Medan

The fourth-largest city in Indonesia, Medan is one of the most diverse areas in the country. With sprawling lawns, old government buildings, the heavy traffic and glistening new malls, Medan also offers an interesting contrast between old and new. Each ethnic group contributes to Medan’s wide variety of food, making it an excellent place for food tourism, and a must-visit for foodies and connoisseurs alike. Lake Toba, in Medan, is the world’s largest volcanic lake and is another popular attraction in Medan. 

Usually, Medan is overlooked by tourists as a mere transition point to Malaysia or other Indonesian cities, the island of Penang or the beautiful Lake Toba, but the city in itself has plenty to offer in terms of culture, food and sights. Medan is a cultural mix of many ethnicities and religions, so its landscape is dotted with Dutch buildings, mosques, Hindu and Buddhist temples, churches and many other places of worship.

With people from almost all kinds of Asian ethnicities, including Chinese, Javanese, different Indonesian tribes, Southern Indians, and Northern Indians, Medan has a vibrant culture, making it a must-visit for tourists wishing to explore Indonesia.