<nowiki>Heaven on Earth</nowiki>{{otheruses}} '''Padang'''[http://www.padang.go.id] is the capital city of West Sumatra, Indonesia.

Understand

Padang, the capital of the province of West Sumatra, is mostly used by tourists as an access point to Bungus Bay, the surfing sites of the Mentawai Islands the inland hills of Bukittinggi and the Kerinci Seblat National Park. That said the city is very pleasant with a nice promanade 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. The locally available guidebook 'Sozzie Sumatra' can be referred to on arrival for upcoming local events and a current 'what to do' section.

Get in

By plane

'''Minangkabau International Airport''' (Bandara Internasional Minangkabau - BIM) (PDG), located 23 km north-west of Padang, is the main gateway to West Sumatra, with frequent flights to destinations throughout Sumatra and Java, as well as Singapore (Tiger Airways) and Kuala Lumpur (Air Asia). Direct flight to and from Padang, are only available from 1. Domestic - Jakarta - Batam - Medan 2. International - Kuala Lumpur - Singapore. Visas are available on arrival. From the airport, the cheapest way to get into the city is by '''Damri''' (bus) for a fare of Rp15,000 per person. Its route passes by the major hotels in Padang. Other alternatives include taxis or pre-arranged rental cars. Be warned, a Rp75000 departure tax is sneakily levied on outbound flights.

Get around

Crazily-decorated Angkots run along the two main roads. Prices for a trip are approximately Rp2,000. You can get '''taxis''' from the Minangkabau International Airport to town for less than Rp50,000 if you speak the language.

Unfortunately if you are white or black, Minang people are well known to be good business people, and are quite skilled at making you pay a few extra thousand rupiah. That being said, don't start squabbling over 50 cents here or there.

There are several alternatives that you can choose for transportation in Padang, such as '''bus kota''' (for city bus transportation), '''angkutan kota''' (for transportation in the city), taxi, and car rental. Most public transportations are not very safe and clean compared to international standard. During rush hour, you can see the buses overcrowded. Be careful with your valuables as sometimes there are pickpockets and thieves taking advantage while riding on the public transport.

If you're looking to spend a few days in Padang, car rental is the preferred way to go around. All car rentals include the driver, who can also act as your guide. It's not recommended for tourists to drive around because road signs are not followed by the locals and courtesy while driving almost do not exist in Indonesia.

  • <listing name="Travellapan & Tours" alt="" address="Jl.Banuaran #7, 11/03, Lubuk Begalung Padang" directions="to any tourism destinations in West Sumatera" phone="+087878-567-888" url="http://profiles.friendster.com/travellapan" hours="IDR 50.000,-" price="Rp3000,000 per day(18hrs)" lat="" long="" email="" fax="">Travellapan & Tours provide new and convenience SUV type of car with experiences driver. Contact these phone numbers for reservation: +62-87878-567-888 or +62-857-1933-0089, IDR 250.000,-/day(12 hours)</listing>
  • '''TotalCarRental''', tel. +62 811 21 8494 , [http://rental.total.or.id/padang_car_rental.php]. They also provide Padang and Bukittinggi tour packages that you can choose.
  • <listing name="CV Budi Jaya" alt="" directions="" address="Jl. Aur Duri Indah XVI No. 1" phone="+62-751-841939, 7892205, 7850275" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="Rp275,000 per day (car {Xenia) and chauffeur)">Car rental: Innova, Avanza, Kijang, Panther, Xenia, APV, Altis, tour bus.</listing>
  • ''''''Padang Rent Car.'''''' A very experience guide that able to provide you a satisfaction on travelling in Padang city. They provide cars for rent with the cheap price and good service. Contact them +628 1166 8389. http://www.padangrentcar.wordpress.com.
  • See

  • '''Museum Adityawarman''', Jl. Diponegoro (Lapangan Tugu), +62 752 31523, 39587, TuS 8AM-4PM
  • '''Taman Budaya''' (Cultural Park)
  • '''Pantai Air Manis''' (Sweet Water Beach). It is most famed for '''Batu Malin Kundang''' (Stone of Malin Kundang), a stone shaped like a prostrating man. According to local legend, this stone is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malin_Kundang Malin Kundang], the ungrateful son who disowned his poor mother after coming home as a rich man from his travels. His mother cursed him into stone, as well as the remains of his ship, which can also be seen near his stone. There is a tidal island from the beach here, with nice clean (by Indonesian standards) water and sand.
  • '''Pantai Padang''' (Padang Beach). You can ride the ''bendi'' (a horse-drawn carriage) along the beach, and stop by the rows of shops to eat some [http://en.wikipedia/org/wiki/Rojak rujak] as you watch the waves.
  • '''Sitti Nurbaya Bridge''', a beautiful bridge especially at night. Sitti Nurbaya is the eponymous character in a classical literary novel.
  • You go down the south of '''Teluk Bayur''', up and through steep hills (don't try and take a bus, there is an [Angkot] that goes all the way).
  • Ramayana. World class shopping area with a variety of goods. A must see.

    Do

    Relaxing and breathtaking is the main thing to do in here. This city more to administrative city. Honestly there isn't too much to do here in the down town. But if you go to the up town, some interesting spots await to be explored. These include '''Sikuai Island''", '''Lubuk Minturun river''' (a 'natural jacuzzi') and '''Bungus Bay''' (crystal water river), all in southern Padang.

    Pool is a popular sport to play and there are a few places dotted around.

    The nightlife is relatively dull because Padang is a minor city and a rather devout Muslim community. Bars are available at Hotel Bumi Minang, but don't expect alcohol.

    If you can find your way down to Chinatown and get some Kripik Padang (crackers, available in two flavors: spicy and sweet), that could be a good idea, too. In Chinatown, you also can explore the mixture of Minang-Chinese food.

  • Hotel Ambacang Bar and Club. This jewel diamond in the rough will provide you with a night of partying in an otherwise Muslim and quiet area. Rooms are also available in this hotel at a very high standard. The largest rooms in the hotel sleep 8.

    Buy

    There are a lot of stores on the side of the road, much like anywhere in Indonesia. There are two malls, Minang Plaza, which is smaller and better for your more supermarket / basic clothing needs. There is a bit of Western Food at Plaza Andalas in the form of Papa Ron's Pizza.

    Shopping at Andalas is a little bit better, but at this point in time, the malls are more downscale, mainly local products and local shops. No big retailers here. Brand names aren't really easy to find. You could find a few surfing items at Andalas plaza - but that's about it.

    There is a Gramedia across the road from Andalas Plaza also.

  • Ramayana. Shopping district, locally famous. Great bargains can be picked up here.

    Eat

    Padang is famed throughout Indonesia (even on international stage) for spicy '''Padang food''' (''masakan Padang''). Ordering at a Padang restaurant couldn't be easier: just sit down at a table, and watch the dishes pile up. Eat what you like, as you'll only pay for dishes you've actually consumed. Famous dishes include:

  • ''rendang sapi'', spicy curried beef cooked until the sauce is dry
  • ''soto padang'', crispy beef in spicy soup
  • ''ayam pop'', deep-friend vaguely popcorn-like (hence the name) kernels of chicken
  • ''sate'', beef satay in curry sauce, served with ''ketupat'' (rice dumplings)
  • Padang dishes can use rather unusual ingredients though, including internal organs like hearts, lungs and even brains. All Padang dishes are Halal, due to the Islamic root of Minang people.

    Some Westerner-friendly restaurants:

  • '''Nelayan Restaurant''', located by the edge of the beach near town, quite popular with the foreign crowd, there are two levels. During the daytime it tends to be relatively empty. By western standards the food is very cheap and the service is quite good.
  • '''Safari'''. Cafe serving Western and Indonesian foods. Has a plasma television for watching soccer. Quite a nice little place to go if you long for a steak or a serve of crinkle cut fries.
  • .

  • Pizza Hut. orong Sonny Bungus. round the corner from Hotel Ank. A home from home amongst the local shacks, this pizza hut boasts the best chicken dippers in all of West Sumatra.

    Local delicacies

  • Rohana Kudus. l. Rohana Kudus No. 74. 62-751-23386. One of the favorite places to buy snacks to bring home as gifts, including the snack the area is famed for, Kripik Balado or Kripik Sanjay.

    Drink

    The only real bars you will find are at the major hotels. This is a very Islamic community and therefore the influence of alcohol is minimal. That being said, beer is for sale at the major supermarkets, Suzuya, etc. Bintang is about all you will find. If you are feeling game, the traditional market could be something you might want to visit as friends of mine were able to get their hands on more hard liquor, scotch, johnnie walker.

    Hard liquor is available at several Warungs (small shops on the side of the road) and it is quite easy to obtain cheap vodka, whisky or rum. The going rate for a 250ml bottle of spirits is Rp. 23,000.

    The best nightclubs in Padang are Hotel Pangeran Beach, Rocky Hotel, Ambacang hotel (the newest hotel) and Queen.

    Sleep

  • Hotel Pangeran Beach. ln. H. Lr. Juanda Padang.. 62 751 446996. eni@shaanholidays.com. 62 751 447996. ttp://www.shaanholidays.com. The hotel is right on the beach in a relatively clean and safe area.

  • Hotel Bumi Minang. alan Bundo Kandung 20-28 Padang 25118. ww.bumiminang.com. Fax (+62) 21 788 49875 E-mail: salesjkt@bumiminang.com

  • The Ambacang Hotel. l. Bundo Kandung, No. 14-16. 62 751 39888. eservation@theambacanghotel.com. 62 751 39966. ttp://www.theambacanghotel.com. p375,000 - Rp950,000. Newest hotel in Padang. Rooms sleep up to 8 people. Hotel is the centre of Padang nightlife.

  • Maranatha Homestay. l. Bandar Pulau Karam No. 10-D. 62 751 26321. ttp://www.maranathahomestay.blogspot.com. p 99.000 - Rp 220.000. aranatha_homestay@yahoo.com. 62 751 38663. Homey,have good facilities,hot and cold water,hot spot internet,nice lobby,kitchen facilities, international TV Channels,Location :City center, near the beach and a shopping center.

  • '''Hotel Immanuel''' not to be confused with hotel Emmanuel, a hide out for transvestites and their lovers.
  • Hotel Inna Muara. l. Gereja No. 34. 62 751 35600 - 33741. kt.muara@inna.co.id. 62 751 38 266 - 31 163. rom Rp. 450,000. Large, hotel aimed at local business travelers. Comfortable but somewhat faded. Look out for frequent specials for significant discount below rack rates. Skip breakfast.

  • Rocky Plaza Hotel. l Permindo no 40. otelrockyplaza@yahoo.com" Phone ="+62 751 840888" Fax ="+62 751 841230. The only one hotel with it's own plaza in Padang.
  • Hotel Surya. One of the better (and cheapest) of a smattering of cheap losmen-style hotels to the north of Jln M. Yamin and to the west of Pasar Raya. Singles: Rp25,000, Two beds: Rp40-50,000.

    Bungus Bay

    Just a 45 minute drive from the centre of Padang, lies a haven of beautiful untouched beaches. Here you can stay at the luxury yet budget accommodation of Losman Carlos, where a beach side chalet costs 75000 Rupiah. Each chalet can fit up to 4 people and have western standard en suite facilities. Make sure you try the island famous chocolate pancake and omelets. Those with cat allergies should avoid this hotel as it also serves as the local cat sanctuary and rehabilitation centre.

    Weekly discos are held on the local stage, dates are to be confirmed through Sonny of Losman Carlos, the social events organiser of West Sumatra.

    Bungus bay Activities

    Surf trips can be organised by the champion surfer Nicky from hotel Losman Carlos. This is suitable for beginners and intermediary surfers who do not feel safe traveling to the reef. The setting for the surfing beach is a national indonesian pilgrimage site, therefore females should cover up.

    Get out!

  • Bukittinggi
  • Kerinci Seblat National Park - one of the largest in Indonesia
  • Mentawai Islands - surfer paradise
  • Padang Panjang