North Sumatra is a land of lush valleys, majestic mountains, cascading waterfalls, and active volcanoes. In this region of multiple attractions, the major magnets for tourists are the city of Medan, Lake Toba with its holiday resorts, and the wonders of nature, including the orang utan.
MEDAN – GATEWAY TO THE NORTH
The gateway to the Northern region is Medan, a busy city and a major port, with bustling market places and exotic bars, on the one hand, and modern streets and lanes and luxurious hotels and restaurants, on the other. These are the results of Sumatra's recent prosperity and economic development.
From its start as a small kingdom on the Deli River delta, Medan became the capital of a powerful sultanate in the late 1800s, and then grew into a booming plantation town during the early 1900s. This was due to Sumatra's tobacco, rubber, palm oil and tea, which all sold for high prices on the world markets. Since independence, Medan has continued to grow into Indonesia's largest city outside Java, with oil and industrial goods added to the list of lucrative exports.
The city’s architecture has changed with each historical period. The distinction of the Sultanate of Deli can be seen in the Maimoon Palace, a successful mixture of Oriental, Middle Eastern, and Western styles, designed by Italian architects in 1888. The classically Malay Grand Mosque stands opposite.
THE BEAUTY OF THE HIGHLANDS
When you leave the exciting and busy life of Medan, you can head into the highlands to enjoy the beauty of the Northern Sumatra countryside. You can experience endless vistas of lush plantations and charming villages, all the time with majestic Bukit Barisan range providing the frame for the picture. At only a few hours from Medan, you can encounter the smoking volcanoes of Sibayak and Sinabung. At their foot, you will find the tranquil hill station of Brastage. A favourite resort of the Dutch visitors and settlers, the cool climate and rich volcanic soil is ideal for growing European fruits and vegetables. You will see great mounds of oranges, passionfruit, avocados and other produce that line the streets and fill the markets. This fresh produce commends itself as nutritious and healthy, and it sells at surprisingly low prices.
The Gunung Lauser Reserve, which straddles the North Sumatra - Aceh Border, can be accessed by visitors who make their way with the rafting expeditions down the Alas River.
ORANG-UTAN
There is an orang-utan rehabilitation centre at Bahorok. Here, orang-utans that were formerly in captivity in zoos are released into the wilds. Orang-utans have brown and rust-coloured shaggy fur. They weigh an average of 50 kg (110 lb) and can weigh over 90 kg (200 lb). They live in tropical, swamp and mountain forests, and their diets are largely fruit, leaves and insects. The orang-utan populations have been severely reduced recently, so that the specimens in North Sumatra today are members of a rare species.
LAKE TOBA – A FAVOURITE WITH TOURISTS
Lake Toba is the major attraction for visitors to North Sumatra. It has an invigorating climate, and its magnificent but restful scenery will soon create a feeling of peace and contentment in the soul of the busiest tourist. Lake Toba has been a magnet for tourists for centuries. Today it is a highland resort with every feature the tourist could desire. But its greatest achievement lies in the way in which has retained its rustic charm and its relaxed ambiance.
The lake was formed by a stupendous prehistoric volcanic explosion. It is 100 km long; making it the largest is Southeast Asia and one of the deepest and highest in the world. The drama of its cataclysmic birth can still be sensed in the scenery. You will see how the 500-meter cliffs plunge into the blue-green waters. The lake is surrounded by steep, pine-covered slopes, and the climate is fresh and pleasant, with just enough rain to support the lush vegetation.
Parapat
The town of Parapat is the main tourist resort and lies on the shores of Lake Toba. Parapat is the home of the Batak Toba and Batak Simalungun tribes. Recreational sports in Parapat include swimming, water skiing, motor boating, canoeing, fishing, and golf.
Parapat is 176 from Medan and can be reached in four hours by bus. The climate in Parapat is cool and dry, making itan ideal place to relax. Many hotels, bungalows, villas, and rest houses welcome visitors. Small shops sell souvenirs such as Ulos (local woven cloths) and local fruits.
Samosir Island
Samosir is a large island in the centre of the lake. It is the home of the Toba Batak, considered to be the original Batak tribe. This tribe is one of the prominent ethnic groups in the archipelago. It is said that Bataks living in distant cities will regularly return to their ancestral island. This fascination with the island extends to people not sharing the spiritual and historic connection with the island. They, too, often return to Samosir, drawn by its enchanting natural beauty and fascinating culture.
Signs of the Batak history
Three of the sites on Samosir illustrate Batak history. They consist of 300-year-old stone seats and benches arrayed in a circle. The first set of ruins was used as a conference area for Batak kings. At the second site, the rajas would sit in judgment on a criminal or enemy prisoner. If the accused were found guilty, the assembly would move to the third set, which features a central stone execution block.
At many parts of the island, there are superb examples of traditional Batak houses, with elaborate carvings and decorations.
Accommodation. There is good value accommodation on the island, and there is excellent walking.
For surfers. Enormous breakers pummel the island of Nias attracting the best surfers in the world to Lagundri Beach.
MANY TRAVEL OPTIONS
Air. Medan is the primary gateway to Sumatra, served by daily direct flights from Singapore by Garuda, Indonesia and Silk Air, and from Penang by Malaysian Airlines System (MAS). Garuda Indonesia, Merpati Nusantara, Sempati Air, Bouraq and Mandala fly daily from Jakarta. A joint service by Garuda Indonesia and KLM flies weekly to Medan from Amsterdam.
Sea. Ferries ply between Penang and Port of Belawan. A fast, comfortable passenger liner sails biweekly from Jakarta to Medan.
BEST WEATHER
North Sumatra has a warm, tropical climate. The wet and dry seasons last about six month each. The heaviest rains are in December and January. During the wet season, overland travel in Southern Sumatra can be subject to lengthy delays. Average humidity is 81 % and temperatures average 27C during the day and 25C at night, with average temperatures dropping one degree for every 300 meters’ elevation. Evenings in mountain areas can be quite cool.
The best time to visit is between May and October, although rain will still be frequent in many mountainous areas. A monthly event list is available in the Garuda Indonesia in-flight magazine or regional tourist information offices.
SOME PLACES OF INTEREST
Bohorok. For the adventurous. Accessible through Sumatra's inland wilderness. The area lies south of the Mount Leuser National Park.
Great Bukit Barisan Forest Park. Located at Tongkoh village in the district of the Karo highlands, approx. 59 km from Medan. Since 1989, the park has been renovated and renamed.
Berastagi. Berastagi, a tourist town, is in the Karo highlands. The town is known for its plantations and various kinds of flowers, vegetables and fruit, most famous of which is the Marquisa passion fruit.
The Village of Lingga. Located some 15 km from Berastagi, Lingga is a unique Batak Karo village where traditional houses are still well preserved and inhabited today.
Sipiso-piso Waterfall and Tongging. Tongging is a place to see a waterfall surrounded by beautiful sights in cool mountain air. It is 24 km from Kabanjahe, located at the north side of Lake Toba. The 360 feet waterfall is visible from a gazebo at the top of a hill.
Rumah Solon. House of Bolon (Rumah Bolon). This is a long house that belonged to King Simalungun. It has been restored and redesigned as a museum.
Pematang Siantar. Pematang Siantar is the second largest city in North Sumatra, lying 128 km to the South of Medan. On the way, you will pass through many rubbers, cocoa, palm oil, tobacco and tea plantations. This is the richest part of North Sumatra, because these plantations produce the main export commodities.
Pandan Beach. This is a seaside resort with white sandy beaches where a fishing village can be found 11 km from Sibolga.
Nias Island. This island lies off West Sumatra in the Indian Ocean. The villages of Bawomataluo and Hilisimae are unusual places to visit, where visitors can see performances of traditional war dances and sports.
Shopping Hints
Look out for thick cotton hand-woven cloth for sarongs, headdress and stoles. Also available are wood carved panels, wall decorations and statues from Samosir and Nias, mainly of a primitive style. There are also accessories made of seashells, boar tusks and buffalo horn.
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels are concentrated in the provincial capital of Medan and in the lake resort town of Parapat. Leading the list in Medan are Danau Toba International and Tiara, both classified as four-star hotels. These hotels have convention facilities, health centers, restaurants and night clubs.