Village Life
New
Minangkabau, West Sumatra
Nagari Tuo Pariangan and the Pagaruyung Palace
2 daysMax. 10
FromIDR 1,650,000 / person
All destinations
Destination in West Sumatra
Minangkabau
Highlands of rumah gadang, old nagari, golden songket and rendang.
Photo: Herusutimbul · CC BY-SA 4.0
Tours in Minangkabau
2 tours available
Heritage Cuisine
New
Minangkabau, West Sumatra
Rendang Kitchen and Pandai Sikek Songket
2 daysMax. 8
FromIDR 1,750,000 / person
About Minangkabau
The West Sumatran highlands are the land of the Minangkabau, a matrilineal society in which the rumah gadang belongs to the women and passes from mother to daughter. Its roof, curving up like buffalo horns (gonjong), is instantly recognisable.
On the slopes of Mount Marapi, Nagari Pariangan is believed to be where the Minangkabau ancestors first settled. Near Batusangkar stands the Istano Basa Pagaruyung, a royal palace that burned several times, most recently after a lightning strike in 2007, and was rebuilt as a museum.
Getting there
Fly into Minangkabau International Airport in Padang Pariaman. From there Bukittinggi is about 2–3 hours and Batusangkar (Pagaruyung) about 2.5–3 hours via the Anai Valley. Intercity buses and shared cars run from Padang.