Bukittingi (Sumatra) > Reviews (4)

Bukit Tinggi is a town in west Sumatra. How toreach this tourism-spot? Supposing you are really anxious to know the practical way to have a practical, economical and optimized traveling in Sumatra, you can read my opinion on “General Sumatra”.

Verbally Bukit means mountain and Tinggi means High; hence this phrase means “high mountain”. There is a mount called Gunung Marapi (freely translated, this phrase means “the mount that has fire”) that can be viewed in Bukit Tinggi. Don’t worry to hear this, because the volcano is not active anymore.

The air is fresh and cool as it is mountainous and there are many trees growing. This place is suitable for everyone who loves sightseeing, making photos and for health. What can be enjoyed in Bukit Tinggi? Firstly, the most recommended place is the zoo. Most animals living in Asia can be found. Some traditional arts are shown in the zoo, too.

Then there are some other tourism-spots. We can reach each location just on foot. It means there are various kinds of scenery can be enjoyed.

One of them is called Gua Jepang (Gua means Cave and Jepang means Japanese). This cave was the Japanese place to keep their ammunition while they were occupying Indonesia. The cave is quite long. Some old people say that it was the Japanese’s central secret place to keep the ammunition, and even it was the biggest of theirs in Asia. The most surprising one, it was also “the killing field” of Japanese. They jailed the people who had been forced to work for them (such as building their castles) in this place. They did not give any food to these poor people, and surely they died miserably. The jails are still available to been seen. What a cruel war! This is the real witness of war.

The tribe living in Bukit Tinggi is called Minang Kabau (as the folk-tale says that the existence of the civilization caused by their winning in buffalo-fight; Minang means to win and Kabau means Buffalo). Actually not only the people living in this town, Bukit Tinggi are called originated as Minang Kabau tribe, but most of people living in West Sumatra are called Minang Kabau. Their language is almost the same as Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian).

Tourists still have the chance to see their original buildings. They are well known as tight in holding their tradition. By the way, most of the people’s religion is Islam. They are friendly, and that is why tourists are still interested in visiting here all along the year.

This town is well managed for tourism. Foreigners who do not eat rice can easily find the cafés that serve them with local price. Don’t be afraid of being hungered!

Okay, that’s all that I can tell you friends. I hope you can enjoy this journey and imagine as if you were in Bukit Tinggi. I welcome your comments for the coming revision (if needed).