Medan

Medan is the capital of North Sumatra province and Indonesia's third-largest city. It sprawls over a wide area and it is one of the country's most important transportation hubs. Medan's harbor, Belawan, is of main importance to Sumatra. The city has sea connections with Penang in Malaysia. Numerous colonial Dutch buildings survive in Medan's older suburbs.

The Istana Maimoon (Maimoun Palace) and the Mesjid Raya, with its black dome, are among the city's most prominent landmarks. The Mesjid Besar (Grand Mosque) is also worth a visit. Along Jalan Sukarno-Hatta, one can see some nice European-style buildings, such as the Bank Indonesia and the High Court. There are several interesting museums in Medan. The Museum of North Sumatra boasts excellent displays on the island's culture and history. The Bukit Barisan Military Museum offers interesting collections of weaponry and displays on warfare, while cultural performances can be enjoyed at Taman Budaya.

Medan has the largest crocodile farm in Indonesia, with about 2000 crocodiles in all different sizes and of several different species. It is located at Asam Kumbang, about 5 km from the city center.

Most of the Medan's cheaper accommodation is situated in and close to the city center. There are many restaurants and food stalls in Medan, but the ones on Jalan Semarang, a small street between Jalan Pandu and Jalan Bandung, have the best value. They offer Indonesian and Chinese meals 'till late at night. Medan is 1400 km northwest of Jakarta. The city has air connections with Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Amsterdam, Vienna, and Jakarta, as well as destinations on Sumatra.