House of Sampoerna

Opened by founder Liem Seeng Tee in 1932 in an old colonial style building, this cigarette factory has now become Surabaya's premier tourist attraction.

It's a beautifully presented attraction with a polished museum, trendy cafe and interesting city tours. Better still, the staff are professional, courteous and can speak English.

The museum contains photos and memorabilia from the early 20th century when the factory was in its early stages of production. These provide a fascinating insight into how life was some 80 years ago under Dutch control.

Above the museum are a gift shop and viewing area where you can see 500 women rolling, cutting and packing cigarettes in almost robotic fashion. All staff are paid by the number units they complete and have targets – rollers must roll 4,000 cigarettes per day.

The attached cafe is set in a charming old building and serves appetising food, if not a little pricey. Free bus tours of the city are provided three times every day of the week and provide a historical overview of some of the city's most significant buildings. The city tour, museum and cafe are all a must-see when in Surabaya.