Kualanamu to Medan: skip the jam, insist on a meter

Grand Inna Medan on Jalan Balai Kota began as Hotel De Boer in 1898, and its older wing keeps a Dutch colonial character with hanging chandeliers and a mix of Dutch and Malay interior design. It sits a short walk from Lapangan Merdeka and the railway station, so early trains and the Kesawan streets are easy on foot…

Vihara Gunung Timur on Jalan Hang Tuah is a major Chinese temple in Medan, and it fills with worshippers at Imlek, Cap Go Meh and the Chit Gwee Pua ghost festival. Imlek falls in January or February, and Cap Go Meh closes the season on the 15th day after it. Lion dance processions often mark the main days. Visit in…

Pekan Raya Sumatera Utara is the province's big fair, held on the PRSU grounds on Jalan Gatot Subroto in Medan and running for about a month in the middle of the year. Expect regional pavilions, local art and music stages, food stalls and Jakarta artists in the evening shows. The 49th edition was in 2023 and the 50th…

Bolu Meranti is the soft, moist Medan sponge cake that many visitors carry home, and shops get busy during big events and holiday weeks. Ask for small pieces if you want to try several flavours before buying a larger set. Go on a weekday morning to avoid queues, and buy it last so it stays fresh for the trip.

Maha Vihara Maitreya in the Cemara Asri estate, northeast of the centre, is a large Mahayana Buddhist complex inaugurated in 2008, with three main halls and dragon reliefs and statues around the grounds. It is a working place of worship, so dress modestly, keep your voice low and ask before photographing anyone…

The Museum Negeri Sumatera Utara on Jalan HM Joni shows prehistoric tools and artefacts from across the province, and it makes a good rainy-day stop. Plan it for Tuesday to Sunday, because Monday is its day off and the gate stays shut. Published closing times vary a little between sources, so arrive by early afternoon…

Motorised becak in Medan have no meter, and some drivers quote a low price and then ask for far more at the end of the ride. Say the destination and the full fare out loud before you climb in, and ask a hotel or shop staff member what is fair for the distance. If you would rather skip the haggling, a Grab or Gojek…

Medan's electric BRT buses run fixed corridors, and the Lapangan Merdeka hub beside Medan railway station is where most lines meet, which makes it an easy place to change buses. Lines reach Amplas, Pinang Baris, Belawan, Tuntungan and Tembung. Pay on board with a prepaid e-money card or a QRIS wallet app, so have one…