Welcome to GoSouth Sumatra, the all South Sumatra website

Places of interest in South Sumatra

|Bukit Siguntang |Gedingsuro Archaeological Park |Kamero Island |Koba |Lahat |Lubuklinggau |Mount Maras |Muaraenim |Musi Banyuasin |Natural Pine Forest |Palembang |Rumah Limas |State Museum |Tenang Waterfall

Once one of the greatest kingdoms in the history of Indonesia, today it is one of the country's richest.   Numerous rivers traverse the central plains - the rice and rubber plantation belt. In the southwestern highlands, where coffee and tea are grown, the soil is the most fertile. However, the most important sources of the province's wealth are oil, natural gas, tin, quartz sand, coal, limestone and andesite stone.   Belonging to this province are two sizable islands, Bangka and Belitung, off Sumatra's east coast. Both Bangka and Belitung are known for the hospitality of their people and for their appetizing seafoods. They are also important producers of tin.   Because of its location on the southernmost rim of the South China Sea, close to one of world's busiest sea lanes linking the Far East with Europe, the region's history is rich and colorful. Once the very site of the Buddhist Kingdom of Sriwijaya, it practiced a bustling trade with then ancient China during its era of dynasties.   Visitors can easily reach South Sumatra by air from Palembang, Pangkalpinang, Bangka and Belitung islands, all having direct connections with Medan, Batam, Padang, Jakarta and Singapore. Air-conditioned buses from points north and west of Palembang are regularly available, as well as from cities on the islands of Java and Bali.

Bukit Siguntang An important archaeological site on an elevated plain west of the city of Palembang. It is believed to have once been close to the seat of the old Sriwijaya kingdom, an important center of Buddhist learning. Among the finds is a beautiful 7th century Buddha statue, which is now housed in the Palembang Museum.     Gedingsuro Archaeological Park As many as 38 ancient tombs are found at this cemetery, which dates back to the 16th century. One of them belongs to Ki Gede Ing Suro, one of the prominent forefathers of South Sumatra's present society.     Kamero Island Forty kilometers from Palembang, Kamero Island is a popular recreation site in the middle of the Musi River. The island has a Buddhist temple.     Koba Koba is a small town, 52 km from Pangkalpinang, The road follows the coast and coconut palms line the road all the way. Nets and scoops are everywhere in sight on the beaches. The smell of fish drying in the sun hangs in the air.   Driving from Koba to Tobali, the trip passes through the villages of Airbara, Airgegas, Nangka and Pergam. These are prosperous villages which thrive on the pepper trade. Houses in this area look better and the people are visibly better off than in other parts of the island.     Lahat Lahat, the capital of the Lahat regency, is 225 km from Palembang. The Dempo tea plantation, which dates from the old colonial days, is located in the Pagar Alam area on the slope of Mount Dempo, where the surroundings are very scenic.   Ancient megaliths are found near the villages of Tegut Wangi, Tanjung Aro and Gunung Megang. The forests around the Lematang Indah and Lawang Agung waterfalls are inhabited by monkeys.     Lubuklinggau Lubuklinggau, the capital of the Musi Hulu Rawas regency, is 380 km from Palembang. The region has a rich treasury of folklore, as well as many traditional dances.   Bukit Sulat Hill, Rupit Cave, Lake Raya and Temam Waterfall attract many visitors.   Mount Maras The most beautiful mountain on the island of Bangka, Mount Maras is only 699 m high. Mountain trekking is good here, with paths that have already been cut. From the top the view takes in Sungailiat, Belinyu and the shoreline. There is also a well with water clean enough to drink. The summit is covered with fog in the late afternoon, so unless one intends to spend the night, it is best to descend well before dusk.     Muaraenim Muaraenim, the capital of this regency of the same name, is 180 km from Palembang. It is the administrative center of an oil refining and coal mining region.   Lake Segayam, is pleasant for boating and swimming, while enjoying the refreshing climate of the area.     Musi Banyuasin Sekayu, the capital of this regency, is about 134 km east of Palembang. There are large rubber plantation complexes in this area at Sembawa, Melania and Tebenan.   Ganesha Park, at Lebong Hitam, is a tract of land where 232 wild elephants have been relocated, following raids by the animals on farmers' properties.     Natural Pine Forest This recently built recreational complex covers an area of 50 hectares, consisting of four parts: an amusement park, recreation park, natural forest and a man-made lake.   Because of its proximity to Palembang, this complex caters mainly to the local people, however, visitors also enjoy passing time here.     Palembang Palembang, the provincial capital, lies on the banks of the great Musi River, 60 km upstream and navigable by ocean going vessels. Most social and economic activities center in and around Palembang and the Musi River, which flows through the center of the city, dividing it into two parts, linked by the 1,177 meter Ampera Bridge.   The view from the Ampera Bridge is fascinating, to say the least. An unbelievable amount of traffic of boats of all shapes and sizes make their way on these waters. There are even food vendors on boats making house-to-house calls. The Musi is not only a waterway, it is also home to many people who, either out of necessity or preference, live on it in floating houses made of wood or bamboo. Both halves of the city are clearly visible, and on both sides of the river there are floating shops and restaurants.   Palembang is famous for its Songket cloth, not only in Indonesia but as far as Europe. Made of cotton yarn in bright colors, the cloth is embellished with gold thread in floral and geometric patterns. The two most highly valued are 'Lepus' and 'Tanjung Garebek Limar Patut'.   The wood carvings of Palembang distinguish themselves not only by their style, but also by their preference for lotus flowers, floral and triangular motifs.   The Bidar Race is an annual event held on August 17 to celebrate Independence Day. The length of the competing canoes are 20 m to 40 m, with each canoe carrying as many as 50 oarsmen.     Rumah Limas Still found scattered over the province, the 'Limas' houses were mostly built on riversides, with the backs facing the river, possibly so that daily household activities could be carried out in privacy, out of sight of passers-by.   These very ornate wooden houses, built on stilts, have rather sizeable measurements: from 15 to 20 m in width and from 30 to 60 m in length. A good part of the house has hand-carved columns, door and window frames. Cross ventilation between the rooms is achieved by placing wooden panels with flow-through carvings just below the ceilings.   Some good examples of 'Limas' houses can be seen in the city of Palembang.     State Museum Erected in 1977, this relatively new the building has a collection of around 2,000 objects, including miniature models of traditional houses, household articles, utensils, looms, hunting tools, a bridal room and some preserved animals of the region. A visit here is worthwhile.     Tenang Waterfall Rich in the number of rivers flowing through this province, waterfalls of various sizes come with them too. The biggest is Tenang Waterfall, located in the Muaraenim regency, where the water falls from a height of 90 meters into a deep pool. Further downstream is a strong current. By public transport from Palembang it takes 2 hours, less by private car.   Shopping Songket textiles, wood carvings, rattan plait work and ceramics. See the archipelaGo listings for more information.