A golden pagoda
Modelled on Shwedagon.
Adhmi — CC BY-SA 4.0 · User:padlifadly — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Kenrick — CC BY-SA 3.0
A Buddhist complex in the cool highlands near the town of Berastagi, best known for a towering golden temple modelled on Myanmar's famous Shwedagon Pagoda, about forty-seven metres high, opened in 2010 and counted as the largest pagoda in Indonesia. The golden tower gleams among neat green gardens, surrounded by Buddha statues and hundreds of small carvings inside the hall, with the volcanic Karo mountains behind. The place is calm and clean, visited for photographs and strolls in the fresh air. Entry is free, with modest dress, shoes off inside the hall, and respect for worshippers. The park is about two and a half hours from Medan and is usually combined with Gundaling hill and Berastagi's fruit market. Nearby Mount Sinabung is active and its alert level sometimes rises, so check the volcanology agency's bulletin before travelling to the highlands.
Modelled on Shwedagon.
About forty-seven metres.
Cool, fresh gardens.
Tongkoh, near Berastagi, Karo regency
The park lies outside the usual danger zone, but ash can fall on the area during eruptions and roads may be affected. Follow the volcanology agency's bulletin before heading to Berastagi.