Five Fascinating Historic Sights in Medan, Indonesia

From the streets and hotels in Medan, Indonesia to its fascinating landmarks and attractions, one will easily notice the diverse influences that contributed to the country's rich culture. Here are 5 historic sites that can give visitors a look back into Indonesia's colorful past.

1. Maimoon Palace

Built in the late 1800s, the royal Maimoon Palace showcases unique interior and exterior designs influenced by Malay, Islam, Indian, and European architectural styles. Most of the building materials have been imported from different countries as ordered by Sultan Makmun Al Rasyid. Palace visitors can view photos of the royal family, antique furniture and weapons, and the sultan’s throne carefully embellished with crystal lights.  

2. Great Mosque of Medan

Located across the Maimoon Palace is the Great Mosque of Medan or Masjid Raya Medan. Like the palace, it also shows architectural influences from the Middle East and Europe. Some of the imported building materials used inside the chambers are marble from Italy and stained glass from France. The octagon-shaped mosque has been divided into 4 main wings, each one designed with decorative flowers and plants. Visitors are strongly advised to observe the proper attire before entering the mosque.

3. Sri Mariamman Temple

Built in 1881, Sri Mariamman Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Medan. It has been the primary meeting point of worshipers during the Thaipusam and Deevapali festivals. These occasions celebrate the triumph of the gods and the people over evil and darkness. Located in Little India, the temple features a golden “gopuram”, an ornate tower that houses the inner sanctuary.

4. Tjong A Fie’s Mansion 

Tjong A Fie’s Mansion is the former residence of Tjong A Fie, a Chinese businessman who built a large plantation in Sumatra and employed more than 10,000 workers. Completed in the 1900, the mansion showcases a classic Chinese-European-Art Deco style. Visitors are allowed to take pictures of the beautiful ceiling decorations, carved ornaments, and columns influenced by Eastern and Western architectural styles. This century-old gem has a photo gallery exhibit, lobby lounge, and a museum cafe that serves special Peranakan dishes. Travelers staying at Hotel Aryaduta Medan can reach the mansion easily with a 5-minute cab ride.

5. Vihara Gunung Timur

The Vihara Gunung Timur is a Taoist temple with a view overlooking the Babura River. It has a spacious paved area with an impressively scaled incense burner in the middle. During the Imlek and Cap Go Meh festivals, hundreds of worshipers celebrate at the temple’s large main hall. As the oldest and largest Taoist temple in Medan, it has become one of the city's cultural icons.

These attractions are easily accessible to some hotels in Medan, Indonesia like the Hotel Aryaduta Medan, where a 24-hour concierge can provide tour assistance.

5 City Attractions You Can Easily Visit From Hotel Aryaduta Medan in North Sumatra

A stay at Hotel Aryaduta Medan in North Sumatra will give you plenty of opportunity to see places of worship, monuments, museums, and the bustling business and commercial scene of the third largest city in Indonesia. Here are some of the spots you shouldn't miss while in Medan:

1. Maimoon Palace

Built in 1888 by Sultan Makmun Al Rasyid Perkasa Alamsyah, Maimoon Palace serves as a legacy of the Deli Sultanate and a marker of the center of the kingdom. The 40-room palace, which is inspired by European architecture, is set in a 2,772-sq-m plot of land. Inside the building, one can find family photographs, furniture, and old weapons. Maimoon Palace is just 2.8 km from the hotel.

2. Al Mashun Grand Mosque

The Great Mosque, as Al Mashun Grand Mosque is often called, is the biggest and most beautiful of its kind in North Sumatra. The Moorish architecture features flat, quadrangle-shaped domes and curved ceilings with rich floral and polygonal decorations. The mosque, like Maimoon Palace, features Italian decors and serves as a legacy of the Deli Sultanate.

3. Graha Maria Annai Velangkanni

Graha Maria Annai Velangkanni is a Catholic church dedicated to Our Lady of Good Health who said to have made an apparition in the 17th-century town of Velankanni, India. The church was built in 2005 in Indo-Mogul style. From the hotel in Medan, reaching this attraction will take you about 14 minutes by car.

4. Merdeka Walk

Fans of al fresco dining will find a treat waiting for them when they visit Merdeka Walk. The street has a collection of outdoor cafes, fine restaurants, and fast food outlets that have everything from international favorites to local dishes. Merdeka Walk is about 650 m from the hotel.

5. Pantai Cermin Themepark

Located 4 km from the hotel, Pantai Cermin Themepark is a fun place for locals and tourists alike. Aside from its slides and pools, the park has sauna and steam rooms, a mini zoo, and rides — perfect for guests of all ages. Pantai Cermin Themepark is open from 11 AM to 5 PM on weekdays and 9 AM to 6:30 PM on weekends and holidays.

If you have time to spare, you can also visit North Sumatra's Lake Toba, the biggest lake in southeast Asia, and Bukit Lawang, which is home to many orangutans. It takes a few hours to get to these destinations from Hotel Aryaduta Medan, but you can be sure that the sight waiting for you there will be worth the trip.

Enjoy Instant Reservation Confirmation at Hotel Aryaduta Medan's Website

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia – A luxurious stay amidst Medan's vibrant commercial and entertainment district is easily within reach at Hotel Aryaduta Medan's website. This accommodation in North Sumatra now offers easy reservation with instant confirmation through the booking engine powered by DirectWithHotels incorporated in the hotel site.

Benefits of Booking Directly Online

• Save a lot of time. Because the booking engine automatically sends out confirmation once the room has been reserved, guests can do away with long waits and constant communication with third parties.
• Secure the privacy and integrity of all online transactions with VeriSign and Trustwave.
• Use an intuitive interface that features customizable currency and allows bookmarking and printing.
• Have the opportunity to cancel or modify reservations without charge up to a certain day before the check-in date.

How to Book Online

Visit Hotel Aryaduta Medan's website, www.aryaduta.com, and click the Reserve Room Now button and the location or hotel where the guest wishes to stay. This will lead to the DirectWithHotels booking engine where guests can easily choose their rooms and date of stay. Booking can be finalized by paying a non-refundable 10% reservation guarantee. The system then books the room and sends out a confirmation email with the accommodation and payment details. All this can be done in a matter of minutes.

About Hotel Aryaduta Medan

This 5-star luxury hotel in Medan, North Sumatra provides its guests with well-appointed accommodation, fine dining restaurants, and numerous options for recreation. Each of the hotel's rooms feature modern amenities such as LCD TV with satellite/cable channels, Internet access, and IDD phone. Luggage rack, mini-bar and refrigerator, private toilet and bath, shower, writing desk and chair, safe, sofa, and coffee and tea facilities are also provided in each room.

Facilities at the hotel include a fitness center, function and meeting rooms, ballroom, parking, and a 35-meter courtyard swimming pool. Dining options include The Kitchen where guests can see the hotel's chefs at work, The Lounge for light snacks, fine wines, coffee, and tea, The Pool Cafe, and The Pastry. With Hotel Aryaduta Medan located just 15 minutes from Polonia International Airport, guests are sure to enjoy a convenient and pleasurable holiday.

Hotel Aryaduta Medan

Jl. Kapten Maulana Lubis No. 8

Medan 20112, North Sumatera

Indonesia

Phone Number: +62 61 457 2999

Website: http://www.aryaduta.com/hotels_home_medan.php