Forget about Bali, Sumbawa, Lombok, and the capital city Jakarta when it comes to enjoying a vacation in Indonesia. Considered one of the biggest countries in the world in terms of land area, Indonesia is made up of provinces and cities. If it’s your first time going to the Emerald of the Equator, why don’t you explore Riau province for a memorable vacation? Although its most popular destination is Bintan Island, make sure to also stop and see its capital city Pekanbaru. There are plenty of activities to be enjoyed in this dynamic city, from admiring mosques to visiting parks and museums. Check out our list of the top 10 things to do in Pekanbaru, Indonesia.
1. Admire the magnificent An-Nur Great Mosque
An-Nur Great Mosque is one of the iconic landmarks in Pekanbaru. You should not leave the city without paying a visit to “the Mosque.” Once you get here, you will be reminded of its similarity to the world-famous Taj Mahal in India. However, compared to Agra’s enormous ivory-white marble mausoleum, this mosque is dominated by green color that symbolizes Islam. It can accommodate up to 4500 people and is equipped with escalators to help them move between different levels easily and quickly. Furthermore, the mosque is known for its magnificent Arabic, Turkish, Indian, and Malay architectures.
Masjid Agung An-Nur Riau Province
Address: Jl. Hangtuah Ujung, Sumahilang, Kec. Pekanbaru Kota, Kota Pekanbaru, Riau 28156, Indonesia
Website: Masjid Agung An-Nur Riau Province
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
2. Understand the Riau-Malay culture at Museum Sang Nila Utama
It would be nice to learn a little bit about this new destination, right? Visit Museum Sang Nila Utama, which is situated in Cultural Park Riau Province, to know more about the legacy of Riau. Once you get inside the museum, get ready to see a wide collection of artifacts, jewelry, clothing, and musical instruments. Prepare for an educational tour that consists of getting to know local history as well as understanding the province’s culture and tradition.
Museum Sang Nila Utama
Address: Tangkerang Pekanbaru Jl. Jend. Sudirman No.194, Tengkerang Tengah, Marpoyan Damai, Pekanbaru City, Riau
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 8am - 3pm; Sat - Sun: 8am - 1pm (closed on Fri)
3. Enjoy the beauty of nature at Randu Wisata Pekanbaru
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Reconnect with nature and appreciate what mother nature has provided us by visiting Randu Wisata Pekanbaru. Indulge in the tranquil atmosphere before you start marveling at the calm and crystal clear waters. There are also several animal species that inhabit this tourist attraction such as pelicans, giraffes, and crocodiles. There are also traditional houses to see and admire before leaving the site.
Randu Wisata Pekanbaru
Address: Harjosari, Sukajadi, Pekanbaru City, Riau
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
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4. Enter the world of gaming at ThemePark Asia Farm Hayday
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by AsiaFarm.id on Tuesday, June 22, 2021
If you are an avid gamer, you may be familiar with a popular mobile farming game called Hay Day. Good news for you as Hay Day has been put into reality. While inside ThemePark Asia Farm Hayday, you and your companions get to experience how it’s like to be in Japan or any European countries. Enjoy taking pictures in front of a hobbit hole or a Dutch windmill. At the agri-tourism section, don’t forget to check out the animal kingdom where you get to encounter goats, rabbits, birds, and more.
ThemePark Asia Farm Hayday
Address: Jl. Badak Ujung, Sail, Kec. Tenayan Raya, Pekanbaru City, Riau
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 6pm; Sat - Sun: 8am - 6pm
Price: 25000 IDR (1.8 USD)
5. Take pictures near Tugu Zapin
Often referred to as Tugu Titik NOL by the locals, Tugu Zapin is quite an icon in the city. Situated right in front of the office of Riau Governor, Tugu Zapin was built in 2012 to replace Tugu Pesawat Tempur for National Sports Event XVIII in Riau. If you take a look at the monument closely, you can see that there’s a woman and a man dancing beautifully. It is not just a dance but a traditional dance of Zapin.
Tugu Zapin
Address: Jl. Jend. Ahmad Yani No.152, Tanah Datar, Kec. Pekanbaru Kota, Kota Pekanbaru, Riau 28156, Indonesia
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
6. Pick fresh fruits at Taman Agrowisata Tenayan Raya
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Are you fond of agriculture? If yes, you would not want to skip a visit to Taman Agrowisata Tenayan Raya. With a concept of agro-education, this attraction offers guests a glimpse of basic farming, fishing, and more. If you are not into agriculture, you are recommended to visit this place as it offers you an opportunity to harvest fresh vegetables and pick your favorite fruits from the trees. In addition, the site features outbound facilities for those who are interested in outdoor adventure with their loved ones.
Taman Agrowisata Tenayan Raya
Address: Jl. Kadiran, Kulim, Tenayan Raya, Pekanbaru City, Riau
Opening hours: Sat - Thu: 8am - 6pm (closed on Fri)
Price: From 5000 IDR (0.4 USD)
7. Make a visit to the historic Rumah Singgah Tuan Kadi
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
A visit to the historic Rumah Singgah Tuan Kadi is definitely worth it. It has been listed by the local authority as one of the cultural heritage sites in Riau. Displaying classic Malay architecture, the house is known for its distinct pyramid shape. Built around 1895, the house used to be a resting place for Sultan Siak Sri Indrapura and his companions before they continued their journey elsewhere.
Rumah Singgah Tuan Kadi
Address: Kecamatan Kampung Bandar, Kabupaten Senapelan, Pekanbaru City, Riau
Opening hours: 8am - 4pm (daily)
Price: Free
8. Pass through Siak I Bridge
Riau has a total of four big bridges and if you cannot visit them all, it would be enough to visit only Siak I Bridge. The bridge, which is also popular by its other name Leighton Bridge, recorded an achievement after successfully connecting two regions that had been separated by Siak River. From the iconic bridge, you can enjoy the beauty of Siak River and the stunning view of the surroundings.
Siak I Bridge
Address: Jl. Yos Sudarso, Meranti Pandak, Kec. Rumbai Pesisir, Pekanbaru City, Riau
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
9. Take a boat tour to explore Artificial Lake
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Although artificially made, Artificial Lake is just as beautiful as a natural lake. The lake was originally made to serve as an irrigation system but you are welcome to take a boat tour to see how clear the water is. If you wish, you can also take part in a more exciting adventure by climbing the hills surrounding the lake.
Artificial Lake
Address: Jl. Khayangan, Rumbai Pesisir, Pekanbaru City, Riau
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
10. Go for a pleasant stroll at Science Park Universitas Riau
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Among the many parks in Pekanbaru, one of the most-visited here is Science Park that is located at Riau University. While here, you can go for a walk in the green space. The little ones are going to love it here because of the playground, science experiment equipment, and facilities for creative learning.
Science Park Universitas Riau
Address: Jl. Binawidya UNRI, Simpang Baru, Kec. Tampan, Pekanbaru City, Riau
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: 15000 IDR (1 USD)
A new adventure awaits in Pekanbaru
Pekanbaru is not only famous for its grand mosque but also other attractions that offer exciting activities and educational tours. When planning a trip to Indonesia, why don’t you consider booking a flight to Pekanbaru instead? Discover a destination that is just as exciting as Bali, Indonesia.
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