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Medan is a city in North Sumatra with a significant number of tourists as it is the entrance and exit point for stunning neighbouring attractions like Lake Toba and Bukit Lawang. Unfortunately, however, a lot of men and women stay overnight in Medan and leave as soon as possible, imagine that this is just another big city in Indonesia. They could not be more wrong. Medan is for a whole lot of domestic tourists who realize its charms and who also recognize that it has some of the best food in Indonesia.
Folks flock here for the food scene, and whatever your tastes you won’t go hungry in the city. Most of Medan’s top attractions are concentrated on food, and you can register for a food tour, or go alone and explore the sights, scents, and tastes of the city on your own. Also, to the restaurants, stalls, and food courts, Medan is famous for its diversity. That is reflected in the range of attractions which you can experience here including a strong Tamil influence, a large Chinese community, and the indigenous Batak folks who also call Medan home.
Let us explore the best things to do in Medan:
- Tour Tjong A Fie Mansion
Everyone who has been to Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion in Penang in Malaysia may find Tjong A Fie Mansion recognizable. Tjong A Fie was a relative of Cheong Fatt Tze hence the similarities between the two buildings just make sense. The mansion is one of the most fantastic attractions in Medan and is a great spot to see how people would have lived in this town in the 1900s.
You may take a guided tour around the mansion that will take about an hour and hear all about the background with one of the detailed guides. While you walk around, make sure to check out all of the ornate decorations and the garden for which the mansion is famous.
- Get a bowl of soup at Soto Kesawan
Soto Kesawan is among the reasons why people flock to Medan for its food and is one of the most renowned restaurants in town. It is not a restaurant but more a small shop with a couple of tables, but it serves up one of Medan’s most well-known foods known as Soto Medan.
This is a soup which is thickened mixed with coconut milk and has shredded chicken or prawns added to it as well as crispy bean sprouts and potato cakes. The restaurant closes around 4 pm, so make sure that you get here early if you would like to score your bowl of this delicious and soothing soup. It is near Tjong A Fie Mansion. Therefore, it’s a good idea to visit both these attractions at precisely the same time.
- Admire Masjid Raya Al Mashun
Mesjid Raya Al Mashun, or just Mesjid Raya as it is often referred to, is Medan’s main mosque and is well known for being one of its greatest. Mesjid Raya Al Mashun was built using imported building materials like Italian marble, and you can take a tour and check out all the exquisite details here. Some things to watch out for include the stained-glass touches in addition to the emerald green tiles, and the mosque is topped with elegant dark domes. Non-Muslims are welcome to tour the mosque beyond prayer hours, but be sure to dress respectfully.
- Have lunch at Tip Top Restaurant
Conveniently located across the road from Tjong A Fie Mansion, Tip Top Restaurant is something of an institution in Medan and first opened its doors in 1934. Little has changed since that time, and this is a good illustration of the stunning colonial-style architecture that is found all over Medan.
The eatery serves a variety of Indonesian and international food. Also, it has an in-house ice cream parlour in addition to a bakery that turns out delicious cakes. The right reason to come here is to enjoy the period setting and get a taste of how Medan would have appeared years ago.
- Dress up at Istana Maimun
Istana Maimun is the title of the royal palace in Medan which belonged to the Sultanate of Deli. Nowadays parts of the palace are open to the public and have been turned into a museum. These include the throne room, and there are a few displays that describe the history of the royal family and some collections of ancient clothes and other objects of curiosity. One of the large draws here is that for a small charge you can dress up in period garb and take pictures in the throne room, and you can also walk around the lush grounds that encircle the palace.
Ready to start your trip to Medan? Visit Wonderful Indonesia, and don’t miss out on the magic!
