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
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West Sumatra
Handicraft and textile fans should not miss this place near Simpang Bukit Batabuah, 7km southeast of Bukittinggi. Dedicated to revitalising the…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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West Sumatra
Climbing dormant Gunung Singgalang (2877m) is a more adventurous undertaking than Gunung Merapi. Highly recommended English-speaking guide Dedi (0813 7425…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Padang
Within a grand traditional Minangkabau-style building is this excellent museum offering a thorough overview of Padang culture. Captions are all in English…
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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…
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West Sumatra
Belimbing, a village southeast of Batu Sangkar, is comprised of one of the largest surviving collections of traditional architecture in the highlands…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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)…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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.
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West Sumatra
Pasar Atas is a large, colourful daily market crammed with stalls selling fruit and vegetables, second-hand clothing and crafts.
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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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