The “Penang” of Indonesia: Consider a Holiday Trip to Medan and Lake Toba
When most Singaporeans think of Indonesia, Jakarta, Batam, and Bali are often the top three travel destinations that come to mind. That is unfortunate, because Indonesia has so much more to offer.
Consider Medan the next time you are planning a short holiday getaway. Located just 1 hour’s flight from Singapore across the Straits of Malacca on Sumatra island, Medan is great for the weekend traveler and a great entry point for first-timers wanting to explore Sumatra.
Medan is the 4th largest city in Indonesia after Jakarta, Surabaya, and Bandung, and also the largest city on Sumatra. It is well-known in Indonesia for its cultural diversity and culinary scene, where Malay, Indian, Chinese and Batak cultures intermingle. Also, thanks to its substantial Chinese population, Medan can be aptly compared to as the Penang of Indonesia.
Here are 5 places to visit when you spend time in Medan.
The old mosque of Bengkok Alley is one of the oldest buildings in Medan. Completed in 1895 and funded by Chinese plantation owner and philanthropist Tjong A Fie, the original building incorporated Chinese roof tiles and motifs (including stupas and lotus flowers) with the multi-tiered roof structure of traditional Islamic mosques. Having undergone significant restoration works over the years, the building continues to serve as a symbol of Medan’s cultural diversity and the syncretism between Islam and local beliefs.
Medan is also a gastronomical heaven. The Chinese food there is very close to the Singaporean palate and I generally enjoyed all my food experiences in Medan. The highlight of my trip was trying the duck bee hoon (bihon bebek), a very simple clean dish with tender duck meat (slow cooked over 5 hours) over bee hoon drizzled with soya sauce and duck soup on the side. A must try in Medan!
Another thing while in Medan is to look out for those hidden gems while walking alongside the road. I was on a Medan Good Guides tour and was recommended to this stall that sells ice-cream float. They have three ice-cream flavours including chocolate, durian, and vanilla, and the delicious ice-cream was accompanied by their special ice-cream soda. A most refreshing combination in the hot weather!
4. Tjong A Fie Museum
The story of Medan’s early development as a city is tightly intertwined with Chinese plantation owner and businessman Tjong A Fie. From humble beginnings, Tjong A Fie amassed a massive fortune in the plantation business. He was appointed by the Dutch as the major of the Chinese community in Medan, greatly contributing to the city’s development.
The mansion of Tjong A Fie, a marital gift to his third wife, is now a museum and open to the public. When at the museum, look for one of the museum guides to share the story of the mansion with you.
5. Visit to Lake Toba
Finally, a trip to Medan is not complete with a visit to Lake Toba. Lake Toba is a inland volcanic lake formed after the accumulation of rainwater after a volcanic eruption created a large crater millions of years ago. It is a natural beauty and worthwhile to see it with your own eyes: Lake Toba is bigger than the whole of Singapore.
While you are travelling to Lake Toba, do stop by at one of the numerous cafes along the way with scenic views of the Lake. I visited Morias Cafe and managed to get a fantastic view of the Lake while enjoying a $1 hazelnut latte on a cool Saturday morning.
If you have a couple of days to spare, it is worthwhile to spend some time exploring Lake Toba and Samosir island (the island in the centre of the lake). As it takes a 4 hour journey by car ride there, it makes sense to stay at the Lake for at least 1–2 days. While you are there, you can explore the cultural sites (Huta Sialaggan) and natural sites (Pusuk Buhit) on Samosir island, either on foot or by scooter rental.
Here concludes my little travel guide to Medan. Hope you enjoyed reading and would consider visiting Medan someday!
