Singkarak Lake or Lake Batur

A sea of clear water, fishing boats scattered on the surface of the lake for fishing, plus a green landscape around the lake. Yes, the view of this kind will be found in Lake Batur, West Sumatra. This lake is about 70 km from Padang, capital of West Sumatra.

Lake Batur stretching and administratively included in two districts in West Sumatra, namely Solok and Tanah Datar. With an area of about 1,000 hectares, the lake has become the second largest in the highlands of Sumatra after Lake Toba. Lake with a depth of 268 meters and is located at an altitude of 363.5 meters above sea level, including the type lake formed due to tectonic due to expected shift in the Earth's plates.

Although relatively wide, but there are many species of fish that live in the waters of Lake Batur. There are only 19 recorded species of fish that live in this lake. This is possible because of the limited amount of plankton into fish food in general. Plankton is difficult to live here because of the depth of the lake that makes the sunlight can not penetrate the bottom of the lake.

Because of its beauty, Lake Batur become one of the tourist attractions are crowded with people around and also from outside the city. The beauty of this resort was first known in 1905 through biology journal belonging to Ernst Haeckel, a researcher from Germany. Not only examined the Lake Batur and the surrounding ecosystem, Haeckel was also amazed by the beauty of this lake, making it encapsulates the beauty of Lake Batur in a painting.

There are many activities you can do to enjoy the Lake Batur. You can swim in the clear lake water, the boat ride around the lake, fishing by the lake or join the fishermen catch fish. Do not forget to bring your camera to capture the beauty of this tourist spot. Large lake with a green background Bukit Barisan opposite a pity to miss.

In addition to these activities, you can also do a culinary tour in the stalls that surround these attractions. If eating at stalls unsatisfactory, try fishing or fishing and burn it on the edge of the lake with friends. This could be a pleasant experience.

What is interesting from Singkarak Lake?

As the lake once the pride of West Sumatra natural attractions mainstay, Lake Batur has some unique things interesting for you to know, including: 

Tour de Singkarak Lake Batur be part of the Tour de Singkarak, an international cycling event is regularly held every year. Tour de Singkarak supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy and the Amaury Sport Organisation, organizer of similar events in France, the Tour de France.

Tour de Singkarak first held in 2009. Furthermore, when implementation takes place during the week between the months of April to June with seven stages that must be passed by the participants. Tour de Singkarak not just a cycling race on the highway, but also the introduction of the culture and the natural beauty of West Sumatra. Along the route to be taken, participants will be treated to views of Minang cultural diversity and natural beauty of West Sumatra.

At first, the Tour de Singkarak starts from the starting line in the city of Padang and ending at Pier Lake Batur. Then, since 2012, the starting line starting from Sawahlunto, a historic old town in West Sumatra and ends in the city of Padang. Although no longer the site of the finish line, but Lake Batur still remain part of the Tour de Singkarak along with Lake Maninjau and several other interesting sights.

fish bilih
Recorded about 19 species of fish that live in the waters of Lake Batur today. One of these fish species are fish bilih (Mystacoleucus padangensis). Fish bilih be special because it can only live in this lake alone. Many have tried to breed this fish out of Lake Batur, but always failed because bilih fish always die.

Bilih normally fish are small, only a maximum length of about 10 cm with sparkling silver colored scales. Of the 19 species of fish that exist, this bilih fish whose number is estimated at most in the waters of the lake. Fish bilih become an economic resource of local people. Fishermen catch and sell them to stalls. This fish is most delicious when fried and dipped in sauce.

Besides sold in the stalls, fried dried fish bilih is also available in the sale of souvenirs around these sights. Fish packed in plastic of various sizes and you can make souvenirs typical of Singkarak Lake.

Lake Batur length increased from time to time
Because belonging to the category of tectonic lakes, Lake Batur size can still be changed to follow the earth's shifting plates. According to research experts, the length of the lake at first only 3 km, then increased to 8 km, 13 km and is now about 23 km. The length of this lake is predicted to continue to grow.