"North Sumatra - Lake Toba, Batak, Brastagi, Medan" Top 5 Page for this destination North Sumatra Province by SLLiew

North Sumatra Province Travel Guide: 568 reviews and 1,530 photos

Lake Toba - Giant crater lake - North Sumatra Province

North Sumatra - Lake Toba, Batak, Brastagi, Medan - North Sumatra Province

North Sumatra is a off-the-beaten track tourist destination. Unfortunately, it has suffered in the past from strife in Aceh and the tragic tsunami and series of earthquakes.

Medan is the major entry point. Lake Toba (Danau Toba) is an amazing geological formation and there are many towns and tribes living here worthy of spending time exploring.

Intro Updated Jun 3, 2007
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Reviews (11)

Cultural Performance - North Sumatra Province

Cultural Performance Nightlife (1)

In most tour packages to Lake Toba, there will be a dinner cultural shows at one of the major tourist hotels. The Batak... more travel advice

Batak Textile design - North Sumatra Province

Batak Textile design Favorites (4)

As many ethnic groups in Indonesian, the hand woven textile and unique design is important to the Batak people. When... more travel advice

Traditional musical instrument - North Sumatra Province

Traditional musical instrument Favorites (4)

When in Lake Toba, I was impressed by the musical instruments of the Batak people. The Batak has a stringed "guitar"... more travel advice

Toba culture Favorites (4)

Besides the typical horn-like roofs of Batak palaces, in Tomok and other parts of Samosir Island, you can see royal... more travel advice

Things to Do (5)
See All Medan - Overnight stopover

Transportation (1)
Penang to Medan Gateway

Comments (10)

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MalenaN Apr 13, 2008 at 8:34 AM

Sounds like you had a nice visit! The view over Lake Toba looks great!
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LoriPori Dec 24, 2007 at 3:46 AM

Lovely page on North Sumatra SL. Lots of culture here
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Faiza-Ifrah Nov 26, 2007 at 9:11 AM

good tips. i already know what i would have shopped from this destination :-)
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mircaskirca Jul 21, 2007 at 6:46 AM

Reading about Batak culture made me interested in getting to know more. The roofs of their houses are in fact in the shape of a ship. It reminds me on the architecture of Toraja on Sulawesi! Very attractive indeed! :)
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nickandchris Apr 17, 2007 at 1:47 AM

A spectacular place. How do you mean, the water is too hard for swimming? To me, that means soap won't lather.
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i-s-a Mar 6, 2007 at 8:32 PM

a very interesting place to visit. thanks for the tips!
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cokes Feb 13, 2007 at 4:27 PM

Nice Page SL , well I do hope I can make it here next time I visit Indonesia.
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mansionion Jan 25, 2007 at 6:04 AM

Medan @ North Sumatra is in my to go list after visiting West Sumatra last year. Thanks for sharing the info here, real eye opener too. -m-
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Ekahau Jan 14, 2007 at 5:01 PM

sl Lake Toba is the mother of all volcanos the whole valley was one mega eruption -- nice page on North Sumatra - Lake Toba thanks
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victorwkf Dec 13, 2006 at 7:42 AM

Lake toba is one nearby place which i hope to visit someday. Heard the island in the centre of the lake is bigger than singapore :)