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The heart of the highlands, Bukit tinggi is a two-hours
drive through beautiful countryside of the Anai valley and
up to the Agam Plateau. A center of attraction is the town's
clock-tower, topped with a horn- shaped roof and referred
to by the people as Jam Gadang. It overlooks the market
square and the city's magnificent surroundings.
Located 930 meters above sea level, Bukit tinggi, formerly
named Fort De Cock by the Dutch, has a cool climate and
is surrounded by three volcanoes: Tandikat, Singgalang and
Merapi. In the outskirts of the town is the Ngarai Sianok,
a canyon separating Bukit tinggi from Kota Gadang, 12 km
away overland.
Kota Gadang is renowned for its fine silver filigree and
hand embroidery. Also worth visiting is the Museum which
is a Rumah Gadang, a traditional extended family house built
in the 19th century. There are dance performances at the
museum's open stage every Sunday and on public holidays.
Night dance performances are at Sliguri. It is also worth
seeing the bullfights at Padang Lawas (6 km south of Bukittinggi)
every Tuesday at 5.00 p.m.
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