The Sights and Sounds of Thriving Medan
The Sights and Sounds
of Thriving Medan
An unmissable hub in North Sumatra, Medan covers all angles for a historical and cultural
exploration. Merely a couple of hours travelling through this Indonesian beehive,
this royal city is a captivating destination from every angle in its own right.
WHY THIS TOUR?
One of Indonesia’s largest cities, Medan truly embodies the slogan Wonderful Indonesia. The capital of North Sumatra and a perfect starting point to explore Sumatra, this thriving city boasts lots of cultural and historical landmarks worth your attention.
A multicultural hotspot in its own right, it comes as no surprise that blending flavours and traditions from beyond the Indonesian borders continues to shape Medan as diverse and energetic. For food lovers, linked to its influences near and far, there is little comparison in Indonesia. Seeing how the locals move, live, pray and eat is captured in this half-day tour before venturing out further into unforgettable Sumatra.
TRAIL ITINERARY
09:00 - 13:00
You are welcomed in the morning by your English-speaking guide and designated driver who are eager to show you their “home town” for the coming hours. As you head out into the streets of Medan, the guide will thoroughly tell you the history and good-to-knows related to its Dutch-colonial history as a few protected buildings such as the Old City Hall and the Medan Post and Telegraph Office pass by. These two landmarks are reminders of an era when the Dutch East India Company used Medan as one of the Indonesian hubs for its trading and commerce activities.
Next, you head out to one of the city’s spiritual centres, the Great Mosque Al-Mashum. This religious centre was built in just three years from 1906 to 1909. Its octagonal shape and in terms of architecture, it combines Middle Eastern, Indian and Spanish styles. The mosque was designed by the Dutch architect Van Erp who also designed The Maimoon Palace, and its building materials were used imported from all over the world with the marble from Italy, the stained glass from Germany and China and the chandeliers from France.
Next, the celestial outlines of the Sultanate Palace of Malay Deli are on the agenda. Also known as Maimoon Palace, the now museum combines Malay, Islamic and Indian architecture while the interior has Spanish and Italian influences. Many tourists visit this Medan landmark to marvel at the grandness of the edifice – which is still the home to members of the Sultan family – to learn about its history and to see the lavish inauguration throne. Traditional gamelan music is played here at certain times of the day.
The half-day ends with exploring the antiques along Kesawan Street, situated near the Maimoon Palace and admire the wildlife at Medan’s Asam Kumbang Crocodile Park before returning to your Medan accommodation.
