As the capital of West Sumatra, the city of Padang is the gateway to the Minang highlands. This sprawling port town is a bustling hub of merchants who trade in everything from cinnamon to cement. The busy trading atmosphere here means that this city has retained the feeling of a traditional market town. Padang is an easy city to find your way around and the locals are friendly to travellers who make the journey here. South of Padang, the massive Kerinci-Strait, Nature Reserve is Indonesia's largest national parks sprawlimg across a 345 sq km stretch of jungle covered mountains dominated by the volcanic core of Mount Kerinci, Sumatra's highest mountain.

One of the main attractions in Padang is the Adityawarman Museum (close to the bus station) which is designed in the unique style of a traditional Minangkabau house. The museum features a collection of antiques and artifacts from Minang culture. The museum is also home to a cultural center which offers traditional dances performances on Sundays as well as free tours of the city. This is also an arts institute, which often stages Minang dance and pencak silat (martial arts) performance.

West Sumatra is famous for it's distinctive Minangkabau houses and Padang has several houses built in a traditional style with a uniquely shaped roof, said to resemble a buffalo horn. Padang aslo has pretty beaches to explore. The most popular ones are located south of the city. These beaches are good for swimming, boating or just watching fishing boats going out in the afternoon. On Sundays, the beaches are usually crowded with families and youngsters enjoying their weekly day off. On other days, however, visitors will find beaches largely deserted. The beautiful Bungus bay, not far out of Padang, is a white sand beach ideal for swimming. Small boats can be hired here to visit the small islands nearby of Sirandah, Sikoai, Pagang or Parsumpahan.

For lovers of Indonesian food, Padang is the number one place to be. Padang cuisine is famous throughout the country for its spicy curries, rich sauces and very hot sambal.  Don't miss the renowned 'Nasi Padang' which is found at restaurants all over the city. One of the most famous restaraunts is Simpang Raya, which has branches throughout West Sumatra and Riau, as well as other cities in Indonesia. As you sit down, don't be surprised when the waiter fills the whole table with plates, containing Kari, chicken and fish prepared in coconut curry, Rendang, meat in coconut gravy and Dendeng Balado, thin slices of dried and fried beef served with red chilies. It is up to you to decide which dishes look food and then just pay for what you eat.

History


Since the 16th century Padang has been a centre of trade. During the 16th and 17th century pepper was cultivated and traded with India, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. In 1663 the city came under Dutch authority. Throughout it's history, Padang has been under British authority twice, firstly during the war between United Kingdom and the Netherlands (1781-1784) and again when the United Kingdom managed the area for the Netherlands during the Napoleonic wars (1795-1815). Afterwards the city was transferred back to the Netherlands. Up until around 1780 the most important product traded here was gold, originating from the gold mines in the region. Once the mines where exhausted, the emphasis turned to other products such as coffee, salts and textiles.

Photo by: Dion Batun (www.west-sumatra.com)

Nestled in the cool, lush landscape North of Padang, the town of Bukittinggi or 'high hill' is a beautiful and relaxing place to come and absorb a slower pace of live. Bukittinggi also goes by the alternative name of Tri Aga which refers to the three mountains that dominate the landscape around the town. These three massive mountains, Singgalang mountain, Merapi mountain, and Sago mountain can be seen in the distance from the town. The famous Jam Gadang which literally translates as 'big clock' is right in the center of the town. The remarkable Sianok Canyon attracts many visitors here who come to look at and explore the canyons dramatic cliff face, rugged trees and the magnificent crevices. Another attraction is the Fort De Kock fortress, which is a reminder of the Dutch heritage of the town. Those with an interest in history will also enjoy Lobang Jepang, a bunker used by the Japanese during WW2 and built using Indonesian forced labor. 

The handicrafts produced in West Sumatra are famous throughout Indonesia and Bukittinggi is an ideal place to come and pick up some exquisite hand made cloths or filigree jewelery painstakingly made by silversmiths. Pay a visit to the nearby town of Pandai Sikat and pick up some Minang embroidery in rich colours of red and gold. The town of Kota Gede, about an hours walk from Bukittinggi is where you will find all kinds of silverware for sale.   

Bukittinggi and it's surrounding area has enormous potential as a tourism destination in West Sumatra. This town with cool weather, friendly people, and a beautiful landscape is waiting to be explored.  

Source: padangtourism.com

Over one century old, the historical town of Sawahlunto built its fortune on mining. Set in a landscape of beautiful green hills and mountains, this scenic town has traces of Dutch colonial influence everywhere. Officially founded in 1892, it was the cities major resource of coal that attracted the Dutch. The enormous impact of the Dutch on the town is clearly evident, as a number of Europeans settled here to capitalise on the mining boom. The Dutch also built a train system that helped transport coal quickly and efficiently. Train enthusiasts can visit the railway museum located in town.  

Sawahlunto city covers about 27.345 hectares or 273.45 square kilometers. Each district of Sawahlunto has 4 sub-districts (which are Barangin; Lembah Segar; Silungkang-famous with tenunan silungkang-; and Talawi), 10 country-districts, and 27 rural-districts. It is about 95 KM from Padang, or about 2 hours by car.

Sawahlunto is bordered in the north by the region of Tanah Datar, at east side with Sawahlunto/ Sinjunjung region district, and in the south and west side with the region of Solok. Sawahlunto is built on steep hills, slooping and plains and has an elevation 250 to 650 M above sea level. Today the towns economy is built on the mining sector, agriculture sector, home indutries and farming sector.

Source: padangtourism.com

Singkarak Lake is an ideal place for sport, recreation and relaxing. Located just 36 km from Bukittinggi, this majestic lake is set amongst a dramatic volcanic landscape. Singkarak is the widest lake in West Sumatra and the second widest lake on Sumatra Island after Lake Toba. A world of cool calm, breathtaking vistas and spectacular scenary awaits you here. This is the place to come to embrace the remote natural beauty that Indonesia is famous for.

Located 362,5 m above sea level, this lake is famous for its special species of fish that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Known locally as Bilih Fish (Mystacoleuseus Padangensis) this fish cannot live in other habitats not even aquariums or pools. The locals often sell this fish so visitors can enjoy this rare tasty treat in the restaurants around the lake.

There are several motels and restaurants in this area. Lake Singkarak is located about 10 Km from Solok city and ± 35 Km from Kayu Aro in the X Koto district. The lake is spread across Solok - Bukit Tinggi way. The lake is state between two regencies that is Solok regency and Tanah Datar regency with ± 129,70 km2 (± 1.129,29 Ha) width.

At the Lake visitors will find facilities including; hotels, motels, restaurants and also water sport facilities. As well as a popular tourism destination, the lake is also used as a source of electricity for Sicincin.

Photo by : Muhamad Fadli (www.west-sumatra.com)