Holiday in Padang

What makes Padang special as a destination?

Padang is the capital of the West Sumatra province and the home of the famous Padang cuisine — the spiciest and most diverse regional food in Indonesia. The coastal city on the Indian Ocean is the cultural center of the Minangkabau, the largest matrilineal people in the world, where property and name are inherited through the maternal line. The traditional Minangkabau architecture with its curved buffalo horn roofs (Rumah Gadang) shapes the region. The Adityawarman Museum in the city center is housed in a Rumah Gadang and showcases the fascinating matrilineal culture of the Minangkabau. Padang's coast offers the dramatic Air Manis Beach with the legend of Malin Kundang (the boy who turned to stone) and views of several offshore islands. The Mentawai Islands — accessible by ferry — are among the best surf spots in the world with perfect waves and untouched rainforests. The Harau Valley — 2 hours north — is a stunning gorge with 100-meter-high vertical rock walls, rice fields, waterfalls, and traditional villages. The Bukittinggi plateau with the Ngarai Sianok Canyon offers a cool climate and spectacular views.