A Wonderful City Called "Bukittinggi"

A short history of Bukittinggi

  Bukittinggi began standing in line with the arrival of the Dutch who later founded the blockhouse in 1825 during the War Padri in one of the hills contained within this city, known as Fort de Kock, as well as a resting place officers in the Dutch colonies . Later in the reign of the Dutch East Indies, the area is always enhanced role in the constitution which later developed into a Stadsgemeente (city), and also serves as the capital Afdeeling Padangsche Bovenlanden and Onderafdeeling Oud Agam.
During the Japanese occupation, the city of Bukittinggi used as a control center for the region of Sumatra military government, even to Singapore and Thailand, where the city became the seat of the military commander to 25 Kenpeitai, under the command of Major General Hirano Toyoji. Then the city was renamed from Fort de Kock became Stadsgemeente Bukittinggi Yaku The SHO of the area was broadened to include the surrounding villages-villages like Sianok Anam Tribe, Gadut, Kapau, Ampang Tower, Taba and Bukit Batu Batabuah. Now Nagari-Nagari is entered into the Agam regency.
  After the independence of Indonesia, Bukittinggi zoned for urban governance based on the Decree of the Governor of the Province of Sumatra No. 391 dated June 9, 1947, once the capital of the Province of Sumatra at the time, with its governor Mr. Teuku Muhammad Hasan.
At the time of maintaining the independence of Indonesia, the City Bukitinggi role as the city struggles, where on December 19, 1948, the city is designated as the capital of Indonesia after the Yogyakarta fell into Dutch hands, known as the Emergency Government of the Republic of Indonesia (PDRI). Later on, the event was designated a State-Defense Day, based on the Decree of President of the Republic of Indonesia Number 28 Year 2006 dated December 18, 2006.
The next big city of Bukittinggi be based on Law Number 9 Year 1956 concerning the establishment of an autonomous region within the major cities of the province of Central Sumatra period, which covers the province of West Sumatra, Jambi, Riau and Riau Islands now. Even after the issuance of Government Regulation Number 84 of 1999 as a new legal basis of regional government in the implementation of Bukittinggi, but until now still can not be implemented.

Geography of Bukittinggi
 

  Bukittinggi is located on the Bukit Barisan range that ran along the island of Sumatra, surrounded by three volcanoes is Mount Singgalang, Mount Marapi and Mount Sago, and at an altitude of 909-941 meters above sea level. The city is also air cool with temperatures ranging between 16.1 - 24.9 ° C. While the total area of ​​the current town of Bukittinggi (25.24 km ²), 82.8% have been devoted to cultivation of land, while the rest is forest lindung.Kota has a hilly topography and valley, some hills are scattered in urban areas, in Mount them Ambacang, Bukit Tambun Bones, Mandiangin Hill, Hill Campago, Kubangankabau Hill, Bukit Pinang Sabatang Nan, Canggang Hill, Hill Paninjauan and so on. While there is a valley which is also known as Sianok canyon with a depth that varies between 75-110 m, which in essence flows a river called the Trunk Masang which empties into the west coast town of Bukittinggi pulauPerkembangan population can not be separated from the changing Bukittingi a trade center in the highlands Minangkabau, starting with the market that built by the Dutch East Indies government in 1890 under the name loods, local people spell it with loih, with a curved roof became known by the name of this town Loih Galuang. Nowadays, Bukittingi is the most populous city in the province of West Sumatra, with a workforce of 52,631 people and about 3845 of them are unemployment.
The town is dominated by ethnic Minangkabau, but there are also ethnic Chinese, Javanese, Tamil and Chinese Batak.The society come along with the emergence of markets in London, they allowed the Dutch East Indies government to build a store / kiosk at the foot of the hill fortress of Fort de Kock west, stretching from south to north, now known as Kampung Cino. While the Indian traders placed in the foothills of the north, a circular from east to west and is now called Kampung Keling.

Tourism

Sianok Canyon

The development of tourism is one of the leading sectors for the city of Bukittinggi, the many interesting attractions, make this city dubbed as the "city tour". Currently in the town of Bukittinggi has been there about 60 hotels and 15 travel agencies. Hotels located in cities such as The Hills Bukittinggi (formerly Novotel), Hotel Pusako and so on.
Sianok canyon valley is one of the main attractions. Panorama Park is located in the town of Bukittinggi allow tourists to see the beautiful scenery Sianok canyon. Inside the park there is also a cave Panorama hideaway former Japanese soldiers during World War II is referred to as Japanese Tunnel Bukittinggi.
In the park there is a replica Bundo Kanduang Tower House which serves as a museum of Minangkabau culture, Bukittinggi Zoo and Fort de Kock is connected by a pedestrian bridge called the Limpapeh Bridge. Limpapeh pedestrian bridge above the A. Yani street which is the main street in the town of Bukittinggi.

Pasa Ateh are adjacent to the Clock Tower which is the center of the city. In the market there are many sellers of handicrafts and embroidery as well as snacks souvenirs typical of West Sumatra as Karupuak Sanjai (cassava chips ala Sanjai area in Bukittinggi) is made from cassava, Karupuak Jangek made from cow or buffalo leather and Karak Kaliang , a kind typical of Bukittinggi snacks shaped like a figure 8. Currently, he also has built several modern shopping centers in the city of Bukittinggi, like Banto Trade Center and Plaza Bukittinggi. 

Transportation

Mersi and IKABE

Bukittinggi is at a strategic position, connected with the several other cities include the cities that are outside West Sumatera such as : Pekanbaru ( Riau Province ) and Medan ( North Sumatera Province ) and a town which past traversed by Trans Central Sumatera. Aua Kuniang Terminal is the main terminal freight ground transportation in this city. Meanwhile, for inner-city transportation, Bukittinggi employs a public transportation system known as Mersi (Merapi Singgalang) and IKABE that connect locations within the city. The city also still preserves the traditional horse-kart widely known in area as Bendi, altough the used is limited and more popular to be used as vehicle for tourist, both domestic and foreign.

Culinary
Now I will explain some of the foods that exist only in Bukittinggi

Pisang Kapik

1. Pisang Kapik

Pisang Kapik is a banana that was burned and flattened out and was given additional red sugared coconut. We can find it in the top of Pasa Lereng or in the other restaurants.

 

2. Karupuak Sanjai

Karupuak sanjai is a cracker that made from cassava in thin sliced and fried. Its named “Karupuak Sanjai” because it comes from Sanjai, Bukittinggi. You can find it in Pasa Ateh or in the souvenirs shop scattered in Bukittinggi.

Karupuak Sanjai

 

3. Nasi Kapau

Is a traditional restaurant that provides the original menus typical of Bukittinggi. You can find it in many place in Bukittinggi, especially in Pasa Bawah.

4. Satay

I guess, I dont need to explain it. Satay is a famous food that come form Indonesia. You can find Satay in every place in Indonesia, of course with different style. But, in general, Satay is a grilled meat on sweker having previously cut as a square that is mixed with Katupek and thick sauce.

So, If you want to know more about Bukittinggi, You have to come and visit Bukittinggi. . .