi, located on Husni Thamrin Street, Beringin Village, Pasar District, Jambi City. Only left now is a 48-meter-square small building with a distinctive facade. Based on the inscriptions dating back to 1838 in the temple, it is estimated to have stood since the early 1800s. 

The temple was renovated in 1984 and moved to a new location in the Manggis Village area. Several temples were also found during the restoration. The Hok Tek Temple has been fairly maintained and has served as a museum for the last 40 years. 

The temple that faces northeast was once an armory of the Jambi fighters during the Indonesian revolution. The temple was considered a sacred part of worship, that it was used as camouflage from the enemy. 

Like most Buddhist temples in Indonesia, Hok Tek Temple adopts local values. The distinctive saddle-shaped roof, a dragon symbol of luck and paintings depicting the Chinese legend Sam Kok on both sides of the entrance. 

Tugu Juang 

Tugu Juang, or the People’s Battle Monument, located at Simpang Tiga Sipin (at a T-Junction), HOS Cokroaminoto Street, Telanaipura, Jambi City, is arguably a witness to the battles and struggles of the Jambi people during the fight for independence. A statue of a man heroically pointing a pointed bamboo at the top of the monument illustrates the resistance of the Jambi people against the Dutch during military aggression. 

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