Manado

• • Ban Hin Kiong — The oldest Chinese temple built in Manado during the Qing Dynasty era in China (1644–1911). It is a house of worship for the Tridharma followers from Manado and the region. This Temple is located at D.I. Panjaitan Street in Manado, which is the centre of the city's China Town. There are some shrines and temples, homes and interesting shops run by Chinese. The temple is easily reached by public transport, by mikrolet or taxis. Visitors can also rent a car or motorcycle to tour China Town. — Address: D.I. Panjaitan Street, Manado
• • Bukit Kasih — One of popular tourist destinations in North Sulawesi. Go to the top of the Hill by climbing 2435 stairs to see an amazing view of nature. There are many natural hot springs around this area. Get your feet relax. Nearby, you can visit Watu Pinabetengan, an animism site. — Directions: south of Manado. from Kawangkoan.
• Modoinding. Agro-tourism place, where all kind of vegetables and spices come from, to supply the demands of east part of Indonesia, the area is about above sea level. The place is cool and you will find Modoinding valley with Moat Lake with Bukit Doa on the east, very beautiful place. There is also Ambang National Park where you can see Golden Owl as favourite for bird watching activity. About from Manado. You also able to stay in the community house, traditional Minahasan wooden house for Rp 200,000 a night for the small house with western toilet and shower.

• Day trip to Bunaken: Manado is famous throughout the region for its diving areas. Bunaken is one of the well-known national marine park in Indonesia. 30 minutes boat ride. See its Wikivoyage article for more information.
• Day trip to Tangkoko Nature Reserve: home of tarsiers and macaques, about from Manado. 1-2 hours ride. See its Wikivoyage article for more information.

Manadonese food is famous throughout Indonesia for two things: the Minahasa eat absolutely anything, and the flavour of choice is very spicy. Sugar is used little if at all, with flavour added through lemon and herbs. Being Christian, the Minahasa also often marinate meat in alcohol and favour pork. More exotic protein options include cats, forest rats, fruit bats, and dogs, the last of which is the obligatory centrepiece of any wedding ceremony or Christmas feast. Classic dishes include:

• ikan mas bakar rica, grilled spicy fish cooked in traditional style, using a piece of coconut shell as a way of cooking. Grilled together with chilli, that poured in the fish while cooking.
• ikan mas goreng, fish fried till the soft bone is crunchy.
• ayam rica-rica, grilled chicken topped with a fiery red chilli-and-onion paste
• ikan mas woku balanga, fish simmered in herbs
• babi tore, fried pork until crunched with a lot of chilli
• perkedel milu, corn fritters
• tinutuan (or bubur manado), a goopy porridge of rice, pumpkin, noodles and random vegetables; doesn't look very attractive, but it can be tasty and, for once, not spicy.
• miedal, very similar to tinutuan (same sauce), but using noodles instead of rice.
• biapong, a Chinese-style bun dumpling, what is called 'bao' in Chinese, is called biapong here. Different fillings are available.

Dutch settlement here has also brought in a few surprising influences, notably:

• brenebon (bruine bonesoep), a rich red kidney bean soup, comes in two versions, savoury (as a side dish) and sweet (for desserts).
• klappertaart, a western-style coconut cake.

These two kind of drinks are made from Palm trees: Please drink responsibly, some locals have a bad habit of drinking irresponsibly. A major crime problem in town is caused by drunkards.

• saguer,
• cap tikus

There are also some coffee shops.

• • Excelso — Good place for coffee and light snacks. — Address: Mega Mall — Website: http://Excelso-Coffee.com

• • Manado Town Square — Opened in 2006, the biggest shopping centre in Manado. You can find various western stuff here. — Address: Jl. Piere Tendean Boulevard, Kota Manado, Sulawesi Utara 95114 — Hours: 10:00 to 22:00
• • Mega Trade Centre Manado — The shopping place for electronics and bulk purchase. Similar to Mangga Dua ITC in Jakarta or Makassar Trade Centre. — Address: Kawasan Megamas, Jl. Piere Tendean Boulevard, Manado 95111 — Hours: 10:00 to 22:00 — Phone: +62 431 881 9368 — Website: http://MTCManado.com/main
• • Megamall Manado — Shopping centre with two blocks, connected by a bridge. — Address: Jl.Piere Tendean Boulevard, Kawasan Megamas, Manado — Phone: +62 431 879 889 — Website: http://MegamallManado.com
• • Manado Inter Money Changer — Address: In front of Bahu Mall, next to Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN), Jl. W. Monginsidi No:62 Bahu Link: III Manado — Phone: +62 431 866 676, +62 431 866 677

Manado is Sulawesi's other bustling centre of business and tourism. And with demand to match, the prices here are higher than elsewhere in Sulawesi. However, if you are willing to pay up, luxury options that you haven't seen since Makassar are available here.

Manado is quite far from the rest of Indonesia, and most visitors arrive by plane.

The main ways of getting around are ojek/ompreng, moped taxis that can be a bit scary, or with Mikrolets (mikros), the blue minibuses that you jump on just standing by the street. They all have a certain route, and within a day one should figure out how it works.