# Medan City, Capital of North Sumatra Province Medan is the third largest city in Indonesia after Jakarta and Surabaya, and the largest city on the island of Sumatra. Medan possesses a wealth of strategic potential, ranging from its geographical location, the potential of its people, to its historical background. This capital has become the main driving force behind Medan's rise as a modern and religious metropolis. The word "Medan" etymologically derives from the Tamil words Maidhan or Maidhanam, meaning open ground or a spacious area. These words were later adopted into Malay. Given the short name, Medan has become one of the shortest city names in Indonesia. Historically, Medan was originally a village founded by Guru Patimpus Sembiring, located right at the mouth of the Babura River. Today, this location is not far from the Panca Budi University campus on Jalan Jenderal Gatot Subroto around 1590. This small village later grew into a small city, populated predominantly by Malays. Medan Post Office Medan's anniversary has been celebrated annually since 1970, initially on April 1, 1909. However, due to academic debate, the date was eventually changed to July 1. Since then, Medan's anniversary has been celebrated every July 1 with various arts performances and the election of the Medan City Champion. Medan: A Tourist Favorite After independence on August 17, 1945, the Indonesian government officially recognized Medan as part of Indonesia's North Sumatra Province. It subsequently became a fully-fledged city and a municipality. Medan was later officially appointed as the capital of East Sumatra Province. Since 1950, Medan has expanded its area several times, from 1,853 hectares to 26,510 hectares in 1974. Thus, within 25 years of the transfer of sovereignty, Medan has grown almost eighteenfold. Compared to its current situation, Medan has grown into a modern metropolitan city. Medan is currently one of Indonesia's most popular tourist destinations. Medan has become a favorite among Malaysian shoppers through a series of Medan Tour Packages. Malaysian tourists seek everything from finished products like Muslim clothing to ready-made garments, which they purchase in bulk to take home. The [Medan Tour Package](https://switourmedan.com/) offered by travel agents or Travel Agencies (BPW) include several options. These include: Medan city tours, Medan souvenirs, Medan culinary tours, Medan Golf Packages, and more. All of these programs offer tourists the opportunity to explore Medan's tourism potential. Leading Medan City Tourist Attractions As mentioned above, Medan boasts numerous selling points. This encourages and attracts tourists to Medan. Below, we will explore some of them: Maimun Palace Medan In fact, the Maimun Palace, owned by the Sultan of Deli, is not only a historical relic but also a center of Malay culture. The palace was built in 1888 under the leadership of Sultan Makmun Al-Rashid. At Maimun Palace, tourists have the opportunity to rent traditional Malay clothing and take as many photos as they like. Rahmat Gallery The Rahmat International Wildlife Museum & Gallery is the only one in Asia, boasting a collection of approximately 2,000 species from various countries, ranging from the smallest to the largest. Some of the collection is the result of international conservation efforts by its founder. The gallery was inaugurated by the Minister of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Dr. Juwono Sudarsono, MA, on May 14, 1999. Al-Mashun Grand Mosque, Medan Sultan Makmun Al Rasyid, as the leader of the Deli Sultanate, began construction of the Al-Mashun Grand Mosque on August 21, 1906, or 1 Rajab, 1324 Hijri. Construction was completed on September 10, 1909, marked by the first Friday prayer held there. The total construction budget was one million guilders. Ma'mun Al Rasyid built the mosque based on his principle that it should be more important than his own palace, the Maimun Palace. The mosque's construction was funded by the Deli Sultanate, the Deli Maatschappij, and Tjong A Fie, the richest businessman in Medan at the time. Graha Maria Annai Velangkanni This church is a two-story building consisting of a meeting place on the ground floor and a prayer area on the first floor, while the tower above it consists of seven stories, symbolizing that there is room for everyone in heaven. The tower itself represents the Raja Gopuram (king's dome) in Hindu architecture. Atop the church are also three The dome, built in the Mughal architectural style, symbolizes the Trinity. Shri Mariamman Temple This place of worship, called the Shri Mariamman Temple, is the oldest Hindu temple in Petisah Tengah, Medan Petisah, Medan City. Built in 1881 to worship the goddess Mariamman, the temple enshrines five deities: Shri Vinayagar, Shri Murugan, and Dewi Shri Mariamman. Durga, in the form of Kali, is managed by a member of the family of the owner of the large Texmaco company, Lila Marimutu. The temple's gateway is adorned with a gopuram, a tiered tower. This type of tower is commonly found in Hindu temples from South India. The temple is often filled with Hindu devotees during the Deepavali and Thaipusam festivals. **Another popular trip by SWI Tour & Travel:** Another attraction tourists can enjoy after the [Bukit Lawang jungle trekking](https://switourmedan.com/bukit-lawang-jungle-trekking/) is the captivating Ariko waterfall. The waterfall is not large or tall, so the current is not strong. This allows you to safely bathe under the waterfall. With all its charm, the [Mount Sibayak Sunrise hike](https://switourmedan.com/mount-sibayak-hiking-medan/) is not just a physical activity, but also a spiritual journey that enriches the soul and provides unforgettable memories. This experience will always be a valuable part of your life's adventure in Tanah Karo. If you're interested in learning more about Indonesia's agricultural products. Maha Vihara Maitreya Maha Vihara Maitreya Cemara Asri, or more commonly Vihara Cemara Asri, is one of the largest monasteries in Indonesia. Built in 1991 and inaugurated in 2008, this temple is truly expansive. It covers 4.5 hectares and can accommodate up to 6,000 people in three different halls. It's also a popular tourist destination in Medan. The Cemara Asri Temple is also a popular tourist attraction in the Medan area. Its distinctive Chinese ornaments create a unique view. There's also the Avalokitesvara Garden, a children's playground, and a souvenir shop. Traditional Shopping Tour As you know, Medan has many modern malls and supermarkets. However, tourists, especially those from Malaysia, often request a traditional market. Tour guides typically take tourists to two main destinations: the Old Fish Market and the Petisah Market. Tourists often shop at these two places for bargains. They bring home many items, including women's clothing, clothing supplies, and prayer equipment. 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