Medan

Located in the northeast of Sumatra, Medan is a bustling city with a population of around 2 million people, and the largest conurbation outside Java. In the Dutch colonial era Medan was an important trading post for the plantation owners, reflected in the Art Deco buildings which can still be seen today such as the Old City Hall and Post office. 

Although the city is hectic at times, there is a vibrant food scene and a number of colonial villas, open green spaces and modern shopping malls to explore.