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It is most famed for Batu Malin Kundang (Stone of Malin Kundang), a stone shaped like a prostrating man. According to local legend, this stone is Malin Kundang, the ungrateful son who disowned his poor mother after coming home as a rich man from his travels. His mother cursed him into stone, as well as the remains of his ship, which can also be seen near his stone. There is a tidal island from the beach here, with nice clean (by Indonesian standards) water and sand.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Recommended: good shoes, long pants, trekking poles, water, snack, mosquitos repellent. Avoid if rainy. Start early to avoid heat. Route mixed: concrete, dirt, asphalt. Many parts are steep and can be very slippy if after rain. Start from Siti Nurbaya Bridge, take one of the two paths (stairs) uphill and turn left on the road (not in the many houses around). You will see multiple Chinese tombs, walk right of 'Mushalla Nurul Ikhlas'. The stairs have much moss, which can make it more slippery if recently rained. There is a ´Selamar Datang’ (welcome) sign just before a rest area with sign ´Anak Nagari Bukit Kandang´. A bit further concrete road will be replaced by dirt road only. At the next intersection, continue straight. Pass a small blue house/shop, with possibly barking dogs. On the following inhabited house, continue on the path left of it. Ask if unsure. Part of the path is not really clear, well maintained. Follow up hill. You should see few gum trees before reaching destination. Antennas top is reached after 60–75 min total hike up. On the left, view on Padang. On the right, antennas and media house (PT. Iindostar Padang Televisi, Bukit Gado Gado) and way down. On the way down, you can use either the previous path, or another, also more or less mix of asphalt and dirt road. More asphalt, more detour and longer but also some view of seaside and nearby islands. Dirt roads may not be very visible/maintained. Even when back on main road, it does not seem to have angkot/minibus back (or partial 402). Longer path (asphalt until main road, cut back smaller concrete road before Masjid Jabaldiin – about 2h.
Jembatan Siti Nurbaya
A beautiful bridge especially at night. Siti Nurbaya is the eponymous character in a classical literary novel.
Nice all white mosque on the seaside, especially at dusk. Side entrance on north to see sunset which seems enjoyed a lot by locals.
A spacious pool hall with 21 international standard tables
State-run museum exploring regional history & culture in a traditional spire-roofed building. Has both Indonesian and English texts.
Cultural Park