You may not know that today is China’s Navigation Day, but you must have heard the story of Zheng He’s voyages to the Western Ocean. To commemorate the navigator Zheng He’s seven voyages to the Western Ocean, the Chinese government has decided to designate July 11 as the Navigation Day every year.
Note that the “Western Ocean” is not the Atlantic Ocean today, but the Indian Ocean waters full of tropical flavors. Today, I will take you close to the Indonesian island of Sumatra, which Zheng He’s fleet has visited many times, and unlock the colorfulness of this great adventure destination in one stop!
Sumatra
Sumatra’s colorful land is inhabited by all kinds of residents, from pious Muslims in Aceh to hedonistic Batak Christians around Lake dopa, and then to the matriarchal clan minangabao in Padang. Various cultures are fused into a pot of spicy soup. What unites them is awe, respect and love for the wild and magical Sumatra island.
North Sumatra stretches from the Indian Ocean to the Strait of Malacca, from coast to coast, the scenery is colorful and not unique. The undulating landscape varies from scorching plains to cool highlands; religious buildings vary from the metal domes of mosques to the arrow-shaped spires of Christian churches.
Medan- Stop in front of the buildings in Medan to revisit history –
North Sumatra has a well-travelled but well worth a visit, the center of which is the gateway city of Medan. Medan is an important city in Sumatra and the third largest city in Indonesia. It’s a hustle and bustle city packed with cars and tricycles, but in other words, it has a real Indonesian character. So if you can get over the culture shock and spend some time exploring Medan, you’ll find a convenient modern metropolis with a hint of a broken Dutch colony and a few museums worth checking out.
North Sumatra Museum Museum Negeri Privinci Sumatera Utara
Housed in a striking heritage building, the museum is well-presented with exhibits ranging from the early North Sumatra civilization to the Hindu, Buddhist and Islamic periods, to the Dutch colonial and military eras. There are also exhibition areas introducing traditional industries such as fishing and farming.
Highlights of the museum include the exquisite stone and intricately carved wooden dragon coffins of Nias, scrolls used by the Batak to escape disaster, fine textiles and a keris (ornamental dagger) . The museum is just a short distance east of the city center.
Istana Maimoon
In 1888, the Sultan of Delhi built this magnificent palace with 30 rooms. The architectural style of the Sultan Palace was influenced by Malay, Mughal and Italian. Only the main hall is open to the outside world, and there is a luxurious royal throne in the hall. Here you can visit a small exhibition of ceremonial daggers and wear traditional Malay clothing.
Bukit Lawang–Watch orangutans in the jungle-
This charming town is located 96 kilometers northwest of Medan, close to the dense Sumatran jungle, and around the famous orangutan viewing center. However, Bukit Lavan is not only accessible to our red haired cousins. Lying lazily in the hammock, playing in the river and hiking in the jungle, a few days passed quickly. The forest around Bukit Lavan is part of the vast Gunung Leuser National Park, which has the most colorful tropical forest ecosystem in the world.
Orangutan Feeding Centre
The famous orangutan feeding centre in Bukit Lavan was established in 1973 to help primates who were previously kept in captivity or lost their homes due to land reclamation to adapt to wild life. Here, semi independent orangutans are fed twice a day on a feeding platform. Feeding activities give people the opportunity to watch these huge animals closely.
During the decades of operation of the center, 200 orangutans have returned to the jungle. Today, about 16 centrally released orangutans live near Bukit Lavan.
Tips for feeding orangutans
During the orangutan feeding season in Bukit Lavan, no one told tourists that they should keep a safe distance from these animals. As a result, some people who pursue perfect self photography were robbed of their backpacks or mobile phones, and some were even attacked. Don’t forget, these are wild and extremely strong animals. As long as they want to break your head, it’s as simple as knocking open a coconut, so be sure to keep a distance.
Bulashtayi – hike to the smoky summit of the volcano –
After escaping the sea-level heat of Medan, Dutch colonial merchants climbed a towering, lush, cool volcano for a breathtaking view of the verdant undulating landscape. They decided to build a rural retreat, which is now 1,300 meters above sea level. Brastagi (also known as Brastagi).
Weekend Medans and foreign tourists alike arrive in this cool-climate highland town with a sigh of relief. Outside the city are the green fields of the Karo Highlands and two of Sumatra’s most climbable volcanoes: Gunung Sinabung in the west and Gunung Sibayak in the north.
But in the summer of 2015, ash and lava erupted from the Sinabung volcano, and by surprise, thousands of people living on the foothills were forced to evacuate. The Sinabung volcano is closed to hikers indefinitely.
Gunung Sibayak
Sibayak Volcano is 2094 meters above sea level and is one of the most climbable volcanoes in Indonesia. There are three climbs to choose from, depending on your fitness level, and a guide is only mandatory if you choose to go through the jungle route, although it’s a good idea to have a guide if you’re hiking alone. The round-trip hike takes 5 hours, so you should start as early as possible.
Tips for climbing volcanoes
The trails on Shibayak are neither clearly signposted nor well maintained, and it is easy to get lost. During the rainy season, trails can be extremely slippery and even washed away. Be prepared for sudden changes in the weather and bring supplies such as food, drinks, warm clothing, rain gear, and flashlights in case you get stuck outside after dark. People have been killed on Shibayake, so seriously consider hiring a guide.
Lake Toba – Discover the fascinating Batak culture by the lake –
Lake Toba is the largest lake in Southeast Asia with an area of 1,707 square kilometers. In the middle of the huge lake is Pulau Samosir, a wedge-shaped island almost the size of Singapore that was formed by a volcanic eruption between 75,000 and 30,000 years ago. Travelers have been talking about Lake Toba for decades. Surrounded by the volcanic peaks of Sumatra, this vast sea-blue lake is inhabited by the friendly Batak people who believe in Christianity. Intrepid travelers have unveiled this mysterious land, and the village of Tuk Tuk, an island within the lake, remains one of Sumatra’s undisputed highlights. Tuk Tuk is on another peninsula opposite Parapat, and the village has the most concentrated tourist facilities in Samosir.
Cycling and motorcycles
The deserted roads of Samosir are perfect for a motorbike or bike ride. Swimming in the countryside, surrounded by lush volcanoes and beautiful lakes, is the highlight of many visitors’ journeys. Pristine Protestant churches and cemeteries blend traditional Batak architecture with Christian crosses, surrounded by rice fields and friendly villages.
Raging waves of the Indian Ocean swell into Indonesia for one of the most spectacular surfing spots in the world – the desolate island of Nias. This island off the northern coast of Sumatra is so huge and lonely. For decades, surfers have come to challenge the superb waves of Teluk Sorake, which has given this remote island a well-deserved place on the international surf circuit. In addition to the waves, ancient megalithic cultural relics and traditional buildings also attract tourists interested in anthropology.
Over the centuries, residents of Nias Island have built complex villages along cobblestone streets lined with rows of boat-shaped wooden houses. These traditional houses stand firmly on tall wooden stakes and are roofed with steeply sloping thatched roofs.
Traditional houses reflect the geographic diversity of the island. In the northern part of Nias, the houses are independent from each other and are rectangular structures built on piles. The houses in the south are closely linked, with long paved courtyards on either side.
The northernmost region of Sumatra is often associated with earthquakes, tsunamis, civil war and Sharia law. Some intrepid travelers aren’t deterred by Aceh’s reputation. They’re there to explore wildlife-infested jungles, misty mountain peaks and endless stretches of empty beaches, not to mention the colorful, pristine coral below the surface. Traces of the 2004 tsunami are still visible.
Way Island – Swim with Sharks and Turtles at Coral Gardens –
Wei Island is a small tropical island at the top of Sumatra. After trekking through the jungles, volcanoes and lakes of the mainland, it’s time to dive into the calm waters of the Indian Ocean. Wey Island is one of the top diving sites in the Indian Ocean, and most travelers come for diving and snorkeling. Normally, you might see moray eels, lionfish and stingrays. During the plankton season, whale sharks come to feed. Unlike other diving sites, the marine life and underwater landscape here are more colorful than coral reefs.
Banya Islands – Find Your Own Deserted Island Paradise
If you’ve ever dreamed of owning your own tropical island with palm trees, fine white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, the Banya Islands are the perfect place to live out that “Robinson Crusoe” fantasy. best location. The Banya (meaning “many”) archipelago consists of 99 mostly uninhabited islands located about 30 kilometers west of Singir. Not only is it home to some of the best beaches in Sumatra and several excellent surf spots, but also a beautiful underwater forest of colorful corals (where no dynamite fishing used to be), the latter will bring you the best of Sumatra. Great snorkeling experience.
Fertile highlands surround jungle-covered volcanoes, waterfalls pour into deep canyons, and deep, tranquil lakes exude a breath of nature. The rainforest, as always, watches over the steep slopes, while rice, cassava, cinnamon and coffee bring wealth to the local population.
Lake Maningyao – Discover the life center of the Minangkabau along the way
This natural volcanic lake will first appear in your car as your vehicle bumps all the way to the edge of the crater and begins to speed toward the first of the 44 U-turns that lead to the lakeshore. The sight is breathtakingly beautiful. Swimming and rafting in the lake (which has underground hot springs) remain the most touristy activities on Lake Maninggio, but there are many other options. Hidden waterfalls and traditional villages in the crater’s lush rainforest, it’s a hiker’s dream.
If you drive by yourself, you can choose the quiet roads that the locals often travel. This winding road through the Senok Gorge is picturesque, passing quiet villages and lingering in densely forested bends. The road will be directly connected to the main road leading to Maninggio Lake, and every turn may encounter invincible scenery!
Greenwich Sebra National Park – encounter tigers and pristine lakes
Gringji Sebra National Park is the largest national park in Sumatra, covering 350 kilometers of the Barisan Mountains and protecting an important equatorial rainforest covering an area of 13,791 square kilometers across four provinces. Nearly 40% of the park is located in Jambi. Much of the reserve is dense rainforest and impassable, making the park one of the last major habitats for the endangered Sumatran tiger. In the whole of Sumatra, Greenji Sebra National Park is the area with the highest number and frequency of Sumatran tigers, with 80% of the parks having this kind of tiger sightings. Due to the large elevation differences within the park, the diversity of Glycine’s flora and fauna is unique. It gets significantly colder with higher altitude. Remember to bring warm clothing and rain gear.
Gunung Kerinci
Gunung Kerinci (380 meters) stands at the northernmost end of the park. It is the highest volcano in Southeast Asia and one of the most active volcanoes in Sumatra. On a sunny day, you can see the beautiful scenery of Qishan lake, surrounding valleys and mountains from the top of the mountain. Mountaineering and hiking usually start from the entrance of the National Park, which is 5 kilometers away from kesiktua. It takes two days to complete the mountaineering and camp overnight on the way. The highest campsite is 3400 meters away and usually arrives 6 hours after departure. Botanists and bird watchers from all over the world came here to watch Java Edelweiss, Shi’s eight color thrush, crown partridge and other rare animals and plants. There are pitcher plants, squirrels, geckos and macaques with long tails in the forests at lower altitudes, and groups of black ridged langurs can also be seen.
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