NORTH SUMATRA AT A GLANCE
North Sumatra lies at latitude 1 North – 4 North, Longitude 98 East – 100 East, and borders on the special region of Aceh on the North, the province of West Sumatra and Riau on the South, the Malacca straits on the East, and the Indian Ocean on the West. The total land area of North Sumatra covers an area of 71,680 sq kilometers, with inhabitants of 15,227,719 people.
The procince of North Sumatra comprises 25 regencies, and 8 city goverment. The capital is Medan. It is the western gate of the Indonesia archipelago. It faces the Malaysian Peninsula, and is separated by the Malacca Straits. Medan has develoved a lot of for the last several years. It has historical remains which show how the traditional life style were maintained by previous generations.
The province of North Sumatra is rich in flora and fauna. The main exports are rubber, tea, palm oil, ccao, coffe, and tobacco.
North Sumatra is also famous for its many different konds of delicious fruits, i.e salaks (snake fruits), rambutans, mangoes, manggoesteens, langsat, durian, marquisa, oranges, and watermelons. North Sumatra is an exciting place to visit, especially for those who really enjoy staying in villages.
Tourist cam get to North Sumatra from various places. The best choices are take a ferry from Penang to harbour of Belawan or to arrive by Plane at Polonia Airport in Medan. The transportation systems are quite good in both cities and rural area. It is suggested that tourists who would like to go to North Sumatra take land transportation from Aceh, all the way to Jakarta going through Riau of West Sumatra. Moreover, the high ways have recently been repaired and you can board by luxury buses which are air conditioned so you can enjoy your trip.
GRAND MOSQUE AL MASHUN
Grand Mosque Al Mashun
One of legacies left by Deli Sultan is the Al Manshun Grand Mosque which is just a walking distance from Maimoon Palace. According to some sources, this grand mosque was contructed on 1 Rajab 1342 H or Agustus 21st, 1906 and complete in September 1909 by Makmur Al Rasyid Perkasa Alamsyah. Some decoration materials were imported from italy and Germany. During the Makmur Al Rasyid Perkasa Alamsyah Sultanate, this mosque was part of Maimoon palace.
OLD CHURCH
One of the oldest churches in Medan is the Protestant church which is located in the city center of Medan and to be exact, it is on Pangeran Diponegoro street no.25 – 27. This church was erected in 1921 and up to now it is still used by the Cristian believers for the place of worship. This church can accomodate about 500 congregations.
GRAHA ANNAI VELANGKANI
Graha Annai Velangkani which is located in Tanjung Selamat Medan, was build in September 2001. However, not until October 18th, 2005 was the whole contruction totally completed and inaugurated in October, 2005. This Graha was initiated by James Bharaputra, S.J, an Indian priest Jesuit and as an architect, he designed the contruction with Hindu architecture. The building funtions as a catholic church, standing on an area of 6 hectares. It is approximately 10km from to the south of city center.
GUNUNG TIMUR TEMPLE
Gunung Timur Temple is well known for its unique and attractive style. This is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Medan and was built by the Buddhist congregation in 1962.
It is the biggest Tionghoa Temple in Medan city, located on Jalan Hang Tuah, beside Baburra River.
Gunung Timur Temple has a Chinese architecture which is very unoque and attractive.
VIHARA MAITREYA
In Cemara housing complexs stands Maha Vihara Maitreya, which was build very representative, gran and flashy with a combination of oriental architecture and modern style. It was inaugurated on August 21, 2008 and has been confirmed as on of Buddhist religion tourist attraction which is visited by a lot of domestic and foreign tourist. This temple covers the area of 2 hectare with three main buildings. The gathering of Buddist believers from various areas in Asia is rewuently held in this place.
BANK INDONESIA
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Bank Indonesia |
The first Bank Building in Medan was “De Javasche Bank” which is called Bank Indonesia or Indonesia Bank.
It began to operate in 1970, which is located on Balai Kota Street and was responsible for withdrawing the circulation of Spanish money and converting them into Dutch currency. This building has a beautiful architecture and it is one of Medan city heritages.
POST OFFICE
This histotical building was build from 1909 – 1911, designed by an architecht named Snuyf who used to be a Dutch public work director for Indonesia during the Dutch colony.
This one story building that looks sturdy and stately was designed with Neo classic concept. This imposing building that stands at the corner of the Medeka field has an area of 1200 m with a height of 20m with lenght og 60m and a widht of 20m. The post and the Giro office which is located at the intersection of JL. Balai Kota, overlooking the Merdeka field of Medan was formerly called the esplanade. It is a historical and heritage building of Dutch colony. The funtion of the building still remains the same as before, namely the service for letter delivery and other funtions. As amain post office, it plays an importants role in supporting the economy of Medan citizens.
MUSEUM OF SUMATRA UTARA
This museum was built in 1946 and inaugurated in 1982 by the former Minister of Education and Culture, Daoed Yoesoef. In this area various konds of collections that are collected from various regions in North Sumatra, such as cultural artifacts, statues, and others that are still well – maintained. This museum is located on H.M.Joni street, about 4KM from Medan city center. In this museum visitors can witness the struggle of Indonesian Independence and various kinds of Medan history.
MAIMOON PALACE
Maimoon Palace was build in 1888 by Sultan Makmun Al Rasyid. This palace is located on Brigjen Katamso street, Sukaraja Village. Medan Maimoon Sub – district, Medan, North Sumatra. The palace as a whole covers the area of 2.772 square meters, with itscourty yard area is 4 hectares. It is 75,3 meters long from the front part till the back part, and the height is 14,14 meters. The palace building has two floors, supported by wooden pillars and stone. The architecture is a blend of Mughal architectural, the Middle East, Spain, India, Dutch and Malay. The architect was a Dutch captain named T.H Van Earp.
RAHMAT WILDLIFE MUSEUM AND GALLERY
This Museum displays various collections of animals which have been well – preserved and they were taken from various countries around the world. There are about 1000 species and assorted collection of the first stone at this location. This gallery is the only one wildlife gallery in South East Asia and all of the species are preserved with expressive pose and give impression that the animals look like living ones in their natural habitat. The collections are divided into 6 parts : mammals, aves, reptiles, amphibians, fishes and insects. Rahmat Gallery is located on S.Parman street in the city center of Medan.
TJONG A FEI
This ancient fantastic Tiongkok style building which is located on Ahmad Yani Street, Kesawan, Medan was build in 1900, and now it funtions as Tjong A Fie Memorial Institute that well known as Tjong A Fie Mansion. This tourist attraction began to be open for public on June 18th, 2009, in at attempt to commemorate 150th of Tjang A Fie birthday. The construction of this building was designed by Chinese architect with the combination of European, Malay, Chinese and Art-Deco style. Today it has become one of the Medan historical tourist attractions in Medan. Tourists and visitors can learn the history life of Tjong A Fie who was very generous through the photographs, paintings and furniture used by the family. He was also very close to the colonial goverment and Deli Sultan. After the death of this brother Tjong Yong Hian, he was appointed by the colonial goverment to replace his brother to become Tionghoa captain. He ran various kinds of businesses.
TIRTANADI TOWER
One of the typical characteristics of Medan is the Water Tower Called “Air Tirtanadi” and that name has been used as the name of water company whichbuilt in 1905. When you enter the city from the South throughSisingamangaraja street, you will be welcomed by the top of Tirtanadi Tower which is used as water tank or water supply. This water company is alsolocated in the city center.
LONSUM ( LONDON SUMATRA )
Lonsum or London Sumatra as located on Ahmad Yani Street and it is a plantation company operated by London Sumatra, Ltd. In 1920, the building was called Bangunan Juliana or Juliana Building because it is an English – Owned company Called London Sumatra.
SHOPPING CENTRE
Sun Plaza is one of the biggest and newest shopping centres in Medan which is located in the city centre of Medan. This huge and modern shopping centre is open everyday from 09.00am – 09.00pm. visitors and custumers can get their daily neccessities with good quality, and of course, with affordable prices. This modern shopping centre is facilitated with various kinds of entertainment, such as cinema XXI, and game zones, foodcourts, book stotes as well as shopping centre. Various types of restaurants are avaliable, such as Indonesian, Western, and Chinese restaurants.
MERDEKA WALK
Merdeka Walk is a food court as well as a center of entertainment and music perpormances which is known as MERDEKA WALK. Located in Medan Square area, its always crowded from day to night. This place offers various kinds of foods, such as western food, Asian food and Medan typical food. Not only food can be found here but also many kinds of games as well as souvenir stalls, accessory shops, CD and DVD shops. Apart from those mentioned earlier, at this location are also help exhibitions of various kinds of products, music shows and others.
CROCODILE FARM
Crocodile Farm tourist attraction which is located in Asam Kumbang village, in the Sud-district of Medan Sunggal, Medan North Sumatra was founded in 1959. In this farm are kept 2.000 crocodiles from various sizes, starting from 2 – 40 years old. This crocodile farm is about 12km to the west of Medan city center. Tickets for children sell for 2500 rupiahs and 5000 rupiahs for adults. Visitor who are coming from various regions can go around and watch various kinds of crocodiles in this location. When visitors want to see an attraction performed by the crocodile, visitors can buy ducks to be fed to the crocodile. The ducks will be chased and eaten by the crocodiles.
This natural hot spring which is located near the mountain range of Sibayak is only about 58km from Medan. Tourist or visitors can enjoy the hotspring that contain sulfur element channeled into the ponds that produce hot water which is very good for skin health.
HILLPARK
One of the biggest and newest tourist attractions found in North Sumatra is the Hill Park which is located in Sub – District of Sibolangit, Deli Serdang Regency. Due to its modern facilities, it is almost similiar to FUNLAND. One of the advantages of going to this tourist attraction is ats convenient distance from Medan.
BERASTAGI HIGHLAND
Located about 1300 meters above the sea level, Berastagi is fresh, cool and beautiful tourist area. It is about 66 kilometers from Medan. Due to its fertileland, Berastagi and its vicinity produce fruits and vegetables exported overseas.
Sibayak and Sinabung volcanos can be reached through a climbing forest. On the slopes of Sinabung lies a campingground from which visitor can enjoy an exotic panorama and it is about 3 kilometers from Berastagi. Sibayak is an inactive volcano and during the holiday, this volcano is climbed by a lot of domestic and foreign tourists. The climbing can be started from Semangat Gunung Village and Berastagi and it may take for 1 hour to reach the peak of the volcano
SIPISO - PISO WATERFALL
Sipiso – Sipo waterfall is 120 meters height and from this location, you can see the fantastic view of Lake Toba and Samosir Island. It is about 35km from Berastagi.
TAMAN SIMALEM RESORT
In this area tourist can also do varoius activities such as : outbond, trecking to the forest.
THE GARDEN TOUR OF FAITH
SAMOSIR ISLAND
Samosir is an island which is surrounded by Lake Toba. Tuk-Tuk is small peninsula in Samosir Island which is knaown as the village of foreign tourist. Tomok is another village in Samosir island where the stone graves of King Sidabutar and King Siallagan are found.
STONE CHAIRS
One of the legacies of megalithic relies is found In Siallagan Village, they are in the form of tables and chairs. In the past, the king in this village tried the criminals at this stone table and chairs. The severe punishiment executed by the king against criminals was beheaded.
SIGALE - GALE
The Unique dance of Sigale – Gale is usually performed in Simanindo Village, one the traditional villages in Samosir Island. This wooden puppet through a complex mechanism. The creation of this puppet is intended to provide an opportunity for the dead who had no children to see their dead children perform a dance during the funeral.
LAKE TOBA
Around 74.000 years ago, the Ancient of mount Toba explodes, spread 2.800km3 volcanic material around the world, create one the biggest eruption ever in earth. Trace of its volcanic ash cover South Asia, falling In Hindian Ocean, Arabia Penninsula even reach the Greenland. This eruption produces huge caldera with a lenght of 100 kilometers and 30 kilometers wide, located in North Sumatra Province, Indonesia. This is one of the largest lakes in Indonesia as well as in South East Asia. Surprisingly, in the middle of this lake is found a big island called Samosir Island. For many years, Lake Toba has become an important tourist destinationin North Sumatra Province apart from Bukit Lawang and Nias Island, attracting both domestic and foreign tourist. The distance from Medan to Lake Toba is approximately 176 kilometers.
TOR SIBOHI
Tor Sibohi is one of the tourist attractions in South Tapanuli which has cool and fresh air with wonderful panoramic nature. This area is visited by foreign tourists as a stop over on their way to West Sumatra. This tourist attraction is also visited by local tourist, Sipirok Regency
WATER THEME-PARK PANTAI CERMIN
Pantai Cermin Tourist area is well known for its beautiful and sandy beach as well as the man – made tourist attraction called Water Park is the best tourist attraction in Serdang Bedagai Regency. In this tourist area are found recreation and water sports facilities, such as : slide & lazy pool (choppy pool ) , swimming pool, water sport ( jet ski, banana boat, fishing boat) riding horse, mini zoo, bird park, etc. Pantai Cermin is located in the Sub – District of Pantai Cermin in Serdang Bedagai Regency and it is about 48 kilometers from Medan.
LEUSER NATIONAL PARK
Leuser National Park is located in Langkat Regency, approximately 100 km from Medan or about two – three ( 2 – 3 ) hours by land. Leuser National Park is an eco – tourism area which in the past did not get much attention. Nevertheless, for the last few years, the local people have transformed the region by stopping illegal logging and formed forests ranger group to control ilegal logging. As a result, this area has become well known as Tangkahan and Bukit Lawang tourist attractions.
TANGKAHAN
In this location, visitors can do various activities such as adventuring to the forests by riding the elephants or bathing elephants and hiking. The pristine nature attracts not only domestic tourists but also foreign tourists.
BUKIT LAWANG
In Bukit Lawang tourist can see Orangutan rehabilitation center, where they can feed the Orangutans that have been preserved
NIAS ISLAND
Nias Island possesses beautiful oceans and its well-known for its huge waves in Sorake and Lagundri Beach. Surfing sport fans have always made this area as a very pleasant tourist area. In Gomo and in other Nias areas are found various forms of megalithic stones. Traditional dance performed here is Tari Perang ( War Dancing ), Lompat Batu ( Stone Jumping ), and other traditional ceremonies are frequenly held for tourist groups that come to Visit Nias Island.
From the top of Bawomataluo village is visible a beautiful panorama of the Lagundri which is a paradise for surfing sport tourists. The famous Sorake beach for several time has become a place for International surfing championship. This area can be reached by plane from Medan to Gunung Sitoli or by Ferry from Sibolga to Gunung Sitoli.
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