The 1955 conference was the first international summit of colored peoples in the history of mankind.
The building was renovated in 1954 specifically to accommodate the diplomatic summit.
It houses a 'Library of History' containing rare colonial-era literature and post-colonial political theory.
The interior contains a gallery of original flags representing all 29 participating nations from the 1955 summit.
The building was once a popular social venue for Dutch colonial administrators known as 'Sociëteit Concordia'.
The Asia-Africa Conference Museum, or Museum Konperensi Asia Afrika, occupies the historic Gedung Merdeka, the site of the 1955 Asian-African Conference. It serves as a permanent exhibition space documenting the first large-scale post-colonial summit involving 29 newly independent nations. The museum building, originally constructed in 1895 as a social club for European elites called Sociëteit Concordia, features an Art Deco architectural style. Visitors can explore the main conference hall, which has been preserved in its original 1955 layout. The permanent collection includes original documents, audiovisual records, and historical photographs detailing the diplomacy behind the Ten Principles of Bandung. The museum functions under the administration of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It remains a focal point for international political history in Southeast Asia. Exhibits focus on the geopolitical shift known as the 'Bandung Spirit,' which influenced the Non-Aligned Movement.
The main conference podium inside the Assembly Hall where the heads of state sat.
Bring a valid identification card as it is often required for entry registration.
Check the official website for scheduled guided tour group availability if you require deep historical context.
Avoid visiting during national public holidays or diplomatic anniversaries, as crowds are significantly higher.
Touching the display cases or historical furniture inside the main conference hall.
Closed on Mondays and major Indonesian national holidays.
Formal or smart-casual attire; avoid revealing clothing as this is a site of historical and diplomatic significance; maintain a quiet tone.
