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Capital and largest city of West Sumatra, Indonesia
Photo: MichaelJLowe, CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
Padang is the capital city of West Sumatra, Indonesia. It is mostly used by tourists as an access point to Bungus Bay, the surfing sites and indigenous tribal culture of the Mentawai Islands, the inland hills of Bukittinggi, and the Kerinci Seblat National Park. ```
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State-run museum exploring regional history & culture in a traditional spire-roofed building. Has both Indonesian and English texts.
Cultural Park
Sweet Water Beach
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.
Mesjid Raya Sumatera Barat
A new modern large mosque that is built with Minangkabau architecture.
Mesjid Raya Ganting
It is the oldest mosque in Padang and one of the oldest in Indonesia.
Padang Beach
You can ride the bendi (a horse-drawn carriage) along the beach, and stop by the rows of shops to eat some rujak as you watch the waves.
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
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.
Community-based operator run by a family native to Siberut Island, arranging both a Mentawai surf camp and multi-day cultural tours to Sikerei host families on Siberut. Handles Mentawai Fast ferry tickets and all logistics from Padang as part of every package.
Busiest Minangnese restaurant due to its location in the heart of the city.
A national chain restaurant.
One of the restaurants that serves Angus beef steak. Popular amongst the tourists for the extensive menu of western foods.
Asian foods. The menu is extensive. Has indoor and outdoor seatings.
Homey, have good facilities; Dormitory(backpackers), Single or double room and family room; hot and cold water, hot spot internet, nice lobby, kitchen facilities, international TV channels.
Fan room with own bathroom. Free wifi.
Fan single/double rooms with own bathroom. Free breakfast.
Homestay for backpackers. The air in Grace Homestay is fresher than the other place because of the hill Gunung Padang in front of it. Fan, shared toilet; tea and coffee included.
Nice little hotel in the western part of town. It is very clean and a nice breakfast is included. Staff is very helpful and friendly.
It has airy dorm beds & private rooms & free Wi-Fi. Run by Ms Brigitte, a Batak gal. Located not far from the Airport Damri bus route to the city & walking distance to Padang beach. Old house and equipment (dorm AC often noisy and not very powerful, old washing machine for laundry). kitchen with fridge and stove.
Family-run home stay, clean and modern, dorms and double rooms, bed linen provided, shared bathrooms with seat toilets and showers, hot and cold water showers, free Wi-Fi, fans and air-con.
Dorm beds. Fan/A/C single/double rooms. Shared bathroom free Wi-Fi.
5-bed dorm and double rooms. Free Wi-Fi. Free breakfast. Cable TV. Hot water showers.
A walking distance to the beach.
Large hotel with a convention centre.
Family-run home stay, clean and simple, 2 rooms with bathrooms and fan. Located on the beach, it is a small restaurant and meeting place for the local surfing community. They usually serve fried rice, fried noodles and noodle soup (mix rebus), but if the food is included with your room, you will have the chance to try the wonderful curries of Adi. Adi is very reliable and helpful.
Plaza Andalas
Shopping district, locally famous. Great bargains can be picked up here.
KFC, Pizza Hut, J.CO, Bread Talk, Matahari, Solaria, Foodmart, etc.
One of the favorite places to buy snacks to bring home as gifts, including the snack the area is famed for, Kripik Balado or Kripik Sanjay.
By train
Rail transport to Padang are limited, the only passenger trains running is a service from Pariaman several times per day. This connection can be quite useful if traveling from Jakarta overland.
By bus
There are many luxury buses from Java to Padang, mostly from Jakarta and Bandung.
Crazily-decorated angkots run along the two main roads. Prices for a trip are approximately Rp 2,000.
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Padang (Katapiang) · International · PDG
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