Pekanbaru, Experiencing Indonesia’s Economic City
The city of Pekanbaru, Indonesia, serves as the capital of Riau province and the biggest economic center on the eastern coast of Sumatra Island. The city’s name translates to “new market” in Malay, with “pecan” meaning “market and “baru” meaning “new.” The locals most frequently refer to Pekanbaru as PKU Pekan, Pakan, or Kota Bertuah. It houses over a million residents, making it Sumatra Islands’ third biggest city in terms of population. You can reach the city via plane and land at the Sultan Syarif Qasim International Airport, located on the southern part of the town.
Best Time to Visit
Pekanbaru generally experiences hot weather all year long, with some chances of rain now and then. The winter season, running from December to February, is dubbed as the busiest time of year. Pekanbaru, Indonesia hotels during this season is packed with tourists. If you are not into blending in with the crowd, you can come by the start of fall in September when the city celebrates the annual Mid-Autumn Festival or Mooncake Festival.
What to Do & Area Attractions
The city is home to a ton of recreational and outdoor activities. One of the most frequently visited attractions is the Great Mosque of An-Nur and the Lambah Sari Artifical Lake. You can also drop by the Ciputra Seraya Mall to look for local products and cuisines. You can check-in at Grand Elite Hotel Pekanbaru or Novotel Pekanbaru, both of which are within a five-minute walk from the mall.