Tanjungbalai is a city in North Sumatra province, Indonesia, on the estuary of the Asahan River.

Understand

This city is nicknamed "Clam City", because this city used to produce shellfish in a large quantity.

Get in

By bus

• 1 Sijambi Bus Station (Terminal Bus Terpadu Sijambi), Jl. Jendral Sudirman No. km. 7, Sijambi, Kec. Datuk Bandar (7 km from Tanjungbalai city center). There are buses from Medan, Lake Toba and other major cities on the eastern coast. (updated Aug 2022)

By train

• 2 Tanjungbalai Train Station (Stasiun Tanjungbalai). Tanjungbalai is served 3x daily by Putri Deli from Medan, fares are Rp 27.000 (economy class). Trip durations are around 4 hours and 30 minutes.  

By boat

• 3 Teluk Nibung Port (Pelabuhan Teluk Nibung). The only major port in Asahan regency that serves both domestic and international voyages from/to Port Klang and Hutan Melintang, Perak. 

By plane

The nearest airport is Kualanamu International Airport (KNO ^IATA) near the provincial capital Medan, about 140km to the north.

Get around

By road

The easiest way to explore is either using a motorcycle or a car, but road condition mostly is bad, only the major roads are paved. Beware especially when riding a motorcycle on the highway due to high speed of other vehicles. Avoid riding or driving at night!

By public transit

Small buses connects several villages along the highway. In the Tanjungbalai city, betor (becak bermotor) are plenty. Be sure to haggle before hop in. Online transport like Grab or Gojek are available as well, but they may refuse to take you out of town.

See

Reconstructed palace of the Sultan of Asahan.

• Balai Ujung Tanjung, Jl. Asahan, Indra Sakti. Small local museum. 

Do

• 1 Asahan River. This river is famous as one of the best white river rafting spots in the world after the Zambesi River and Colorado River with a grade of 3-5+, only for experienced rafters. The Asahan River Valley offers a breathtaking view, with dramatic cliffs on each sides, covered by lush tropical rainforest. There are plenty of waterfalls scattered around the valley, some of them are very remote.  

Events

At the end of every year, Pesta Kerang (Clam Festival) is held to commemorate the birthday of Tanjungbalai city.

Eat and drink

• 1 RM Gule Masam Gaok, Jl Yos Sudarso, Teluk Nibung. A variety of fresh seafood, cooked by request. Try their famous gule masam (sour curry). (updated Nov 2021)
• 2 Pondok Naga Pantai Galau (Located on the Asahan River's bank). Daily 08:00–23:00. Lots of choices of foods: fish, shrimp, shellfish, pempek, chicken. The juices is also great. (updated Oct 2023)

Sleep

• 1 Grand Singgie Hotel (Ayola Grand Singgie), Jl. HOS Cokroaminoto (Across from the city park), ☏ +628116292999, reservation@grandsinggiehotel.com. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. A 3-star hotel with total 102 rooms located at the city center of Tanjungbalai that opened in 2018. There's a fitness center, a small restaurant and cafe but no swimming pool. Start from Rp300,000 for 1 person Studio room; Rp 410,000 for 2 person Standard room; Rp 510,000 for Superior room; Rp 610,000 for Deluxe room. (updated Nov 2021)
• 2 Al Karim Syariah, Jl. Pusara No. 17, South Tanjungbalai, ☏ +628041040040. Start from Rp270,000. (updated Aug 2022)

• 3 Tresya Hotel, Jl. Jendral Sudirman No. KM. 6,5, Sijambi, Kec. Datuk Bandar (across the street from the Sijambi Bus Station), ☏ +622129707601. Double room: Rp400,000. (updated Aug 2022)

Connect

The telephone area code for Tanjungbalai city is 0623.

Go next

• Lake Toba
• Pematangsiantar
• Port Klang