When a friend of mine said that she must go to Bukittinggi to visi her parents, my imagination flew to moments I spent in Bukittinggi years ago…
Without a doubt Bukittinggi is probably the most laid-back and friendliest places you could ever visit in Sumatra. The city is surrounded by three volcanoes named Tandikat, Singgalang and Merapi. Bukitinggi was formerly named Fort De Cock by the Dutch and the centrepiece of town is the town’s clock-tower, which is topped with a horn- shaped roof and referred to by the people as Jam Gadang. This is a good place to visit as it overlooks the market square and the city’s beautiful surroundings. Most of the places in the town are within walking distance with each other as Bukitinggi is relatively small. Here are a few of the places in and around Bukittinggi worth visiting:
The splendid Lake Maninjau in West Sumatra, is one of the calmest places in Indonesia. To reach the lake, we must take the steeply descending road from Bukittinggi. This journey will have you on the edge of your seat as the road has sharp hairpin bends and unforgettable twists and turns. The 44 bends in this road give it its name, Kelok 44. The drive down to the lake will amaze you with its remarkable views over the shimmering blue lake and surrounding hills. With inspiring scenery and peaceful surrounds, a visit to Lake Maninjau will leave you relaxed and rejuvenated. If you’re looking for fantastic views, you may go to the top of a hill and get some of the best views of the lake.
Museum Bukittinggi. A traditional extended family house built in the 19th century (Rumah Gadang), it is a fine example of Minangkabau architecture. It house Minangkabau cultural and historical items.
Valley. The surroundings of the Anai Valley are magnificent. The dense tropical forest all around is most impressive and is a nature reserve. Below runs the river Anai with its crystal clear water. Just on the side of the road is a 40 m high waterfall.
Taman Panorama. This magnificent place located on the edge of town overlooks the amazing SianokCanyon. What’s great here is that there is a two-story observation tower that overlooks the whole canyon. Even better is what happens at Dusk. Megabats fly from the gorges into the forest to feed from the fruits on the trees.
Pasar Atas. An insane but delightful and colourful market that gets so big on Wednesdays and Saturdays that the stalls etc can be seen spread across the nearby hills. This is an interesting traditional market where the usual fare of fruit, vegetables and handicrafts can be bought.
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