takengon,aceh,indonesia

As you cruise the meandering road alongside the picturesque rift of Mount Geureundong on the way to Takengon, a small town with population no more than 230,000 in Central Aceh, your eyes would be entertained with visual concert of passing pine trees on your sides, series of tropical vegetations dotted with semi permanent dwellings, and stupefied looks of local children as your persevering labi-labi pass them by. The breeze on your face would be gradually chillier, as you pass coats of mists. Here, the average temperature is almost permanently around 20 degree Celcius, or a convenient 68 degree Fahrenheit. Finally, 100 kilometers from the westernmost edge, the small town of Takengon welcomes you.

Takengon is the capital of Central Aceh district. It sits to offer you a handful of rareness you must see. The food is unique and it’s worth noting. Agro-tourism and activities around the Lake Laut Tawar (sea of fresh water) are the reasons to extend your stay. Not to mention the legend of a princess that turned into stone with her observable unseen guards. It is far from nonsense when we mention in the first place that Aceh is truly a spiritual gateway to Indonesia.

Going to Takengon is convenience when you are in Banda Aceh. Please turn to Banda Aceh article for accessibility to capital city, Banda Aceh. From the capital city, you can take a bus or a rented car. In some cases, labi-labi (the local public transport in Banda Aceh) can also be rented for a trip to Takengon. It takes 8 hours to get there.

From Banda Aceh, a traveler usually passes Bireun, which is an easy drive as the long road is almost straight. From Bireun to Takengon, a driver must pay extra attention to the road as it is winding and gorge is right at the side of the road.

If you depart from Medan, take a bus from bus station going to Banda Aceh, and stop in Lhokseumawe. Medan – Lhokseumawe trip is about 4 hours. From Lhokseumawe to Takengon you can take a minibus and it takes 3 hours to get there.

If you happen to be in Kutacane, there is also a public transportation going to Takengon.

Takengon is a town around an altitude of 1,200 meters. It is far different from Banda Aceh. When Banda Aceh becomes merrier as the night comes, in Takengon, it is the opposite.

Come and see the attractions for yourself. The stories you tell would be too good to be true, and too precious to miss. This is Aceh, and it makes a wonderful inception for your journey to the whole archipelago.