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    Medan
    City

    Medan

    Medan is Sumatra's largest city and the transportation hub of the north. The Sultan of Deli's Maimun Palace, the Great Mosque, colonial buildings from the tobacco era, and diverse street food make for a worthwhile stopover.

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    7. North Sumatra
    9. Medan
    Medan is Sumatra's largest city and the transportation hub of the north. The Sultan of Deli's Maimun Palace, the Great Mosque, colonial buildings from the tobacco era, and diverse street food make for a worthwhile stopover.
    Medan, with over two million inhabitants, is Sumatra's largest city and the capital of North Sumatra. It became wealthy in the 19th century through tobacco and rubber plantations. From this era date the Maimun Palace of the Sultan of Deli, the Grand Mosque, and colonial buildings along Jalan Ahmad Yani in the Kesawan district. The city is loud, busy, and for most, just a stopover, but its food scene makes it worth a day's visit. Within the city, you can use Grab, Gojek, or Becak.
    The main sights are in the center between Kesawan and the Maimun Palace. The Kampung Madras district is home to many Tamils.

    Sights in Medan

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Istana Maimun
    Ramada Febrian / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    1Istana Maimun

    The late 19th-century Palace of the Sultan of Deli, painted yellow, features Malay, Indian, and European architectural elements. A section is open to visitors.
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    Tjong-A-Fie House
    Museum

    2Tjong-A-Fie House

    The manor house of Chinese merchant Tjong A Fie in Kesawan, with original furnishings and English tours.
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    Masjid Raya Al-Mashun

    3Masjid Raya Al-Mashun

    Grand Mosque of the Deli Sultanate from 1906 near Maimun Palace, featuring black domes and marble from Italy.
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    Graha Maria Annai Velangkanni
    Church

    4Graha Maria Annai Velangkanni

    Catholic pilgrimage church in Indo-Mughal style, built in 2005 by the Tamil community.
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    Rahmat International Wildlife Museum
    Museum

    5Rahmat International Wildlife Museum

    Private natural history museum with a large collection of taxidermied animals from around the world, displayed in recreated habitats.
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    Vihara Gunung Timur
    Place of Worship

    6Vihara Gunung Timur

    Chinese temple in the center near the Babura River, one of the city's largest. Dragon figures on the roof, murals, and incense sticks characterize the halls. Photography inside is usually not allowed.
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    Restaurants in Medan

    1

    Tip Top

    Colonial-era restaurant and bakery in Kesawan with Indonesian and European dishes and homemade ice cream.
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    2

    Soto Kesawan

    Popular spot for Soto Medan in Kesawan district, often full at midday.
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    3

    Mie Aceh Titi Bobrok

    Local for Mie Aceh with crab, beef or shrimp, open until late.
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    Foods and Drinks

    Medan is considered one of Indonesia's best food cities.

    Durian

    Medan is known for its Durian; at stalls, you can try the fruit freshly opened.

    Soto Medan

    Soup with coconut milk and chicken, beef or offal.

    Mie Aceh

    Spicy fried or braised noodles from neighboring Aceh, often with crab or beef.

    Bika Ambon

    Honeycomb cake made from tapioca, egg, and coconut milk, a typical souvenir.

    Culture

    Medan is one of the most diverse cities in Indonesia. Malays, Bataks, Chinese, Javanese, and Tamils shape its religions, temples, and cuisine. The Tjong A Fie House recalls a Chinese merchant who helped shape the city around 1900. The Sultanate of Deli continues to exist as a cultural institution.

    Getting There & Around

    Getting ThereAirport: Kualanamu (KNO) is located approximately 40 km to the east. The Railink train reaches the main station in about 36 minutes (railink.co.id).ConnectionsBukit Lawang: Buses depart approximately every 12 minutes from 6:15 AM to 6 PM from the Pinang Baris area, taking around 3 hours. Tourist cars with pickup take 4 to 5 hours.Berastagi: Buses from Simpang Selayang in about 1.5 hours.Lake Toba: Buses from Terminal Amplas travel to Parapat in about 4 hours.In the CityGrab, Gojek, or Becak.

    Day Trips

    Bukit Lawang

    Village on the edge of Gunung Leuser National Park with jungle tours to orangutans.

    Berastagi

    Highland city with volcano hikes, approximately two hours away.

    Accommodations in Medan

    Find perfect stay in Medan

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      • 2Tjong-A-Fie House4 days
      • 3Masjid Raya Al-Mashun5 days
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    Nearby

    Berastagi
    Christian Advs Sltg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    Berastagi

    Berastagi in the Karo Highlands is a market town at around 1,300 meters, surrounded by vegetable and fruit fields. The volcanoes Sibayak and Sinabung dominate the landscape, and traditional Karo-Batak longhouses stand in the surroundings.
    Bukit Lawang
    VanuitVoorburg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    Bukit Lawang

    Bukit Lawang on the Bohorok River is the best-known gateway to Gunung Leuser National Park. Guided jungle treks lead to semi-wild and wild Sumatra orangutans, and the return journey is often by tubing on the river.
    North Sumatra

    North Sumatra

    North Sumatra combines the vast crater lake Toba, Batak culture, active volcanoes, and Gunung Leuser National Park's orangutan-filled rainforest. Most trips begin in the metropolis Medan.
    Lake Toba and Samosir
    Chapsorini / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    Lake Toba and Samosir

    Lake Toba fills the caldera of a supervolcano whose eruption approximately 74,000 years ago is among the largest in Earth's history. It is the largest lake in Southeast Asia, and at its center lies Samosir Island, home to villages, tombs, and royal houses of the Toba Batak.
    Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera)
    Hzh / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera)

    George Town's Mount rises to about 830 metres and was a retreat from the heat even in colonial times. A funicular takes you to the top in just a few minutes, where it's noticeably cooler. From the viewpoints, gaze over the city to the Penang Bridge and mainland; the Habitat nature trail leads through ancient rainforest.