Pekanbaru is the capital of the Riau province in Sumatra, Indonesia, which has the highest per capita income in Indonesia. It is the main center of oil production in the province.
The Sultan Syarif Qasim II International Airport in Pekanbaru has a number of flights to and from other important places in Indonesia. It can also be reached by ferry from Malacca and other locations. It is a stopover for travelers going to Bukittinggi.
Pekanbaru is located at the central portion of Riau, its name meaning “new market”. The Siak river, the deepest river in Indonesia, runs through the city.
Oil was discovered in the city in the year 1939, and has been the mainstay of its economic development. Located throughout the Riau province are both domestic oil companies, as well as international ones like Chevron and Caltex. Although a oil-rich city, Pekanbaru is remarkably clean, and a recipient of the Adipura (clean city) award in 2006.
There are a few places of interest in and around Pekanbaru. These include the Great Mosque of An-Nur, the older mosque in the city. There is prevalence of Malay culture in Pekanbaru, with many buildings having predominantly Riau-Malay architecture and construction. Significant among them is the Balai Adat, or the Adat community house, which celebrates the glory of the Malay culture.
In the southern part of Pekanbaru is the museum which houses historical remains and artifacts of the region. This, too, is built in the Riau-Malay style.
There are a number of good hotels in Pekanbaru, and both local cuisine and international food is served.
