Sumatra Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Sumatra, Indonesia)

There are so many appealing tourist attractions around Sumatra that warrant exploration, that you will need to carefully consider the best place to base yourself. In North Sumatra, the leading attractions comprise the orangutans at Bukit Lawang, the Berastagi volcanoes and the very scenic Danau Toba (Toba Lake).

In South Sumatra, as well as both the Jambi and Riau provinces, tourists will find that the attractions often relate to the rich Malay ancestry, as well as their proximity to the Strait of Melaka - a busy shipping lane. Other areas with bags of tourist appeal include Aceh and its white sandy beaches, the tropical island of Pulau Nias, the isolated province of Bengkulu, southerly Lampung and its endless coffee plantations, and West Sumatra, where winding mountain roads boast some extraordinary views.

North Sumatra

• Berastagi - a thriving agricultural town so busy that tourists rarely get much more than a second glance. Berastagi is a good place for hiking, with trails to the Danau Toba (Toba Lake), the immense Gunung Sibayak volcano and around the Karo Highlands.
• Bukit Lawang - a major tourist attraction in its own right, with hordes of tourists coming here each year to see the wild orangutans, which are particularly plentiful in this region, on the eastern side of the Gunung Leuser National Park. Bukit Lawang is within easy reach of Medan and approximately 95 km / 59 miles away, to the north-west.
• Lingga - one of the most visited of all the traditional villages in North Sumatra. Lingga lies just a short distance to the north-west of Kabanjahe and features some interesting houses with horned roofs, including the King's House (Rumah Rajah). Nearby, the village of Dokan is especially charming.
• Medan - North Sumatra's proud capital, with a population of more than two million people. Medan is a huge and very busy modern city, being Indonesia's third biggest and brimming with places of interest. Around the Kesawan Square, the historical colonial buildings are amongst the most popular attractions in Medan, such as the Tjong Fie Mansion. Landmarks in Medan don't come much more eye-catching than both the Maimoon Palace (Istana Maimoon) and the adjoining Grand Mosque (Mesjid Raya).
• Parapat - with excellent transport links to the beautiful lake, Danau Toba. There is plenty of reasonably priced lodging to go around in Parapat, with a selection of hotels lining the Jalan Pulau Samosir, close to the pier.
• Sibolga - a port town on the westerly coast of North Sumatra. Sibolga is a leading departure point for the island of Pulau Nias. Several reliable beach attractions await in the Sibolga area, such as the Pantai Kalangan and the Pantai Pandan beaches.

Nias Island (Pulau Nias)

• Bawomataluo - the most well-known and accessible of all the southerly villages on the island of Pulau Nias, and perched rather precariously upon a hillside. Tourism has recently arrived in Bawomataluo and souvenir sellers will likely compete for your business. The views of nearby Orihili's rooftops are quite impressive, as are the occasional war dances and stone jumping performances.
• Botohili - a small and appealing hillside village situated on the peninsula of Pantai Lagundri. Rows of traditional houses make up the landscape of Botohili, while close by, Hilimaeta and Lagundri are also worth a look.
• Gomo - lying within the central highlands and close to a number of traditional village attractions. The Gomo area is perhaps best known for its ancient menhir monoliths and stone carvings, which are reputed to date back more than 3,000 years and are to be found in Lahusa Idanotae, Tetegewo and Tundrumbaho.
• Hilinawalo Mazingo - a remote village with one main attraction, the Chieftan's House (Omo Hada), which is used as a meeting place for no less than seven surrounding villages.
• Pantai Sorake / Teluk Lagundri - located alongside Lagundri Bay and famed for its strong waves, perfect for keen surfers. At the beach of Pantai Sorake, the surfing season falls between June and October.
• Teluk Dalam - a hectic port town, which features a good choice of shops and banks, and handy connections to outlying beaches.

Aceh

• Banda Aceh - the provincial capital with a population now exceeding 200,000 inhabitants, divided into two main regions by the Sungai Krueng Aceh river. There really are tourist attractions and landmarks galore in Banda Aceh, such as the gleaming Mesjid Raya Baiturrahman (Baiturrahman Mosque), the remains of Gunongan, the Dutch cemetery of Kherkhof, the lively Pasar Aceh Central Market, various Tsunami landmarks, and the acclaimed Museum Negeri Banda Aceh. At night, the colourful Pasar Malam Rek food market is not to be missed and is based on the corner of the Jalan Khairil Anwar and the Jalan Ahman Yani.
• Banyak Islands - a group of around 100 mainly uninhabited islands, which sit roughly 30 km / 19 miles to the west of Singkil. Literally translated as the 'Many Islands', the Banyaks are around a four-hour boat trip from Singkil's port. Accommodation is available on just a few of the Banyak Islands, such as Balai, Palambak Kecil, Panjang, Rangit Besar and Ujung Batu.
• Gayo Highlands - with stunning mountain panoramas and large areas of countryside and fields. The attractions within the Gayo Highlands all tend to be natural and include the Buffalo Caves (Loyang Koro) and the Simpang Balik hot spring, close to the town of Takengon. Blangkejeran is another notable town here and is well placed for guided tours of nearby local Sumatran villages.
• Gunung Leuser National Park - a diverse forest and world-famous national park. The Gunung Leuser National Park contains an immense array of Indonesian flora and fauna, including many endangered animals, such as elephants, orangutans, rhinos, tigers and more besides. Primates are more widespread in the park and it is quite likely that you will encounter the Thomas Leaf Monkey, which sports a crest and white front. The Alas Valley is where most tourists head, particularly to the village of Gurah, where outdoor attractions and countless different jungle trek packages are on offer.
• Lampuuk / Lhok Nga - popular coastal destinations located on the westerly coast of Aceh, with glorious beaches and simple accommodation.
• Pulau Simeulue - an isolated island lying approximately 150 km / 93 miles to the west of Tapaktuan, with dense rainforests and coconut plantations. The island of Pulau Simeulue is rarely frequented by tourists, although the surfing opportunities here are renowned, especially at the Baneng Beach Retreat.
• Pulau Weh - an attractive island, with an interesting village and first-rate beaches, at Iboih and Gapang. Sabang is the main township of Pulau Weh and also serves as a port. Attractions around Sabang come in the form of the Pantai Kasih, the Pantai Paridiso and the Pantai Sumur Tiga beaches.
• Tapaktuan - a sleepy and relaxed seaside resort which is located around 200 km / 124 miles to the south of Meulaboh, where it is the principal town within South Aceh. The majority of sights to see in Tapaktuan reside along its coastal road of Jalan Merdeka. Outside of Tapaktuan, innumerable attractions offer themselves to tourists, such as the Kluet part of the Gunung Leuser National Park, the beaches of Pantai Air Dingin and Pantai Tui Lhok, the Dark Cave (Gua Kelam), and the port of Singkil, which is the departure point for the Banyak Islands and Pulau Simeulue.

West Sumatra

• Air Manis - a charming fishing village close to Padang and on the southerly side of the Sungai Batang Arau river. The nearby dark sandy beach is the top attraction that Air Manis has to offer.
• Bukittinggi - a market town surrounded by a very verdant volcanic landscape, with a scenic background comprising the mountains of Merapi, Sago and Singgalang. The tourist strip in Bukittinggi is based around the Jalan Ahmad Yani. Attractions in Bukittinggi include the Pasar Atas market, the Benteng Fort (Benteng de Kock), the Taman Bundo Kandung Zoo, the Japanese Caves (Gua Jepang), the Big Clock Tower (Jam Gadang) and the Taman Panorama, which has breathtaking vistas across the Sianok Canyon (Ngarai Sianok). Further sightseeing options around Bukittinggi are available and include the handicraft villages of Koto Gadang and Pandai Sikat, the Batang Palupuh Nature Reserve, the Lembah Anai Nature Reserve, the Gunung Merapi volcano, and the village of Silinduang, where the Rumah Gadang Pagaruyung (King's Palace) is to be found.
• Danau Maninjau - an awesome and very photogenic lake, with jaw-dropping mountain scenery and endless vantage points.
• Harau Valley - a tiny village encircled by green rice paddies and areas of jungle to the north-east of Payakumbuh. The Harau Valley is where the much-visited Lamba Harau waterfalls are to be found. Gibbons can often be heard howling in the neighbouring jungle.
• Kerinci Valley - an area of extreme natural beauty, lying within the Bukit Barisan and alongside the westerly border of Jambi. Attractions in the Kerinci Valley include the tea plantations at the Kayo Aro Estate, the village of Kersik Tua, the town of Sungaipenuh, and also the vast Kirinci Seblat National Park, which is Sumatra's biggest and home to the Gunung Kerinci volcano, the lakes of Danau Gunung Tujuh and Danau Kerinci, and the Sengering Caves - including the Gua Tiangko.
• Mentawai Islands - an island chain which had virtually no contact with the outside world until the 20th century and believed to have been separated from mainland Sumatra some 500,000 years ago. Siberut is the biggest of the Mentawai Islands and the most densely populated, and is now classed as a UNESCO biosphere reserve, with the westerly side of the island being dominated by the Siberut National Park. The Mentawai Islands is famed for both its exceptional surf breaks and also its sizeable primate population, including groups of rare black-and-yellow Siamang Kerdil monkeys.
• Padang - a large and modern city with a population of around 900,000 people, with good ongoing transportation connections to destinations such as Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and Singapore. Central Padang is relatively compact and easy to get around, with some interesting attractions based within its historical Old Quarter, along the Jalan Batang Arau. Close by and on the Jalan Diponegoro, look out for the Adityawarman Museum, and the Taman Budaya Cultural Centre, or take a stroll along the beachfront promenade and enjoy the views. Padang is also a good starting point for excursions to the Mentawai Islands and the Pantai Bungus beach.

Bengkulu

• Bengkulu - the provincial capital, with a population of approximately 400,000 residents. The city of Bengkulu offers many coastal attractions, with its historical Benteng Marlborough fortress overlooking the Indian Ocean and being much photographed by tourists and day trippers, as well as the Bung Karno Mosque (Mesjid Jamik). Pantai Panjang is the main beach in Bengkulu, while for reminders of the strong British influences in the past, check out the Thomas Parr Monument and the Inggris Monument.
• Northern Bengkulu - offering a host of attractions along the coast road, the Jalan Manusurai Pantai, which heads in a northerly direction between Bengkulu and Padang. Towns of note within the Northern Bengkulu region include Curup, Ipuh, Lais and Mukomuko, while the Gunung Kaba volcano is also likely to be of interest and features two smouldering craters and is encompassed by a lush rainforest jungle.
• Pulau Enggano - an isolated island sited around 100 km / 62 miles from southerly Bengkulu, covering around 675 square kilometres / 260 square miles. Whilst facilities for tourists are relatively nonexistent, there are some gorgeous beaches with good snorkelling opportunities. The main harbour on Pulau Enggano is Malakoni.

Riau

• Dumai - a bustling port, with ferries regularly departing for Melaka (Malaysia) three times each day. From Dumai, ferries also travel to and from Pulau Batam, Pulau Bintan and Jakarta.
• Natuna Islands - an isolated group of islands, which are quite tricky to actually reach. The Natuna Islands are most famous for their basket-weave cloth, as well as their displays of traditional dancing. Pulau Natuna Besar is one of the more interesting of the Natuna Islands.
• Pekanbaru - a busy, modern city, which has become the wealthy oil capital of Indonesia. Pekanbaru's population is now close to 800,000 people and facilities here are excellent, with banks, shops, restaurants and hotels lining the main thoroughfare of Jalan Sudirman. Also most tourists come to Pekanbaru for its good ferry connections with Singapore and there are a handful of notable attractions, such as the Malay exhibits at the Balai Adat Daerah Riau, the 18th-century Grand Mosque (Mesjid Raya), and the seasonal performances and events at the Riau Cultural Park.
• Riau Islands - spread across the South China Sea and numbering around 700 in total The Riau Islands tend to be regarded as quite separate to Sumatra, with both the islands of Pulau Batam and Pulau Bintan being so close to Singapore that they are almost suburbs. Other noteworthy islands within the Riau archipelago include those of Anambas, Karimun, Lingga, Natuna, Penuba, Singkep and also Tambelan.

Jambi

The centrally located province of Jambi is surprisingly difficult to reach, and as a result of its inaccessibility, remains quiet and not overly popular with tourists. Known for its palm oil plantations and rubber plants, Jambi covers an area of around 53,500 square kilometres / 20,655 square miles and encompasses a chunk of the Bukit Barisan mountain range, and also the coastal swamps next to the Strait of Melaka. The main attractions in the province of Jambi are to be found within the river port city of the same name, such as the Museum Negeri Propinsi Jambi and a batik centre, with a good choice of hand-painted textiles. Close by is the archaeological site of Muara Jambi, which ranks as Sumatra's principal Buddhist-Hindu site, and so really should be visited if at all possible.

South Sumatra

• Danau Ranau - a remote lake situated on the south-westerly side of the Bukit Barisan mountains, offering mountain trekking and various other hiking trails. Lake Ranau is close to Banding Agung, Simpang Sender and Pusri, and is a very peaceful and tranquil place to come. If you are feeling energetic, then it is possible to climb to the top of the extinct volcano, the Gunung Seminung (1,900 metres / 6,235 feet high) and enjoy the views.
• Krui - a coastal village with a truly spectacular westerly shoreline, which remains quite unspoilt and uncommercialised. The village of Krui boasts lengthy white sandy beaches and inviting azure waters, which often has excellent waves for surfers. Daily long-distance buses connect Krui with Bandar Lampung, Bengkulu, the Danau Ranau and Liwa.
• Palembang - the second-biggest city in Sumatra, with a population of around 1.7 million people. Palembang also serves as an important port and was historically part of the Sriwijaya civilisation. There are a number of very worthy tourist attractions to be found within Palembang, such as the 19th-century Agung Mosque (Mesjid Agung), the Museum Sumatera Selatan and the ruins of an 18th-century Dutch fortress.
• Pasemah Highlands - famed for their legendary megalithic monuments and carvings, and rather hidden away in the Bukit Barisan area, to the west of Lahat. The 3,000-year-old Pasemah megalithic sites, are the number one attraction here and a real magnet to tourists. Pulau Bangka is the main town in the Pasemah Highlands and can be reached along the Trans-Sumatra Highway.

Lampung

• Bandar Lampung - enjoying an elevated setting and great views across Teluk Lampung. Bandar Lampung is the region's largest city, Sumatra's fourth biggest, and also serves as the administrative capital. Attractions in Bandar Lampung are in reasonable supply and tourists will find that the most visited include the Krakatau Monument and the Lampung Provincial Museum.
• Gunung Krakatau - known to many as Mount Krakatoa, this volcano is perhaps the most famous on the planet. The eruptions of the Krakatoa volcano have been well documented. Today, visitors can take a boat trip around the island and only imagine the spewing lava, clouds of ash, and the devastation that this volcano has been responsible for.
• Kalianda - a peaceful and charming small town, with good vistas of Teluk Lampung, which is situated around 30 km / 19 miles away and to the north. Just a short excursion from Kalianda is a selection of pristine beaches and characterful fishing villages. Kalianda has now become a popular weekend break destination with Jakarta locals looking for an alternative to Bali. Also close to Kalianda is the Gunung Rajabasa volcano, Wartawan Beach and its hot springs, and the islands of Pulau Sebesi and Pulau Sebuku, both of which boast great swimming and snorkelling opportunities
• Way Kambas National Park - a vast reserve and one of Indonesia's oldest national parks, with groups of Sumatran elephants, small numbers of the endangered Sumatran rhinos and tigers. Visitors to the Way Kambas National Park are able to join safaris, where you are led through the tropical foliage on the back of a friendly elephant. Alternatively, you can take a canoe down the meandering Sungai Way Kana, passing various riverside attractions and guest houses along the way.