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Unfortunately Medan is often used strictly as an entry and exit point for visitors who want to move on to other spots in Sumatra, but to miss a visit to Medan is to miss a trick. Medan is the third largest city in Indonesia and is also the capital of the province of North Sumatra. Medan Source: Shutterstock Sultan’s Palace Maimoon In Medan Here are the 15 best places to visit in Sumatra… 1. Wherever you choose to travel to in Sumatra, you will find welcoming spots that are off the usual tourist trails and that allow you to immerse yourself in traditional Indonesian life and culture. When it comes to unique culture, Sumatra doesn’t disappoint, and you can travel to Lake Toba to learn about the Batak way of life, or visit Padang which is the home of the Minangkabau people who run a matriarchal society. One of the big draws in Sumatra is the diversity of experiences it offers visitors, and you can spend time in big cities like Medan or Banda Aceh, relax on soft sandy beaches or go trekking inside some of the most famous national parks in Indonesia. This is a shame, as Sumatra offers a completely different side of this vast and amazing country and is covered in gorgeous primary rainforest which Sumatran tigers, elephants, and orangutan still call home. Consisting of a number of different provinces, Sumatra is often less-visited by tourists compared with some of the big hits in Indonesia such as Bali or Lombok. Sumatra sits in western Indonesia and makes up part of the Sunda Islands.
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