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City in West Sumatra, Indonesia
Photo: Doni Ismanto, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Bukittinggi is a city of 117,000 people (2014) in West Sumatra. It is a city popular with tourists because of its pleasant climate and central location. Bukittinggi is also a popular shopping destination for cheap textiles and fashion products, especially for Malaysians.
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Panorama Ngarai Sianok
A network of underground bunkers and tunnels built by the Japanese during World War II. Guide is mostly if you want tunnel history as they are not big enough to get lost. There is a two-story observation tower that overlooks the Sianok Canyon on east side. During dusk you can observe megabats flying from the gorges to the forest in order to feed from the fruits on the trees. This is also a good place to get in contact with guides for tours such as to Lake Maninjau (see below) or jungle/hiking trips through the Canyon.
A fort built by the Dutch (nothing is left, only a water reservoir is on top of the hill) and Bundo Kanduang Park. The park includes a replica Rumah Gadang (traditional house), used as a museum of Minangkabau culture (many curiosities, such as stuffed animals with two heads and six legs, model houses and traditional dresses, foreign currencies, and a zoo with a few very sad Orang Utans, a few expired species which are still rotting in their cages, two obese bears - not exactly an example in modern animal keeping. The Dutch hilltop outpost Fort de Kock is connected to the zoo by the Limpapeh pedestrian overpass.
The house of Mohammad Hatta, the first Vice President of Indonesia.
Jam Gadang = Great Clock
It is a clock tower and major landmark and tourist attraction in Bukittinggi. It is located in the centre of the city, near the main market, Pasar Ateh, and palace of Mohammad Hatta. The structure was built in 1926, during the Dutch colonial era, as a gift from Queen Wilhelmina to the city's controleur. It was designed by architects Yazin and Sutan Gigi Ameh, reportedly at a cost of 3,000 guilder. Originally a rooster figure was placed on the apex, but it was changed into a Jinja-like ornament during the Japanese occupation (1942–1945). Following Indonesian independence, the tower's top was reshaped to its present form, which resembles traditional Minang roofs. Tourists visiting the tower were once allowed to climb to the top, but as of 2016 require written permission to do so.
Great, reasonably priced food and friendly staff that speak very good English. They can also arrange tours and give information on transport.
Traditional Minangkabau food.
Traditional Minangkabau and European food.
Fruit juices, beer, soft drinks, Indonesian + European dishes - reasonably priced and excellent quality. English spoken.
villa
A unique riverside restaurant at the bottom of the green Sianok Canyon with beautiful scenery and delicious Indonesian, Thai, Chinese, Indian and Western food and drinks. The traditional architecture of the restaurant, surrounded by terraced rice fields and the crystal-clear river crossing beside a beautiful garden.
Around 10 rooms. No hot water.
Old building. Rooms with two beds: Rp80,000
smallish rooms but reasonably clean and nice staff. Rp80,000.
Nice staff and clean hostel with small breakfast included.
shared bathroom, hot water, towel, soap, Wi-Fi - careful as very slow on all floors but 1F. small double, either double bed, either bed bunk, fan (but noisy), power plugs, internal window. toilets: mix squat and western with toilet paper and toilet gun. water fountain, free tea and coffee. rooftop that can be used to eat. no kitchen, fridge or microwave. Receptionists kind and caring but limited English, help of online translation and not much tours or advice for backpacker travel. No laundry service but shops nearby.
By chartered minivan
Known by the locals as "Travel" is cheapest way to get there. The approximate price is about Rp30,000/person for one way.4 minivan with a capacity of 7 seats.
By bus
The main bus station is at Aur Kuniang, 2km southeast of the town center.
By taxi
At PDG (Minangkabau International Airport) of Padang, there are several desks and individual operators where you can order taxis but they all ask around Rp300,000, including Grab and Gojek.
Angkot shared taxis may be an affordable way to get around the city, if you happen to know which route stops by where you are staying. Route number and destination are shown on the windshield.
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Padang (Katapiang) · International · PDG
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