Where?
90Km to the North East of Padang, located in a basin surrounded by hills, is the little town of Sawahlunto.
Why Visit?
Sawahlunto is special. It is a place that tourists don’t really know about, and certainly rarely venture to. The residents of Sawahlunto are very proud of their small town, and with good reason; there are a number of activities and points of interest, from regular cultural performances to horse racing. Most things are within easy walking distance, and the locals are more than willing to help you make the most of your time here. The perfect place to spend an evening, too, Sawahlunto’s streets are complete with a cinema and a number of cafe’s open until late.
How to get there?
From Padang, public transport is available at Indah Rung and takes about 2 hours to get to Sawahlunto. Alternatively, the town can be reached in about an hour from Solok or Batusangkar.
Where to stay?
If people don’t know about Sawahlunto, they certainly have never heard of Rantih. But, it is where we recommend you choose to stay. Nestled quietly in the hills surrounding Sawahlunto, you won’t find a warmer welcome than from our friends here. Rock climbing, traditional boating, fishing, a beautiful waterfall and camping are all available. The villagers have also worked incredibly hard to build a number of wooden tree houses for guests to stay, and also offer a number of home stay options.
Where next?
Sijunjung, formerly known as Sawahlunto Sijunjung, is situated just 1 hour to the East of Sawahlunto and provides numerous activities and opportunity for adventure.
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…
