Indonesia - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 213

kind in Indonesia. In recent decades, the
shrinking Indian population has been
offset by an increasing number of Chinese,
whose presence is made known by the
nearby Vihara Gunung Timur (Temple of
the Eastern Mountain; daily 7am-5pm;
donation), the largest Taoist temple in
Sumatra. Its multitude of dragons, wizards,
warriors and lotus petals are tucked away at
the west end of Jalan Hang Tuah, about
800m south of Sri Mariamman.

minivan “Koperasi” (Rp7000). Another important transit
point is Padang Bulan, a lay-in by the southwestern corner
of the city, from where minibuses from several companies
(Sinabung Jaya, Sutra and Karsima) depart for Berastagi.
Padang Bulan is linked to the city centre by angkot #41 from
the Mesjid Raya area (either Jl RH Juanda or Jl SM Raja).
Bypassing the bus terminals are tourist cars such as those
operated by Tobali (Jl SM Raja 79C; T 061 732 4471) or
easily arranged by most hotels.
Destinations Banda Aceh (every 40min 6.45am-
midnight; 12hr); Berastagi (every 20min 7am-10pm;
2hr); Bukit Lawang (every 20min 7am-5pm; 3hr);
Bukittinggi (hourly; 18hr); Jakarta (hourly; 48hr);
Kutacane (12 daily; 8hr); Padang (hourly; 20hr); Parapat
(hourly, last at 6pm; 3hr); Sibolga (daily; 12hr).

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
By plane Medan's Kuala Namu International Airport, the
second largest in the country, opened in July 2013 about
30km east of the city. The airport is linked with the city by
rail and bus. By rail, the trip is quicker but pricier (10 daily
in each direction, last departure from the airport 12.15am,
last departure from Medan 10pm; 40min; Rp80,000), and
becaks connect Medan's train station to the Mesjid Raya
area (Rp15,000). Buses connect the airport to several
spots in the city: departing roughly every 15min (daily
5am-11pm), DAMRI buses connect Amplas Terminal (1hr;
Rp10,000) and the Plaza Medan Fair (1hr-1hr 30min;
Rp15,000), from where you may alight at the junction of
Jl SM Raja (for Mesjid Raya). Orange ALS buses link Binjai,
about 30km west of Medan, dropping off passengers
along the way at Padang Bulan (for Berastagi; 1hr; 30min;
Rp20,000), and near Pinang Baris Terminal. Recommended
taxis are Blue Bird and Express, charging around Rp140,000
for the trip between the airport and city centre.
Destinations

INFORMATION
Tourist o ce Medan's North Sumatra tourist o ce is at
Jl Brig Jend A Yani 107 (Mon-Fri 8am-4pm; T 061 452
8436), just 400m south of Lapangan Merdeka near the
Tip Top Kafé , though it offers little more than maps and
pamphlets.
Tours Worthwhile historical tours of Medan are offered by Tri
Jaya Tour & Travel ( T 061 703 2967, W trijaya-travel.com). 4

GETTING AROUND
Angkots (minivans) The mainstay of the city transport
network; they are numbered, and many have names too. The
main angkot station is at Sambu, west of the Olympia Plaza,
though the Medan Mall stop is more useful for travellers.
Motorized becaks Another convenient way of getting
around the city centre. A ride from the Mesjid Raya to the
city centre will cost approximately Rp10,000.

Banda Aceh (5 daily; 55min); Jakarta (37
daily; 2hr 20min); Kuala Lumpur (12 daily; 1hr); Padang
(3 daily; 1hr 10min); Penang (15 daily; 45min); Singapore
(8 daily; 1hr 25min).
By bus Medan has two main bus stations. The sprawling
Amplas station, 5km southeast of the city centre, serves
buses for all points south, including Bukittinggi and Danau
Toba. DAMRI buses (Rp5000) run from Amplas terminal to
Medan Mall on Jl Letjen MT Haryono, and white MRX buses
(Rp4000) run from Amplas to Mesjid Raya via Jl Pemuda
and Deli Plaza. To reach Amplas, take angkot “Soedarko” #3
or #4 heading south along Jl Palangka Raya or the DAMRI
bus from Medan Mall. The Pinang Baris bus station, 10km
west of the city centre, serves buses for destinations to the
north or west of the city, including Bukit Lawang, Berastagi
and Aceh. Yellow minivan #64 travelling north past the
Maimoon Palace up Jl Permuda shuttles back and forth
from Pinang Baris (Rp5000), as do DAMRI buses from
Medan Mall. For Aceh buses, head to Jl Gajah Mada near the
city centre, where nearly a dozen bus companies operate
regular trips to Banda Aceh, providing free shuttles to their
respective terminals (recommended is PMTOH T 061 415
2546). Connecting Amplas to Pinang Baris is the #64

ACCOMMODATION
Pondok Wisata Angel Jl SM Raja 70 T 061 736 1078.
The most popular backpacker spot in town, with clean,
bright rooms with fan or a/c (Rp130,000). Staff are helpful,
and there's free wi-fi and tasty f ood in the downstairs
Angel Café ( nasi goreng Rp10,000). Rp80,000
Residence Jl Tengah 1 T 061 7760 0980, W residence
hotelmedan. Clean and all-green hotel by the Grand
Mosque with a decent range of compact rooms: top-floor
rooms have a/c and TV (Rp145,000), while standard rooms
can be a tad musty (ask for one with a window) with a
cramped, inside mandi. The café/restaurant downstairs is
good va lue with fr ee wi-fi, and there's a pleasant rooftop
garden. Rp70,000
Sultan Homestay Jl SM Raja 66 T 061 736 3311, W sultan
homestay.com. Right in the thick of the budget hotels, this
cheapie has super-basic rooms with shared bathrooms.
Escape the heat in one of the otherwise identical a/c rooms
upstairs (Rp100,000). Bre akfast is included, and there's
friendly staff and free wi-fi. Rp80,000