Things to Do in Bukittinggi, Sumatra + The Best Day Trips

Searching for the best things to do in Bukittinggi, Sumatra?

As one of the largest cities in west Sumatra, Bukittinggi is packed with historic sites and traditional Minangkabau food and architecture.

Without a doubt, it is one of the best places in Sumatra to experience the ebb and flow of everyday life.

Bukittinggi is not a big city in the traditional sense. It doesn’t have skyscrapers; it is surrounded by rice paddies and bordered on the western side by the 15-kilometre-long Sianok Canyon.

There are also views of two distant volcanoes, Mount Merapi and Mount Singgalang.

Its most famous attraction, however, is an underground cave network built by the Japanese in World War II.

I stayed in the city for several days to find the best things to do in Bukittinggi. With the help of some locals, I tracked down street food, underrated viewpoints, and places to see the world’s largest flower.

While you’re here, feel free to visit my detailed Sumatra backpacking itinerary or tips on what to wear in Sumatra.

Disclosure: This post includes affiliate links. If you decide to click through and make a qualifying purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you – thanks for your support.

Where is Bukittinggi?

Bukittinggi is in the Minangkabau Highlands in west Sumatra.

The capital city of west Sumatra, Padang, is just over 90 kilometres south of Bukittinggi.

It is between the two volcanoes Mount Merapi and Mount Singgalang.

Out of the two, Mount Merapi is the only one that is active. A recent eruption in 2022 caused 200 people to flee the nearby villages.

Bukittinggi is also located between the Harau Valley and Maninjau Lake, two incredible destinations that I visited in west Sumatra.

Is Bukittinggi Worth Visiting?

In my opinion, any west Sumatra itinerary would be incomplete without visiting Bukittinggi.

Not only does Bukittinggi offer a window into life in a busy city (and a city without much tourism), but it also has World War II caves, colonial ruins and a huge, green canyon suitable for hiking.

Bukittinggi is also a great base for day trips to Maninjau Lake, Harau Valley, Minangkabau museums, rice terraces and a silversmith village.

Bukittinggi is worth visiting for:

• Traditional food markets
• Historic sites includingWorld War II tunnels and a Dutch clock tower
• Hiking at Sianok Valley and the Great Wall of Koto Gadang
• Seeing the world’s largest flower and trying luwak coffee
• Day trips to volcanoes, valleys, crater lakes, and museums

A Short History of Bukittinggi 

Before arriving anywhere, I always like to have at least a basic idea of its history. Bukittinggi is particularly interesting.

Bukittinggi started out as five villages centred around one marketplace.

During the Dutch colonisation of Sumatra in 1825, it was named ‘Fort de Kock’. A fort with the same name was built at the top of a hill in the city. 

During World War II, the Japanese invaded Sumatra and captured the city. They made it their headquarters between 1943 and 1945, until they surrendered. 

They ordered the local population to dig underground bunkers and tunnels where they could store Japanese military equipment.

Thousands of enslaved Indonesian people died during the operation.

The city was re-captured by the Dutch again in 1948.

In 1949, the Dutch handed the control back to Indonesia, and it was renamed Bukittinggi.

Back to the present day, you can visit the Dutch’s Fort de Kock tower and explore the Japanese tunnels in the city.

It’s also possible to learn about the traditional Indonesian Minangkabau culture by visiting museums within driving distance of the city.

How to Get to Bukittinggi

Bukittinggi has good bus connections to the rest of Sumatra.

1. Overnight buses from Bukittinggi

There are overnight buses to north Sumatra (Parapat at Lake Toba and Medan) or to Dumai in east Sumatra (for the ferry to Malacca in Malaysia).

ALS runs the overnight buses to north Sumatra.

Most of the time, you need to visit the ALS bus station (at Terminal Aur Kuning or PT. ALS Bukit Tinggi — I used the latter) twice.

The first time, you need to buy your ticket at least one or two days in advance.

The second time, you board the bus.

The ALS bus company has three bus grades:

• Economy: air-conditioned
• Patas: air-conditioned + toilet
• Super executive: air-conditioned + toilet + extra space

The ALS buses are renowned for being freezing-cold due to excessive air conditioning, so wear layers.

Below is the cost of some of the ALS night buses from Bukittinggi.

If you don’t want to take an overnight bus, you can also fly out of Padang Airport.

To do this, you can book a private transfer from Bukittinggi to Padang airport or find a taxi locally.

2. Local buses from Bukittinggi

From Aur Kuning bus terminal, I took the local bus to Payakumbah (followed by an opelet) to Harau Valley.

I also caught a local bus to Maninjau Valley, although this was part of a connection from the Harau Valley.

If you want to take the bus to Maninjau, I would suggest going to Aur Kuning bus terminal in the morning and requesting the local bus.

Where to Stay in Bukittinggi

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BEST PLACE TO STAY

Padi Ecolodge is a collection of Minangkabau-style wooden cabins located in the paddy fields directly next to Sianok Canyon. The friendly owner divides his time between Bukittinggi and Holland.

You can hike the Koto Gadang Great Wall directly from the hotel.

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12 Things to Do in Bukittinggi

1. Visit Jam Gadang (‘Big Clock’)

Visiting Jam Gadang first makes sense. It is located smack-bang in the centre of Bukittinggi, so it’s an easy meeting place for tourists and locals alike.

Jam Gadang is an iconic area in the city; everyone knows ‘Big Clock’.

It was built by the Dutch in 1926 but designed by local architects, so the top of the clock tower has curved roofs just like the traditional Minangkabau houses in west Sumatra. 

Most of the colonial buildings in Bukittinggi no longer exist, but this clock tower is almost a century old. 

When you’re visiting Jam Gadang, don’t forget to wander around the square and check out the view over Bukittinggi and Mount Merapi.

2. Track down the best street food in Bukittinggi

For dinner, my favourite spot in Bukittinggi is the market on Jl. Moh. Syaefi. I discovered this spot after meeting a local Bukittinggi resident who wanted to practise his English over dinner. 

All it took was one dinner (and some great Indonesian desserts) to get me to return every night thereafter.

The food is cheap and delicious.

If you’re adventurous, you can try foods like eel or intestines. If not, just try some of the classic dishes such as pisang goreng (fried banana) or nasi goreng (fried rice).

As this is a local market, it doesn’t have an official location on Google Maps just yet. There is a ‘Policewoman Monument’ on Google Maps at the beginning of the street.

It’s easy to find by walking 5-10 minutes from Jam Gadang. From the viewpoint facing Mount Merapi, turn right and follow the path down to the main road.

Follow the main road past the banks and ATMs. Opposite the Kantor POS building, take the road to the left, where you’ll immediately see rows of tents and street food stalls.

The market is only opening in the evening, as far as I could tell.

3. Explore the Japanese Caves from the Panorama Park

The Lobang Jepang (‘Japanese Caves’) are one of the eeriest but most significant historical attractions in Bukittinggi. 

Positioned almost 50 metres underground, they are located in Panorama Bukittinggi, which has an entry fee of 5,000 IDR.

The park also has viewpoints over Sianok Canyon.

Walk around to the right to find the best viewpoint at the top of a pagoda with a spiral staircase, which overlooks rice terraces and the canyon.

White-tailed macaques have taken a liking to the park and clamber around the edges of the paved walking areas.

They are either playing with each other or eyeing up potential food to steal, so take care.

The Japanese Caves, lit by dim fluorescent lighting, are a maze of tunnels and bunkers dug out by local Indonesian people under the orders of the Japanese in 1942.

Thousands of forced labourers died trying to build the tunnels.

The Japanese used the tunnels as a place to hide from the Allied forces during World War II.

They stored war supplies and equipment in the bunkers. They also built a prison, an ambush room and a kitchen used to execute and chop up the bodies of prisoners.

Only one and half kilometres of the tunnel are open to tourists.

The total length is believed to be eight kilometres.

4. Visit or hike the Sianok Canyon

It’s not enough to simply view Sianok Canyon from the Panoramic Park.

To explore the ravine and its 120-metre-high walls properly, you should drive (or take a Grab car) to Padi Ecolodge, the guesthouse situated in the base of the valley surrounded by paddy fields and countryside. 

The canyon is around 15 kilometres in length.

The best way to find the base is to follow the path into the valley from Padi Ecolodge. You’re on the right track if you pass by a rundown, spider webs-ridden toilet shack.

After five minutes or so, you will reach a suspension bridge hanging over the base of the canyon.

While the bridge has a great view into the canyon, you can also hike along the river.

You’ll need a guide for this. A local living in one of the houses next to the bridge offered to guide us for a small price.

I’ve heard mixed reviews of the hike. Some say that the views are better from the top of the canyon and disappointing from within the canyon.

Others say that they loved the trek, which goes through a small section of jungle, up and down the canyon’s sides, and alongside the river, before passing through a small village. 

The route will vary depending upon your guide, so maybe that’s why there are so many mixed reviews.

5. Hike the Great Wall of Koto Gadang

Forget about the Great Wall of China: the Great Wall of Koto Gadang is Bukittinggi’s very own miniature version. 

Built along one side of the canyon, the Great Wall of Koto Gadang is accessible from the suspension bridge at the base of the Sianok Canyon near Padi Ecolodge. 

According to locals, the bridge was built to enable villagers to travel between Bukittinggi and the village of Koto Gadang, which is separated from Bukittinggi by the large ravine.

The Great Wall of Koto Gadang overlooks Sianok Canyon, so while you make the short half-an-hour ascent, stop to take in the views.

Sections of the wall veer off onto a ledge over the canyon, providing even better vantage points.

Note, the path can get slippery after rain, so climb up and down carefully.

If you’re lucky, you might get to meet the wonderful dog pictured in my photographs, who lives at one of the guesthouses by the suspension bridge.

She likes to accompany tourists on their treks, and she faithfully hiked all the way up and down the wall with us.

You can use my guide to the Koto Gadang Great Wall to find your way alone.

6. Visit the silversmiths village of Koto Gadang

Koto Gadang is famous in Sumatra as a village of silversmiths.

The silversmiths are based in a handful of old Dutch houses and produce wonderful miniature silver renditions of Minangkabau houses, jewellery, and other knick-knacks.

There are two ways to visit Koto Gadang.

The first way is to climb to the very top of the Great Wall of Koto Gadang and then continue walking up the lane until you reach the centre of the village.

The second way is to take a Grab from Bukittinggi. This will be costly, as cars and scooters must take the long way around the canyon.

Once you arrive in Koto Gadang, take some time to wander around and admire the mosque or the surrounding paddy fields.

At the very end of the street Jl Sawahan (just past the mosque), you can visit the most famous silversmith in the village: Silver Work Welisyar.

If you’re lucky enough, you might get to meet the silversmith at work.

Weli Syar Mak Wan is famous for producing intricate Minangkabau palace models and rings.

7. Have lunch with a volcano view at Ampera Padang Hijau

The Balcone Hotel & Resort has one of the best views in Bukittinggi but if you can’t afford to stay there, your second-best option is to go for lunch at Ampera Padang Hijau.

This local restaurant is just down the road and has a magnificent view of Mount Singgalang. 

This restaurant was shown to me by a local guide in Bukittinggi because it was one of the only places open during Ramadan for lunch.

However, I was not prepared for the incredible views: monkeys swinging through the jungle, Singgalang volcano in the distance, and a mosque peaking through the trees in the peripheral.

The food is cheap and cheerful, consisting of a typical Indonesian spread with spicy chicken and fish dishes, rice, vegetables, and coffee or tea.

The staff and customers were very friendly and seemed pleased to see some new faces.

8. Visit Fort de Kock

Fort de Kock isn’t Bukittinggi’s most impressive sites visually, but it’s certainly a key piece of the city’s history.

The 19th-century Dutch fort sits on a hill above the city.

It was once used as a vantage point to defend the five surrounding adat villages during the Padri War, a conflict between the adats (indigenous, pre-Islamic people) and padris (Islamic up-risers).

The fort was also used to keep watch over potential attacks against the Dutch colonial government.

Most of the buildings around the fort have been demolished, but there are some remains of cannons and the main mound is still visible.

9. Hike to find the world’s largest flower in the Batang Palupuh Nature Reserve

The Rafflesia flower, only found in Indonesia’s rainforests, is thought to be the largest flower in the world.

Some of these parasites grow as large as three feet and weigh as much as a small cat.

They’re also famous for their strong stench when in bloom, which has been likened to rotting carcasses. 

Bukittinggi is a great base from which to track down the Rafflesia flower, as there is a forest named the Batang Palupuh Nature Reserve on the same road as Ampera Padang Hijau restaurant. 

The Rafflesia flower only blooms for one week, usually between the months of December and March, so you’re not guaranteed a sighting of the flower in bloom (when it is at its stinkiest).

The forest is free to enter yourselves, but to find the flower, your best bet is to take a local guide provided by the farm (50,000 IDR for one group).

To find the nature reserve, turn off the main road just past the Balcone Hotel & Resort, where there is a signpost for Obyek Wisata Bunga Rafflesia. The forest is next to the village.

10. Try ethical luwak coffee or take a Minangkabau cooking class at Rafflesia Luwak Coffee

In the same village as the Batang Palupuh Nature Reserve, there is a coffee shop that serves kopi luwak (luwak coffee).

If you’re not familiar with kopi luwak (luwak coffee), it is a form of coffee brewed from the droppings of a wild animal called the civet cat, whose diet consists almost entirely of coffee beans.

When the animal digests the coffee beans, they come out partially fermented, giving the coffee a unique taste. 

Rafflesia Luwak Coffee is one of very few places in Indonesia where the coffee beans are harvested ethically.

In Bali, many shops keep the wild animals captive to harvest the coffee beans for tourists.

However, the owner of this coffee shop, Umul Khairi, harvests the beans from droppings left in the jungle around the village. Afterwards, he dries and roasts the beans.

A cup of luwak coffee from his shop costs 20,000 IDR. 

You’ll need to contact Rafflesia Luwak Coffee to book a tasting.

They also run Minangkabau cooking classes for dishes like beef rendang and chicken curry. 

11. Visit Market Aur Kuning

If you want to experience a traditional Indonesian market, Market Aur Kuning is my favourite place in Bukittinggi.

The market runs during the morning and into the early afternoon, and it is teeming with Sumatran and Minangkabau street food, snacks, nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, meat… almost everything you could imagine.

I came across the market by chance because it was part of my route between my hostel and the bus station.

My friend and I were visiting Sumatra during Ramadan and had found it hard to find lunch, so we were thrilled to come across so much food during the daytime.

Later, I discovered that Market Aur Kuning is considered to be one of the best traditional markets in west Sumatra.

It’s incredibly popular with locals, many of whom are interested to see foreigners and to introduce you to their traditional snacks.

Make sure you have an empty stomach when you arrive.

12. Go for coffee at Tabiang Takuruang (Cooped Cliff)

Tabiang Takuruang is another underrated spot – Bukittinggi is full of them.

Located past rice paddies, the area of Tabiang Takuruang (‘Cooped Cliff’) consists of a handful of small coffee shops and restaurants set in a river valley with towering rock cliff and incredible views of Mount Singgalang. 

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There are a few small trails around the valley but the main attractions are the peaceful coffee shops and the views.

Things to Do in Bukittinggi: The Best Tours in Bukittinggi

Tours from Bukittinggi can be arranged through a local guide or by booking a tour online. 

There are plenty of enterprising, independent guides in Bukittinggi, who will approach you in the street or around tourist destinations to ask if you need a guide.

I was approached by a man on a scooter near Sianok Canyon, who produced a book full of handwritten reviews in English, German, Dutch and other languages.

It was by far the best marketing tactic I saw in Sumatra, and if I hadn’t been leaving the next day, I would have taken him up on his offer.

You can find local tour guides by asking at your accommodation or even by looking on Instagram.

I’ve listed some of the best online tours for Bukittinggi and west Sumatra below:

• Three-day minangkabau photography trip: includes the pacu jawi (bull race).
• Four-day west Sumatra cultural tour: includes Padang, Padang Panjang, Bukittinggi, Payakumbuh with cultural dances, songket weaving, bamboo rafting, and trekking.

Things to Do in Bukittinggi: The Best Day Trips from Bukittinggi

1. Maninjau Lake and Puncak Lawang

Maninjau Lake is a crater lake approximately two hours from Bukittinggi by bus, scooter, or car and accessible by 44 hairpin bend turns.

The lake is surrounded by peaceful fishing villages and paddy fields. It is a beautiful place to witness the slow, simple, rural life in west Sumatra. The lake is also small enough that you can cycle around it in one day; the route is around 50 kilometres long.

There is also a viewpoint over Lake Maninjau called Puncak Lawang.

2. Harau Valley

Harau Valley is only an hour or two from Bukittinggi by bus or car. Often likened to Yosemite and Switzerland, the valley has some incredible hikes, but only if you know how to find them. There are also countless waterfalls and rock climbing destinations.

3. Visit Pagaruyung Palace

Pagaruyung Palace is under two hours’ drive from Bukittinggi. It is one of the pricier day trips from Bukittinggi because the palace is far by road. However, it will be worth it if you want to see one of the largest and most impressive examples of the Minangkabau Rumah Gadang architectural style in west Sumatra.

The palace was once the seat of the Pagaruyung Kingdom, and was most likely a combination of a home and a ceremonial palace.

At three stories high, it is one of the most dramatic pieces of architecture in the area, with huge, multi-layered gables and dramatically-curving roofs.

4. Sikabu Rice Terraces 

Framed by Mount Sago, the Sikabu rice terraces are one of my personal favourite places in Sumatra. At the moment, they’re only well-known among regional tourists from Indonesia, so there’s only one glamping site and a couple of coffee shops.

I expect the area to grow rapidly over the next few years as an internatinoal tourist destination.

The tiers of rice terraces are occupied by water buffalos and a few farmers using old-fashioned equipment to harvest the crops.

5. Padang Panjang

If you don’t have the time to visit Pagaruyung Palace, Padang Panjang is home to the Minangkabau Culture Documentation and Information Centre, a slightly smaller but just as pristine example of traditional Minangkabau architecture.

The museum has a number of exhibits on west Sumatran history, including the history of the railway, traditional music, and many old newspaper clippings from the area. Since all of the information displayed is in Indonesian, you’ll need to make use of the photo feature on Google Translate app to translate what you can see.

Tips for visiting Bukittinggi

1. Be respectful of the Muslim and Minangkabau traditions

Bukittinggi is a strict Muslim city. The wide majority of women in Bukittinggi wear a hijab and cover themselves from ankle to neck.

According to the Minangkabau tradition and Islam, the city also banned Valentine’s Day and New Year because they believe that the celebrations encourage young and in-love couples to hug or kiss.

Therefore, when visiting, you should:

• Dress modestly. Women should cover their knees, shoulders, and chest and men should wear long shorts or trousers and dress modestly.
• Avoid public displays of affection.
• Before you stay in a local hostel or hotel, read the terms and conditions carefully. Unmarried couples of the same gender are not permitted to stay in the same room.

You can visit my guide to what to wear in Sumatra for more information on how to dress respectfully in Sumatra.

2. Use Grab and other e-hailing apps to get around

Bukittinggi is a large city and the tourist sites are distant from each other.

Instead of relying upon taxis, make use of Grab and other e-hailing apps to call a car or scooter taxi using WiFi or 4G. They are typically far cheaper than using a street taxi.

3. Use local guides

Bukittinggi is truly one of those places which keeps on giving. Tourism has barely touched the city, so locals will be able to show you the best spots.

The best way to find a guide you trust is through your accommodation, but if you go through someone you meet in Bukittinggi, ask for their previous reviews (handwritten is fine) and be sure you trust them. I met many wonderful local people in Bukittinggi.

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