San Diego Hills

San Diego Hills is a privately owned cemetery in Indonesia owned by Lippo Land Club. Established in January 2007, San Diego Hills is the first cemetery in Indonesia that combines the elegant cemetery concept of Forest Lawn with Indonesian cultures. The cemetery became a kind of icon among members of Indonesia's high society.[1]

Not to be confused with San Diego.
San Diego Hills
Location within Java
Details
EstablishedJanuary 2007 (2007-01)
Location
Karawang, West Java
CountryIndonesia
Coordinates6.359°S 107.266°E / -6.359; 107.266
TypePublic
Owned byPT. Lippo Karawaci, Tbk
Size502 hectares (1,240 acres)
Websitewww.sandiegohills.co.id

History

The development of San Diego Hills began by accident. Lands in West Karawang, West Java, owned by Lippo from the previous 20 years, were originally intended to be developed as industrial zones. Those plans were changed around 2001, when Mochtar Riady, the founder of Lippo Group, moved his parents' tomb from Malang, East Java to Karawang, which became the location of San Diego Hills. The tomb's relocation was due to the difficulty of getting to the tomb, as well as its unpleasant environment, consisting of rowdy people and beggars. A more secluded area was desired. Due to the successful relocation, Riady decided to build a more extensive, comfortable and well-equipped cemetery. This also benefited the government, which was facing a burial land shortage in the Jabodetabek area, because San Diego Hills stands on 500 acres. To build San Diego Hills, the Lippo Group brought an advisor from Forest Lawn Cemeteries in the United States. San Diego Hills also adapted the "Forest Lawn concept" of developing elegant cemeteries where visitors enjoyed visiting.[2]

In June 2010, the cemetery received press coverage for it opulence. Bloomberg Business reported on its sports facilities, including a running track, its Italian restaurant La Colina, a small-scale replica of Istanbul's Blue Mosque and a man-made eight-hectare Lake of Angels that is open to visitors on rowboats. The article also noted that the facility also hosts wedding parties, and a dedicated helicopter landing which allowed rich Indonesians to bypass Jakarta's traffic jams.[3]

References
  1. "Private luxury cemeteries a growing trend in Indonesia". Daily News (New York). January 29, 2013.
  2. "San Diego Hills, 'Perkawinan' Antara Pemakaman dan Budaya RI" [San Diego Hills, 'Marriage' between the Cemetery and Culture of Indonesia]. SWA (in Indonesian). July 5, 2011.
  3. Mellor, William (June 9, 2010). "Cemetery Luring Brides Lets Indonesians Land Helicopter at Plot". Bloomberg Businessweek.

Further reading
  • Wahyudi Soeriaatmadja (January 14, 2013). "A burial plot to die for near Jakarta". Asia Report. The Straits Times. At San Diego Hills, prices are more wide-ranging, depending on what accessories are added to the burial plot and the location. Some overlook the boating lake in one section, those with statues are in a different section, and others are on plain grass fields. Among the most expensive plots are those with gazebos with pagoda roofs, and gardens with benches for visiting family. The cemetery's facility manager, Lisdayani Ramli, said the most expensive plot, on the crest of a hill, was bought for 8 billion rupiah by the family of a late Indonesian mining magnate.
  • "Ziarah atau Wisata" [Pilgrimage or Tourism]. Bloomberg Businessweek (Indonesia) (in Indonesian): 49–51. April 18, 2013.
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