SURABAYA, JurnalPost.com — Jalan Tunjungan has become a nighttime tourist destination that captures the attention of both local residents and visitors from outside the region. The sparkling leaf-shaped decorative lights hanging along the street, the passing traffic, and the crowds of young people enjoying the evening atmosphere create a unique appeal in this historic area.
When night falls, the area transforms into a gathering space filled with visitors. Some choose to relax on pedestrian benches, walk around to enjoy the city atmosphere, or hunt for culinary delights offered by vendors around the area.
Jalan Tunjungan no longer functions merely as a main thoroughfare in the center of Surabaya. Through revitalization efforts by the Surabaya City Government, the area has developed into a public space that combines historical value, urban facilities, tourism activities, and business opportunities for the community.
One of the main attractions of Jalan Tunjungan is its proximity to Hotel Majapahit, a historic building that witnessed the iconic incident of tearing the Dutch flag on September 19, 1945.
This event is a crucial part of the history of the Surabaya people's struggle. The presence of Hotel Majapahit further enhances the historical value of the Tunjungan area, which remains one of the icons of the City of Heroes to this day.
Visitors can enjoy historical tourism around Hotel Majapahit in the afternoon, then continue their journey by taking a leisurely walk, enjoying local cuisine, or simply spending time with friends and family on Jalan Tunjungan as night falls.
Crowds of Tourists Bring Opportunities for SMEs
The bustling nighttime tourism activity on Jalan Tunjungan also provides economic opportunities for micro, small, and medium enterprises (SMEs). Various vendors take advantage of the crowds to offer their products.
Everything from mobile coffee carts and food such as satay and gulai to various accessories, fresh flowers, handicrafts, and local fashion products can be found around the area.
Nanda, an accessories vendor who has been selling in the Tunjungan area for approximately two years, admitted to feeling a change in the atmosphere after the area became more organized and frequently visited by the public.
“It is much busier and more orderly now. It used to be quiet. Now, since the lights and these benches were installed, young people feel comfortable hanging out here,” said Nanda.
According to her, the presence of pedestrian facilities and attractive lighting makes visitors more comfortable spending time on Jalan Tunjungan, especially on weekends.
A similar sentiment was expressed by Fia, a seller of fresh flowers in the area. She admitted that she is helped by the influx of visitors from various backgrounds.
“It is great here. The customers are diverse; there are tourists who just left Hotel Majapahit, and there are office workers too. We are given a space, but we must maintain cleanliness and are not allowed to use permanent tents,” explained Fia.
For the vendors, the presence of a busy tourist area not only opens up opportunities to increase sales but also serves as a means to introduce local products to visitors from various regions.
Parking Management to Maintain Visitor Comfort
In addition to providing pedestrian facilities, the revitalization of the Jalan Tunjungan area also includes traffic and vehicle parking management.
Along the sides of the road where parking is prohibited, two-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles are not allowed to stop or park indiscriminately on the shoulder of the road.
These rules aim to maintain order in the area, reduce traffic congestion, and provide comfort for pedestrians who want to enjoy the nighttime tourism atmosphere.
With the road in a more organized condition, visitors can enjoy the rows of historic buildings, city lights, and commercial activities that are part of nightlife in the center of Surabaya.
The existence of Jalan Tunjungan demonstrates how a historic area can continue to develop according to the needs of the community without losing its identity.
The blend of history, culinary tourism, youth activities, and the growth of SMEs makes Jalan Tunjungan more than just a street in the middle of the city. This area has become a community meeting space as well as one of the faces of Surabaya's nighttime tourism.
Amidst the increasingly modern development of the City of Heroes, Jalan Tunjungan retains its charm as a place to enjoy the urban atmosphere, learn about history, and experience the life of the Surabaya community up close.
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