The Most Beautiful Slum In Indonesia

Malang is indeed known for many things: a city of locally grown apples, top-notch tempeh and a large percentage of university students.

Located at the riverbank of Daerah Aliran Sungai (DAS) Brantas, Kampung Warna Warna Jodipan was considered one of the 11 most rundown slums in Indonesia. It was once infamous for issues such as trash, poverty and all the unpleasant traits of a slum, sadly all for valid reasons. It was so severe that the government considered administering a slum eviction because of the environmental problems.

Kampung Warna Warni in Bahasa Indonesian literally means colourful.

As we all know, the power of colours cannot be denied. It is the sole instance of life on earth. Colours have the power to convey and communicate meanings and messages without words.

Today, colourful villages are spreading around the archipelago, bringing in droves of camera-toting visitors who are only too happy to look for the best photo spots on the island of Java.

Fortunately, that was all in the past. Jodipan was ‘chosen’ for a makeover. It was an opportunity for a fresh start, and to reinvent itself through a bold, confident and vibrant new look. Don’t you just love second chances?

It all started when eight students from the Department of Communication Studies of Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang had to fulfil their study requirements and decided that their project would entail turning a slum village into its into its fabulous current state of Kampung Warna-Warni, which translates into ‘colourful village’.

They reached out to a paint company, Indana Paint, who agreed to fund the project as their Corporate Social Responsibility Programme.

With this idea and financial support obtained, Jodipan was successfully transformed from an unsightly slum into one of the hottest tourist (and selfie) spots in town! This lovely touch of bright bold colours reminds most people of the colourful houses in Rio de Janeiro and has opened various windows of opportunities for the local community that has enabled them to take part in this promising shift towards empowerment and a better quality of life, as each soul deserves.

To enter deeper into the livelihood of Kampung Warna-Warni Jodipan, visitors have to pay an entrance fee of Rp6000 (less than SGD 0.50!). In exchange, you also receive this quirky handmade keychain as the entrance ticket.