West Sumatra
Dominated by jungles, volcano's, canyons and lakes, the Province of West Sumatra could be an enormous and magnificent nature park. It is the home of the Minangkabau, one of Indonesia's most interesting and influential ethnic groups. The Minangkabau are versatile and intelligent people who lead a community and family life based on a matrilineal system which gathers around mosque and traditional adat houses.
It is the women who own property and the men who choose to wander. Traveling is considered mask of success and therefore many West Sumatra's are found in the other parts of the country. Proof of this is the many Minang or Padang restaurants, serving very spicy food, found in all major towns across the nation.
The people are hospitable and eloquent with a poetic style of speech and colorful ceremonies and festivals. Legend has it the Minangkabau are descendants of the youngest son of Alexander the Great, King Maharjo Dirajo, more commonly known in Indonesia as Iskandar Zulkarnain. They originally settled in the Padang Panjang region and gradually spread out over the rest of Western Sumatra.
West Sumatra's center of culture and tourism is Bukittinggi, nestled in the highlands, north of the provincial capital of Padang. This hinterland has a range of high mountains which dip into picturesque valleys and lakes. Amongst them are the remains of the old Minangkabau kingdom of Pagaruyung, which is now the center off art, silver, hand weaving, embroidery and woodcarving.
Padang's Tabing Airport is the main gateway to West Sumatra and is serviced by Merpati Nusantra airline. There is also a Fortnightly ship service to Jakarta by MV. Kerinci from Teluk Bayur harbor. The voyage takes about 30 hours. There are also small vessels from harbor sailing to small towns along the entire west coast of Sumatra. Regular bus services run between Padangand Bukittinggi and other major cities of Sumatra, as well as via the trans-Sumatra Highway to Jakarta, and all points east.
Places of Interest
Padang
The capital of West Sumatra, Padang has several houses built in traditional architecture, including the Padang Museum which houses objects of cultural and historical interest. The beach of the bay of Bungus and its white sand 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 small islands nearby: Sirandah, Sikoai, Panang, Parsumpahan.
Taman HutanRaya 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 300-1,000m above sea level. The cool mountain air and panoramic views make this area a popular resort for both young and old.
Monkeys and other animals can be found here, and are protected by the Park Warden. Transportation to Taman Hutan Raya Bung Hatta is easy as it lies on the highway of Solok.
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 930meters above sea level, Bukittinggi formerly named Fort De Cock by the Dutch has a cool climate and is surrounded by three volcano's: Tandikat, Singgalang and Merapi. In die outskirts of the town is the Ngarai Sianok, a canyon separating Bukittinggi from Kota Gadang, 12km 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 build in th 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 Bull fights at Padang Lawas (6km south of Bukittinggi) every Tuesday at 0.500. pm.
Ngarai Sianok (Sianok Canyon)
"Ngarai" (the Indonesia for canyon) Sianok lies at the outskirt of Bukittinggi. It is a steep-canyon of about 100-150 meters high, very colorful and surrounded by a green valley with a winding river at its bottom. The beauty of this panoramic landscape is hard to describe as if no words can precisely express this geological wonder. It is even harder to find its rival in the whole country. That is why West Sumatra is very proud of it and always invites visitors at enjoy it. Even local people always make it as an item in their tour lists.
Batusangkar
An old small town, 50 km southeast of Bukittinggi, is a center of the ancient Minangkabau culture. Pagaruyung is the historical site of Minangkabau kingdom in the14th century, near Batusangkar 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 a adat house with rice beans from the nucleus of the village.
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 meter high waterfall.
Padangpanjang
The conservatory of Padangpanjang is a national institute specializing in the Minangkabau music and dances.
Solok, Danau Diatas and Danau Dibawah
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 extra- ordinary. Set only about 1km apart, one of the lakes is on a slightly higher elevation than the other.
Lake Singkarak
Another idealplace for recreation and water sport is Lake Singkarak, the longest in West Sumatra and 36 km from Bukittinggi. There are several motels and restaurants in the area.
Pantai Arta and Kata
Both theses 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 seashore. The sandy beaches, clean water and bright sunshine are perfect for swimming and sun bathing. The pine trees can protect you from direct sunrays. Kata beach is about 2 km from Pariaman.
MentawaiIslands
Four islands make up the Mentawai cluster off the West Sumatra coast: Siberut, Sipora, Pagai Utara and Pagai Seletan. The people of these islands still live in comparative isolation, maintain 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.
Payakumbuh and 50 Kota Regency
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 roadto Harau Valley there 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, boar, wild goats and tigers still roam. The Harau Valley is 15 km from Payakumbuh.
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 theirs queaks and sense them 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 hear outside. The path trough these caves leads out to the top of the mountain from where it is quite panoramic. The drive up the hillside in it self worth making because of the variety of the exquisite views along the way.
Rimba Panti Nature Reserve
Fauna and flora of the Rimba Panti Nature reserve are protected. It is situated 103km from Bukittinggi. Stop at Butang Palupuh, 16km 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 Bukttinggi on the road is a small monument defining the equator at the village of Bonjol. The preserves in habitants include several species of monkeys, honey bears, tigers, flying squirrels, 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 u complete information.
Pandai Sikat
The village of Pandai Sikat is 10km 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, at abounds with fish. There are also facilities fro swimming and water skiing. The village of Matur, overlooking lakes, arrange dance performances on request.
