Grand Palace of Pagaruyuang

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 the former home of the rulers of the ancient Minangkabau kingdom of Payaruyung. It's equally impressive within, with soaring pillars and ceilings, and walls covered in brightly coloured ceremonial banners. There's a museum inside (no English captions), and three levels you can clamber up for views of the surrounding village and countryside.

A fire razed it to the ground in 2007, but it has been reconstructed. Batu Sangkar can be reached via public bus (22,000Rp, 1½ hours) from Bukittinggi, where you can continue by ojek (8000Rp) to Silinduang Bulan. Try to visit during the week, as weekends can get busy.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby West Sumatra attractions

1. Istano Silinduang Bulan

0.81 MILES

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…

2. Conservatorium of Traditional Music

5.29 MILES

Ethno-musicologists make the pilgrimage to the town of Padangpanjang, 19km south of Bukittinggi, to this university where Minangkabau dance and music are…

3. Pandai Sikat

7.11 MILES

Pandai Sikat ('Clever Craftsmen') is famous for songket weaving and building decorations carved out of wood. The village is 13km south of Bukittinggi…

4. Gunung Marapi

7.44 MILES

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…

5. Gunung Singgalang

8.86 MILES

Climbing dormant Gunung Singgalang (2877m) is a more adventurous undertaking than Gunung Merapi. Highly recommended English-speaking guide Dedi (0813 7425…

6. Belimbing

9.24 MILES

Belimbing, a village southeast of Batu Sangkar, is comprised of one of the largest surviving collections of traditional architecture in the highlands…

7. PT Songket Bernhard Bart

12.35 MILES

Handicraft and textile fans should not miss this place near Simpang Bukit Batabuah, 7km southeast of Bukittinggi. Dedicated to revitalising the…

8. Koto Gadang

14.29 MILES

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…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "indonesia/west-sumatra/attractions/grand-palace-of-pagaruyuang/a/poi-sig/1519433/1319470",
      "destination": "West-Sumatra",
      "continent": "Asia",
      "country": "Indonesia",
      "region": "West-Sumatra",
      "position": "superzone"
    }