Medan: North Sumatra

Medan is the third largest city of Indonesia and capital of North Sumatra. The actual province of northern Sumatra is the most populous outside of Java and is covered with jungles, rainforests, rice paddies, volcanic lakes and beautiful beaches.

It is in Medan where you will experience a wide diversity of arts and cultures as well as customs, and it is also home to many ethnic groups. It is also an area renowned for its flora and fauna. The city boasts a population of over two million people and is an important trading centre, its port, Belawan Harbour.

Getting around town to the various paces of interest is easy with numerous motorised becaks, taxis and buses. Or, if you prefer, rent a motorbike or a scooter or even a vehicle.

Main Places of Interest:

Museum of North Sumatra

A large museum, it is localted on Jl. Joni 51 and not far from the Mesjid Raya.This museum has a wide range of weapons on display used in the war of independence as well as prehistoric artifacts, Bhuddist statues and an excellent array of Batik from the area. The two Arabic gravestones from the 8th century AD are magnificent.

Maimoon Palace

Without a doubt one of the finest buildings in the city and was built in 1886. The Moorish architecture is stunning. Once known as the Istana Sulatan Deli it is located on Jl Katamso 66. Interestingly, it was designed by an Italian architect who fused Oriental, Western and Middle-Eastern styles. There are a few antiquities to see such as the palace throne but it is mainly the stunning architecture and unique grassed lawns that are the main attractions.

Mesjid Raya

Built in the pre-war Morrocan style in 1906, it is also known as the Great Mosque. A black domed mosque, it was designed by a Dutch architect and is one of the largest Mosque in Indonesia. No expense was spared in its construction with glass being imported from China, a chandelier from Amsterdam, and marble from Italy.
The Moorish and Turkish influence can be seen in the blue-tiled walls and ornately carved archways and Chinese stained-glass windows.

Gang Bengkok Mosque

Built by the Datuk of Kesawan in the 17th century, it is the oldest Mosque in Medan and well worth a visit. Part of its foundation were hewn granite rock taken from Bhuddist and Hindu temples.

Museum Bukit Barisan

Located on Jl H. Zainal Arifin, it is basically a military museum with most of the objects on display being of the wartime resistance, and, in particular the 1958 Sumatran rebellion. At the rear of the building there are tribal cultural exhibits as well as traditional houses replicas.

Medan Garnizoen

Medan’s first Dutch colonial fort is located on Jl Kapt. M. Lubis and was built in 1873 during the Sunggal War. There is an array of cannons but in general it is only worth a visit if you are interested in pre-independence architecture and history.

Note: In Medan there are many Chinese temples and each is worth a visit. Also, a stroll around town will afford you some excellent views of Dutch colonial architecture.

Tourist Office:
Jl. Brig. Jend. A Yani 107
Open: Mon-Thu. 8.30am-2.30pm and Fri. 8.30am-noon
Tel: 4538101

Getting There:

There are many flights operating to Medan from many parts of world to the Polonia International Airport in the heart of the city. Medan can be easily accessed via air from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Jakarta and other parts of the globe.

All the major Indonesian domestic airlines have regular flights from Jakarta to Medan.