Bukit Lawang

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The tourist village of Bukit Lawang, in North Sumatra, Indonesia, is the main access point for the rainforests of the Gunung Leuser National Park. Visitors come here to see Orangutans at the nearby rehabilitation centre and for jungle treks. Bukit Lawang is situated 86 km by road to the north-west of Medan, passing through Tanjung Langkat, Binjai, Bohorok nestling on the banks of the Bohorok river.

Tragically, a massive flash flood hit Bukit Lawang during November 2003, killing a substantial proportion of the village and destroying nearly all the buildings including tourist hotels.

Ironically a construction was already underway to move the entire village away from the river's edge, where it had been constructed without government permission.

Since the flood tourism has significantly declined as the combination of decreased tourist activities/services and Indonesian terrorist incidents have taken their toll. As at April, 2006, however, the orangutan rehabilitation centre along with many hotels remain open for business.