Where?
Padang Panjang is situated along the main road between Padang and Bukittinggi.
Why Visit?
Most visitors to West Sumatra will travel to Bukittinggi from Padang at least once during their visit. Many don’t realize that there are plenty of points of interest to stop and take in along the way, many of which are in the Padang Panjang area. See traditional sonket weaving in Pandai Sikek, take a refreshing break at the Lembah Anai waterfall or stop off in the town itself to find out about (and potentially stumble upon) the regular gigs organized by the Performing Arts University students.
Fun fact; Padang Panjang is the only town in Indonesia where cigarette advertisements are banned from public places. In all public areas and on public transport, smoking is banned – a welcome breath of fresh air from the usual smoke filled surroundings of Sumatra!
How to get there?
Padang Panjang is just over halfway between Padang and Bukittinggi, taking around an hour to reach from either.
Where to get more information?
I hope you’ve found this article helpful. Use the search bar at the top of the page to find our articles on a specific place, or alternatively peruse the rest of the site to find out about some of the other great destinations in West Sumatra. If you have any questions, leave a comment below, or send us an e-mail at westsumatratraveler@gmail.com – we look forward to hearing from you!
Jen is an English girl who found herself in Sumatra one day and never went back. A wife, mother, traveler and book worm, she has lived in Padang long enough to speak the language and unearth plenty of useful hints and tips for the weary traveler…
