Top Things to Do in the Medan | Must-See Attractions & Experiences

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Places To Visit In Medan

Annai Vellangkanni

Seen from afar, the Annai Vellangkanni church looks nothing like a typical church. The church's architecture has influences of Indian, Mughal, Tibetan, and Chinese and is clearly seen. The pagoda-like structure evokes feelings of looking at a Buddhist temple and is one of the finest examples of religious fusion and exemplifies Medan's religious harmony. Annai Velangkanni is a Christian temple (Our Lady Of Good Health Church) which is ensconced within a beautiful designed Indo-Tamil exterior. This temple, built in 2005, has served as the best testament to the religious diversity present in Medan. It is a must visit for tourists interested in architecture. Read More

Bukit Lawang is a village located about 90 kilometres Northwest of Medan at the capital city of North Sumatra, Indonesia. To be precise, the location of this village is at the entrance of the Gunung Leuser National Park. A gateway to the Sumatran Jungle, Bukit Lawang is famous for spotting semi-wild orangutans quite frequently. The rainforest around the village is known to be a vibrant and diverse tropical forest ecosystem which homes orangutans, leopards, baboons, macaque, and Thomas leaf monkeys. The location of Bukit Lawang is best for travellers who want to immerse in the jungle's green wilderness. It is a little challenging to draw the line between the forest and the village as one can find monkeys running across house roofs and cicadas droning at night. It is the perfect destination for a peaceful and laid back vacation with some sunshine in the morning and heavy rains in the latter part of the day. Read More

Situated amongst the mountains of Sibolangit, Hillpark Sibolangit is the largest theme and amusement park in Sumatra, featuring rides and play areas. Based on a Camelot theme, it is divided into three main zones - Lost City, Toon Town and Heritage. Hillpark Sibolangit is a must-visit attraction in Medan, specially if travelling with kids. The theme parks of Hillpark Sibolangit comprise of various types of rides such as Roller Coasters, Ferris Wheel, Carnival games, and 4D Theatre. Apart from this, shows and dance performances are regularly organized in the amphitheatre area. Read More

Lake Toba, located in Northern Sumatra, is the largest lake created within a volcanic crater. Deemed to be one of the greatest natural wonders of the world, the vast area of the lake surpasses the size of Singapore. Its depth of 450 meters also makes Lake Toba one of the deepest lakes across the globe. The exotic greenery and pristine blue waters of the lake make a mesmerising picture that lures thousands of tourists to the site easily accessible from Medan. Visitors are simply awestruck to find the Samosir Island within the island of Sumatra. That makes it an island within another island! Lake Toba is an ideal place to getaway from the busy city life and cacophony with the cool mountain air providing instant relief from the heat, humidity and dust of the urban localities nearby. The spectacular view of the mountains all around can be relaxing while interacting with the indigenous Batak people can help one understand more about a unique culture and life style. Read More

The Maimoon Palace is one of the last remnants of a glorious dynasty of rulers.The Deli Sultanate ruled Sumatra for what was known as its golden period. This palace is one of the last vestiges of their rule, and it houses the Sultan of Deli, with the throne room accessible to the public. Every Saturday and Sunday, Malay musicians come and play traditional music in the afternoons, and tourists can also dress in the traditional Malay costumes.

Boasting of a variety of local and international brands, the Medan Mall is the go-to shopping destination in Medan city, on the Northeast coast of Sumatra Island. The mega mall has been hosting shoppers since the 1990’s. It can be found in the busy street of Jl. M. T. Haryono which is also home to the city’s Central Market. Although Medan Mall doesn’t have all the luxury facilities of its newer counterparts, it remains an integral part of Medan’s city life. Read More

Situated inside Merdeka Square, the Merdeka Walk is one of the most popular and largest culinary centres in Medan. Surrounded by magnificently built Dutch occupation-era buildings, the open space of Merdeka Walk has been beautifully decorated with lights and dining arrangements under trees. Thus, during the late evening hours, the entire place gets transformed into an ambient and festive place. Inspired by Singapore’s Alfresco Dining, eateries present at Merdeka Walk offers a diverse range of cuisines such as doughnuts, grilled seafood, fast food items, and Malaysian–style noodles. The place also serves some of the traditional delicacies of Medan such as Medan–style Durian Pancake, Medan Soup, Cap Cay or Tom Yam Soup. A popular highlight of Merdeka Walk is the tiny projector screen placed at one end where people can be seen enjoying a movie or a soccer match. Combination of food and soccer in an open–air scenario makes Merdeka Walk a good place to hang out during the trip to Medan. Read More

Built in 1906, the Mesjid Raya is one of the best examples of architecture in Medan and one of the city's most imposing and recognizable sights. The materials used to build the mosque were imported from around the world, and the mosque's worldly architectural style is plainly evident for all to see. The palace used to be a part of the sultanate's palace compound. One of the largest mosques in the city, the Mesjid Raya is a mesmerising hybrid of Middle-Eastern, Moroccan, Indian, and Spanish architecture. The mosque is made with beautifully designed marble, with stained glass windows and an immaculate octagonal design. This is the best for a cultural insight into Medan's history and architecture. Read More

Located in northern Sumatra in Indonesia, Mount Sibayak is a majestic volcano rising to a height of 6870 feet and is one of the easiest climbs amongst the numerous volcanoes of the region. The summit offers excellent views of the town of Berastagi and the neighbouring countryside. These breathtaking views and the trek have been attracting tourists since the first Dutch settlements in the early 1900s. Even though the volcano has remained inactive for the past century, steam vents and seismic activity often take place and can be heard even from a distance. Despite the trek being quite straightforward, people have died during the climb, which makes it vital to either hire a guide or to trek with a group of friends. One would have to take the necessary measure to ensure full safety while undertaking this adventurous journey. Trekkers who set out on this journey also love to spend some time in the small town of Berastagi, the base for the trek. The city is trendy among local day-trippers and is also renowned for its local produce, especially the passion fruit. Read More

Located off the coast of North Sumatra, Pandang Island is a little-known island paradise for those who love exploring the great outdoors. It is just 10 kilometres from neighbouring Salahnama Island and together, the island is known amongst locals as ‘The Brothers’. The appeals of visiting ‘The Brothers’ are the water sports opportunities and the beautiful trekking views that they offer. Pandang Island is not too large – it is around 500 metres (1,600 feet) long and 250 metres (800 feet) wide. It’s almost entirely surrounded by a gorgeous coral reef and is only accessible by boat in certain parts due to the above-water rocks peppering its coasts. There are no inhabitants here or accommodation options to stay the night, just a navy post and a lighthouse. This makes Pandang Island a wonderful place to enjoy a day-trip from Medan and enjoy a little taste of isolation from busy city life. Read More