West Sumatra
Dominating the northern end of Kerinci Seblat National Park is Gunung Kerinci (3805m), Southeast Asia’s tallest volcano and one of Sumatra’s most active…
Must-see attractions in West Sumatra
Padang
Although badly damaged in the 2009 earthquake, Padang’s colonial-era quarter around Jl Batang Arau is still worth a lazy stroll. Crumbling old Dutch and…
West Sumatra
Handicraft and textile fans should not miss this place near Simpang Bukit Batabuah, 7km southeast of Bukittinggi. Dedicated to revitalising the…
West Sumatra
At 1996m, the beautiful caldera of Danau Gunung Tujuh is the highest in Southeast Asia and makes for a pleasant day ascent or part of a multiday trek. It…
House of Rafflesia Luwak Coffee
West Sumatra
At this plantation in Batang Palupuh, friendly owner Umul Khairi is happy to explain the process of harvesting, drying and roasting kopi luwak – a smooth,…
West Sumatra
This reserve, 16km north of Bukittinggi, is home to many orchid species, as well as the massive Rafflesia arnoldii and Amorphophallus titanum, the largest…
West Sumatra
In the village of Silinduang Bulan, 5km north of Batu Sangkar, the heartland of the red Tanah Datar clan of Minangkabau, is this epic palace, a replica of…
West Sumatra
Danau Kerinci, 20km south of Sungai Penuh, is a sizeable lake nestled between Gunung Raya (2535m) and rice paddies. Stone carvings around the lake suggest…
West Sumatra
Climbing dormant Gunung Singgalang (2877m) is a more adventurous undertaking than Gunung Merapi. Highly recommended English-speaking guide Dedi (0813 7425…
West Sumatra
The smouldering summit of Gunung Merapi (2891m), one of Sumatra’s most active volcanoes, looms large over Bukittinggi around 16km to the east. If Merapi…
West Sumatra
Impressive waterfalls dot the whole Kerinci Valley. The easiest to find are the Air Terjun Telun Berasap in the ‘Letter W’ village 4km north of Pelompek…
West Sumatra
Benteng de Kock was built by the Dutch during the Padri Wars. Other than a few cannons and ramparts, there’s not much to it now apart from the nice…
West Sumatra
This extensive network of underground WWII Japanese bunkers built into a cliff face stretches for nearly 1.5km. It was built by local forced labour in…
West Sumatra
Taman Panorama, on the southern edge of Bukittinggi, overlooks the deep Ngarai Sianok (Sianok Canyon), where fruit bats swoop at sunset, as well as the…
Padang
Within a grand traditional Minangkabau-style building is this excellent museum offering a thorough overview of Padang culture. Captions are all in English…
West Sumatra
Silversmiths occupy several old Dutch houses in Koto Gadang, 5km from Bukittinggi. Catch a westbound angkot (3000Rp) or take an hour’s walk from Taman…
West Sumatra
Belimbing, a village southeast of Batu Sangkar, is comprised of one of the largest surviving collections of traditional architecture in the highlands…
West Sumatra
Visited by a fraction of hikers who take on its more famous neighbour Gunung Kerinci, this active volcano, at the southern end of the Kerinci Valley,…
West Sumatra
A two- to three-hour ramble through the jungle along a largely flat (and muddy) path, Danau Kaco will stop you dead in your tracks because you just won’t…
West Sumatra
Built in the 1920s to house a clock that was a gift from the Dutch queen, Jam Gadang is Bukittinggi's town emblem and focal point. Independence in 1945…
West Sumatra
Considered to be the largest cave system in the Kerinci Valley, and not yet fully explored, Goa Kasah makes for a good day trek (around 2½ hours one way)…
West Sumatra
Head west up Jl Sudirman (past the post office) and turn left, where you’ll find this old wooden mosque with a pagoda-style roof. Built in 1874 without a…
Conservatorium of Traditional Music
West Sumatra
Ethno-musicologists make the pilgrimage to the town of Padangpanjang, 19km south of Bukittinggi, to this university where Minangkabau dance and music are…
West Sumatra
For fantastic, sweeping panoramas of Kerinci Valley head up to this hilltop lookout, especially popular with locals for sunrise and sunset. To get here…
West Sumatra
Pulau Pagang is a small, beautiful island 1½ hours' boat ride from Bungus, with white sandy beaches and a handful of basic bungalows. It’s possible to…
West Sumatra
Near the Grand Palace in Silinduang Bulan, 5km north of Batu Sangkar, is the much smaller and lower-key, but equally ornate, Istano Silinduang Bulan. It's…
West Sumatra
Deep within Kerinci Seblat National Park, Grao Sakti are Kerinci's best hot springs. They're located a two-hour walk south of the remote village of Renah…
West Sumatra
These hot springs overlook rice paddies and surrounding jungle, a more natural setting than the nearby Air Panas hot springs. The location is near the…
West Sumatra
Pandai Sikat ('Clever Craftsmen') is famous for songket weaving and building decorations carved out of wood. The village is 13km south of Bukittinggi…
West Sumatra
Lemba Harau and other waterfalls in the Harau Valley attract day trippers from Bukittinggi, particularly during the rainy season; if the weather’s been…
West Sumatra
This spectacular three-storey waterfall is close to Teluk Kabung, by the village of Koto Lubuk Hitam. It’s an hour’s hike up to the base of the falls for…
West Sumatra
While not particularly attractive (and hence of no real interest to non-Muslim travellers), this central mosque offers a useful landmark for getting your…
West Sumatra
More of a landmark than genuine sight, this central undercover market is popular with locals here to shop for fresh produce and everyday items.
West Sumatra
Pasar Atas is a large, colourful daily market crammed with stalls selling fruit and vegetables, second-hand clothing and crafts.
West Sumatra
The semi-grotty Air Panas hot springs near the village of Semurup (11km north of Sungai Penuh) are hugely popular with locals.
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