Things to see and do Indonesia

Featuring a modern interior design on three levels and showcasing Gorga sculpture, the museum offers a captivating dive into the region's history and culture. The exhibition unveils the treasures of the Batak tribe, TB Silalahi's personal effects, while the Batak Balige museum displays traditional artifacts. Explore TB Silalahi's life, ancestral weapons, and contemplate a miniature Huta Batak (traditional house), followed by an authentic Huta Batak.

Completely distinct from the 500 Lohan temple, the Sun Te Kong stands out for its liveliness, displaying a much richer palette of colors. It features a multitude of statues representing various Hindu and Buddhist deities such as Shiva, Buddha, Hanuman, Krishna, Lakshmi and other bodhisattvas. These monumental sculptures, all painstakingly painted, are set in picturesque gardens surrounded by lush greenery. Although the entrance is open to the public, access to the ritual and prayer area is restricted, except by invitation.

Discover the mangroves on the educational tours offered by this park. The facilities, including a wooden platform at the end of the forest, offer a charming setting. Various lookouts and rest areas dot the route. The active involvement of the local community in the park's management enhances the experience. The site is adorned with beautiful bamboo sculptures. It's one of the best places on the island to connect with nature.

In Kijang, south of Bintan, just a short drive from Tanjung Pinang, visitors can enjoy a unique spectacle featuring 500 life-size statues of Lohan, Buddhist spiritual or religious figures. The show is grandiose: all the statues have been meticulously crafted in China before being shipped off to enrich the heritage of the local Chinese community. It's awe-inspiring to discover that each statue has its own unique expression and meaning.

This immense natural tourism park covers an area of 260 ha, offering total immersion in nature and adapting to all ages with its different zones and quality activities. It represents a veritable sanctuary for Riau's endemic flora and fauna, showcasing specimens such as the pelawan tree. The park offers an educational experience thanks to its hiking trails, ecopark and restaurant. It also features a variety of animals, including peacocks, deer, rabbits, macaws and koi.

Explore a replica of the Great Wall of China to reach a charming goldsmith's village. You'll need to climb about 330 steps. Opt for a half-day visit. Koto Gadang was the home of notable figures in the struggle for independence. It is also a goldsmith's center renowned for its intricate Minangkabau silver models. The village is also home to a large mosque built in the traditional Minangkabau style.

Nestled in the hills around 800 m above sea level, surrounded by quiet pine forests, Sipiso Piso offers an impressive view at 120 m high. There are many panoramic viewpoints along the way, but the most amazing is to see the waterfall up close. Its tumultuous waters rush forcefully into Lake Toba, creating a breathtaking natural spectacle. Although often referred to as Indonesia's highest waterfall, this distinction actually belongs to the Sigura Gura waterfall, which rises to over 250 m.

Just a few minutes from Tuktuk, Tomok boasts a quay where you can take the ferry to Parapat or explore other picturesque corners of the lake. In Tomok, discover the tomb of King Sidabutar, decorated with atypical traditional Batak sculptures. Charming souvenir stores offer items to take home. Don't miss a visit to the traditional houses of Pertunjukan Tari Sigale Gale and the Batak Museum: lovers of wooden sculptures and masks will be delighted, as there are some absolutely remarkable pieces to admire.

This is the third Bali Monkey Forest after Sangeh and Ubud, but it is not authentic and often full of tourists. The guides can be insistent. The monkeys are, however, calm and get closer.