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As well as objects and attraction existing in Mainland part of Riau, such as Palace compound of past Siak Sultanate, Bukit Tiga Puluh National Park, 4th century buddhistic temple of Muara Takus, Koto Panjang Lake, Pacu Jalur (traditional long canoe race), Bono (exotic natural phenomenon of high river wave almost as tall as coconut tree, accompanied by thundering sound), etc
Waterfall there are behind Batu Ampar village. To go to the waterfall location namely from Desa Batu Ampar trace the East by-pass use vehicle of wheel of four, continued by tracing the footpath, go through the hilly forest as far as the more or less 2 km. Height of waterfall of is more or less 15 metre with inclination around 30 degree. Side to groove the waterfall there are the stoney look like the doorstep to climb up, is while in innermost river water 1,5 metre.
Lake Taga Raja Guntung broadness round 100 Ha, according to story was formerly recognized with the title Kolam Raja, where this pool is clean place of water source and bath for Kerajaan Kateman. Lake distance is enough near by from town Guntung that is about 4 Km and have visited many by vinicity society as recreation place and wisata natural.
Kerumutan forest is also known as reservasi wild forest which located in Desa Kerumutan, Kecamatan Kerumutan. Wide tired forest 93.222,20 Ha wild forest which dwelt by some animals and the tree protected [by] be like: timber (shorea ASP), punak (tetrameriotaglabra miq), Nipa Palm (Nypa Fruticons, Harimau Sumatera (Ponthera Tigris Sumatransis), Leopard (Neovelis Nebulosa), Fish Arwana (Scheropoges Formasus), Mallard (Cairina Scutalata), and others.
Lake Napangga located in Kecamatan Tanah Putih 70 Km from Ujung Tanjung. Precisely upriver dirty bar river of countryside Tanjung Medan frontier with sub-province Rokan Hulu and North Sumatra province. Wide Danau Napangga about 500 Ha this have the beautiful natural glamor very, his lake water is calm, make to predict the growl to plop down. Lake Napangga have keunikan separate, because according to this lake legend is the place of sojourn Raja at former epoch and in this lake of life species fish Arwana Sumatera the his price costlyness. Don'T far from this area remain the society Bonai one of the original tribe who live in Rokan Hilir.
Alam Mayang Fishing Park -Alam Mayang Fishing Park is located at Harapan Raya street km 8 from the centre of Pekanbaru city. Alam Mayang is a recreational and relaxing place, which is frequently visited, mainly by those who have fishing hobby, as there are a number of fishing ponds in this place with various species of fishes in it. It equipped with three pools with 18.560km2 and also has many kind of fishes such as; fresh water crap fish, lemak, nila, patin and sepat siam. Relaxing under the shadiness of the vegetation and a beautiful natural atmosphere is really a very exciting experience. Today it is frequented especially by those having the hobby of fishing since here there are fishing ponds covering a total area of 18.650 square meters with various kinds of fish inside. Much more fun is certainly to go fishing together with the family.
Balai Adat - Many of Pekanbaru's buildings, including ones recently constructed, are built in traditional Riau-Malay architectural style. One of these buildings is Balai Adat, or Adat Community House at Diponegoro Street. Decorated with woodcarvings and woven cloth motives, its architecture represents the glory of Riau-Malay culture. Balai Adat has initially been built to accommodate various activities relating to Resam Malayan Riau custom, but now is also the place for various meeting gatherings.
Bangkinang - The main road to Bukittinggi takes through the swamplands covering the lowland of Riau. The land has been cleared and cultivated. Where the peat is thick, pineapple and coconuts grow. Further to the west, the peat gets thinner, making the land suitable for rice cultivation.
Just before reaching Bangkinang town, some 2 kilometers off the main road, is the old Jamik Mosque of Air Tiris. The mosque is more than 100 years old, built in 1901 without using iron nails. Corrugated metal sheets have replaced the original shingled roof. Outside the mosque lies a mysterious stone submerged in a well. The stone resembles the head of a buffalo and is believed to move under its own power. According to an old story, once seven buffaloes were slaughtered. One of the buffalo heads mysteriously disappeared and it is said it turned into the stone.
Elephants Training - At Sebanga-Duri that interval estimate from Pekanbaru City is 139 kilometers founded training and taming center for elephant at Riau Province. As one of attractive tourism objects at Riau found there is give some, entertain that seeing attraction and demonstration of elephants. As wild animal, elephant can tame at Sebanga School for Elephants. The elephants can attract as like: salute to visitor, step over big size of pieces of wood that was pile, pull up piece of wood using it trunk, step over men which sleep on ground, etc.
Grand Mosque of Pekanbaru - Pekanbaru is located at the south bank of the Siak River. Here, one can visit the Grand Mosque, which is the oldest mosque of Pekanbaru. It has been built in the 18th century during the authority of Abdul Jalil Alamuddin Syah Sultan and Muhammad All Abdul Jalil Alamuddin Syah Sultan of Siak sultanate; the Great Mosque of this kingdom is the oldest mosque in Pekanbaru City. Next to the mosque there are some graves of the royal family. Their graves can be found on the compound of the mosque. Other than that, there is also an old well considered holy and frequently visited by visitors, mainly those who possessed the cultural link with Siak Sultanate, while requesting for blessing and fortune.
Limbungan Lake - The dam that was initially established for the irrigation purposes is located in the area surrounded by beautiful panoramic range of hills, which has an attraction as a tourist spot. Viewing such potential, this place is then developed by as tourist area furnished with various facility and means for recreational spot is around 10 km from the center of Pekanbaru City and it can be reached by public transportation. Not far from there, there is also a location made as the arena of motocross racing competition.
Muara Takus - At Rantau Berangin, 15 kilometers after Bangkinang, the roads splits and turn left, entering Bukit Barisan range, which borders Riau province. The road climbs up and reaches the recently finished hydroelectric dam of Koto Panjang.
Near Muaramahat, some 122 km west of Pekanbaru off the main road to Bukittinggi, are the ruins of Muara Takus, an ancient temple complex close to the bank of the river Kampar Kanan. Standing in a remote area amid Sumatra's tropical forest, the temple is a mysterious entity. Archeological experts have not yet been able to confirm when the temple has been built. Short inscriptions found among the ruins point to a date in the 11th or 12th century. Other relates the complex to Srivijaya Buddhist Empire, which ruled in Sumatra in the 8th through 10th century. Some opinions go even back to the 4th century.
Pekanbaru - Pekanbaru is the capital of Riau province. Once, the town was a small village called Payung Sekaki located on Siak riverbank. Because the Senapelan tribe established the village, it was better known as 'Senapelan'. Today, Pekanbaru is a booming oil town with an international airport, which can accommodate foreign tourist entering Indonesia via Singapore or Malacca. About 160 km upstream on Siak river, Pekanbaru, has a number of buildings in the traditional style of the area, among them Balai sang Merdu, Balai Adat and Taman Budaya Riau or Riau Cultural Park.
Under the reign of the fourth Sultan of Siak, Sultan Abdul Jalil Alamuddin Syah (1766-1780), Senapelan was made the central seat of Siak kingdom. During this period, trade developed prosperously, and the idea emerged to establish a 'pekan', a kind of market of which the activities were performed on certain days of the week. After the death of the Sultan, his son, Sultan Muhammad Ali Abdul Jalil Muazzam Syah, who reigned from 1780 to 1782, further pursued the idea. From 1784, the name Senapelan started to be no longer in use, but the city was referred to as Pekanbaru (new trading place) instead.
After being under the reign of Siak Sultanate, Pekanbaru became a Dutch colony, followed then by the Japanese occupation. Today, many monuments still remember these eras and the struggle for independence. In 1959, Pekanbaru was established as the capital of Riau Province, which formerly was Tanjung Pinang.
Riau Cultural Park - South of the city centre, not far from the airport, is Pekanbaru's museum, housing historical remains from the region. The museum is built in traditional Riau-Malay style. Next door to the museum is Taman Budaya Riau, which comprises several traditional houses. The place is designated as the centre of cultural activities. The museum known by the name of Sang Nila Utama is a Malay traditional architectural model building located at Jenderal Sudirman Street Pekanbaru, not far from Sultan Syarif Kasim II airport. The museum, which is opened daily, except on Sunday and holidays, is keeping various collection of objects of art, history and culture from Riau area in general. Next to the museum, there is also a building with nearly similar architectural feature, i.e. Riau Cultural Park Building, which is appropriated as the centre of various art and cultural activity.
Selat Baru Beach - Selat Baru beach is located at the east coast of Bengkalis Island; Selat Baru beach of about 4 km long has a very beautiful panorama with traditional fisherman village's life background. Other attractive thing is a creek near to the beach, which is named by the local people as Liong River. Along the edge of this river, there are lines of fish Floating pond for about 3,000 containers of the breeding place of white snapper breeding. Directly watching the fish breeding and drying process is really an exciting.
Siak Sri Indrapura - Siak Sri Indrapura was the centre of an Islamite Malayan kingdom, which enjoyed its golden age from the 18th through 20th century. Sultan Abdul Jalil Rakhmad Syah founded the kingdom in 1725. He was the first in a family tree of 12 sultans who would reign until 1945. In November 1945, the last sultan, Sultan Syarif Kasyim II, sent a cable to the president of Republic of Indonesia stating his loyalty to the republic, and he contributed his properties to the struggle of independence.
The old palace of Siak Sri Indrapura is definitely worth a visit. It is located 125 km northeast from Pekanbaru and can best be reached from Pekanbaru over land. It was built 1889 by Sultan Abdul Jalil Syarifuddin, in the 11th of 12th sultans who ruled Siak from 1725 to 1945 the M Arches and Minarets give the palace a strong Indian Moghui look representative of stills during the colonials times. The Palace was refurbished in 1989.
The palace stores a collection of properties of the last sultans. In the reception area, life size figures of the sultan and his courtiers welcome the visitor. Inside the palace, one can admire the gold plated royal throne and a duplicate of the royal crown. The original gold crown has been brought to the National Museum in Jakarta. Large photographs of the last sultans decorate the walls of the palace.
The last sultans formed a part of the Dutch establishment. Much of the decor in the palace is European. A big attraction is Komet, a large German music player, whose perforated metal disks tinkle tunes of Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss, brought by the sultan from a visit to Europe in 1896. People say that there are only two left in the world.
Close to the palace, at the banks of Siak river is the Royal Mosque.
Siak Sultanate's Park - Sultan Syarif Hasyim Abdul Jalil Syarifuddin built this Moorish style palace of Siak Sultan, 120 km up stream from Pekanbaru on Siak River, in 1889. Now a museum, the palace contains sultanate's royal paraphernalia and other items of historical interest. Established during the 16th century, Siak Sri Inderapura sultanate lasted until 1946, when it became victim to the popular upheavals following the Japanese surrender at the close of World War II.
Taluk Kuantan - From Pekanbaru about 170 km south to Taluk Kuantan, crossing the equator just after Lipat Kain. Before reaching Taluk Kuantan, the road crosses Logas region, once a gold mining area. During the Second World War, the Japanese established here a camp where many Dutch people were imprisoned and exploited by forcing them to work in the mines.
Taluk Kuantan lies at the upstream part (Hilir) of Indragiri River. In the early years, this river was used to carry the gold, which was mined in West Sumatra, to the east coast of Sumatra.
Taluk Kuantan is the centre of Pacu Jalur, a traditional boat race held every year in remembrance Indonesia's independence day on the 17th of August. More than 100 teams from all over Riau province join the race. Each team rows their line, a long and slender boat that carries 50 to 60 people, along a track setout on Indragiri River. The races start on Wednesday in the third or fourth week of August. The boats gather upstream and race to each other two by two. The winner makes the next round. The final is held on Sunday.
Pacu Jalur is full with mystic and tradition, which already starts with picking out a tree with a circumference of 4 to 5 meters for the Jalur, up to the moment, the Jalur is launched into the water.
Tujuh Serangkai Caves - Tujuh Serangkai Caves, located in Rambah village about 17 km from Bangkinang is the tops tourist attraction in Kampar region. Entire of way from municipal district into Tujuh Pintu Serangkai Cave which estimate interval is 2 kilometers we can enjoying wonderful nature that back grounding by hills and the leafy of trees until front of Tujuh Pintu Serangkai cave door. Besides the natural beauty of the caves, we can enjoy a hot bath in it. The cave what we visit is not one but in 10 hectares area founded other cave as Sungai Cawan Cave, Langkuk Cave, Sungai Panturun Cave, Sungai Lo Cave and Sungai Pisang Cave.
Zamrud Lake - Bawah Lake and Pulau Besar Lake founded at Zamrud petroleum exploration fields. It is has wonderful view that very astonishing. Entirely of the lake founded Fauna reservation that it wide is 2,500 hectares which kind of exotic flora and fauna. Life resources that founded in the lake like red pinang, arwana fish, and balido fish are protected. Kind of wild animals at Fauna Reservation at Pulau Besar and Bawah Lake are unique wealth for water recreation tour at Riau.
Bintan Island, few knows that the place keeps glittering past. When its metropolis neighbor, Singapore , was still muddy fishing village, Bintan was an established port called on by traders from overseas. History also records that Bintan was once the seat of powerful Riau - Johor sultanate. Hang Tuah, a sturdy malay admiral as well as celebrated hero, Raja Haji Fissabilillah, well know as the poet of "Gurindam 12" were born on this island. Making a visit to Bintan, we will be greeted by enchanthing objects and attractions, ranging from natural objects with white sandy beaches, cruises to the nearby isles, traditional fishing kampongs (villages), integrated resorts of international standard to various cultural and historical heritages.
This is an island 16 km east Bintan with long, untouched sandy beaches and rock islands that are great for camping and snorkeling.
Senggarang - The place well known for its Chinese shrines and considered sacred by the Chinese was initially an old stilt settlement inhabited only by Bugis people. Today it is known more as China Town where many tourists from Singapore , mostly of Chinese origin, come for pilgrimage to the sacreddeemed shrines asking for blessing and good fortune.
The palace is in Siak Sri Indrapura, 130 km from Pekanbaru. It was built 1889 by Sultan Abdul Jalil Syarifuddin, in the 11th of 12th sultans who ruled Siak from 1725 to 1945 the M Arches and Minarets give the palace a strong Indian Moghui look representative of stills during the colonials times. The Palace was refurbished in 1989.
Goa Tujuh Serangki, located in the village of Rambah (17 km from Bangkinang), the natural beauty of the caves
Batam Centre - Batam Centre is face to Tering Bay; construction work on the Batam Center has already begun. To be the pride of Batam, the Center is a planned city with business district, hotels, shops and a marina. Indonesia's President Soeharto and Singapore's first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew each planted a banyan tree on 29 November 1987, marking the close friendship between the two countries and the beginning of construction on Batam Centre. Later Prime Minister Mahathir of Malaysia to join them planted a tree. The first buildings are almost completed and will soon be joined by international hotels including a Sheraton and a Shangri-La.
Hang Nadim - Batam's busy regional airport is in the throes of major construction works. New runways accommodating large carrier planes such as the Jumbo Jet and the Airbus will be ready by 1993, when Batam will become an international gateway to Indonesia by air as it already is by sea. The airport provides connections to many Indonesian cities, including to Jakarta, Pekanbaru, Bandung, Medan and other secondary cities. Garuda Indonesia flies several daily flights to Batam, Sempati, Merpati, SMAC, Deraya and Airfast.
Kabil - In the southeast of the island, Kabil marks the site of a major deep-water port already under construction. When completed, the Asia Port will accommodate ships of up to 150,000 DTW with a total wharf length of 5,000 meters. Together with its free trade zone status, Asia Port makes an attractive shipping proposition and is already drawing interested responses. Presently, lighter shipping berth at Batu Ampar and Sekupang ports in the north. Speedboats may be hired here for our transfer to neighboring Bintan Island. Nearby, in direct contrast to the heavy industrialization is Telaga Punggur, offering a taste of old Batam. In the midst of a quaint fishing village are several more seafood restaurants, it is easy to while away several delightful hours here, eating and watching the passing parade of sampans and fishing craft as they go about their business.
Nagoya (Lubuk Baja) - Nagoya is located halfway between Nongsa and Sekupang. Lubuk Baja, or popularly known as Nagoya is Batam's colorful and fast growing heart. Shops, stalls, footstools, nightlife, discos, music lounges, karaoke, restaurants and many small hotels make this busy community popular with the locals and the businessmen alike. Hunt here for bargains and Indonesian goodies. For a good time, Nagoya is the spot. Until the Batam Center is established, Lubuk Baja is Batams present center of business, trade and finance. Nagoya is Batam's entertainment center. While resorts offer there is own brand of quiet evening music, Nagoya is definitely the place to go for nightlife. Bars are plentiful and disco lively. Shinta Nightclub has overseas cabaret acts and the Regina Palace is one of the favorite nightspots. Tired folk can enjoy a relaxing and stimulating massage in one of the many salons In Nagoya. Karaoke Lounges are big news, where guests can live out their singing talents in congenial surroundings.
In Batam, finding fresh seafood is no problem. Anyway that visitors find their way to, a seafood restaurant will have preceded them. Nagoya has many restaurants such as; Batu Besar, Batu Merah, Telaga Punggur. Late night ferries from Batu Ampar allow diners to eat at a Batam restaurant and return the same evening to Singapore. Genuine Padang food can be found at Pagi Sore restaurant in Nagoya.
Sekupang - At present, Batam's main entry point is Sekupang, where streamlined fast and air-conditioned ferries bring hordes of quests from Singapore and Malaysia. The twenty-minute voyage is enlivened with free cool drink and video show, although some prefer to stand on the top deck and watch the sights. Ferries shuttle daily every half-hour between Singapore's Finger Pier and Sekupang harbor, and during peak period, even more frequently. For travelers' convenience, there are hotel, taxi and ferry counters at the ferry terminal. Within walking distance from the terminal is Batam authority office. Further down the road overlooking Sekupang harbor is Wisma Batam where we can see, upon request, an audiovisual presentation on Batam's development up to 2005. Batam's two popular FM stations, the Batam Zoo 1101.6 and Coast 100 are in the vicinity. Looking over the whole Sekupang and the hilly interior is the Hilltop Hotel. Popular with long-staying guests as well as tourists, this hotel is to be expanded and upgraded to new heights. Its restaurant serves fine Indonesian food and western specialties. In Sekupang try the Indonesian Delights, where regional Indonesian dishes are offered to the accompaniment of traditional dances.Click here for more information
