One of the city in West Sumatra that got my attention is Sawahlunto. Sawahlunto is only 4 hours drive from Padang, the Capital City of West Sumatra. And before Sawahlunto you will pass Solok City, another city.
Why Sawahlunto City got my attention...? To enter this city, you have to drive through the hills. Once you pass the hills, you will see a beautiful scenery, a gorgeous view of Sawahlunto the city. You can see, in seconds, almost the whole area of the city on your bird eye view.
Another reason is, in my opinion, Sawahlunto is almost similar to Bandung (my beloved hometown). Bandung is relatively a small town, surrounded by hills in every direction. It's a basin, used to be a lake. Sawahlunto also a small town that surrounded by hills. Maybe it's Bandung in a smaller scale with a similar weather, it's relatively cold since it's located in a high area.
Sawahlunto is a mining city since 1892 (why I remember 1892 as the year of Liverpool FC...? hehehe...). It's famous by the coal production from Ombilin Sub Basin, managed by PT Tambang Batubara Bukit Asam.
OK then, enough for the history. Let's talk about the tourism spots in Sawahlunto.
1. Mesjid Agung. Once you enter the city from Sawahlunto-Solok main road you will see the tower of the mesjid on your left hand side. This mesjid building, years ago, had a function as an electric power station. The shape of this mesjid is unique and an attractive spot for tourism, specially the tower. This tower was the chimney when the building had a function as the electric power station.
2. An art deco church. Located across the Ombilin Hotel, this church is also an important part of the history of Sawahlunto city.
3. Culture Center Building. This building has a full of history since the mining was started. Once it's function as a perfect place for party, then change as the place for billiard and bowling activities. Right now it's become the Center Building for Culture, the place for culture and others traditional performances.
4. The Museum of Train. Located 150m from the Mesjid Agung, constructed in 1918 and has a numbers of tools and old gerbongs collection.
5. Tourism Train. Start from The Museum of Train, you can enjoy the small trip using tourism train through the hills to Muaro Kalaban Station. You will pass a 835m tunnel named "Lubang Kalam", as an important part of the history of Sawahlunto-Teluk Bayur.
6. The Museum of Goedang Ransoem. This building had an important role when the mining was start. It's function was the center place for food for mining workers. Now you can find coal as souvenirs here.
7. Water Boom Muaro Kalaban. It's the most famous place in Sawahlunto right now, indeed. If you ask someone, on your trip, where is Sawahlunto, they will say a certain direction than they will say: "I'm sure you guys will go to Water Boom, ya...?" hehehe...
8. Kandi Tourism Resort. It's a new facilities in town, located outside the main city. Once you enter the gate, you will find the Kandi Lake on your left hand side. This lake previously was the mining hole for coal, you still can see the outcrops on the wall. Actually it's a good outcrops for Geologists. There are many facilities to explore the lake.
Going up to the hill you can find the zoo, it's a small one but I think it's big enough for Sawahlunto city. To the left there is a race road, a new one. To the right, to the top of the hill, there is a place for horse race.
Overall, this Kandi Tourism Resort is a new attractive area for people in Sawahlunto.
Need handicraft to be brought to your hometown...? Find "Tenun Silungkang", as your special souvenir and "Dendeng Batokok" as traditional food of Sawahlunto. And also don't you miss the performances of "Tari Tambang" and "Tari Tanun" as the traditional dancing of Sawahlunto.
Have to stay overnight...? Try to relax at Ombilin Hotel, the hotel that had a special taste of history of Sawahlunto. Too bad I didn't have enough time to explore more. Next time maybe.
Related link: http://www.sawahlunto.go.id (in Bahasa)
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