Bukittinggi My Beloved City

History Of Bukittinggi

          Bukittinggi city began to stand in line with the arrival of the Dutch who later founded the fort in 1825 during the Padri War in one of the hill contained in this town, known as the fortress Fort de Kock, as well as a resting place for the Dutch officers who were in area towns. Later in the reign of the Dutch East Indies, this area always increased role in state administration which later developed into a Stadsgemeente (city), and also served as the capital Afdeeling Padangsche Bovenlanden and Onderafdeeling Oud Agam.

          During the Japanese occupation, the town of Bukittinggi used as a control center for the region of Sumatra military government, even to Singapore and Thailand, where the city became the seat of the military commander to 25 Kenpeitai, under the command of Major General Hirano Toyoji. Later town changed its name from Fort de Kock Stadsgemeente be Bukittinggi The Yaku Sho, whose land extended to include village-like surrounding villages Sianok Anam Tribe, Gadut, Kapau, Ampang Tower, Bukit Batu Taba and Batabuah. Now the village-the village into the Agam regency.

          After the independence of Indonesia, was elected Bukittinggi Sumatra's provincial capital, with its governor Mr. Teuku Muhammad Hasan. Then Bukittinggi is also defined as an area of ​​city government based on the assessment of Sumatra Province Governor No. 391 dated June 9, 1947.

          At times defend the independence of Indonesia, the City Bukitinggi role as the city struggles, where on 19 December 1948, the city is designated as the capital city of Indonesia after the Yogyakarta fall into the hands of the Dutch or known by the Emergency Government of the Republic of Indonesia (PDRI). Later on, the event was designated a State-Defense Day, according to the Republic of Indonesia Presidential Decree No. 28 of 2006 dated December 18, 2006.

          Next Great City of Bukittinggi be based on the Law No. 9 Year 1956 on the establishment of an autonomous region within the major cities of the province of Central Sumatra that time, which covers the province of West Sumatra, Jambi, Riau and Riau Islands now.

          Although after the issuance of Government Regulation No. 84 of 1999 as a new legal basis of regional government in the implementation of Bukittinggi, but until now still can not be implemented.

Overview Of Bukittinggi

          Situated on the eastern edge of the Ngarai Sianok Canyon and with the mountains of Merapi and Singgalang rising to the south, Bukittinggi spreads for several kilometres in each direction. However, the central part of town, which is of most interest to visitors, is relatively compact and easy to negotiate. The most useful landmark is the clock tower at the junction of Jalan A Yani (the main thoroughfare) and Jalan Sudirman (the main road leading out of town to the south). Due north of the tower is the enormous market, the biggest in Sumatra, which swells to bursting point on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Jalan A Yani, 1km from north to south, is the tourist hub of Bukittinggi, and most of the sights, hotels, restaurants and shops that serve the tourist trade are on this street or close by. The surrounding area holds plenty of attractions, including craft villages, the rafflesia reserve at Batang Paluh, the beautiful Ngarai Sianok Canyon, and some fine examples of Minang culture.

“The Most Relaxing City in All Sumatra”

          Nestled in the highlands north of Padang in the Agam valley, the town of Bukittinggi or ‘high hill’ is West Sumatra’s cultural center. While Padang may be the modern commercial and administrative hub, Bukittinggi is a bustling market town.

          Although it is less than a degree south of the equator, Bukittinggi has a refreshingly cool climate due to its elevation – over 900 meters above sea level. While it rains here often, this is not enough to deter travelers who come to enjoy what many claim is the most hospitable city in Sumatra.

          The town also has an alternative name, Tri Arga, which refers to the three majestic mountains that shape the regions fortunes.

          Many visitors come to Bukittinggi to visit the remarkable Ngarai Sianok Canyon where giant rock cliff faces, rugged trees which grow on top and the dramatic surrounding mountains make this canyon a spellbinding view.

          This is an ideal place to go if you want to get beyond the average tourist trail. Compared to other spots in Sumatra, Bukkitinggi only receives a handful of visitors that use the town as a base for nearby hikes or to take cultural tours to the Minangkabau highland. 

          The heart of the highlands, Bukittinggi is a two-hours drives through beautiful of Anai valley countryside and up to the Agam Plateau. A center of attraction is the town's clock tower, topped with a horn- shaped roof and referred to by the people as Jam Gadang. It overlooks the market square and the city's magnificent surroundings. Located 930 meters above sea level, Bukittinggi, formerly named Fort De Cock by the Dutch, has a cool climate and is surrounded by three volcanoes: Tandikat, Singgalang and Merapi. In the outskirts of Ngarai Sianok town, a canyon that separate Bukittinggi from Gadang City, 12 km away overland. Gadang City is renowned for its fine silver filigree and hand embroidery.

          Also worth visit the Museum, which is a Rumah Gadang, a traditional extended family house built in the 19th century. There are dance performances at the museum's open stage every Sunday and on public holidays. Night dance performances are at Sliguri. It is also worth seeing the bullfights at Padang Lawas (6 km south of Bukittinggi) every Tuesday at 5.00 p.m. The delightful hill town, Bukittinggi nestling amid mountain greenery at 920 m above sea level is the Minangkabau capital (victorious buffalo) people. Bukit Tinggi means 'high hill' is stunningly located with views over fertile valleys to two volcanoes, Mt Merapi and Mt Singgalang. It is laid out in tiers down the steep hillside, each level connected to the next by precipitous stone steps and passageways.

          The central landmark in Bukittinggi is the clock tower, with its stylized roof, standing in the town square. Geographically, the town's highest point is the Rumah Adat Baandjuang Museum. It is 140 years old classic rumah adat (clan house). It exhibit include wedding and dance costumes, head dressers, musical instruments, village crafts and historic weaponry. Panorama Park has spectacular views over the Sianok and Ngarai canyons.

 to be continued......