WEST SUMATERA
WEST SUMATRA
The land of the Minangkabau, West Sumatra has a distinct culture which distinguishes it
from the rest of the island. A land of scenic beauty with blue green lakes and mountains,
West Sumatra's Centre of culture and tourism is Bukittinggi in the highlands, north of the
provincial capital of Padang.
Most prominent in the landscape is the horn-shaped roofs of the houses nestled in the
coconut groves.
The name Minangkabau means triumphant buffalo. It leads a community and family life
based on a matrilineal system which clusters around mosques and the traditional adat
houses. As it is the women who own the properties, the men are known for their wanderlust
and entrepreneurship. Traveling is considered a mark of success and therefore many of them
are found "merantau" (emigrated) to other parts of the country. Proof of this is
the many Minang or Padang restaurants, serving very spicy food, found in all major towns
in the nation. The people are hospitable and eloquent in a poetic style of speech and
ceremonies. Festivals are colorful occasions.
West Sumatra has a coast line where the capital is situated. The hinterland is a range
of high mountains which dip into picturesque valleys and lakes. Amongst them are the
remnants of the old Minangkabau kingdom of Pagaruyung, (the art centers for silver,
hand-weaving, embroidery and woodcarving).
Padang's Tabing Airport is the main gateway to West Sumatra. Garuda Indonesia has three
daily flights to Jakarta, one daily flight to Palembang and Medan. Three flights weekly to
Pekanbaru, three direct flights to Singapore and two flights to Batam.
Merpati Nusantara Airlines has daily flight to Jakarta and one flight every Tuesday to
Pekanbaru and Rokot (Mentawai Islands). Mandala Airlines has dally flight to Jakarta.
There is a fortnightly ship service to Jakarta by MV. Kerinci from Teluk Bayur harbor.
The voyage takes some 30 hours. There are also some small vessels from Muara harbor to
some small towns along the west coast of Sumatra.
There are regular bus services between Padang and Bukittinggi and other major cities of
Sumatra, and via the trans-Sumatera Highway to Jakarta, and onward to Denpasar.
PLACES OF INTEREST
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.
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.
Taman Hutan Raya Bung Hatta
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.
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.
Lake Maninjau
A winding road with 44 sharp turns descends to Lake Maninjau, 36 km from Bukittinggi. A
crater lake, it abounds with fish. There are also facilities for swimming and water
skiing. The village of Matur, overlooking lakes, arranges dance performances on request.
Lake Singkarak
Another ideal place for recreation and water sport is Singkarak Lake, 36 km from
Bukittinggi. There are several motels and restaurants in the area.
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.
Harau Valley
Along the road to Harau Valley is a lovely countryside. Steep granite walls shelter the
fertile valley. A waterfall, 150 meters high falls into a basin. The Harau Valley is a
nature and wildlife reserve, where tapir, siamangs, boars, wild goats and tigers still
roam. The Harau Valley is 15 km from Payakumbuh.
Rimba Panti Nature Reserve
Fauna and flora of the Rima Panti Nature Reserve are protected. It is situated 103 km
from Bukittinggi. Stop at Batang Palupuh, 16 km from Bukittinggi.
There, in a small reserve is the Rafflesia Arnoldi, the biggest flower in existence,
which blooms only once a year. Sixty km from Bukittinggi on this road is a small monument
defining the equator at the village of Bonjol.
The reserve's inhabitants include several species of monkeys, honey bears, tigers,
flying squirrels, birds, butterflies, etc. A guide can be obtained from the office at the
reserve. The provincial office of the Directorate of Nature Conservation (BKSAA) at Padang
can give you complete information.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Batusangkar
An old small town, 50 km southeast of Bukit-tinggi, it is a centre of the ancient
Minangkabau culture. Pagaruyung is the historical site of a Minangkabau kingdom in the
14th century. Nearby is where some archaeological vestiges, such as the Written Stone, the
Stabbed Stone and some other relics can be found.
Pariangan/Belimbing
It is said that this little village came into being at the time of the big deluge. It
is situated on the slopes of Mt. Merapi, thought to be the cradle of the Minangkabau
culture. This historical village still reflects the pure social structure of the
Minangkabau conception of a village. A mosque, a council
house and traditional house with rice-barns form the nucleus of the village.
Padangpanjang
The conservatory of Padangpanjang is a national institute specializing in the
Minangkabau music and dances.
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.
Shopping Hints
Hand-woven silk sarongs, embroidered garments and house-linen, richly woven cloth, gold
and silver threads jewelry, wood carving, ornaments of coconut shell and seashells. There
are also traditional copper-ware and miniature models of Minangkabau houses.
ACCOMMODATION
West Sumatra has several small comfortable hotels, though none of the deluxe class.
Three and two- star hotels all have air-conditioning in Padang, with attached bathrooms,
telephones and TV sets. A few are such as Muara, Pangeran, Mariani s International and
Machudum. In Bukittinggi, Benteng and Minang hotels have a homely atmosphere and Denai
Hotel has cottages.
Click on the
following subjects for more information:
South Sumatera
West Sumatera
North Sumatera
West Sumatera
North Sumatera
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