Soekarno's Exile House in Bengkulu

Soekarno's exile house, located on Jalan Jeruk (later renamed Jalan Soekarno-Hatta) in the Gading Cempaka district of Bengkulu City, is a historical site of approximately 162 square meters. This modest rectangular house features simple walls, a pyramid-shaped roof, and a spacious courtyard. The main entrance is a double door, and the window frames are ornately decorated. The exact construction date of the house is unknown, but it is estimated to have been built in the early 20th century. Originally owned by a Chinese merchant named Chen Yongxian, who supplied groceries to the Dutch government, the house retains Chinese architectural elements in its ventilation structures, and some doors and windows still display Chinese characters. Later, the Dutch government rented the house to serve as Soekarno's residence during his exile. Today, the building is maintained by the Bengkulu Provincial Government and is known as "Persada Bung Karno" (Soekarno's Residence). It now functions as a museum, library, meeting room, and theater. Inside, visitors can find numerous historically significant artifacts, including strategies devised by Soekarno during his exile. How to get there: Visitors from outside the area can first travel to Fatmawati Airport in Bengkulu, a domestic airport serving flights from Jakarta and Batam Island. Soekarno's residence is located in the city center, not far from the mayor's office and about 2 kilometers from Fort Marlborough. From the airport, you can take a taxi directly to Jalan Soekarno-Hatta or rent a car to further explore the city.