Payakumbuh (Minangkabau: Payokumbuah, Jawi: ڤايوكومبواه) is the second largest city in West Sumatra province, Indonesia, with a population of 116,825 at the 2010 Census and 139,576 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as at mid 2022 was 143,325 - comprising 72,186 males and 71,139 females. It covers an area of 80.42 km² and is in the Minangkabau Highlands, 120 km by road from the West Sumatran capital city of Padang and 180 km from the Riau capital city of Pekanbaru.
The whole area is surrounded on all sides by (but administratively independent from) the Lima Puluh Kota Regency, making it an enclave. It is located near the volcanoes of Mount Merapi, Mount Sago, and Bukit Barisan. Payakumbuh means "grassy swamp" in the Minangkabau language., suggesting that the area was originally swampy.
In 2011, Payakumbuh had the highest economic growth of any city in West Sumatra. Innovations in sanitation, waste management, healthy traditional markets, street vendors coaching, and urban drainage resulted in this city being awarded the "Urban Innovation Management" in 2012. In 2013, Payakumbuh received the "Adipura" ('cleanest city') award in the category of small city for the seventh time.
Payakumbuh is known for flying duck races, foods like batiah (small sweet rice cookies), gelamai (a sweet coconut palm sugared snack) and rendang. Payakumbuh produces a wide range of agriculture products including rice, milk, cattle and palm sugar.
Payakumbuh and its surrounding villages, namely Mungka, Simalanggang and Batuhampar are the origin of the Negeri Sembilan people of Malaysia.
Watch Pacu Itiak (Flying duck race), a traditional competition that is held every year in this city.
Payakumbuh's special dishes including: boreh rondang, kipang, rondang boluk, rondang tolua dan martabak tolua.
Here are some places to eat in this city:
There are very few lodging in this city, and in the form of homestay or guesthouse. There are very few hotels in here. If you want to stay at a luxurious hotel, it is recommended to serach in Bukittinggi.
This city does not have an airport so the only way to this city is by car from the city of Padang or Pekanbaru which took about 3 hours. It is recommended to pass through the city of Pekanbaru because the Pekanbaru-Payakumbuh route is not too congested compared to the Padang-Payakumbuh route which can take more than three hours and even up to a dozen hours during the holiday season.
Payakumbuh is a small city so you can walk around by foot. Besides walking you can also use "Bendi" (a horse-drawn carriage similar to a wagon). You can also rent a car to get around.
Online Ojek service is available.
