Cirebon (Indonesian pronunciation: [t͡ʃirə'bɔn], formerly rendered Cheribon or Chirebon in English) is a port city on the northern coast of the Indonesian island of Java. It is the only coastal city of West Java, located about 40 km west of the provincial border with Central Java, approximately 297 km (185 mi) east of Jakarta, at 6°43′S 108°34′E. It had a population of 296,389 at the 2010 census and 333,303 at the 2020 census; the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 341,980 (comprising 171,638 males and 170,342 females).The built-up area of Cirebon reaches out from the city and into the surrounding regency of the same name; the official metropolitan area encompasses the whole of this regency as well as the city, and covers an area of 1,116.24 km2 (430.98 sq mi), with a 2010 census population of 2,363,585; the 2020 census total was 2,603,924 and the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 2,702,421.Straddling the border between West and Central Java, Cirebon's history has been influenced by both Sundanese and Javanese culture as well as Arab and Chinese, and is the seat of a former Sultanate.
Cirebon is a centre of batik cloth industry. The special 'Batik Cirebon' style can be bought in many places around the city.
There are several ways of getting around the town of Cirebon. The most convenient way is by rented car. However, it is advisable to rent a car with a driver if you are not used to driving in Indonesia.
Another way to get around is by angkot (public minivan). There are various angkot routes throughout the city. Angkots follow a fixed route, but there is no fixed schedule and there are no fixed stops. To get on, simply raise your hand. To get off, simply shout "Kiri!" to the driver, so he will pull over on the left (Indonesian: kiri) side of the road. The price of an angkot ride within the city is usually about Rp3,000. It is best to ask a local which angkot route to take, and how to recognise the location you want to get off.
Other options to get around include hiring a becak (cycle rickshaw), ojek (motorcycle taxi) or a regular taxi. Not all taxi drivers are willing to use a taxi meter, so then the price depends on your negotiation skills. Two taxi companies in Cirebon that are known to usually use the official taxi meter are Central Taxi and Bhinneka Taxi. You can also get around by online ojek or taxi that is already available in the city. Install Gojek or Grab application on your phone, then you can order ojek or taxi from your phone almost anytime, to go anywhere in the city.
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Its name is often said to be derived from the Sundanese words of ci (water or river) and rebon (shrimp). Indeed, the city's main industry is fishery, including shrimp. An alternative Javanese explanation is that the city's name is from caruban, meaning "mixture", a reference to Cirebon's complex mix of Javanese, Malay, Sundanese, Chinese and Arabic cultural elements. While Indonesians from outside of Cirebon pronounce the name CHEE-reh-bon, locals say Cheer-BON (with rolling R).
The city weather is hot and humid. Wear cotton clothes. You do not need long sleeves shirt, instead a T-shirt and knee-long trousers are comfortable. Some places like mosques and temples require polite dress such as long trousers/skirts. Hot pants/mini skirts may attract unwanted attention and might be considered impolite.
