Kampung Tridi

Wandering this narrow streets of Kampung Tridi is like stepping into a whimsical world of color. Umbrellas seem to dangle in midair above the walkway into the village, where eye-popping 3D murals abound.

Like Kampung Warna-Warni, the colorful village across the river, the neighborhood’s buildings were slathered with a rainbow array of bright paint. But Kampung Tridi took things a step further. Its residents painted huge murals on its walls, many of which almost appear three-dimensional, earning it the nickname “Indonesia’s 3D Village.”

The murals are quickly becoming selfie spots for tourists drawn into the lively locale. People have fun posing beneath enormous animals or standing alongside popular cartoon figures that almost look as though they’re reaching out from the walls.

Kampung Tridi isn’t the only painted village within the city. The first was Kampung Warna-Warni (Painted Village), which was painted in 2015. In early 2017, Kampung Putih (White Village) was painted with white walls, grey roofs, and green accents. The newest painting project was Kampung Biru Arema, a blue and purple village completed in early 2018.

These painted villages do more than just please the eye. The bright, quirky paint jobs are meant to help revitalize the communities. By bringing in tourists (and their money), the unusual art helps boost the local economies.