Profile Of 17 Supporting Cities And Regencies

Last update : Wed, 01 May 2013 00:04:12

1. Bukittinggi
   Bukittinggi is a city with population of over 91,000 people and an area of 25.24 km². It is comfortably situated in the Minangkabau highlands, 90 km by road from the West Sumatran capital city of Padang. It sits near the volcanoes Mount Singgalang and Mount Marapi. During the Indonesian National Revolution against Dutch colonization, this city played a strategic role as the headquarters for the Emergency Government of the Republic of Indonesia (Pemerintahan Darurat Republik Indonesia) from December 19, 1948 to July 13, 1949. With that status, Bukittinggi is the de-facto capital city of this newly declared republic. Nowadays, Bukittinggi enjoys a status as one of the top tourist destinations in Indonesia. Some famous tourist attractions in this city are Jam Gadang Monument, Sianok Canyon, Lobang Jepang Cave, Taman Bundo Kanduang Park, and Museum of Bung Hatta Birthplace.
   Find more tourist information and create your travel plan for events and attractions in Bukittinggi by clicking on http://www.bukittinggiwisata.com.
   
   
   

   Jam Gadang Monument
   
   

   Lobang Jepang Cave
   
   

   Fort de Kock
   
   

   Sianok Canyon
   
    
2. Sawahlunto
   Sawahlunto is a city in West Sumatra, 90 kilometers from Padang. This city covers an area of about 5.86 km² and is populated by 15,279 people. It is the only coal mining spot in West Sumatra and was once known as the Black Pearl. It was first established as a town in 1882 by the Dutch, coinciding with the flourishing coal mining operations during that time. However, coal-mining exploitation is no longer the prime money earner for Sawahlunto. In recent years, this city is more well-known for its beauty as a heritage city. There are numerous historical buildings adorned with Dutch quaint colonial artworks and architecture around this city, which are still functioning for contemporary purposes. Today, Sawahlunto is a unique tourist destination that offers nostalgic traces of an old mining town.
   If you would like to find out more about travelling to Sawahlunto, please visit http://www.sawahluntokota.go.id/pariwisata.html.
   
   
   

   Silo Sawahlunto
   
   

   Sawahlunto Cultural Center
   
   

   Ombilin Meinen (Office Building of PT. BA Ombilin)
   
   

   Museum Goedang Ransoem
   
    
3. Padang
   Padang is the capital and largest city of West Sumatra. It is located on the western coast of Sumatra Island. It has an area of 694.96 square km² and a population of over 833,000 people. Served by Minangkabau International Airport, Port of Teluk Bayur and Bengkuang Bus Terminal, this city is a point of transit and transport hub for travellers visiting tourist attractions around West Sumatra. Travellers can try surfing or trekking on the Batu and Mentawai islands, or heading to the hill town of Bukittinggi or to Kerinci Seblat National Park. Padang itself is well-known for ‘gastronomic and shopping tourism’.  Rendang which is listed number one dish in the list “The World's 50 Most Delicious Foods” by CNN International in 2011 originated from Padang. The other beautiful tourist objects in this city are Air Manis Beach, Padang Beach, Museum Adityawarman and Sarasah Banyak Gariang Waterfall.
   To know more about visiting Padang as well as the detail of attractions, please visit http://www.padangtourism.info.
   
   
   

   Museum Adityawarman
   
   

   Air Manis Beach
   
   

   Pelabuhan Muaro Harbor
   
   

   Padang Beach
   
    
4. Limapuluh Kota
   Limapuluh Kota (meaning the fifty states or fifty towns in the Minangkabau language) is a regency of West Sumatra. It has an area of 3,354.53 km² and a population of approximately 312,500 people. It is located in the northern part of West Sumatra and shares land border with Riau Province in the east. This regency is famous for the magnificent Harau Canyon which offers beautiful scenery of valley with dark-brown-colored rocky cliff surrounded by paddy fields and lush green trees. There are also fascinating megalith sites in Limapuluh Kota regency, in the bowl-shaped Mahat Valley. This valley is surrounded by steep mountains with hundreds or maybe even thousands of megaliths.
   Visit http://budparpora.limapuluhkota.go.id/ for more information about tourism in Limapuluh Kota.
   
   
   

   Harau Canyon
   
   

   Mahat Valley
   
   

   Aia Baba Nature Park
   
   

   Bukik Posuak Hill
   
    
5. Pariaman
   Pariaman is a coastal city in West Sumatra, Indonesia. Pariaman has 72,089 inhabitants, an area of 73.4 km² and a 12 km (7 mi) coastline. "Pariaman" means "safe area/sanctuary" in the Minangkabau language.  The popular annual festival of Tabuik is celebrated by people in this city every 10 Muharram of Islamic calendar (the Day of Ashura – please check the website as the exact date changes every year). In the festival, two such beautifully-decorated effigies or "Tabuik" are carried through the city. Named Tabuik Pasa and Tabuik Subarang, the effigies are swayed accompanied by 12 tasa kettledrums beaten in a spirit-rousing rhythm. In the afternoon, both Tabuik are moved to the coast and lowered into the sea before sunset. After they are thrown into the sea, many people go swimming looking for 'memories' of the Tabuik to keep. This festival has become important tourism agenda, endorsed by Pariaman city government every year.
   Get more information about traveling to Pariaman on http://www.indonesia.travel/en/destination/624/pariaman-home-of-tabuik-celebrations.
   
   
   

   Tabuik Festival
   
   

   Anai Valley
   
   

   Pariaman Beach
   
   

   Gondaria Beach
   
    
6. City of Solok
   City of Solok has an area of 57.34 km² and a population of over 52,100 people. This city is divided by three rivers: Batang Lembang, Batang Gawan and Batang Air Binguang. The economy of this city is based on agriculture and plantation sectors whose main commodities include corn and cassava, coffee, cocoa, rubber, coconut and cloves. This city also has many interesting tourist objects, such as Sarasah Batimpo Waterfall, Pulau Belibis Natural Park and Rumah Gajah Maharam which is one of the oldest traditional Gadang houses in West Sumatra.
   Please take a moment to visit http://solokkota.go.id to explore more tourism information of this city.
   
   
   

   Tugu Kota Solok Monument
   
   

   Puncak Payo Peak
   
   

   Belibis Island
   
    
7. Solok Regency
   Solok Regency is well-known as the largest rice production center in West Sumatra. This regency is often called by the name of Bareh Solok. The famous Lake Singkarak, Lake Diatas and Lake Dibawah are located in this regency. The vast Lake Singkarak, which stretches an area of 107.8 km² and is situated at an altitude of 362.5 meters above sea level, is the second largest lake in Sumatra after Lake Toba. Solok Regency is also home for many traditional Gadang house, namely Rumah Gadang 20 Ruang di Sulit Air, Rumah Gadang Cupak, Rumah Gadang Paninggahan, etc. Those houses are now used as cultural centers where various cultural activities are held.
   Find out further information about tourism in Solok Regency by visiting http://www.soloknet.itgo.com/pariwisata.html.
   
   
   

   Lake Diatas
   
   

   Lake Dibawah
   
   

   Lake Singkarak
   
   

   Rumah Gadang Cupak
   
    
8. Agam
   Agam is a regency in West Sumatra which has as an area of 2,232.30 km² and population of approximately 419,800 people. The capital city of this regency is Lubuk Basung. Lake Maninjau, a crater lake, is the landmark of this regency and is used as a site for paragliding. Tourism in Agam is generally split into three regions: west, central, and east. The west region champions sea and coastal tourism such as recreational beach, water sport and marine culture. In central region, Lake Maninjau is top tourist destination. It offers several challenging adventure attractions like paragliding, off-roading, racing river craft and others. The eastern region dedicates their focus on agro tourism such as fruit and cocoa plantations.
   For more details on tourism in Agam, please visit the following websites: http://agamkab.go.id/?agam=pariwisata.
   
   
   

   Tiku Beach
   
   

   Lake Maninjau
   
   

   Cocoa Plantation in Agam
   
    
9. Pesisir Selatan
   Pesisir Selatan is a regency located in the southern part of West Sumatra. It has an area of 5,749.89 km² and a population of 413,800 people. This regency is famous for its beautiful marine tourism along its coast line, such as Carocok Beach, Cubadak Island and Karabak Island. There is also Timbulun Waterfall which consists of 5 levels and becomes favorite place for tourists. Pesisir Selatan is the place where we can see The Root Bridge (Jembatan Akar). This bridge is uniquely made from interwoven roots of banyan trees with a length of 25 meters and 1.5 wide. This bridge was built in 1916 to connect two villages which were separated by river. Currently, tourists can test their adrenaline by rafting down the river.
   Get more information about traveling to Pesisir Selatan in its official website by clicking on http://www.pesisirselatan.go.id/index.php?mod=pariwisata.
   
   
   

   Carocok Beach
   
   

   Jembatan Akar (The Root Bridge)
   
   

   Cubadak Island
   
   

   Timbulun Waterfall
   
    
10. Padang Pariaman
    Padang Pariaman is regency of West Sumatra with 387,452 people living in an area of 1,328.79 km². The capital city of this regency is Parit Malintang. This regency is the home for several Minangkabau cultural arts, such as Indang Folk Dance, Randai Martial Arts, Luambek Martial Arts, Rabab Galuak Traditional Music Performance and Gandang Tasa Traditional Drum Attraction. Those arts are usually performed in many festivities and traditional ceremonies in this regency, including the welcoming reception for government’s guest. Another top tourist destination in Padang Pariaman is The Tomb of Syekh Burhanuddin, the burial places of Syekh Burhanuddin who played an important role in disseminating Islam among the Minangkabau people in 17^th century. He was venerated by people for his wisdom, preaching abilities and vast knowledge about Islam.
    For any further details about tourist attractions in Padang Pariaman, you may visit http://kabpariamandisbudpar.blogspot.com/.
    
    
    

    The Tomb of Syekh Burhanuddin
    
    

    Lubuk Bonta Waterfall
    
    

    Arta Beach
    
     
11. Padang Panjang
    Padang Panjang is located in the cool highlands of West Sumatra, inland from the provincial capital Padang. It sits on a plateau beneath the volcanoes Mount Marapi and Mount Singgalang. It has an area of 23 km² and a population of over 40,000 people. The main road through Padang Panjang links coastal Padang and the highland capital, Bukittinggi. This town is the base of famous performing arts conservatorium, Sekolah Tinggi Seni Indonesia (STSI) Padang Panjang (college of traditional Indonesian arts). The town is also home for the Minangkabau Cultural Documentation and Information Center (Pusat Dokumentasi dan Informasi Kebudayaan Minangkabau - PDIKM).
    You may visit http://www.indonesia.travel/id/destination/626/padang-panjang to get more information about tourism in Padang Panjang.
    
    
    

    Sekolah Tinggi Seni Indonesia Padang Panjang
    
    

    Minangkabau Cultural Documentation and Information Center
    
    

    Minangkabau Fantasy (Mifan) Waterpark
    
    

    Minangkabau Village
    
     
12. Payakumbuh
    Payakumbuh is a city located in the north east of Bukittinggi. It has an area of 8043 km² and a population of over 99,300 people. Payakumbuh is known for flying duck races and gelamai food, a sweet coconut pal-sugared snack. Flying duck races have become part of the tourism agenda that attract many domestic and overseas travellers.  Bendi, a traditional transport vehicle using a horse is still widely used by people in this city. The agriculture sector makes a significant contribution to the economy of this city and the main agricultural commodities of Payakumbuh are rice, cattle, and palm sugar.
    Please visit http://www.indonesia.travel/id/destination/625/payakumbuh-keindahan-alam-berbalut-nikmatnya-batiah for traveling information in Payakumbuh.
    
    
    

    Payakumbuh Duck Race
    
    

    The Statue of Ratapan Ibu
    
    

    Ngalau Indah Cave
    
    

    Ngalau Indah Swimming Pool
    
     
13. Tanah Datar
    Tanah Datar is regency that has a population of 334,000 people, living in an area of 1,336.60 km² and the government of this regency seat in Batusangkar. Tanah Datar has several tourist attractions including the Pagaruyung Palace with its museum which exhibits Minangkabau cultural icons, Sanskrit and Malay language stone inscriptions from the 14^th century. Tanah Datar also features several sites with megaliths and Pandai Sikat village where traditional songket is woven. The northern part of Lake Singkarak is also situated in Tanah Datar. There is also a beautiful and cool natural view surrounded by hills and pine forest located in Tabek Patah, around 19 km from Batusangkar.
    Please visit http://wisatatanahdatar.blogspot.com/ to know more about tourism in Tanah Datar.
    
    
    

    Pagaruyung Palace
    
    

    Pacu Jawi Bull Race
    
    

    Pandai Sikat Village
    
    

    Tabek Patah
    
     
14. Sijunjung
    Sijunjung is a regency in West Sumatra with total area of 3,100 km² inhabited by more than 180,000 people. The capital of this regency is Muaro Sijunjung. It is a popular tourist area for its beautiful mountains and it attracts many nature-lovers as well as tourists interested in ecotourism. Several tourist attractions in Sijunjung are Laguang Cave, Ngalau Talago Cave, Nago Waterfall and Silokek Waterfall. There are also cultural tourist attractions in Sijunjung such as the heritage buildings of Kerajaan Jambu Lipo, traditional houses of Rumah Gadang Kuto Piliang and Museum of Emergency Government of the Republic of Indonesia (Pemerintahan Darurat Republik Indonesia).
    Please visit http://sijunjung.go.id to get more information about tourism in Sijunjung.
    
    
    

    Ngarau Tabuah Cave
    
    

    Silokek Waterfall
    
    

    Silokek White Sands
    
     
15. Dharmasraya
    Dharmasraya is a regency in West Sumatra with total area of 2,961.13 km2 and a population of approximately 170,440 people. It is located in the southeastern part of West Sumatra and shares land borders with two provinces: Jambi and Riau. In the past, this regency was the location of an independent Kingdom of Dharmasraya which came into power after the decline of the Kingdom of Srivijaya in 1025. Nowadays, the ruins from this era still exist and are preserved as historical sites, such as Padang Roco Temple, Pulau Sawah Temple, the Tomb of Raja Siguntur, Rumah Gadang Kerajaan Koto Besar traditional house, etc.
    
    
    

    Padang Roco Temple
    
    

    Siguntur Traditional Gadang House
    
     
16. Solok Selatan
    Solok Selatan or South Solok is a regency in West Sumatra that has population of 147.639 people and an area of 3.346,20 km2. This regency is dubbed as The Land of A Thousand Rumah Gadang” because there still exist a lot of Rumah Gadang, traditional house built in the typical architecture of Minangkabau in this regency. Most Rumah Gadang are still used as residences by local people, while some others have already been transformed into museum, cultural center and government office. There is one village namely Perkampungan Seribu Rumah Gadang in which all houses in that area are built in Rumah Gadang style. Solok Selatan also has interesting natural tourism object such as Lake Bontak, Sapan Maluluang Hot Water Springs, Ulu Suliti Waterfall and Mitra Kerinci Tea Plantation.
    
    
    

    Perkampungan Seribu Rumah Gadang
    
    

    Mitra Kerinci Tea Plantation
    
    

    Sapan Maluluang Hot Water Springs
    
     
17. Pasaman
    Pasaman is a regency in West Sumatra which has an area of 3,947.63 km2 and a population of approximately 243,000 people. The capital is Lubuk Sikaping. Pasaman is located in the northeastern part of West Sumatera. In this regency, there is Town of Bonjol which is the birthplace of Tuanku Imam Bonjol. He is a National Hero of Indonesia who is famous for his persistence in struggling against Dutch colonial rule. Bonjol is also notable for being the area where the Trans-Sumatran Highway crosses the equator. This regency is also unique in its demography. Unlike the other regencies and cities in West Sumatra where the majority of population are Minangkabau, in Pasaman there is Mandailing from North Sumatra. The name Pasaman itself has philosophical meaning of ‘equality’ in Minangkabau language, which reflects the equality between Minangkabau and Mandailing in this regency.
    Please visit http://www.pasamankab.go.id/pages-pariwisata.html to find out more information about Pasaman and its tourist attractions.
    
    
    

    Museum Bonjol
    
    

    Rimbo Panti Recreational Park

    
    

    Source: http://tourdesingkarak.com/pre-race-information/profile-of-17-supporting-cities-and-regencies