BUKITTINGGI

Bukittinggi is one of the larger cities in West Sumatra, Indonesia, with a population of over 100,000 people and an area of 25.24 km². It is situated in the Minangkabau highlands, 90 km by road from the West Sumatran capital city of Padang. It is located near the volcanoes Mt. Singgalang (inactive) and Mt. Marapi (still active). At 930 m above sea level, the city has a cool climate with temperatures between 16.1°-24.9°C.


Bukittinggi popular with tourists due to the climate and central location. Attractions within the city include:


1. Jam Gadang 


Jam Gadang is a name for a tower clock located in the centre of Bukittinggi, West Sumatra, Indonesia. Jam Gadang is a name given from Minangkabau people to that clock tower building, because it has a big clock  (Jam Gadang = Big Clock; "gadang" means big in Minangkabau language). In such a phenomenal clock tower building called the Jam Gadang at the time of its construction, so since the founding of the Jam Gadang has become the center of everyone's attention. It also resulted in the Clock Tower used as a marker or landmark of Bukittinggi and also as one of the icons Sumatra Barat province.Jam Gadang was built in 1926 by architect Yazid Sutan Dental Ameh. This clock was a gift from the Queen of the Netherlands to Rook Maker, Controleur (City Secretary) Bukittinggi in the former East Dutch Indies Government. Laying the first stone clock is done by Rook Maker's first son who was 6 years old. Basic blueprint of (construction footprint following steps overlooking the Upper Market) of the Clock Tower is 13 × 4 meters, while the height is 26 meter.Jam Gadang moved mechanically and consists of four clock / four clock advance overlooking the four compass directions with every advance in diameter 80 cm. The Clock Tower has undergone several changes in the peak shape. At first the top of the tower clock is round and on it stands a statue of a rooster. When the Japanese colonize occupation government changed it to shape pagoda top. At the time of independence, its shape changed again into ornaments custom home Minangkabau.  Jam Gadang is said to spend a total cost of construction of about 3,000 Gulden, which costs quite fantastic for the size of the time. But it paid off with the famous Jam Gadang is a landmark that once a symbol or icon of Bukittinggi. Clock Tower is also set as the zero point of Bukittinggi.

East Dutch Indies Government

1936-06-08

the Japanese occupation

Jam Gadang after independence

now

2. Japanese Caves

Japanese Caves estabilished from1942-1945 by the inhabitants surrounding forcibly employed by Japanese soldiers. In the underground passage along 1.47miles of this, there are 21 small halls which had been the halls of the fortress for the defense, such as ammunition storage hall, booth Japanese military soldiers, meeting room, dining room romusa, kitchens, prisons, courtrooms , torture chamber, wherereconnaissance, ambush, and escape doors.

Japanese Caves was discovered by the local community in 1946 with a tense condition. Many human bones scattered on the floor along the aisle of the tunnel. In that year the government of Bukittinggi bury the scattered bones of it and clean up the tunnel. Then the city government set up the tunnel was to be prepared to become one of the historical attractions in the town of Bukittinggi to add some means of support. Inauguration of Japanese Caves made ​​by the Minister of Culture at that time, Fuad Hasan, on March 11, 1986.

3. Pasar Atas and Pasar Bawah

the Past Pasar Atas

Pasar Atas now

Pasar Atas Bukittinggi is a tourist destination to shop. Here is the typical shopping center Minang, ranging from apparel, appliances Prayer, knick-knacks smelling Minang, sandals or shoes typical Minang they're all here. The location is flanked by the Jam Gadang, Culture Park and Wildlife Kinantan Ampek Puluah bunch. Many tourists visiting tourists both domestic or foreign tourists.

Pasar Bawah

Pasar Bawah is a traditional market . This is where people selling needsranging from cooking to spice up a variety of meat and fish. Pasar Bawah is the traditional marketcenters in the city of Bukittinggi. In Bukittinggi market days (hari pakan) each week is Wednesday and Saturday. Various people around Bukittinggi shop here either for direct consumption or for purchase pengisis stall /stalls.