Riau: Culture, Nature and Tradition
Accommodation in Riau
Riau brings together cultural history, rainforest, river landscapes and traditional events. Its destinations appeal to a range of interests, from the history of the Siak Sultanate and a Buddhist temple complex to peat swamps, boat trips and annual festivals.
History and Architecture
Istana Siak Asserayah Al-Hasyimiah in Siak Regency was designated a museum by Indonesia’s Ministry of Culture. It is considered a historic landmark of Malay history and a testament to the flourishing of the Siak Sultanate, as well as Sultan Syarif Kasim II’s efforts for Indonesia’s independence.
Candi Muara Takus is a Buddhist temple complex in the village of Muara Takus, in XIII Koto Kampar District, Kampar Regency, Riau Province. Its building materials include bricks, sandstone and river stones. The cultural focus of each site is therefore distinct: Istana is associated with the Siak Sultanate, while Muara Takus is a Buddhist temple complex.
Rainforest, Peat Swamp and Water
Tesso Nilo National Park is a lowland rainforest in Riau covering 83,068 hectares. Protected-area boundaries may be updated by the authorities; if precise boundaries are important for your visit, check the latest information beforehand. Zamrud National Park in Siak Regency is a peat swamp area that was officially designated on 22 July 2016. Its two main lakes are Danau Pulau Besar, covering 2,416 hectares, and Danau Bawah, covering 360 hectares. Danau Pulau Besar is therefore considerably larger than Danau Bawah.
In Zamrud National Park, you can take a boat along the Sungai Rawa to Danau Pulau Besar. You can also go boating or fishing at Danau Khayangan. Tengku Agung Sultanah Latifah Bridge has an elevator to the top of the bridge; from there, you can take in panoramic views of the Siak River from above. As operating rules may change, check the conditions for visiting beforehand.
Rowing Competitions and Festivals
Pacu Jalur is a traditional rowing competition from the Kuantan Singingi region of Riau. Teams of rowers compete in boats called jalur, made from hollowed-out tree trunks. Each boat is made from a single tree, measures 25 to 40 meters long and accommodates 45 to 60 rowers. The annual Pacu Jalur Festival in Kuantan Singingi celebrates a centuries-old tradition; dates vary from year to year.
The Bekudo Bono Festival takes place every November on the Kampar River in Teluk Meranti, Pelalawan. Its program includes a Bono wave race, competitions for professional and amateur surfers, music and cultural performances, and traditional games. As the program may change from one edition to the next, check the dates and events for your travel year.
Bakar Tongkang is an annual ritual of the Chinese community in Bagansiapiapi; the exact dates follow the Chinese calendar. The three events also differ in timing: Pacu Jalur and Bakar Tongkang take place annually, but their specific dates vary, while Bekudo Bono takes place in November. For a trip centered on a festival, the calendar is therefore an important starting point.
Find Hotels by Destination and Occasion
This helps you tailor your choice to the actual focus of your trip: cultural sites, natural areas or an event date. If you are visiting for a festival, check the dates for your chosen year; operating rules at the bridge may change.
Discover more destinations: Sekupang, Tanjung Pinang, Pekanbaru, Kapulauan Riau, Rokan Hilir, Dumai, Moro, Teluk Bakau, Toapaya, Bonai Darussalam, Indragiri Hilir, Batam, Bengkalis, Kabupaten Karimun, Kawal, Ukui, Tembilahan, Kundur.
For the broader travel overview: Indonesia.
