One of the greatest kingdoms in Indonesian history, the Buddhist empire of Sriwijaya, prospered along the banks of Musi River in South Sumatra over a thousand years ago. Located on the southern-most rim of the South China Sea, close to the one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes linking the Far East with Europe, the Region’s historical background is rich and colourful.

Palembang, capital of South Sumatra province, was the most important center of trade in Southeast Asia for more than three hundred years – from the late 7th to the early 11th centuries. It was the capital of the mighty maritime kingdom of Sriwijaya, whose trading network extended to southern Thailand, the Malay peninsula and the shores of Java. The town’s name derives from limbang (means to pan for gold) and Palembang’s early prosperity was probably founded on river gold.

The Sriwijaya kingdom practised a bustling and incrative trade with ancient China during its era of powerful dynasties. In 672 the Chinese scholar, I Tsing, recorded that a thousand monks and scholars could be seen translating and studying Sanskrit in what is now the regional capital of Palembang. Few relics of this memorable era remain.

Enormous network of rivers drains South Sumatra province. At Palembang, most of the larger rivers join the longest and broadest one – the meandering, slow-moving Sungai Musi. The river rises at the western jungle-clad Bukit Barisan range near the towering peaks of Mt. Dempo (3159 m) and Mt. Patah (2817 m).

South Sumatra is the homeland of the Malay people and the ancient cradle of Malay culture. The ancestor of all Malay rulers is believed to have descended from the heavens on Bukit Seguntang, a small hill to the north of Palembang. The Malay absorbed many Indian beliefs during the first millennium AD, deepening and enriching the native belief system. Few relics have survived from this era, but more than 24 archaeological sites have been identified, including the ancient palace.