Stand on Jl. Pane and the statue of Kwan Im rises above the rooftops, the tallest of its kind in Indonesia at 22.8 m. That single landmark tells you what Pematangsiantar is: a working North Sumatran city on the road between Medan and Lake Toba, with a handful of genuinely worthwhile stops rather than a full tourist circuit.
It suits travellers breaking the journey to Parapat and Lake Toba, or anyone with a spare day in the province who wants a Batak Simalungun museum, a temple, a zoo and a tea plantation without crowds. This guide covers the sights named in the source material, plus a one-day plan that links them.
Top things to do in Pematangsiantar
1. Avalokitesvara Temple (Vihara Avalokitesvara)
A Buddhist temple housing the statue of Kwan Im, the Goddess of Mercy, which at 22.8 m high is the tallest statue of its kind in Indonesia. The temple complex is reached from Jl. Pane, and a bridge connects it to a newer complex across the Bah Bolon river; the old temple building was destroyed by fire in May 2008.
Come in daylight so you can see the statue properly and walk the bridge between the two complexes. It is the city's most distinctive sight and the natural first stop.
2. Pematangsiantar Zoo (Taman Hewan Pematangsiantar)
The zoo has a good collection of Indonesian native animals, most notably birds, tigers and apes, and is set among abundant tropical trees and plants, some of them quite old. It sits surprisingly close to the main roads of the city, within walking distance.
Entry is Rp25,000 per person, with children under three free. Because it is walkable from the centre, it pairs easily with the colonial buildings around the city core.
3. Museum Simalungun
The museum is the place to make sense of the Simalungun Batak culture that surrounds the city. Allow time to read rather than pass through.
Pair it with a walk past the city's old buildings, since the museum gives context to the colonial-era architecture you will see nearby.
4. Sidamanik Tea Plantation (Kebun Teh Sidamanik)
A vast field of tea plantation about a 30-minute drive to the southwest of the city. The scale of the planting is the attraction rather than any single viewpoint.
It is the one stop that takes you out of the city, so give it a half-day and go when the light is good. Arrange your transport in advance, as it lies outside the centre.
5. Colonial villas and buildings in the city centre
A few nice colonial-style villas and houses from the Dutch era survive in and around the city centre, including the Balai Kota (old city hall), the old and new director's houses of the Rumah Sakit Umum (public hospital), and the kantor pos (post office).
Most are poorly maintained, so treat this as a walking route past facades rather than a set of attractions. It combines well with the zoo, which is close to the main roads.
6. Gereja GKPS Pansur Lima
One of the city's Simalungun churches and a straightforward stop for visitors interested in the Batak Christian congregations that shape local life.
Remember that this is an active place of worship, so visit respectfully and outside service times.
7. Gereja Kristen Protestant Simalungun
The Simalungun Protestant church, another of the city's named places of worship and part of the same religious landscape as Gereja GKPS Pansur Lima.
Visit quietly and avoid interrupting a service.
8. HKI PUSAT INDONESIA
The HKI (Huria Kristen Indonesia) church is among the named places of worship in the city and worth including if you are following the city's churches.
As with the other churches, check that nothing is being held before you go in.
9. Masjid Taqwa Muhammadiyah
The city's named mosque and a useful counterpoint to the churches on this list, reflecting the mix of communities in Pematangsiantar.
Dress modestly and time your visit away from prayer times.
10. Siantar Hotel swimming pool
The pool at Siantar Hotel is open to the public for a small fee, and the hotel also has a small gym. There is a second, public swimming pool in the city.
Neither pool has a water filtering system and both change the water twice a week, so ask before you get in.
11. Natural springs south of the city
About 15 minutes south of the city centre, in the direction of Sibolga, there are natural springs and fountains where you can hang out in small pools.
This is a simple, local way to spend an hour, and it works well as a stop if you are heading onward towards Sibolga.
If you only have one day
Morning. Start at Avalokitesvara Temple (Vihara Avalokitesvara) on Jl. Pane, crossing the bridge to the newer complex across the Bah Bolon. Then walk the city centre for the colonial buildings: the Balai Kota, the old and new director's houses of the Rumah Sakit Umum, and the kantor pos.
Afternoon. Go to Pematangsiantar Zoo, which is within walking distance of the main roads, and give it a couple of hours for the birds, tigers and apes. If the heat is getting to you, the Siantar Hotel pool is open to the public for a small fee, but ask about the water first. If you have your own transport and a longer day, swap the pool for the Sidamanik Tea Plantation, about 30 minutes southwest.
Evening. Visit Museum Simalungun while it is still open, then round off with the city's places of worship if any are accessible in the evening: Masjid Taqwa Muhammadiyah, Gereja GKPS Pansur Lima, Gereja Kristen Protestant Simalungun or HKI PUSAT INDONESIA. Keep to the ones that are open and quiet at that hour.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Pematangsiantar?
The city lies 128 km from Medan and 50 km from Parapat, the Lake Toba tourist centre, and is often used as a transit city for travellers heading to Lake Toba and Central Tapanuli Regency.
How many days do I need?
One day covers the temple, the zoo, the museum and the colonial buildings. Add a half-day if you want the Sidamanik Tea Plantation, which is about a 30-minute drive southwest.
What should I know before swimming?
The Siantar Hotel pool and the public pool have no water filtering system and change their water twice a week, so ask before immersing yourself.
What is there to see outside the city centre?
The Sidamanik Tea Plantation to the southwest, and the natural springs and fountains about 15 minutes south in the direction of Sibolga.
Work out your route between Medan, Pematangsiantar and Parapat, and start planning your stop in the city.