Medan – study trips and round trips
Visit Medan as part of a round trip! Medan is the capital of the Indonesian province of Sumatra Utara (North Sumatra). the city is, with a little over three million inhabitants, the third largest city in Indonesia. A total of over six million people live in the Medan metropolitan region with the adjacent Belawan seaport. The Orangutan Rehabilitation Center in Bohorok, on the edge of the Gunung Leuser National Park, is only an hour’s drive from the city. Do not miss the main attractions of Medan, such as the airport, the Great Mosque or the Central Business District. Explore Medan on an unforgettable study trip!
Medan – the fascinating gateway to North Sumatra
Medan is the most populous city in Sumatra and the capital of Sumatra Utara Province in Indonesia, Southeast Asia. Almost every ethnic group in the country is represented in the city without any particular ethnic group being dominant. For travelers, Medan is the first port of call when visiting Sumatra. In addition to its function as a gateway to the region, the city also functions as a commercial and economic center. It is the third largest city in Indonesia. Medan is a modern metropolis and like other Asian cities it can be very busy and have heavy traffic.
Experience the history of the region
The Museum of North Sumatra is the best museum in the city and a must-see for anyone who wants to learn about the history and culture of the province while traveling. The museum tells the story of the different periods of North Sumatra, from the Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim epochs to the Dutch colonial times. There are also collections devoted to ancient weapons, textiles, agricultural implements, and sculptures, and some amazing wooden coffins carved in the shape of dragons. The museum is a great introduction to the history of Medan and the region.
Strong influence of different cultures
The influence of the Dutch and many other cultures represented in Medan can be clearly seen in many of Medan’s sights and architectural landmarks. One example is the Maimoon Palace, which was built by the Sultan of Deli in 1888. This is a 30-room building that was built with Malay, Mughal and Italian influences. Of the 30 rooms, only the main room is open to the public. Here visitors will find the opulent throne of the inauguration. The rear wing of the palace is inhabited by members of the current sultan’s family. Another famous attraction in Medan is Villa Tjong A Fie. The landmark is named after the Sino-Indonesian merchant who lived there. Like Maimoon Palace, the most remarkable thing about the villa is its architecture, a fusion of Victorian and Chinese styles. The Bukit Barisan Military Museum is also worth seeing.
Impressive temples and mosques
Due to the cultural diversity of the city, a large number of different religions are represented in Medan. Here you get a good overview of the construction of the various places of worship and religious traditions, which makes Medan ideal for study trips. Mesjid Raya Al Mashun, or simply Mesjid Raya as it is often called, is the main mosque of Medan and is considered to be one of the most beautiful. It was built from imported building materials such as Italian marble. Particularly noteworthy are the pretty stained glass and the emerald green tiles. The mosque is covered with dark, elegant domes. Non-Muslims are welcome to visit the mosque outside of prayer times. The Shri Mariamman Templeis the oldest Hindu temple in Medan. This temple near the river in Kampung Madras, also called Little India, was built in 1884 for the worship of the goddess Mariamman and is also dedicated to the Hindu gods Ganesha and Murugan, the children of Mariamman. The gate is decorated with gopuram, a gate tower that is usually located at the gate of Hindu temples in southern India. The temple is a meeting place for devotees during the Thaipusam and Deevapali festivals.
