Of course that’s not entirely true, while this city does have a cultured air and a local reputation as a centre for education, the streets can get as traffic clogged as any of its larger siblings and like any city, an urban underclass prevails, although in Malang the city’s less-privileged kampungs have themselves been transformed into colourful tourist attractions.

Malang enjoys a coolish climate with averages in the mid-twenties (although days can be hot and evenings cooler) and rises to an elevation of around 450 metres. Established along the banks of the Brantas River, the mountain resorts of Batu and Tretes lay to the northwest on the slopes the nearby mountains of Gunung Kawi and Gunung Arjuno and the spectacular Gunung Bromo is 50 kilometres by road to the east. The southern beaches 60 kilometres from Malang are popular local weekend ... Travelfish members only (Full text is around 1,000 words.)