Nestled in the highlands north of Padang
in the Agam valley, the town of Bukittinggi or ‘high hill’ is West
Sumatra’s cultural center. While Padang may be the modern commercial and
administrative hub, Bukittinggi is a bustling market town.
Although it is less than a degree south
of the equator, Bukittinggi has a refreshingly cool climate due to its
elevation – over 900 meters above sea level. While it rains here often,
this is not enough to deter travelers who come to enjoy what many claim
is the most hospitable city in Sumatra.
The town also has an alternative name, Tri Arga, which refers to the three majestic mountains that shape the regions fortunes,Bukittinggi familiar known where jamgadang stand there.
Many visitors come to Bukittinggi to visit the remarkable -
-Ngarai sianok where giant rock cliff faces, rugged trees which grow on top and the
dramatic surrounding mountains make this canyon a spellbinding view.
This is an ideal place to go if you want
to get beyond the average tourist trail. Compared to other spots in
Sumatra, Bukkitinggi only receives a handful of visitors that use the
town as a base for nearby hikes or to take cultural tours to the
Minangkabau highland.
Sianok Canyon (Ngarai Sianok) and the Japanese Caves (Lubang Japang), a network of underground bunkers and tunnels built by the Japanese during World War II. There is a two-story observation tower that overlooks the Sianok Canyon. During dusk you can observe megabats flying from the gorges to the forest in order to feed from the fruits on the trees.
-Fort de Kock. A fort built by the Dutch (nothing is left, only a water reservoir is on top of the hill) and Bundo Kanduang Park. The park includes a replica Rumah Gadang (traditional house), used as a museum of Minangkabau culture (many curiosities, such as stuffed animals with two heads and six legs, model houses , traditional dresses and a zoo with a few very sad Orang Utans, a few expired species which are still rotting in their cages, two obese bears - not exactly a example in modern animal keeping. The Dutch hilltop outpost Fort de Kock is connected to the zoo by the Limpapeh pedestrian overpass.
guaranteed will not regret visiting bukittinggi and you will come back and missed a very natural atmosphere
