Pekanbaru aka “the New Market” is the capital of Riau Province and is one of the cleanest city’s in Indonesia. Pekanbaru is a big city, but traveler’s typically visit the city as they are enroute to the Riau Islands or Singapore since there is a local airport located near the city center. Traveling through the city is fairly easy and travelers should use a taxi versus renting a vehicle, or walking (scooter or motorbikes travel on the sidewalks). Within the city center, there is an abundance of stores to shop, including a few malls, in addition to a local market that sells vegetables, seafood, household items, clothes and locally-made souvenirs.

The best restaurant in the city is the Pondok Paton HM Yunis which specializes in seafood and a local favorite is the hot and sour Adam pedan ikan patin and costs about 50,000Rp. Lodging is fairly cheap and if you prefer a Western-style hotel, be a guest at the Novotel Pekanbaru. Even though Pekanbaru has numerous colleges, it is not known for its nightlife; however, the cost of a drink and cover charge to enter a bar or club is similar.

It is best to visit Pekanbaru between April and October because it’s considered the dry season. Overall, Pekanbaru is a hidden and underrated gem that charms tourists as it is rich in Islamic history and culture.