Solo Trip to Taman Alam Lumbini, Brastagi – Tanah Karo – Many of you probably have already known a great and sacred pagoda in Myanmar, named Shwedagon.
I visited Taman Alam Lumbini in Brastagi, Tanah Karo, North Sumatera about 2 hours from Medan City, and didn’t even know that at this beautiful natural park, there is a replica of Shwedagon built with very similar color and architecture with the original located in Myanmar.
About Taman Alam Lumbini, Brastagi – Tanah Karo
This pagoda is the biggest in Indonesia. Construction began in 2007 and open for public in 2010. My first visit was unplanned.
It was in 2013 and I was originally ordered to visit refugee camps of Mount Sinabung eruption, some of the main camps were located in Brastagi, about 300 meters from Taman Alam Lumbini.
I was wondering what kind of building covered in gold as soon as I rotated my sight to the right, so beautiful that I was very eager to visit.
As a solo traveler at that time I was walking in the middle of strawberry fields alone while at the same time staring at the pagoda. No one was on the street so I became so careless, no vehicle passed on it, not even a single human.
About 10 minutes walking down the street, I was welcomed by the guard. When I registered my name on the guest book, not too many people were on visit at the time, but the guard, who was only able to speak Karonese, told me that a group of visitors from China were on their way to visit Taman Alam Lumbini.
Right after entering the front-gate, I felt a very comfortable atmosphere, so peaceful and quiet. The first building I encountered was of course the pagoda itself.
But I refused to enter the building right away. Of course to save the best for the last. I stood and stared at the pagoda far from a corner, so high, and kinda thought ‘Where have I been all this time?’.
Actually Brastagi is a Karonese city which I always visit with my family. My family is Karonese in original. So it felt kinda weird for a Karonese like me, who was always visiting Brastagi, didn’t even know that there’s such a beautiful pagoda at Taman Alam Lumbini.
I explored farther into its heart. Taman Alam Lumbini is quite extensive for a natural park. There were great and beautiful spots far inside. I could hear peaceful instruments of Buddhist in all over area.
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I sat on a bench while enjoying great scenery. I could hear the sound of crickets and the bird chirped like there was no tomorrow. After spending a couple of hours exploring the beauties, I turned back to the opposite direction.
The very last spot I visited at Taman Alam Lumbini was the pagoda itself, the replica of gold Shwedagon. Before entering the entrance of course I took some photos.
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The pagoda hosts an elephant statue and the door look like it’s shaped with Indian craft Right after entering the pagoda, I saw a large statue of Buddha covered in white with many Buddhist religious offerings placed around it.
On both of its sides and also its back, there were similar statues with same offerings. They were also covered in white. In addition of those white statues, there were statues covered in gold but smaller than the previouses.
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The pagoda is not too extensive but built with very unique architecture. So catchy!
How to get to Taman Alam Lumbini?
[stag_map lat=”27.4872″ long=”83.277384″ width=”100%” height=”350px” style=”none” zoom=”15″]
Fortunately it’s quite easy to get there. From Medan City, right from a place called Simpang Pos, there are usually many mini public buses headed to Kabanjahe.
Whichever it is, take one that leads to Kabanjahe. The tariff of each bus is around Rp 10.000,- to Rp 15.000,-. About 2 hours, you should be arrived in Brastagi.
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Make sure to tell the driver to release you right at the intersection street near Taman Alam Lumbini itself (‘Taman Alam Lumbini’ wasn’t familiar enough for locals, but it is now). From there, walk towards Taman Alam Lumbini on foot, and about 20 minutes you should be arrived.
How much it cost to enter the pagoda? It’s totally FREE of charge. So enjoy your trip! Happy traveling, folks!
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