Mention Indonesia as a tourist destination and most people would think of Bali. In fact, there are other attractions that are as worthy a mention as Bali. A little known gem is Bukittinggi, a small town on the island of Sumatra.
Located two hours from Padang by road, Bukittinggi is situated in the Minangkabau highlands. Because of its elevated position, it offers a cool respite for tourists during the summer months. With the frequent Tsunami scares, it is also a safe haven for some residents from Padang.
Avid climbers would be interested in nearby Mount Singgalang and Mount Merapi. Additional sights worth visiting are the Sianok Canyon and Japanese caves. Bukittinggi is also one of the few places on Earth where you can view the world’s biggest flower – Rafflesia.
