The capital of West Sumatra, Padang is the door to the Minang highlands. With the greatest port on Sumatra's West Coast, this is a dealer town drawing in boats exchanging in products such as elastic, cinnamon, espresso, tee, bond and coal.
Padang is very pleasant with a nice promenade along the beach, distinctive Padang architecture and wonderfully friendly people. The city is also the home of the delicious Padang food and the town is stuffed with restaurants and street stalls.
Ladies are advised to wear long pants and at least a t-shirt with sleeves as you are entering a conservative city. Be aware that the men can get overly forward and cheeky.
It rains often in Padang. The roads flood quite easily as the city is still in the process of repairing the damage from the massive earthquake of recent years. Bring along a pair of slippers. These are useful in floods as well as for the beach.
For attractions, these are some attraction in Padang that tourists often to visit :
1. Lake Maninjau
Lake Maninjau is a caldera lake in West Sumatra, Indonesia. It is located 36 km to the west of Bukittinggi. Come to this ancient lake, set within a volcanic crater, to escape from the crowds and hustle and bustle of the rest of the country.
2. Sikuai Island
Sikuai is an island in the sub-district of Bungus Teluk Kabung, City of Padang, West Sumatra Province, Indonesia. The island is located about a half mile from the center of Padang and can be achieved using marine transportation such as ships, approximately 35 minutes from port of Muara Padang.
3. Air Manis Beach
Air Manis Beach is closely related to the legend of Malin Kundang in West Sumatra. Malin Kundang is a character fabled to have been turned to stone, together with his ship, after periods of disobedience to his mother. Air Manis beach is a favorite tourist site for local and foreign tourists because it has low waves and beautiful views of Mount Padang.
4. Mentawai Islands
The Mentawai Islands are a chain of about seventy islands and islets off the western coast of Sumatra in Indonesia. Siberut (4,030 km²) is the largest of the islands. The other major islands are Sipura, North Pagai (Pagai Utara) and South Pagai (Pagai Selatan). The islands lie approximately 150 km off the Sumatran coast, across the Mentawai Strait. The indigenous inhabitants of the islands are known as the Mentawai people. The Mentawai Islands have become a noted destination for surfing.
5. Jam Gadang
Jam Gadang is an icon of Bukittinggi. In the Indonesian language, Jam Gadang means big clock and big it certainly is! This 26 meter tall clock was built in 1826 as a present from the Dutch Queen to the city secretary, Rook Maker.
But there are still few attractions you should visit when visiting Padang. Don't forget to have culinary tourism, because Padang is popular with its delicious culinaries.
