Places Of Interest
1.Padang
The capital of West Sumatera, Padang has several houses built in traditional
architecture, including the Padang Museum which houses objects of cultural and
historical interest. Its beach on the bay of Bungus with its white sands is good for
swimming, boating or just watching the fishing boats going out to sea in the afternoon.
Small boats can be hired from here to some small islands nearby: Sirandah, Sikoai,
Pagang, Parsumpahan.
2.Museum in Padang
Just in the center of the city, it has the shape of Minangkabau traditional house with
colorful carving wall and two barns stand in front of it.
3.Bungus Bay
A natural bay with slope shore and clean water that good for several beach
recreation, 20 km South of Padang, where small boat can be for an interesting
marime tours to same small islands offshore.
4.Taman Hutan Raya Bung Hatta Bung Hatta Grand Forest Park
Located 20 km East of Padang on the slope of Bukit Barisan, where one can see
Padang lowland plain and the Indian Ocean spread out in its West. It is a botanical
garden covering 70,000 ha, with a rare collection of flora and fauna, situated on the
way to Solok, about 300 - 1,000 m above sea level. The cool mountain air and
panoramic views make this area a popular resort for both the young and old.
Monkeys and other animals can be seen here, and are protected by the Park
Warden. Transportation to Taman Hutan Raya Bung Hatta is easy.
5.Bukittinggi
The heart of the highlands, Bukittinggi is a two-hours drive through beautiful
countryside of the Anai valley and up to the Agam Plateau. A center of attraction is
the town's clock-tower, topped with a horn- shaped roof and referred to by the
people as Jam Gadang. It overlooks the market square and the city's magnificent
surroundings.
Located 930 meters above sea level, Bukittinggi, formerly named Fort De Cock by
the Dutch, has a cool climate and is surrounded by three volcanoes: Tandikat,
Singgalang and Merapi. In the outskirts of the town is the Ngarai Sianok, a canyon
separating Bukittinggi from Kota Gadang, 12 km away overland. Kota Gadang is
renowned for its fine silver filigree and hand embroidery. Also worth visiting is the
Museum which is a Rumah Gadang, a traditional extended family house built in the
19th century. There are dance performances at the museum's open stage every
Sunday and on public holidays. Night dance performances are at Sliguri. It is also
worth seeing the bullfights at Padang Lawas (6 km south of Bukittinggi) every
Tuesday at 5.00 p.m.
6.Ngarai Sianok
A canyon, that for about 13 km long on the outskirts of Bukittinggi, with a green
valley at it's bottom, where Mount Merapi and Singgalang in the background.
7.Museum In Bukittinggi
The Oldest Museum of this region, built in Minangkabau architecture.
8.Pandai Sikat
The village of Pandai Sikat is 10 km from Bukittinggi with its hand weaving and
carving industry. The village has 1000 looms and turns out richly interwoven cloth.
Carved wooden ornaments and furniture are also made here.
9.Payakumbuh
A picturesque village and market place. Fine basketry is available here. It is 35 km
from Bukittinggi and a little further up is the most dramatic view on the Harau Valley.
10.The Harau Valley
15 Km from Payakumbuh in the Northeast of Bukittinggi is the Harau Valley, Its
rocky walls striped by water marks on falls which come gushing down in great
numbers during the rainy scason, is a nature reserve where tapir wild goats, tiger and
other animals roam protected.
11.Rimba Panti (Nature Reserve)
A wonderful 'paradise' for naturalists. It lies about 90 km from Bukittinggi and as a
nature reserve extraordinary. It represents the fauna and flora of the low-lying as well
as high-lying plains. This Rimba Panti Nature Reserve is 3.120 hectares. On both
sides of the main road the nature reserve stretches for 3 km long and you can treat
yourself to the unusual beaty of this unque nature reserve, a grand botanic garden laid
out by Nature itself. Birds sing gaily, undisturbed, monkeys roam from free to free,
flying squirrels (Petaurste elegans) quick as lightning jump from branch to branch. All
kinds of monkeys, red, white and black with pinted head are easily observed. The
honey bears (Helarctos malayanus), some tiger species, Macan Dahan and Macan
Sago (Neofelis Nebulosa). Treggaling (Manisjavaica), etc, are among the numerous
population of this nature reserve. A hot spring with a strong sulphuric smeel makes
this nature reserve complete. This wonderful spot is within easy reach from Padang or
Bukittinggi because it is an the main road to Medan and transportation is not all a
problem.
12.Lake Maninjau
This is the lake of unmatched beauty in the Minangkabau land, just about 36 km from
Bukittinggi to the West. Imagine descending an eight-mile steep road with its 44 sharp
curves to get there. Swimming waterskating, rowing,fishing can be your leisure sports
here.
13.Lake Singkarak
The biggest among four beautiful lakes of this province has through good road from
Bukittinggi via Padang Panjang +- 30 km, you can enjoy driving along 15 km by the
lake side. Some good hotels with swimming rowing, and water skating facilities are
available, A night or two stay would certainly be great fun.
14.The Lawang Top
Another exciting spot recommended to visit, just about 25 km from Bukittinggi to the
West you will enjoy a magnificent panoramic landscape bellow from a hill top called
Embun pagi which is about 1200 metes above the sea level or about 800 metes
above the lake Maninjau level. You will never forget this scenery of the winding road
with its 44 sharp curves down to lake Maninjau and fertile rice fields scattered at the
slope of green mountains for the rest of you life.
15.Solok, Diatas and Dibawah Lakes
Solok lies on the Trans-Sumatra Highway, 64 km from Padang and 76 km from
Bukittinggi. The town has some fine examples of Minangkabau architecture with
horn-shaped roofs and outer walls of wood, completely carved and painted in brilliant
colors. Sixty km from Solok are the Twin Lakes (Danau Diatas and Danau Dibawah)
which are becoming popular as a holiday resort.
Cool mountain air and beautiful landscapes seen from the hill between the two lakes
have made this spot extraordinary. Set only about 1 km apart, one of the lakes is on a
slightly higher elevation than the other. The spot offers an impressive panorama of the
surrounding countryside and offers itself excellently to hiking or camping.
16.Ngalau Indah Caves
On the road from Bukittinggi to Payakumbuh these caves extend deep into the
mountainside. The domain of thousands of bats which you won't see but only hear
and sense as they fly close over your head.
At the main entrance is a stone with an outline of an elephant visible on its face. The
coolness and damp air is refreshing after the tropical heat outside. The path through
these caves leads out to the top of the mountain from where it is quite panoramic. The
drive up to the hillside is itself worth making because of the variety of the exquisite
views along way.
17.Mentawai Islands
Four islands make up the Mentawai cluster off the West Sumatra coast: Siberut,
Sipora, Pagai Utara and Pagai Selatan. The people of these islands still live in
comparative isolation, maintaining their age-old ways. Siberut is well known for its
untouched forests, a part of a nature reserve inhabited by a number of animal species
not found anywhere else, among them some rare monkey species. Beautiful coral
reefs are found offshore.
18.Anai Valley
The surroundings of the Anai Valley are magnificent. The dense tropical forest all
around is most impressive and is a nature reserve. Below runs the river Anai with its
crystal clear water. Just on the side of the road is a 40 m high waterfall.
19.Pantai Arta and Kata
Both these places are popular beach resorts for the local people. Arta beach is
located about 23 km from the center of Pariaman. It is known for its beautiful pine
trees along the sea shore. The sandy beaches, clean water and bright sunshine are
perfect for swimming and sunbathing. The pine trees can protect you from the direct
sun rays. Kata beach is about 2 km south of Pariaman.
