Pekanbaru, Indonesia
Region: Riau
Geographic Coordinates: 0.509200, 101.445000
Temperature Range: 26.0°C to 33.0°C (79°F to 91°F)
Climate: Tropical climate with high humidity and rainfall throughout the year, with no distinct seasons.
Population: 983356
Language: Indonesian
Pekanbaru is the capital city of Riau province in Indonesia, Located on the eastern coast of Sumatra Island. The city has a population of over one million people and is known for its rich cultural heritage, Vibrant economy, And beautiful natural landscapes. One of the most notable landmarks in Pekanbaru is the Sultan Syarif Kasim II International Airport, Which serves as a gateway to other parts of Indonesia and Southeast Asia. The airport also hosts several international airlines that connect Pekanbaru with destinations such as Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, And Bangkok.
Pekanbaru’s economy is primarily driven by its oil and gas industry. The city is home to several multinational companies engaged in oil exploration and production activities. Other major industries include palm oil plantations, Timber processing, Mining operations, And tourism. The local cuisine in Pekanbaru offers a unique blend of Malay-Indonesian flavors with influences from neighboring countries like Malaysia and Singapore. Some popular dishes include nasi lemak (coconut rice), Rendang (spicy beef curry), Sate padang (grilled skewered meat), Mie goreng (fried noodles), And laksa (spicy noodle soup).
Tourists visiting Pekanbaru can explore many historical sites that showcase the city’s rich cultural heritage. One such site is An-Nur Great Mosque; it features stunning architecture inspired by traditional Malay design elements such as intricate wood carvings and colorful tiles. Another must-visit destination for tourists in Pekanbaru is Taman Wisata Alam Mayang Mangurai Nature Reserve – an expansive nature reserve featuring lush forests teeming with wildlife species like orangutans, Gibbons, Tigers, Elephants among others.
Overall, Pekanbaru offers visitors an ideal mix of modern amenities coupled with rich cultural heritage making it an excellent destination for those looking to experience Indonesian culture while enjoying all the comforts that come with a modern city.
- An-Nur Great Mosque
- Siak Sri Indrapura Palace
- Riau Cultural Park
- Tesso Nilo National Park
- Alam Mayang Fishing Garden and Waterpark
- Pekanbaru Mall
- SKA Mall Pekanbaru
- Sang Nila Utama Museum
- Jembatan Siak IV Bridge
- Rumbai Zoo
- Oil and Gas Industry: Pekanbaru is home to several oil and gas companies such as Chevron Pacific Indonesia, Petronas Carigali, and Pertamina EP.
- Agriculture: The city is known for its palm oil plantations, rubber plantations, and rice fields.
- Manufacturing Industry: Pekanbaru has a growing manufacturing industry with factories producing textiles, paper products, furniture, and food products.
- Retail Industry: There are many shopping malls in the city including Mall Pekanbaru and SKA Mall which attract shoppers from all over Riau province.
- Hospitality Industry: With the growth of tourism in the region, there has been an increase in hotels and resorts being built in Pekanbaru.
- Education Sector: There are several universities located in the city such as Universitas Riau (UNRI) which attracts students from all over Indonesia.
- Service Sector: There are many service-based businesses operating in Pekanbaru including banking services, insurance companies, real estate agencies among others.
- Pekanbaru was a small village under Dutch colonial rule before becoming the capital of Riau province in 1959.
- The Japanese military occupied Pekanbaru during World War II from 1942 to 1945.
- Local leaders in Pekanbaru actively participated in protests and demonstrations against Dutch colonial rule during the Indonesian independence movement.
- Soeman Hs served as the first governor of Riau province after its establishment in 1959, making him a notable figure in Pekanbaru’s history.
- Sultan Syarif Kasim II Airport is one of Indonesia’s busiest airports and is located in Pekanbaru.
- The Siak Sri Indrapura Palace near Pekanbaru was home to the sultanate of Siak Sri Indrapura, which ruled over much of modern-day Riau province during the 18th and 19th centuries.
- Tengku Amir Hamzah, a prominent poet and nationalist, lived in Pekanbaru before being exiled to Banda Aceh by Dutch authorities for his involvement in anti-colonial activities.
- In November 2003, at least 25 people were killed and dozens more injured when a bridge over the Kampar River near Pekanbaru collapsed.
- The Islamic Center Mosque on Jalan Tuanku Tambusai Road is one of Southeast Asia’s largest mosques and is located downtown in Pekanbaru.
- The Ahmad Yani Monument honors Indonesian General Ahmad Yani who was killed during an attempted coup against President Sukarno in 1965; it is located at the center of Pekanbaru city.
- An-Nur Great Mosque
- Siak Sri Indrapura Palace
- Riau Cultural Park
- Taman Budaya Riau (Riau Cultural Center)
- Sang Nila Utama Museum
- Adityawarman Museum
- Pekanbaru Mall and Convention Center (PMCC)
- Balai Soedjatmoko Art Center
- Bukit Batu Archaeological Site
- Sultan Syarif Kasim II International Airport Monument
- After conducting research, it appears that Pekanbaru does not have any professional sports teams.
- The city’s focus is primarily on amateur and recreational sports such as badminton, football (soccer), and basketball.
- There are local leagues and tournaments for these sports held throughout the year in Pekanbaru.
- Pekanbaru City Anniversary Celebration is an annual event held in June to commemorate the founding of Pekanbaru.
- The Tabuik Festival is a traditional festival that takes place in November to honor the death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad.
- Riau Cultural Week is a week-long event that showcases various cultural performances, exhibitions, and competitions.
- Pekanbaru Fashion Week is an annual fashion event featuring local designers and models showcasing their latest creations.
- Indonesian Independence Day Celebration occurs on August 17th every year with parades, music performances, and other festivities.
- Islamic New Year Celebration (Muharram) is celebrated by Muslims with prayers and religious ceremonies.
- Chinese New Year Celebration is celebrated by Chinese Indonesians with dragon dances, fireworks displays, and traditional food offerings.
- Hari Raya Aidilfitri marks the end of Ramadan for Muslims with feasting and visiting family members’ homes for forgiveness.
- Pasola Festival- A traditional horseback fighting festival which usually takes place during February or March on Sumba Island.
- Riau-style beef rendang at Restoran Sederhana.
- Pempek Palembang at Pempek Pak Raden.
- Mie Kocok at Mie Kocok Pak Haji Amat.
- Nasi Padang at Sari Ratu.
- Martabak Mesir at Martabak Mesir Haji Ismail.
- Ayam Pop (Popcorn Chicken) at Ayam Pop Bintaro.
- Es Durian Medan (Durian Ice Cream) at Es Durian Medan Bu Yanti.
- Bakso Malang (Meatball Soup) at Bakso Malang Cak Eko.
- Bubur Kampiun (Porridge with Various Toppings) at Bubur Kampiun Ahmad Dahlan.
- Nasi Goreng Gila (Crazy Fried Rice) and Roti Canai (Indian Flatbread with Curry Sauce) at Warung Nasi Goreng Gila & Roti Canai Bengkel Jalan Lembah Damai.
