Serving as the capital of Riau, Pekanbaru is a bustling city on the banks of the Siak River in Sumatra’s east. It has been settled since the 17th century and flourished as part of the Dutch East Indies when it became an important trade hub for coffee and coal.
Things to do in Pekanbaru
Cultural artefacts collected from across the Riau region are on display at the Museum Daerah Riau Sang Nila Utama, which is named after the Srivijayan prince who founded the Kingdom of Singapore in 1299. Get up close to traditional costumes, musical instruments and vintage toys, as well as miniature models of local architectural landmarks. A short drive south is Lapangan Purna MTQ Pekanbaru, a Malay-style building that regularly hosts cultural events.
One of Pekanbaru’s most famous landmarks is the An-Nur Great Mosque, which was constructed in the 1960s and is one of the largest mosques in Indonesia. Designed by Rooseno Soerjohadikusumo, it draws on influences from Malay, Turkish and Indian architectural styles and can accommodate up to 4,500 worshippers. With its onion domes and reflective pool, the An-Nur Great Mosque is often compared to the Taj Mahal.
Don’t miss the Soeman HS Library, a striking, modern building that resembles an open book. It is named in honour of the beloved Indonesian author, Soeman Hasibuan, who was renowned for his detective novels. In addition to its collection of books related to Malay culture, the library houses an auditorium, a small mosque and a cafe.
Getting around Pekanbaru
Sultan Syarif Kasim II International Airport is around 10 minutes’ drive from the centre of Pekanbaru and has flights to destinations across Indonesia and Malaysia. Long-distance buses connect to Pekanbaru and travel throughout the city, connecting most of its attractions. Taxis are also available for getting around.