North Sumatra
North Sumatra is one of the richest province in Indonesia because of its flora and fauna. The land of North Sumatra has thick virgin forests, lush vegetation, rice fields, mountain streams, rivers, water falls and white sandy beaches. Many kind of fauna can be found in North Sumatra such as birds, butterflies, reptiles, buffaloes, Sumatra tigers, deer, orangutan and others animal species. North Sumatra also well known for its beautiful tropical panoramas, terraced rice fields, blue mountains, jungle covered hills, white sandy beaches, music, dance and folk arts. North Sumatra inhabited by some major tribes such as Malays, Bataks (Simalungun, Pak-Pak Dairi, Karonese, Mandailing, Angkolas), Nias Tribe, and several ethnic groups who live in Medan and other towns of North Sumatra. The largest groups are Chinese, Indian and other Indonesian tribe like Acehnese, Minangkabau, Javanese etc. The capital city of North Sumatra is Medan. Medan has one International habour called Belawan and one International Airport called Polonia Medan. Places of interest in North Sumatra : Crocodile farm is the largest one in Indonesia. You can see crocodile eggs are hatched here and then reared somewhere else. This farm is located at Asam Kumbang around 5 km from the heart of Medan city and has over than 2.000 crocodile of the different kinds. Bohorok is the place for the adventurous who wants to see the orangutans. Bohorok area lies south of the mount Leuser National park, a rehabilitation center for orangutans, which was inaugurated in 1973. Orangutans living here are Sumatra and Kalimantan origin. Last year there is big flood destroyed Bohorok. Great Bukit Barisan Forest park located around 59km from Medan exactly at Tongkah village in district of Karo highlands. Berastagi is a tourist town located in karo highlands. Berastagi is around 66km southwest of Medan and well knowned for its kinds of flowers, vegetables and fruits. Many hotels can be found here with its clear view of Mt. Sibayak and Mt. Sinabung from Gundaling hill. Lingga Village is around 15km from Berastagi is one of unique Batak karo village where traditional houses are still well-preserves and inhabited today. Five to six families live in each house, un separated by any partition and each family have their own stoves. Sipiso-Piso waterfalls and Tongging is the best view of waterfall surrounded by beautiful sights in cool mountain air, around 24 km from Kabanjahe in the North side of Lake Toba. Rumah Bolon is the long house that belong to king Simalungun and has been restored and redesigned into a museum. Lake Toba - Parapat. Size of Lake Toba around 50 miles long and 16 miles a cross and depth 1.400 feet. On the shore of Lake Toba is Parapat town as the main tourist resort. Parapat is around 176 km from Medan and can be reached in 4 hours drive by car. many hotels available in Parapat for resting or holidays. Samosir Island is the island in the middle of Lake Toba, covering an area of 329 square miles. Samosir island can be reached in half an hour by boat from Parapat. Samosir island is the original home of Toba Batak tribe. There are 4 villages are recommended to be visited : Tomok, Tuk-Tuk, Siallagan, and Ambarita because of its houses and local traditional dances. Janggala is one of the native Batak village, located in the hills. At Jenggala village there are king Tambun and King Manurung Monuments, traditional Batak houses, cultural and other historical remains left by Batak kings centuries ago. Pematang Siantar is the second largest city, 128 km to the south of Medan and rich with rubber, cocoa, palm oil, tobacco and tea plantations. Nias island lies off west Sumatra in the Indian ocean. Nias island well known because of performance of traditional war-dances and thrilling high-jump sports.
West Sumatra.
West Sumatra province is like a nature reserve lies between volcanoes, green jungle, beautiful canyon, lakes and many waterfall can be found here. Padang is the capital city of West Sumatra. West Sumatra is homeland of Minangkabau tribe, one of Indonesia's most interesting and influential ethnic groups. The other major city in West Sumatra is Payakumbuh, Padangpanjang, Sawah Lunto, Solok and Bukittinggi where the famous one for its beautiful panorama and Colonial era heritage. Bukittinggi is one of the famous tourist resort and also the center of Minangkabau culture in West Sumatra. Bukittinggi now become the busy town, and the town sometimes refer to as Kota Jam Gadang as the land mark of Bukittinggi town. Many hotels and tourist object can be found here. West Sumatra has one international airport called Tabing airport.