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Located in Sumatra Island, West Sumatra is one of unique destinations in Indonesia.

Here’s two attract destinations around West Sumatra:

Padang City: Heritage Gold Mine
The city of Padang is the administrative capital and major city of the province of West Sumatra. Located about midway down the west coast of the island, for many centuries it has been an important trading port and gateway to the region. In his definitive work on travel and geography in the east indies, The Malay archipelago, renowned British naturalis, Alfred Russel Wallace made mention of the lush tropical forest and volcanoes of the “The great island of Sumatra.” and also describe “somewhat peculiar and very picturesque” villages and made special mention of the district of Minangkabau further west where the houses are raised on posts and have high pitched roofs and it’s called “Rumah Gadang” or great house. Whit its unique pointed roof gables, like horns of the water buffalo, the traditional Minang house is one of the most obvious and outstanding cultural symbol of the region.
The Istano Baso Pagaruyung or King’s Palace near the village of Batu Sangkar is mother of all Rumah Gadang. It’s three stories high and sports no less than 11 “gojong” or roof points.

Bukit Tinggi: Minangkabau Culture Heartland
Ascending into the volcanic highlands to the north east of Padang. Located at an altitude of around 900m, the city lives up to its name which means “High Hill” in both Bahasa Indonesia and the Minang language. With its cool climate and lively welcoming atmosphere, Bukittinggi is a very pleasant place to spend a few days, and there’s plenty to keep you busy.
At the center of town is the most recognisable land-mark, the “Jam Gadang” or Big Clock, sometimes referred as Bukittinggi’s Big Ben. Around the clock is a maze of alley, streets and staircases, which from a sizable market and shopping district. You could spend the best part of a day exploring these bustling bazaars where you can shop for everithing from the famous Minang songkets woven with gold and silver thread, silver jewerly from the nearby “silver village” of Koto Gadang, second hand clothes dirct from Europe, or just about anything else you can imagine. To the north east of the town is Sianok Canyon, a dramatic fissure which extends for miles, and has earned itself the sobriquet of Bukittinggi’s Grand Canyon. Although somewhat smaller than its American cousin it is still an amazing sight, and there are several villages inside. Hiking the canyon is a popular way to spend a day.

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