Medan
One for advocates of religious diversity and quirky architecture, this surreal Catholic church combines Hindu and Islamic architecture styles with a…
Must-see attractions in Sumatra
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…
Sumatra
This is the house where Indonesia's first president, Sukarno, and his family lived in detention for three years from 1938–41 under Dutch rule. It features…
Banda Aceh
The most famous of the 2004 tsunami sights is the fishing boat resting on the house in Lampulo village, about 2km north of Banda Aceh and 1km from where…
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…
Aceh
Worthy of a stop when touring the island are the volcanic sulphuric fumaroles that steam and bubble from the rocky landscape on the side of Gunung Merapi…
Aceh
Signposted off the main road about 8km from Gapang are the Pria Lot Falls. It's a five-minute scramble over rocks to reach the beautiful waterfall, but…
Medan
The impressive Grand Mosque was commissioned by the Sultan of Deli in 1906. The Moroccan-style building has a grand entrance, towering ceilings, ornate…
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…
Sumatra
A fascinating remnant from the British rule in Bengkulu is this historical cemetery featuring gravestones of the English dating back to 1770. It's a well…
North Sumatra
Located 6km east of Berastagi, this gleaming golden Buddhist temple is a replica of the famous Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar. You'll need to arrange…
Sumatra
Reachable via a 30-to-40-minute fishing boat ride (from 750,000Rp), this small island 15km west of Bengkulu is surrounded by coral reef, making it an…
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…
Banyak Islands
The small island of Pulau Tailana is renowned for reefs that are waves of colour. The island has a popular guesthouse.
Banyak Islands
There’s good snorkelling between Pulau Laman and Pulau Laureh, with some remarkable growths of vivid blue coral.
Banyak Islands
A crescent-shaped, uninhabited island with pristine beaches on either side as well as excellent snorkelling.
Sultan Sulaiman Badrul Alamsyah
Pulau Bintan
Housed in an attractive building built by the Dutch in 1918, this small museum is full of mostly Chinese artefacts – coins, pottery, musical instruments,…
Sumatra
The Krakatau monument is a lasting memorial to the force of the 1883 eruption and resulting tidal wave. Almost half of the 36,000 victims died in the 40m…
Pulau Bintan
Dragons adorn the beautifully painted upturned eaves on the roof of this Chinese temple. A statue of Kuan Yin (Guanyin), the goddess of mercy, stands at…
Sumatra
Bengkulu’s main beach, Pantai Panjang, is 7km of clean white sand. Strong surf and currents make it unsafe for swimming, but there are decent surf breaks…
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…
State Museum of Bengkulu Province
Sumatra
Like every provincial capital in Sumatra, Bengkulu has a museum covering the local traditional culture, with exhibits including Arabic-influenced lettered…
Banyak Islands
One of two inhabited islands in the Banyaks, connected to the mainland by frequent public boats. It has no attractions of its own, but has a mellow…
Medan
Dating to 1884, Medan's oldest Hindu temple has a classic Dravidian style typical of South India, with a storied tower adorned with ornamental deity…
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…
Aceh
Keuneukai has a nice beach in the south of Pulau Weh; however, given it's a conservative village, females will need to cover up if going for a swim. Give…
Aceh
One of several remnants from the Japanese occupation during WWII, this bunker perched on the east coast of Pulau Weh looks out to magnificent ocean views…
Aceh
A solemn tsunami memorial and grave site at Lhok Nga near Banda Aceh. It features a curling wave monument, which is slowly being encroached upon by the…
Banda Aceh
The largest of the 2004 tsunami mass graves is at Lambaro, on the road to the airport, where 46,000 unidentified bodies were buried. It's a peaceful,…
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.
Medan
One of several fine examples of ornate Dutch colonial buildings in downtown Medan is the stately town hall, constructed in 1908.
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.
Banyak Islands
Offers some excellent snorkelling. Dugongs are sometimes sighted in the mornings off the island’s north shore.
Banyak Islands
Uninhabited small island with white sandy beach, popular with day trippers from neighbouring Banyak islands.
Banda Aceh
A legacy of Dutch rule is this rather squat 1880s water tower, which now stands as a city landmark.
Banda Aceh
Near Uleh-leh port, this is the most easily accessible of the 2004 tsunami mass graves.
