Padang City,
Padang Beach is an absolute must when visiting Padang, the capital of West Sumatra. This beach is more popularly known as ‘taplau’ an abbreviation of tapi lauik Minangkabau language for seaside. The beach is 23 km from Minangkabau International Airport, streching from Purus area to Muara Batang Arau. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Padang City. The beach has now become more beautiful, cleaner, neater, and comfortable than ever. Thanks to the improvement project conducted by the Padang City Government. The beach has better public facilities and infrastructure. It is also getting more orderly. Several shops dot along the sea front stoking various items ranging from clothes to souvenirs. The sidewalk is wide enough to comfortably accommodate pedestrians or children movement. The visitors should not worry about parking because dedicated parking area is also available. The improvement also includes construction of several new tourist attractions along the beach, like the IORA Monument and the Merpati Peace Monument. Many visitors take pictures in front of these monuments. And food lovers can choose various delicious dishes from outdoor umbrella cafés along the beach and across the beach, with Lake Cimpago as the background. This beach becomes a more engaging place with a commercial children's playground that charges at affordable prices. The playground area is better known as Muaro Lasak. The recent improvement is the making of spacious terrace at Purus Beach, in which various events will take place such as the Siti Nurbaya Festival. This beach is also very close to other tourist attractions like Mount Padang, Padang Old Town, and the Siti Nurbaya Bridge. Being on the western side of Padang, the beach is the right place to enjoy sunset views. In good weather, you can enjoy the stunning sunset colors with hues of red, orange, and pink-streaked.
Mount Padang is a small hill with a peak height of around 80 meters above sea level which is located on the south side of the Batang Arau estuary and is included in the South Padang District of Padang City. The people of Padang City named it Mount Padang because this hill can be said to be the highest place around the center of Padang City. Mount Padang is a tourist attraction with a combination of beautiful panoramas, the legend of Siti Nurbaya, and a piece of history during the Japanese occupation. The view on Mount Padang is indeed beautiful. Especially since the presence of Taman Siti Nurbaya which later became the name of the peak of the Gunung Padang tourist attraction area with an area of around 180 square meters. It is said that this park is an interpretation of the place where Syamsul Bahri and Siti Nurbaya made love during their lifetime. This park offers a very beautiful natural panorama and the gardens with shady trees are suitable for relaxing. The air is so fresh and the natural panorama is so soothing to the eyes. From the top of Mount Padang, some of the faces of Padang City can be enjoyed. Apart from that, Mount Padang is also a silent witness to the Japanese occupation period. This can be proven by the existence of several forts, defensive bunkers and cannons left over from the Japanese colonial era. On the way to the top, visitors will see the first bunker adjacent to a resident's house. The second bunker is directly opposite the local shop and is used as a warehouse. Meanwhile, the first fort is called Pilboks. This fort has quite large rooms, there are large iron cannons and the fort type is in the shape of four semi-circular polygons, built around 1942-1945. The second fort is shaped like a house with the word BOW written on it and has two roofless rooms. When you reach the top there will be two bunkers. It is possible that if excavations are carried out at this location there will be many more hidden forts. Remembering that in ancient times Mount Padang was used as a coastal defense base by Japanese colonialism To reach this tourist area, visitors must cross the Siti Nurbaya Bridge and cross to the road that leads to the gate of the Gunung Padang tourist area (this road is also the route to Air Manis Beach. Arriving at the gate, visitors can only go up on foot after buying tickets at entrance ticket counter. If you need a guide, the counter guard will also help you find it. The presence of a guide will help provide information and stories about Mount Padang. After leaving the gate, the journey continues along the path uphill to the top, approximately 15-30 minutes journey. Apart from the remains of the Japanese occupation mentioned above, towards the top, you can also find a rock gap with descending stairs. It is said that this hallway is the location of Siti Nurbaya's grave. By the Padang city government, Mount Padang is included in the integrated tourist group which is integrated with Padang Beach, Air Manis Beach, Muaro Harbor and the Kota Tua area.
Lubuk Minturun, in Koto Tangah District, Padang City, are shaped like a hole at one of the Batang Kandis river's outlets. This natural bath is ancient. According to legend, Dutch women bathed there. Supported by an ancient monument or inscription, the bath's side reads Diboeka 8-4-1883&, by, penghoeloe, and Achin.
Shaded and lush, the region feels cool. One side has an earthen wall that supports a paved path to this swimming spot. You can admire this tourist attraction from above when you pass by. The earthen wall around the deepest bathing area is designed to be climbed and jumped into. Because the water falls deep and is high, it is not recommended for children or non-swimmers.
On the other hand, the water is shallow. If you don't have water play equipment, locals offer traditional (used tub) and enough life jackets. There are also light appetizers including fried dishes, pastries, bottled beverages, coffee, and traditional stalls where you can relax and enjoy the food and drinks. Lubuk Minturun Baths has enough restrooms for bathing.
Visitors adore this tourist site because the entrance and parking prices are low, making it affordable for everyone. In addition to its comfort and natural beauty