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Five sites to visit on your trip to Medan
KompasTravel has put together a list of five tourist attractions you don't want to miss when you finally get down to visiting Medan, the capital of North Sumatra.
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Maimun Palace in Medan was built during the rule of Sultan Deli Makmun Al Rasyid in 1888. (Shutterstock/Juan Herbert Girsan)
M
edan, the capital of North Sumatra, is one of the biggest cities in Indonesia and known for its wide variety of food. The city also offers unique tourist spots, as seen a list compiled by KompasTravel.
1. Maimun Palace
Built by an Italian architect during the rule of Sultan Deli Makmun Al Rasyid in 1888, the two-story palace is an icon of Medan. Situated on Jl. Brigjen Katamso, the palace spans 2,772 square meters and includes 30 rooms.
The interior design is an appealing blend of Malay, Persian, Indian and Italian cultural elements. Visitors are allowed to take pictures around the palace, as well as taking the time to look at elements of Dutch legacy and Sultan Deli’s family pictures.
2. Tjong A Fie Mansion
A heritage building once home to the Tjong A Fie, the first millionaire in Sumatra, its architecture is a blend of Chinese, Malay and art deco style.
Located on Jl. Ahmad Yani, the mansion was built in 1895 on an area of 8,000 square meters and houses dozens of rooms. Adhering to feng shui principles, the rooms are on four sides of the building and surround a big open-air courtyard.
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3. Asam Kumbang Crocodile Park
Located in the village of Asam Kumabang around 5 kilometers from Medan, the park is home to more than 2,000 saltwater crocodiles. It is recognized as the biggest reptile park in Indonesia. Visitors are allowed to feed the crocodiles as well as take pictures with them.
4. Merdeka Walk
Merdeka Walk is open daily from 11 a.m. till midnight. Initiated by the Medan administration in 2005, it is the city’s culinary center on an area of 6,600 square meters near the Merdeka Field.
Food stands are neatly arranged surrounding the eating area, with around 700 seats available. Enjoy the trademark dishes of Medan, such as durian pancake or nasi lemak (rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaf), while listening to live music.
5. Battle Museum
At the Battle Museum on Jl. Zainul Arifin, visitors can find historic artefacts of military and civilian life in North Sumatra. They include guns, medical supplies and uniforms worn in the 1958 war of Indonesia against a separatist movement. (wng)
