indonesiatravelonline.com

The Regency of Pesisir Selatan, whose capital is Painan, is located about 77 kilometers south of Padang. Among its many temptations are tropical

offers numerous opportunities for exploring the stunning landscapes of West Sumatra. Of particular interest is a visit to Cubadak Island. Located offshore, a half-hour boat ride from the mainland village of Tarusan, the island is blanketed in rain forest, while its warm surrounding waters are bursting with colorful coral reefs. A unique bridge made entirely of the roots of a beringin tree can be found in the nearby subdistrict of Bayang. Those interested in little more than lazing about on a palm-fringed, white-sand beach will find that Carocok Beach, five kilometers south of the town of Painan, is just what the doctor ordered.

The town of Pariaman, hub of the Padang Pariaman Regency, is located an hour north ofthe city of Padang. Traditional bendi, the clip clopping horse carts favored by Minangkabau residents as opposed to noisy pedicabs, ply the town's pleasant streets. Pariaman Regency is home to a number of important Minangkabau festivals, including the Tabuik Feast, held during the first ten days of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calender, The climax of the festival occurs during its ninth day, when an immense bouraq (an ornately constructed horselike symbolic animal) is dramatically tossed into the Indian Ocean, Anai Resort, an hour from Pariaman, supports a luxury hotel and an international-class golf course. Designed by the golf-course architectural team of Thomson, Wolveridge, and Perret, the challenging course is surrounded by a lush, jungle landscape.

The Regency of Mentawai Islands has Tua Pejet Sipora as its capital, located about 135 kilometers from Padang and can be accessed by sea in about six to 10 hours. Lovers of adventure won't be disappointed by a trip to the regency of the Mentawai Islands, a small archipelago off the coast of West Sumatra consisting of the islands of Siberut, Sipora, Pagai Utara and Pagai Selatan. Of these, Siberut Island is perhaps the most remarkable. Its vast nature reserve, Siberut National Park, home to a wide range of native flora and fauna, is one of the most impressive in Indonesia.
The indigenous tribal inhabitants of Siberut Orang Mentawai are welcoming to visitors. Cut off from mainland Minangkabau culture, they developed an animistic; simple way of life deeply connected to the rhythms of nature-an almost Stone Age existence.
Expeditions to visit Siberut Island and its people are ( easy to arrange, either independently or with a tour group. Those interested in making a quick visit to the Mentawai Islands can take an express ferry from Padang on Sunday which stops at all four Mentawai , islands before returning in the evening.

The Pasaman regency, whose capital is Lubuk Sikaping, is located 188 kilometers from Padang. The village of Bonjol in Pasaman Regency marks the Equator's location in West Sumatra.
At the precise sight is an impressive global sculpture. Nearby are the remnants of a bulwark built in the 19th century by Tuanku Imam Bonjol, the rebel leader in the Padri War against the Dutch. Also within this regency is the magnificent Rimbo Panti wildlife reserve, home to black panthers, tigers, tapir, and a wide range of indigenous wildlife.

Mountainous regency located four hours from Padang. White-water rafting enthusiasts will discover that the sport reigns supreme in the regency of Sawahlunto-Sijunjung.
The most impressive of numerous rafting rivers is Kuantan River, which flows from the village of Muara Sijunjung into the neighboring province of Riau. Along this route are a number of exciting rapids that range from level IV to V technical grade. The surrounding jungle landscapes, with campgrounds available for overnight stays, are unforgettably pristine.

A coal mining town situated 95 kilometers from Padang and 30 i10meters from Solok. Once of very importan town the produce very good
quality of coal