25 Interesting Attractions in West Sumatra

West Sumatra is one of the most beautiful areas in Indonesia. There are so many tourist attractions in West Sumatra that you can visit. West Sumatra is not only about its very famous cuisine. 

This beautiful country is also known as the philosophy of people's lives, cultural wealth that is still maintained and its beautiful natural charm.

Here you can enjoy a variety of very interesting tourist attractions, ranging from cultural attractions, beaches, mountains, waterfalls, valleys, lakes, etc. The following are tourist attractions in West Sumatra that you must visit while on this Minangkabau Earth.

List of Tourist Attractions in West Sumatra

1. Anai Valley

Anai Valley on Jalan Raya Padang-Bukittingi, precisely in Tanah Datar District. This area is a natural conservation area of ​​221 ha. Before arriving in this area, you will pass a winding road with beautiful scenery, green hills and valleys. Often you will see monkeys that "hang out" on the roadside.

The Anai Valley Nature Reserve has dense tropical forests with a variety of flora and fauna species. Not only are rare flora and fauna that make the Anai Valley so attractive, there are also three waterfalls and a beautiful lake.

One of the waterfalls (Anai Valley Waterfall) is located right on the side of the road, so you can not miss this one.

While the other two waterfalls are located further into the forest, with a travel time of about 15 minutes from the Anai Valley waterfall.

2. Pagaruyung Palace

Visiting the Land of Minang, it's not complete before visiting one of the tourist attractions in West Sumatra on this one. Istano Basa or better known by the wider community as Istana Pagaruyung is a socio-historical object for the Minangkabau people.

 A palace that was once the administrative center of the Pagaruyuang Kingdom is located in Nagari Pagaruyung, Batusangkar city, district. Tanah Datar.

The Pagaruyung Palace that stands today is a replica of the original palace. This palace was rebuilt (several times rebuilt) on the southern side of the palace long after it was burned by the clergy in 1804, and burned in 1966 and 2007.

Inside this palace with Minangkabau traditional house architecture you can find many cultural values ​​and philosophies of the life of the Minangkabau people. Starting from carving, the functions of each floor, room and room.

3. Panda Reefs

Pandai Sikek is a nagari in Kec. Ten Koto, Tanah Datar District. Pandai Sikek is famous for its songket weaving crafts. Here, we can find threaded silver or gold cloth

Here, you can find the songket with the motifs and thread-woven silver or gold thread woven manually by the locals with skill that has been passed down through generations since time immemorial.

Beautiful nature overlays and cool air are also one of the attractions of the nagari located between Mount Singgalang and Mount Marapi.

4. Pariangan

Nagari, which is located on the slopes of Mount Merapi, is considered as the place of origin of the Minangkabau community and culture. Nagari which is administratively included in the Pariangan sub-district, Tanah Datar District, is a historic nagari that still reflects the pure social structure of the Minangkabau concept of a Nagari. Mosques, surau and dominated by traditional houses (gadang houses) with rice barns form the core of this Nagari.

In 2012 Nagari Pariangan received an award from Budget Travel (influential tourism media in the world) as one of the most beautiful villages in the world.

This Nagari with a very beautiful natural landscape has many minangkabau historical sites and relics, such as the first designer tomb from the form of the gadang house, Balairung Sari Tabek (oldest Gadang House), Tuo Pariangan Mosque, etc.

In addition to being considered as the home of the Minangkabau community, Nagari Pariangan is the forerunner of the birth of a special Minangkabau government, under the name of Nagari. In addition, Nagari is also the leader of the "Tigo Tungku Sajarangan" leadership system in Minangkabau.

If you want to see the "village" and the way of life of the Minangkabau people as a whole, then this Nagari is one of the tourist attractions in West Sumatra that you must visit.

5. Lake Singkarak

Lake Singkarak, is a lake located between the cities of Padang Panjang and Solok. This lake has an area of ​​107.8 km², which means it is the widest lake du Sumbar and the second largest in Sumatra after Lake Toba.

A world of calm, stunning and charming scenery awaits you here. Here you can enjoy the remote natural beauty that is so famous in Indonesia.

In addition, Lake Singkarak is also famous for its Bilih fish, which is a species of fish that only lives on this lake. This fish is very unique because it cannot survive anywhere except in Lake Singkarak, even in the aquarium.

At some tourist points, there are water bikes and boats that you can rent to just try to explore this lake.

6. Mount Singgalang

If you are a fan of Lord of the Rings, don't let you miss this amazing West Sumatra tourist spot. Find the atmosphere from the Third Era of Middle Earth on this mountain - which is very similar to Fangorn Forest.

Singgalang Mountain has a height of around 2877 masl, is a type of volcanic mountain but is no longer active.

Mount Singgalang with an altitude of ± 2877 masl is one of the attractive destinations for forest lovers. The air is cool, challenging paths, and the trees are covered in moss and are very Instagrammable.

At the top of the mountain, you will find a lake (Telaga Dewi) - the former crater is dead - which is one of the main attractions of this mountain.

7. Lake Above and Lake Below

Diatas Lake and Dibawah Lake are twin lakes located in Solok Regency. The upper lake is located in Nagari Alahan Panjang, kec. Gumanti Valley, while the Lower Lake is located on Sileh Hill in Kec. Lembang Jaya.

The two lakes are located side by side, with the natural panorama presented in the lake area is very charming. Here you can relax while enjoying the beautiful scenery accompanied by cold air.

8. Lake Talang

Talang Lake is one of the attractions of the lake in West Sumatra located in the district. Danau Kembar, Kab. Solok. The location is also adjacent to the Lake Above and the Lake Below.

The lake located at the foot of Mount Talang is located in a cool hills with a beautiful panorama surrounded by fruit and vegetable plantations.

A small lake with an area of ​​about 1.9 ha (which is actually one of the two craters of Mount Talang Purba) can be reached from Alahan Panjang or the twin lakes.

9. A Long Allergen Tea Garden

Located at an altitude of 1,400-1,600 masl, the Alahan Panjang tea plantation offers you a relaxed and cool feel from the heat and crowds of the city.

In the tea plantation area located in Alahan Panjang, Kab. Strikingly, you will love the green landscape with the aroma of delicious tea in the air.

Not only the atmosphere of the tea plantation that you can enjoy here. As a bonus, you can enjoy the beauty of the twin lakes (Lake Above and Lake Below) of this tea plantation.

10. Ngungun Saok

Ngunung Saok is a hole - which is actually often found in any river stream. But what distinguishes Ngunung Saok from the other depths, is, this region is like a very charming natural painting, with clear turquoise water, large, magnificent rocks that flank the deep, fresh air, waterfalls that fall like beads of dew , and the greens of the trees that make this golden fence.

Located in Lubuk Minturun, Padang City, access to this area is quite heavy and challenging, because it is in a mountainous area in the middle of the forest and far from residential areas. So that it becomes a challenge to enjoy the beauty of this region.

11. Nyarai Waterfall

One of the other tourist attractions in West Sumatra that you must visit. An 8 meter high exotic waterfall in the area of ​​Hutan Gamaran, Kec. Lubuk Alung, Kab. Padang Pariaman.

The Nyarai Waterfall area is surrounded by large rocks and shady trees, combined with a pond that has clear turquoise green water, making it very beautiful to the eye.

Here you can swim to your heart's content, or fish that is abundant in the pond, or just relax relax yourself enjoying the roar of the waterfall while enjoying its natural beauty.

12. Jam Gadang

The Clock Tower is actually a clock tower located in the center of Bukittinggi City. This tower has a clock at the top to its four sides.

Aside from being an icon of the City of Bukittinggi, Jam Gadang is also one of the centers of tourist areas in the City of Bukit Tinggi. From the clock, Gadang has many tourist areas that you can visit quite by walking, such as the Japanese Hole, Bukittinggi Zoo, and Pasar Atas and Pasar Bawah which are the biggest shopping and culinary centers in Bukittinggi.

In the Jam Gadang area there is also a large enough park that is usually used by local people and tourists as a place to take pictures, hangouts, and places to hold general events.

13. Japanese hole

Japanese Hole (local people call it Lobang Japang) is one of the historical tourism destinations in the city of Bukittinggi.

The Japanese hole itself is a tunnel / bunker built by Japanese soldiers as a place of refuge and defense, with a depth of up to 49 meters.

The 6 km hole with the main entrance in the Panorama Park area has several other entrances around the Gadang Clock, Fort Fort De Kock, and the Sianok Gorge area.

Inside this hole there are small passageways that function as meeting rooms, ammunition rooms, surveillance towers, ambush rooms, kitchens, prisons, escape doors.

14. Koto Gadang's Journey

While China has the Great Wall, Indonesia has Koto Gadang Beds. Yes, Janjang Koto Gadang is one of the tourist charms that is similar to the Great Wall of China.

Koto Gadang's length is about 1.5 KM which connects Nagari Koto Gadang, Kab. Agam and Bukittinggi City.

Because it connects two places, there are two entrances for tourists who want to try exploring this great wall.

From Bukittinggi, tourists can go through a door not far from the Japanese hole, and pass through a downhill road. When traveling, be prepared to be fascinated by the scenic beauty of the Sianok Canyon.

At some point there are posts that are set to take a break while enjoying breathtaking views of the river, fields and cliffs.

15. Sianok Canyon

If you visit the realm of Minang, you must visit this tourist attraction in West Sumatra. Located near the border of Kab. Agam and the City of Bukittinggi, there is a charming canyon called the Ngarai Sianok locals. Sianok Gorge is a steep valley that is administratively located in the Kec. IV Koto, Agam Regency, West Sumatra.

Sianok Canyon has a very beautiful and amazing view and also becomes one of the favorite tourist destinations in West Sumatra.

The Canyon Canyon is flanked by a steep, vertical wall, and in the valley there is a winding river between the green of rice fields.

16. Harau Valley

One of the tourist attractions in West Sumatra that shows you how charming the Minangkabau Earth is. Harau Valley is a canyon in Kec. Harau, district. Limapuluh Kota. This area is flanked by steep granite stone hills as high as 100-500 meters.

The Harau Valley or sometimes called the Arau valley is a place where the green fields are surrounded by steep granite cliffs.

There are many interesting things that you can find such as 4 main waterfalls, rocky shallow rivers, and various water and outbound rides.

The area which is also a nature reserve truly has beautiful scenery, cool air and a comfortable atmosphere, quiet from the hustle and bustle of the city. From the beginning of entering the Harau Valley, you will find many spectacular beauties along the way.

17. Moon Waterfall

The waterfall falls from a height of 50 meters into a crescent-shaped pond below it. You will be fascinated when you realize that there is a cave hidden under a pond. The water that descends from this waterfall, flows through a 1 km corridor and exits to water the nearby fields.

Tourist area located in Koto Alam, Nagari Simpang Kapuak, Kab. Fifty Cities is a wonderful place to sit and relax while listening to the sounds of the water that falls.

18. Lake Maninjau

Maninjau Lake is located in the district Tanjung Raya, Kab. Agam, West Sumatra, Indonesia. The lake is located about 140 kilometers north of Padang City, 36 kilometers from Bukittinggi, 27 kilometers from Lubuk Basung, the capital of Agam Regency.

The lake with the beauty of its natural panorama is one of the quietest places in Indonesia. The cold air, the friendliness of the local people, and the delicacy of food offered, are some reasons for you to make this area the right place to calm down from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Here you can try to surround the lake using a bicycle, relax on the edge of the lake while enjoying a plate of rice and its appetizing dishes accompanied by the sound of the water on the edge of the lake like a water slide on the beach, or visiting the museum of Buya HAMKA's birth house.

19. Lawang Peak

Lawang Peak is a plateau (located at 1,210 meters above sea level) in the district Matur, Kab. Agam. The natural scenery presented from this place is truly amazing. From this place, you can enjoy the natural charm of green hills, plantations, pine trees with cool air free of pollution.

From the Puncak Lawang area you can also see the whole beautiful view of Lake Maninjau,

This area is also often used for international class paragliding championships because it is one of the best places in Southeast Asia.

20. The Integrated Maritime Travel Mandeh

One of the tourist attractions in West Sumatra that offers many attractive destinations for tourists. Integrated Marine Tourism Area (KWBT) Mandeh Kec. Koto XI Tarusan, Kab. The South Coast is also known as the Raja Ampat of Sumatra.

This tourist area covering an area of ​​18,000 ha consists of exotic islands, beautiful beaches, mangrove forests, waterfalls, peaks that are truly amazing scenery, and beautiful underwater paradise, can make you feel at home traveled on this Mandeh KWBT.

21. Bukit Langkisau

The tourist attraction Langkisau is located in Painan, Kab. The South Coast with an altitude of about 500 meters above sea level and offers enchanting beauty.

Standing at the top of the castle, you can see the natural beauty of Painan City, starting from the green of the trees, beaches and islands around the hill.

Besides being a favorite area for paragliding, this area is also a favorite place to enjoy the sunset moment.

21. Carocok Beach

The beach is located in Painan City, Kab. The South Coast is one of the best beach attractions in West Sumatra.

Here, you can not only enjoy the beautiful panorama of its charming beaches, but also its fascinating underwater panorama.

Here you can enjoy playing water on the beach, take a walk on a wooden bridge on the beach, or just relax while enjoying the beauty of this beach.

23. Talawi Blue Lake

For those of you who like to spoil your eyes with a charming natural panorama, especially if you like hiking, one of the tourist attractions in West Sumatra is certainly not to be missed. Adventure down the dirt road and climb, you will find a little gem hidden behind mountains and forests.

This lake, located in Tumpuak Tangah, Talawi, Sawahlunto City, is actually an artificial lake, which was gradually formed through years of excavation from mining at a nearby coal mine.

Enjoy the beauty of the lake surrounded by hills and trees, because you will find it hard to find something like this elsewhere.

24. Lake Laut Residence

Lake Laut Live or what is also called the Virgin Islands is a lake located on the summit of Mount Malintang in West Pasaman Regency.

The quiet mountain atmosphere, as well as the charming emerald green landscape, offers you natural beauty with a soothing atmosphere. The perfect place for those of you who want to escape for a moment from the hustle and bustle of the city.

25. Mentawai Islands

Mentawai Islands Regency, is a district in West Sumatra consisting of a group of islands. The Mentawai Islands include four main inhabited islands, namely Sipora Island, Siberut Island, North Pagai Island and South Pagai Island, and several other small islands.

The main attraction of the Mentawai Islands lies in forests, valleys, beaches and the charming beauty of its submarine panoramic views.

Sipora Island is the smallest, but most developed main island. This island is also the center of the district government. Mentawai Islands.

Siberut is the largest island, with its beauty and to its exoticism. From the moment you arrive and see white coral beaches, ancient rainforest and gibbons bilou / gibbons mentawai play in the trees. You will find it difficult to refuse to fall in love with that place.

This Siberut island is home to a rich biodiversity that has made it a UNESCO biosphere reserve.

Those are some of the tourist attractions in West Sumatra that you can make references when you want to visit the Minang area. May be useful.