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Indonesian Rainbow Village becomes an Instagram sensation

3 min read

Better Society
Source: None

Kampung Pelangi has become Indonesia’s latest must-see tourist destination after an eye-watering extreme makeover.

Indonesian village becomes Instagram hit after paint job

Until recently, this unremarkable little Indonesian village was hardly the sort of place to attract the attention of tourists and sightseers. That was before its inhabitants were given a grant by the government and set about giving the whole town a bright and colourful makeover from top to bottom.

Everyone needs a new look from time to time The formely nondescript village in southern Indonesia has become an unlikely tourist trap after undergoing a dramatic facelift. Source: Facebook/CultureTrip

Locals hope to attract more tourists to the area with the bold new colour scheme

The formerly unassuming village in southern Indonesia was assigned 300,000,000 Indonesian Rupiah (£17k/€19k/$22k) for the facelift by the local council committee, who hoped to attract more tourists to the area with a bold new colour scheme.

The project took just over a month to complete and was revealed at the end of April. A true community venture, even the Mayor of nearby Semarang, Hendrar Prihadi, got involved according to Lonely Planet, painting some of the 232 houses himself. Most of the manpower and material was provided by The Indonesian Builders Association.

Source: TheIndependent Main Image: LivingNomads

With a cash injection from the local authorities and the whole village mucking in with the painting, the makeover was complete in a month.
The village had been classed as a slum With a cash injection from the local authorities and the whole village mucking in with the painting, the makeover was complete in a month. Source: anomharya

Former slum becomes vibrant Instagram hotspot

From afar the buildings simply appear covered in coloured stripes, but take a closer look and there are pieces of art around every corner. One wall features a pair of angel wings surrounded by rainbow rays; another displays a 3-D shark appearing to try and bite passers-by. One wall is completely covered in bright coloured spots and there are poles with fluttering multi-coloured flags attached. Even the steps are painted. Every inch of the village looks colourful and vibrant – a stark contrast to the “before” picture, when the buildings were grey and rundown-looking.

Slamet Widodo, a 54-year-old teacher, came up with the idea for Rainbow Village after being inspired by other Asian areas which have undergone similar transformations. “The idea to create Kampung Pelango came after we saw the beauty of Kampung Warna-warni and Kampung Tridi in Malang, and later Kampung Kali Code in Yogyakarta,” he told the Jakarta Post.

“Hopefully Kampung Pelangi will be the biggest one in Indonesia and offer a new tourist attraction in Semarang.”

So far the makeover seems to have done the trick, escalating Kampung Pelangi into a must-see attraction and trending on social media. Visitors have flocked to the village for the potential to capture Instagram-friendly shots of the colourful surroundings.

Saffir Makki, an Instagram user based in Jakarta posted a shot of the new look village with the caption: “The rainbow village in Indonesia, called Kampung Pelangi, is trending on social media after a government-funded project transformed it into a vibrant Instagram hotspot. The once struggling village, originally named Kampung Wonosari, located in Randusari in the South Semarang district, was considered a slum before the local government officials decided to turn things around.”

Source: TheIndependent

Many buildings are adorned with dramatic murals, such as this woolly mammoth.
More than a psychedelic dreamscape Many buildings are adorned with dramatic murals, such as this woolly mammoth. Source: Facebook/DzulfaArifaahAhdiyani

Check out what people are uploading to instagram

Instagram has been going wild for photos of Kampung Pelangi. Check the gallery out HERE!

Locals have also taken full advantage of the tourists by taking the opportunity to sell them homemade goods.
The future is bright and colourful for Kampung Pelangi thanks to the amazing power of art! Locals have also taken full advantage of the tourists by taking the opportunity to sell them homemade goods. Source: Instagram/tri_wahdatii
As well as block colours, the residents painted bright murals on many of the buildings.
Murals adorn many of the buildins throughout the village As well as block colours, the residents painted bright murals on many of the buildings. Source: Facebook/AdyWibowo
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