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These are the best souvenirs I always recommend to friends visiting Medan, North Sumatra, from legendary local treats to beautiful handcrafted gifts you'll only find here.

If Bukit Lawang is where you go to see orangutans, Tangkahan is a hidden gem where you go to truly experience the rainforest. Hidden deep within North Sumatra, this quiet eco-tourism village is surrounded by untouched jungle, turquoise rivers, and natural hot springs. Growing up in North Sumatra, I've always loved how peaceful Tangkahan feels. It's one of those places where you can spend hours listening to the river, exploring the forest, and forgetting about the outside world.

If you only have 48 hours in Medan, North Sumatra's largest city ; You need to experience Medan’s rich blend of Malay, Chinese, and Batak cultures and world-famous gastronomy. Medan is an absolute foodie paradise and a melting pot of cultures. You can tour majestic historical landmarks, sip Sumatra’s famous Mandheling coffee, Arabica coffee, or Luwak's coffee and dive into an unforgettable street food scene.

Meet wild orangutans in their natural habitat at Bukit Lawang, North Sumatra. Just a two-hour drive from Medan, this peaceful riverside village is the gateway to Gunung Leuser National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the last places on Earth where you can trek through pristine rainforest to encounter critically endangered Sumatran orangutans in the wild. Beyond the jungle, you'll discover crystal-clear rivers, lush tropical scenery, and an authentic eco-tourism experience that showcases a side of Indonesia far beyond Bali.

Lake Toba is one of Indonesia's most breathtaking destinations and one of its best-kept secrets beyond Bali. Home to the world's largest volcanic lake and Samosir Island, nearly the size of Singapore, this remarkable destination offers dramatic landscapes, rich Batak culture, and a slower pace of life that feels worlds away from the crowds. Whether you're cruising across the lake by ferry, exploring centuries-old Batak villages, chasing panoramic viewpoints, or watching the sun set behind misty mountains, Lake Toba invites you to slow down and experience Indonesia at its most authentic.Whether you're cruising across the lake by ferry, exploring centuries-old Batak villages, chasing panoramic viewpoints, or watching the sun set behind misty mountains, Lake Toba invites you to slow down and experience Indonesia at its most authentic.