Riau
Riau, which includes a large part of East Sumatra, is homeland to Malays and the source of Indonesia’s Malay-based national language. The first book of Malay grammar, called Bustanul Katibin, was written and published here in 1857.Pekanbaru became the provincial capital in 1959, taking over from the former capital of Tanjungpinang on the island of Bintan. About 160 kms upstream on the Siak River a number of buildings in the traditional style are still in this area, among them the Balai Dang Merdu the Balai Adat and Taman Budaya Riau, or Riau Cultural Park.
Jl. Jend. Sudirman No.200, Pekan Baru Phone. (0761) 31452, 40356, Fax. (0761) 40356
http://www.budsenipar-riau.com
Riau Tourism Board
Gd. Badan Promosi & Investasi Prov. Riau, Lt. 2 Jl. Gajahmada 200, Pekanbaru - Riau
Tel/fax: +62-761-858441
Getting thereSimpang Tiga Airport is a busy visa free entry point. Pelangi flies to Kuala Lumpur and Silk Air flies to Singapore. Domestic airlines direct flights from Jakarta as well as from Medan and Batam. There are frequent departures from the bus station. Agencies all around town sell tickets for the boats to Batam.
- Perahu Naga Festival, Tanjung Pinang. It is the Dragon Boat Race, both local and foreign contes, tank race a distance of 400 m.
- The event is held on Oct-08 at the Tanjung Pinang seaside facing Penyengat Island. To enhance the event there are culture performances, swimming competition for men and women and traditional diving contest.
- Pacu Jalur, Teluk Kuantan, Indragiri Hulu, Riau. Jalur or canoe races coincide with Indonesia’s Independedce Day celebration. Every decorative jalur used for the race on the Kuantan River is made of one single large bark of tree, approximately 30 m long and manned by 25-30 rowers. Before the festival was only held after a harvest and considered a sacred event. The event will be held on Aug 23-26 2008.
- Traditional Culture and Dance Parade on March, 2008 presents the Malay culture and traditions the event features a dance competition and dance performance from dance group and schools in city of Batam.
Candi Muara Takus
Candi Muara Takus. Like many others structures of its kind in Sumatra, this Budha temple stupa near the village of Muara Takus in the Tigabelas Koto district, was built with red bricks and sand. The temple is believed to have been built at arround the 9th century A.D. when the power of the South Sumatra-bassed Sriwijaya Empire was at its peak. Excavations are still being made to determine the precise age and function of the stupa. It can be reached in 118 Km from Pekanbaru. 
Kerumutan Nature Reserve 
Kerumutan Nature Reserve. Located in mainland Riau in the Kuala Kampar district, this 120,000 hectares (30,000 acres) nature reserve can be reached in 18 hours by motor boat from Pekanbaru.
Bono
Bono is a curious natural phenomenon, which the Rokan River (in the Kampar regency) displays daily along its downstream reaches. Every day at the time high tide sets in, a swelling appears in the water at the river mouth. Accompanied by a rumbling sound, the swelling grows in mass until it is about as high as a small tree, spinning as it moves upwards along the river and growing smaller in the process until it finally disappears.
Dumai
Dumai. Formerly a fishing village on the east coast, it is now a major oil terminal. Storage tanks and modern installations rise against the sky, although the town itself is quite pleasant and interesting.
The Siak Sultanate’s Park
The Siak Sultanate’s Park. This Moorish style palace of the Sultan Siak, 120 kms upstream from Pekanbaru on the Siak River, was built in 1889 by Sultan Syarif Hasyim Abdul Jalil Syarifuddin. Now a museum, the palace contains the sultanate’s royal paraphernalia and others items of historical interest.
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Wednesday, June 17, 2009
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