The revitalisation of the Old Town of Padang is not merely about\nphysical improvements but about bringing the old town back to life as a\ncentre of culture and economy.<\/p>\n
Padang - (ANTARA) - That afternoon, a cloudy sky enveloped the city\nof Padang, creating a melancholic atmosphere.<\/p>\n
From atop the Siti Nurbaya Bridge, sunlight appeared trapped by the\nclouds, casting a dim glow over the city. Below it, fishermen\u2019s boats\ncut through the brownish currents of the Batang Arau River.<\/p>\n
This melancholic vibe actually attracts visitors. They come to the\nriverbanks, stop at riverside cafes, or try culinary experiences while\nstrolling along the legendary river.<\/p>\n
One cafe offers a floating concept. Two square-shaped fibreglass\nboats are lit up, each equipped with circular sofas and a central table.\nOn top, seven women enjoy food and drinks, while an operator controls\nthe outboard motor, slowly guiding the boat upstream.<\/p>\n
This floating cafe is increasingly popular as a new way to enjoy\ntourism in Padang, especially since not everyone can navigate the\nhistory-rich Batang Arau.<\/p>\n
In the past, Batang Arau was a centre of trade and an important port\non the West Coast of Sumatra. This river witnessed the development of\nPadang, from a traditional trading town to a modern city.<\/p>\n
Traces of that era are still visible through the row of old buildings\nleft by the Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC) that stretch to the\nKampung Cina area.<\/p>\n
The old town atmosphere persists, even though some buildings have\nbeen lost. This area includes Muaro Batang Arau, Pasar Gadang, Pasar\nBatipuh, Pasar Mudik, Palinggam, Kampung Pondok, Kampung Jawa, up to the\ncoastal areas.<\/p>\n
From the floating cafe, visitors can see old buildings along the\nriver, including the former Guntzel & Schumacher office, now a\nnightclub. After passing the Siti Nurbaya Bridge, the GEO Wehry & Co\nbuilding comes into view, a major colonial import-export company now\nfunctioning as a cafe and billiards hall.<\/p>\n
However, the view is not entirely romantic. On both sides of the\nriver, wooden docks stand haphazardly. When the tide is low, remnants of\ndocks, shipwrecks, and thick mud deposits are visible. Plastic waste\noften floats, carried by currents from settlements, especially after\nheavy rain.<\/p>\n
Along Batang Arau up to Jalan Klenteng, many old buildings are used\nas cafes, entertainment venues, or offices. However, not a few are\nabandoned, adding to the rundown impression. Entering Jalan Klenteng,\nthe atmosphere feels gloomy because sunlight is blocked by tall\nbuildings and poorly maintained warehouses.<\/p>\n
The contrast is evident in the Pecinan area, specifically around the\nSee Hin Kiong Old Temple. This area is brighter and more lively, filled\nwith trendy cafes up to the Pasar Tanah Kongsi intersection. From there,\nvisitors can continue their journey to the Indian descendant area in\nPasar Batipuh up to Pulau Air, then return to Batang Arau to the\nPadangsche Spaarbank building, now a restaurant.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/revitalising-the-old-town-of-padang-1777557286", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }