From vibrant culture and magical natural beauty, West Sumatra has many things to offer. One of the top tourist attractions in this province is Bukittingi, a charming city in the highlands known for its quaint colonial architecture, cultural performance, and local cuisine.

While in Bukittinggi, you should also set up some time to explore the wonderful Ngarai Sianok, a majestic canyon with steep cliffs and winding rivers.

Other must-visit destinations are Lake Maninjau, a great crater lake surrounded by verdant hills, and Harau Valley, famous for its towering cliffs, waterfalls, and rice paddies.

If you’re looking for an idyllic seaside life, you can visit the Mentawai Islands, a group of islands off the coast of West Sumatra famous for their world-class surfing, pristine beaches, and unique culture.

The charming city of Bukittinggi offers a range of cultural and natural attractions you can explore during your stay. Known for its cultural performances, you can watch some traditional dance performances here, including the Randai dance, which combines martial arts, music, and storytelling.

Next, you can visit the scenic Ngarai Sianok and marvel at the otherworldly sight of steep cliffs, winding rivers, and stunning landscapes.

Make sure to visit the iconic Jam Gadang as well. This clock tower, located at the center of Bukittinggi, was built by the Dutch and is now a famous landmark and meeting place for locals and tourists alike.

Mentawai Islands is famous for being one of the best spots in the world to surf, so you should definitely try surfing during your visit. Experience thrilling waves at surf spots like Lance's Right, Macaronis, and Telescopes.

If surfing isn’t your thing, don’t worry. You can either go on an island-hopping adventure to explore other nearby islands like Siberut and Sipora, or even go snorkeling or diving, as these islands are blessed with diverse marine life with colorful coral reefs.

Don’t forget to check out the local villages to see their culture up close, including trying out Mentawai’s traditional hand-tapped tattoos.

To get to Lake Maninjau from Padang, you can take a public minibus or hire a private car. The journey takes around 3-4 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions. Private cars can be hired from travel agencies or car rental companies in Padang.

West Sumatra’s cuisine is rich, and flavorful, and is loved by many in Indonesia. Some of the most popular dishes you must not miss out on are rendang, a spicy beef cooked in coconut milk and spices and considered one of the most delicious dish in the world, and sate pang, a skewered beef served with spicy peanut sauce and rice cake.

Other culinary delights include nasi kapau, ayam pop, and dendeng balado.