North Sumatra Peoples can be divided into five main ethnic groups and languages: The caastal Malays, living along the Malaka Straits, the Bataks, consisiting of the sub-tribes around Lake Toba and Samosir Island, are Karo, Toba, Dairi, Simalungun, the Angkola or Mandailing of the southern Tapanuli, and Nias Islanders off the western coast of the province. These groups each have their own dialects, religious beliefs, arts, custom and cultures. Several ethnic groups live in Medan and other towns of North Sumatra, the largest of these being Chinese and Indian.
Place of Interst
Crocodile Farm at Asam Kumbang is 10 km from the heart of the city, with nearly 2.000 crocodiles of different sizes and species. It is open from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.
Tangkahan's combination of vegetation and topography makes it a marvelous tourist spot rarely found elsewhere. The Batang Serangan and Buluh rivers, converging exactly in this zone, are typical of rainforest streams, with diverse varieties of vegetation and colorful rocks and Sumatranelephants on their banks. The clear, bluish green river water against the panoramic view creates a mystical atmosphere. Fly to Medan the capital of North Sumatra Province and proceed with cars or public transport from Pinang Baris Bus Terminal in Medan to Tangkahan, located tree hours from the province's capital. The best season to visit is June to October every year.
Sipiso-piso Waterfall si located on the north side Lake Toba, 24 Km from Kabanjahe, the 120 m waterfall is visible from gazebo near the food and souvenir stands.
Brastagi is a lovely tourist town in the karo highlands, 70 km on the way from Medan to Lake Toba. Brastagi is famous for its flowers, vegetables and fruit, most famous of which is the "marquisa" passion fruit. The local market are swarming with activity and scanes from traditional karo life. Days is extremelypleasant and night can be quite cool. Gundaling Hills provides a clear view of Mt. Sinabung volcanoes, there is pleasant colonial-style hotel with golf course.
Lake Toba-Parapat is the largest lake in Southeast Asia with a surface area about 1.145 sq. kilometers, and the deepest lake in the world, over 450 meters deep. The town of Parapat is the main tourist resort and lies on the shores of the lake. The Batak Toba and Batak Simalungun peoples of Parapat are happy, easygoing people, known for their lively and sentimental love songs. In Parapat, there area facilities for swimming, water skiing, motor boating, canoeing, fishing and golf. The climate is cool and dry, and ideal place to relax. There is a plethora of hotels, bungalows, villas and guesthouses. Parapat is 176 km from Medan and can be reached in 4 hours by bus. See more about Lake Toba in Post The Oldest Civilization at Lake Toba
Jangga Village is located an the edge of Simanuk-manuk Mountain, 24 km from Parapat, it is famous of its weaving the beautiful "ulos" cloth. There are monuments of King Tambun and King Manurung, rows of traditional houses.
Samosir Island situated at the middle of Lake TOba, is accesible by regular ferries from Parapat. The original home of the fierce TOba Bataks, the island has many sites of ston tombs and traditional villages. The villages of Tomok, Tuk-tuk, Siallagan and Ambarita are boteworthy. Transportation can be arranged through your Hotel or rent a motorcycle for day's adventure on the island. Accomodation of various styles and standards are readily available.
Nias Island lies only 125 Km of Sumatra's west coast. Passed by the Indian, Islamic and European influances which swept through most of the archipelago, the people of Nias have lived for centuries in virtual isolation from the outside world. Now Nias is a host to the Indonesian Open surfing Championship. Despite a growing infrastructure and tourist industry, the traditional culture of Nias has remained quite intact. Villages are laid around a central plaza and are still part of daily life. There are daily flights serving Medan and Nias Island.
Lingga Village is 15 km from Brastagi, a traditional Karo village and still preserved and inhabited today.
Bukit Lawang is about 3 hours by car from Medan. Its main attraction are the Orang Utan rehabilitation center, crossing the Bahorok river and climbing steep, jungle-clad hills it is located at the South of the Mount Leuser National Park.
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