Bukittingi (and around)

Places of Interest - Indonesia

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introduction

Bukittinggi (literally "high hill") is the largest city in the Minang Highlands and one of Sumatra's most important tourist hotspots. It is situated at 900 meters altitude and therefore wonderfully cool and has, in addition to some attractions, numerous tourist attractions in the vicinity. The city has its origins in five villages that had settled around a central market place. In the Dutch period the city was called Fort de Kock, where now only some ruins are left.

This was built by the Dutch during the Padri wars in 1825. During the Indonesian War of Independence, Bukittinggi was the capital of Indonesia for a short time. In 1949 the name was changed to Bukittinggi. Another remarkable symbol of the city is the big bell tower - Jam Gadang. The city houses a small university and is a busy market town with a center for the Minangkabau culture.

highlights

Bukittinggi:

The main attraction in Bukittinggi city are the ruins of the old fort (benteng) the Kock. Built by the Dutch during the Padri wars in the early 19th century there is no more left than the canal and some rusty cannons.

Nearby is the museum which is a beautiful building in Minangkbau style with a small amphitheater and a good collection of Minangkabau artefacts. After looking at the large clock tower in the center of the city, take a walk on the busy and somewhat chaotic market (Pasar Jawa) which is connected with a long staircase. South of the center is the Sianok valley - a picturesque ravine with high walls that is also called the Karbouwengat.

You can enjoy the unique view at the Taman Panorama while the so-called Japanese caves in the valley. These were built by slave labor lead by the Japanese during WWII. On the way to the caves and valley Jalan Panorama is the war museum with information about the independence war against the Dutch and the coup of 1965.

Around Bukittinggi:

There are several attractions around the city of Bukittinggi; one of them is the town Pandai Sikat which is about 13 km out of town. This city is known for its different skills such as weaving and woodworking. The songket means literally specially woven; which means that gold and silver threads are woven into traditional shapes in silk or cotton pieces.

Also not far from the city (15 km northeast) lies Ngalau Kamanga - a cave from which a guerrilla battle was fought against the Dutch in the late 19th/early 20th century. Batu Sangkar is a busy, chaotic city 41 km southeast of Bukittinggi and is the center of the Minangkabau culture. In the city itself you can take a look at the present police station which was a Dutch fortress used as the Dutch administration here.

In Silinduang Bulan, a small village 5 km from Batu Sangkar is the former Royal Palace of the Minangkabau realm of Payaruyung. There are numerous examples of traditional architecture in the surrounding villages. Finally, slightly to the east of Bukittinggi is the mighty Merapi volcano, one of Sumatra's most active volcanoes. You can climb this and make trekkings.

history

Pakanbaroe Railway:

Already in 1870 the government of the Dutch East Indies had made plans to build a railway network from Muaro to Pakanbaroe near Bukittingi. The reason was to open up the interior and to reach the almost unreachable coal mines there.

Explorations for the construction of a railway gave an unfavorable picture because many tunnels had to be drilled out of hardrock and at least three large railway bridges should have been built. The plans went into the closet.

After the conquest of Japan in 1942, the plans came under the eyes to the Japanese army leadership who rightly took into account an invasion of the Allies on Sumatra. In the context of the defense of Sumatra, the Japanese considered a good road and rail network important. In this way, coal from West to East Sumatra could be transported alongside troops and material.

The railway should be built by prisoners of war - romoesjas, recruited workers, mainly from the island of Java. In September 1943, construction began on the line which was shorter than the famous Burma Railway. But also this one went straight through the jungle, swamps and over mountains. Drilling tunnels would take too long, so it was decided to make major detours. Due to poor nutrition, exhaustion, hunger, severe abuse, dysentery and tropical diseases, many workers died. Those who perished during the trip with the well-known hellship, Junyo Maru would also take part in this forced labor.

On August 15, 1945 the day Japan capitulated, the railway was not quite ready. The Japanese concealed from the forced laborers that Japan had capitulated so that the forced laborers continued working on the railway. The only train that has driven over it, freed the liberated prisoners of war. The railway then quickly fell into disrepair and was never used again. One of the reasons was that he was badly planned, another that he had been sabotaged here and there. In total, nearly 50,000 workers worked on the railway; the construction cost 26,000 of them.

tips & advice (2004)

Padang's airport (Tabing) is located 9 km from the north of the city - bemo number 14 runs from the terminal (city center) to the airport. At 18:20 a Bali Air plane flies to Jakarta for about 270,000 R. At 2 km south of the center of Bukkittingi is the chaotic bus terminal Aur Kuning. Bemos drive from the center (JL Ahmad Yani) to the terminal and vice versa. There is also a bemo terminal on the east side of the center - the Opelet terminal.

Bukkittingi - Padang - Jakarta: several buses leave from the terminal to Padang. Costs are approximately 4,000 R and the drive is about 2 to 2.5 hours.

Be sure to try the Padang kitchen where countless dishes are put on the table - you only pay for what you really ate. A great way to try things out.

Bukittinggi has countless cheap but very charmless and basic hoops as accomodation. Most are located in and around Jalan Ahmad. Hostel D'Enem is located at Jalan Benteng and costs 20,000 R for a single room.

TOUR around Bukittinggi:

Almost every hotel, coffeeshop and travel agency can arrange a day trip in the vicinity of Bukittinggi. Most tours go to

a buffalo fight, Harau valley, Danau Singkarak, Danau Maninjau, a visit to a traditional Minangkabau village and you can also make a trek (hike) to the nearby mountains and volcanoes.

TIME: 09:00 - 18:30

PRICE: 45,000 R

PERSONS: 4 people (excluding guide/driver)

INCLUDED: transport, guide

EXCLUSIVE: entrance fees, tip (guide) and lunch

CONTENT:

To Tabek patah to view a sewing- and brickfactory.
You will also see a cinnamon, coffee and clove plantation;
To the town Sungai Tarah to see the processing of coffee (beans);
Then to the traditional Minangkabau palace in Batu Sangkar;
In Balim Bing you visit a wooden longhouse where normally 5 to 7 mostly young families live;
A look at a river and a lake;
You will watch a buffalo fight;
Finally there is a visit to Pandai sikat where you visit a place where traditionally woven and wood is worked.