Bukittinggi | |
|---|---|
| City of Bukittinggi Kota Bukittinggi | |
| Other transcription(s) | |
| • Jawi | بوكيت تيڠڬي |
    
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 Coat of arms | |
| Motto: Saayun Salangkah (Minangkabau:Same turn, same step) | |
 Location withinWest Sumatra | |
| Coordinates:0°18′20″S100°22′9″E / 0.30556°S 100.36917°E /-0.30556; 100.36917 | |
| Country |  Indonesia |
| Region | Sumatra |
| Province |  West Sumatra |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Ramlan Nurmatias |
| • Vice Mayor | Ibnu Asis [id] |
| Area | |
• Total | 25.24 km2 (9.75 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 930 m (3,050 ft) |
| Population (mid 2023 estimate) | |
• Total | 124,047 |
| • Density | 4,915/km2 (12,730/sq mi) |
| [1] | |
| Time zone | UTC+7 (Indonesia Western Time) |
| Postal code | 26000 |
| Area code | (+62) 752 |
| HDI (2022) |  0.814 (very high) |
| Website | bukittinggikota.go.id |
Bukittinggi (Minangkabau:Bukiktinggi,Jawi:بوكيت تيڠڬي, formerlyDutch:Fort de Kock) is the third largest city inWest Sumatra,Indonesia, with a population of 111,312 in 2010[2] and 121,028 in 2020.[3] An official estimate as of mid 2023 lists a population of 124,047, consisting of 61,949 males and 62,098 females.[1] The city covers an area of 25.24 km2.[4] It is located in theMinangkabau Highlands, 90 km by road from the West Sumatran capital city ofPadang. The city is completely surrounded by theAgam Regency (Bukittinggi was itsregency seat until 1998), making it anenclave within the regency, and it is located at0°18′20″S100°22′9″E / 0.30556°S 100.36917°E /-0.30556; 100.36917, near the volcanoesMount Singgalang (inactive) andMount Marapi (still active). At 930 m above sea level, the city has a cool climate with temperatures between 16.1° to 24.9 °C.
Bukittinggi used to be known asFort de Kock and was once dubbed as 'Parijs van Sumatera'. The city was thecapital of Indonesia during theEmergency Government of the Republic of Indonesia (PDRI). Before it became the capital of PDRI, the city was a centre of government at the time of the Dutch East Indies and during the Japanese colonial period.
Bukittinggi is also known as a leadingtourist city in West Sumatra. It is twinned withSeremban inNegeri Sembilan,Malaysia. TheJam Gadang, a clock tower located in the heart of the city, is a symbol for the city and a well-visited tourist spot in the city.
The city is the birthplace ofMohammad Hatta, Indonesian co-proclamator andAssaat, then Indonesian (acting) president. Koto Gadang, a village in the southwest of the city, produces an abundance of statesmen, ministers, doctors, economist, artist and scholars who make great contribution to Indonesia, includingSutan Sjahrir,Agus Salim,Bahder Djohan,Rohana Kudus,Emil Salim, andDr. Syahrir.
The city has its origins in five villages that served as the basis for a marketplace.[5] It was known asFort de Kock in colonial times in reference to the Dutch outpost established here in 1825 during thePadri War.
The fort was founded by Captain Bauer at the top of Jirek hill and later named after the thenLieutenant Governor-General of theDutch East Indies,Hendrik Merkus de Kock.[6] The first road connecting the region with the west coast was built between 1833 and 1841 via the Anai Gorge, easing troop movements, cutting the costs of transportation and providing an economic stimulus for the agricultural economy.[7]
In 1856 a teacher-training college (Kweekschool) was founded in the city, the first in Sumatra, as part of a policy to provide education opportunities to the indigenous population.[8] A rail line connecting the city with Payakumbuh and Padang was constructed between 1891 and 1894.[9]
During theJapanese occupation of West Sumatra inWorld War II, the city was the headquarters for the Japanese 25th Army, the force that occupiedSumatra. The headquarters was moved to the city in April 1943 fromSingapore and remained until the Japanese surrender in August 1945.[10]
During theIndonesian National Revolution, the city saw afailed coup attempt by Islamist militias against the Indonesian republican government in 1947.[11] During the second 'Police Action' Dutch forces invaded and occupied the city on 22 December 1948, having earlier bombed it in preparation. The city was surrendered to Republican officials in December 1949 after the Dutch government recognised Indonesian sovereignty.[12]
The city was officially renamed Bukittinggi in 1949, replacing its colonial name. From 1950 until 1957, Bukittinggi was the capital city of a province called Central Sumatra, which encompassedWest Sumatra,Riau andJambi. In February 1958, during a revolt in Sumatra against the Indonesian government, rebels proclaimed theRevolutionary Government of the Republic of Indonesia (PRRI) in Bukittinggi. The Indonesian government had recaptured the town by May the same year.
A group ofMuslim men had planned to bomb a cafe in the city frequented by foreign tourists in October 2007, but the plot was aborted due to the risk of killing Muslim individuals in the vicinity.[13] Since 2008, the city administration has bannedValentine's Day andNew Year's celebrations as they consider them not in line with Minangkabau traditions or Islam that can lead to "immoral acts" such as young couples hugging and kissing.[14]
Bukittinggi is divided into threedistricts (kecamatan), which are further divided into 24 urban subdistricts (kelurahan). The districts are tabulated below with their areas and their populations at the 2010 Census[2] and the 2020 Census,[3] together with the official estimates as at mid 2023.[1] The table also includes the numbers of subdistricts within each district.
| Name of District (kecamatan) | Area in km2 | Pop'n 2010 Census | Pop'n 2020 Census | Pop'n mid 2023 Estimate | No. of kelurahan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guguk Panjang | 12.16 | 41.643 | 41,391 | 41,350 | 7 |
| Mandiangin Koto Selayan | 6.83 | 44,928 | 53,035 | 55,570 | 9 |
| Aur Birugo Tigo Baleh | 6.25 | 24,741 | 26,602 | 27,130 | 8 |
| Totals | 25.24 | 111,312 | 121,028 | 124,047 | 24 |
Bukittinggi is connected toPadang by road. Up until early 1980s, there was a railway service fromPadang Panjang that used to serve the city. For inner-city transport, Bukittinggi employs a public transportation system known as "Mersi" (Merapi Singgalang) and "IKABE" that connect locations within the city. The city preserves the traditional horse-cart widely known in the area asBendi, although the use is limited and more popular with tourists, both domestic and foreign.
It is a city popular with tourists due to the climate and central location. Bukittinggi is also a popular shopping destination due to cheap textile and fashion products, especially forMalaysian. Best way to see Bukittinggi is by motorbike, car or by foot (trekkings). Attractions within the city include:
Notable nearby destinations includeLake Maninjau, Lake Tarusan, Kamang Cave, and Tarang Cave.
Bukittinggi travel guide from Wikivoyage| International | |
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| National | |
| Geographic | |
| Other | |
