Just goes to show that a little color goes a long way!
When your home village is labeled as a slum by people who don’t live there, it can be pretty degrading. Especially when you can see it for the treasure it truly is. So how does one transform a village from an ugly duckling into beautiful swan? Using the inspiration of three other villages in Indonesia, Kampung Pelangi, a village in Central Java, has upgraded their little village to a tourist destination where people are clamoring to travel to. So what did Kampung Pelangi have to do to garner such excitement? They just painted the town!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BULKFPBFCNF/?tagged=kampungpelangi
The community and government spent about US$22,000 on the colorful makeover. Almost 250 of the 390 homes have been decorated in the magnificent pigments and the transformation seems to be having a positive effect on the people who live there. Not only have the residents themselves become actively involved with the project, they’re also working towards cleaning up the nearby river as well. Their efforts are paying off, as the village is enjoying a significant increase in tourism to the area, positively impacting local restaurants and businesses with the increase in revenue.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUHJ_Z3jy7a/?tagged=kampungpelangi
https://www.instagram.com/p/BTxQQlogQdo/?tagged=kampungpelangi
This town has really put their best feet forward to ensure that a bright future lies ahead. Thanks to the viral nature of their story, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see other villages around the world find creative ways to improve and show off their hometowns. Perhaps local delicacies can be transformed to mimic the colorful surroundings?
Source: Bored Panda
Featured image: Instagram/stevan.traveling

Korean girls group channels inner Sailor Senshi for the perfect moon-powered photo
Mind-blowing theory! Pokémon GO takes place in the past, before the Red/Blue/Green games
Buying a house in Tokyo? This town is giving away brand new homes to applicants in Japan
Animal Crossing: New Horizons player creates stunning replica of Pokémon’s Pallet Town 【Photos】
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Visiting Japan’s one-and-only, and only-for-a-limited-time, Dragon Ball noodle restaurant[Photos]
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Top Secret Cookie Recipe Finally Comes to Light
Man arrested in rural Japan on charges of leaving obscene DVDs in stores as gifts for “healthy men”
Studio Ghibli releases new action figures featuring Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind characters
Abandoned school being used for foreign tourists to experience Japanese high school in Chiba
Over four billion yen in lost cash was found in Tokyo last year, setting new record
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Is Tokyo Station’s startlingly expensive wagyu bento boxed lunch worth its high price?[Taste test]
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
Japan’s craziest burger chain takes menchi katsu to new extreme levels
Sakura Festival in Chiyoda mixes illuminations, boats, music, and Rilakkuma in the heart of Tokyo
Viral Japanese cheesecake from Osaka has a lesser known rival called Aunt Wanda
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says