The fourth-largest Indonesian city has active markets, including Sungei Lalang floating market, Muslim mosques, Hindu temples, and lies near Lake Toba, Indonesia's largest lake.
Medan, Indonesia's third-largest city, sits at the gateway to North Sumatra. Walk through the halls of the 1900s Tjong A Fie Mansion, admire the octagonal design of Mesjid Raya mosque, or taste spicy rendang at the evening food markets. From here, you can take day trips to see orangutans swinging through the trees at Bukit Lawang or swim in Lake Toba, the world's largest volcanic lake.
Getting to Medan
Kualanamu International Airport connects Medan with major Asian cities and domestic destinations. You can reach the city center by taking the airport train, which makes the 39-kilometer journey in 30 minutes, or by taxi which takes about an hour. The Port of Belawan also receives passenger ships from Penang and Jakarta.
Moving Around the City
You'll find several transport options in Medan, from becaks (motorized rickshaws) to public buses and taxis. Becaks work well for short distances within neighborhoods, but remember to agree on the price before starting your journey. For longer trips across the city, use metered taxis from Blue Bird company. The local minibuses (sudako) run on set routes and cost very little, though you'll need basic Indonesian language skills to navigate them effectively.
Colonial Architecture of Medan
The former City Hall has 4-meter-high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows typical of 1900s Dutch architecture. The Medan Post Office still operates from its original 1900s building, with its distinctive white-columned entrance. The octagonal Tirtanadi Water Tower, from 1908, rises 42 meters above the city streets.
Food Scene
The streets of Medan reflect centuries of Chinese, Indian, Malay, and Batak cooking traditions. At Garuda Restaurant, you'll find rendang (beef slow-cooked in spices) and curry dishes served on banana leaves. Soto Kesawan specializes in chicken soup with coconut milk, ginger, and lemongrass. After sunset, head to Merdeka Walk where food vendors sell grilled fish, spiced noodles, and local desserts.
Religious Buildings
The Mesjid Raya Al Mashun mosque dates to 1906, with Italian marble floors and German-made pillars supporting its main prayer hall. The Annai Velangkanni church rises seven stories high, with red and white towers reminiscent of both Indian temples and Chinese pagodas. At Sri Mariamman Temple, stone craftsmen from Tamil Nadu created intricate carvings of Hindu deities, and daily prayer services continue for the local Tamil community.
Day Trips from Medan
Lake Toba, a 450-meter-deep crater lake, lies 4 hours from the city by car. At Bukit Lawang, 90 kilometers away, you can walk through Gunung Leuser National Park's rainforest trails to spot orangutans in their natural habitat. Mount Sibayak near Berastagi has marked hiking paths to the summit, where you can see active steam vents and soak in natural hot springs.
