Payakumbuh (, Jawi: ) is the second largest city in West Sumatra province, Indonesia, with a population of 116,825 at the 2010 CensusBiro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011. and 139,576 at the 2020 Census;Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021. the official estimate as of mid 2025 was 148,600 (comprising 74,660 males and 73,940 females).Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 27 February 2026, Kota Payakumbuh Dalam Angka 2026 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1376) It covers an area of 80.43 km2 and is in the Minangkabau Highlands, 120 km by road from the West Sumatran capital city of Padang and 180 km from the Riau capital city of Pekanbaru.
The whole area is surrounded on all sides by (but administratively independent from) the Lima Puluh Kota Regency, making it an enclave. It is located near the volcanoes of Mount Merapi, Mount Sago, and Bukit Barisan. Payakumbuh means "grassy swamp" in the Minangkabau language, suggesting that the area was originally swampy.
In 2011, Payakumbuh had the highest economic growth of any city in West Sumatra. Innovations in sanitation, waste management, healthy traditional markets, street vendors coaching, and urban drainage resulted in this city being awarded the "Urban Innovation Management" in 2012. In 2013, Payakumbuh received the "Adipura" ('cleanest city') award in the category of small city for the seventh time.
Payakumbuh is known for flying duck races, foods like batiah (small sweet rice cookies), gelamai (a sweet coconut palm sugared snack) and rendang. Payakumbuh produces a wide range of agriculture products including rice, milk, cattle and palm sugar.
Payakumbuh and its surrounding villages within Lima Puluh Kota Regency, namely Mungka (in Mungka District), Simalanggang (in Payakumbuh District) and Batuhampar (in Akabiluru District) are the origin of the Negeri Sembilan people of Malaysia.Abdullah Siddik, Pengantar Undang-undang Adat di Malaysia, 1975
Transportation
Payakumbuh is connected to Padang and Pekanbaru by road; a dysfunctional railway line also exists. For inner-city transport, Payakumbuh employs a public transportation system known as "Sago", taken from name of a nearby volcano (Mount Sago) in Payakumbuh. In addition, transport within the city occurs in the form of horse-drawn carts known as bendi.
Administrative districts The city is administratively divided into five administrative districts (kecamatan), 8 kanagarian, and 47 subdistricts (kelurahan). A mayor (walikota) leads the city administration. The districts are listed below with their areas and their populations at the 2010 Census and 2020 Census, together with the official estimates as of mid 2025.Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 27 February 2026, Kota Payakumbuh Dalam Angka 2026 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1376) The table also includes the locations of the administrative centres and the number of urban villages (kelurahan) in each district.
Name of District (kecamatan) Area in km2 Pop'n 2010 Census Pop'n 2020 Census Pop'n end 2025 EstimateAdmincentreNo. ofurbanvillages Payakumbuh Barat (West Payakumbuh) 19.07 45,848 54,534 57,900Tanjuang Pauah 17 Payakumbah Selatan (South Payakumbuh) 14.68 9,388 11,990 13,180Sawah Padang Aua Kuniang 6 Payakumbuh Timur (East Payakumbuh) 22.73 24,466 29,325 31,250 Tiakar 9 Payakumbuh Utara (North Payakumbuh) 14.53 28,461 32,242 33,430 Tigo Koto Diate 9 Lamposi Tigo Nagori 9.42 8,662 11,485 12,850 Sungai Durian 6 Totals 80.43 116,825 139,576 148,600 Kapalo Koto Dibalal 47
Tourism Payakumbuh is considered as one of the most popular cities in West Sumatra for domestic and foreign tourists. The varieties of food, the Muslim clothes stores, and natural scenery are some of the attractions of the city. Attractions within and surrounding the city include:
Harau Valley: A karstic valley with immense, steep cliffs and spectacular waterfalls. Rock climbing is quite popular in this area due to the ideal conditions of the precipices.Stephen Backshall, The Rough Guide to Indonesia, 2003 Ngalau Indah Caverns and Caves: Caves with fantastic stalactites and stalagmites and including views of Payakumbuh and its surroundings. Kepala Bonda: Site which can be visited for bamboo river-rafting. Rumah Godang Sungai Baringin, a large and splendid rumah gadang (a traditional home of the Minangkabau people), located between rice fields Koto Nan Ampek Old Mosque: Among the oldest mosques in West Sumatra, characterized by traditional Minangkabau architecture.Abdul Baqir Zein, Masjid-masjid Bersejarah di Indonesia, 1999 Museum Rumah Kelahiran Tan Malaka (Museum of Tan Malaka Birthplace): the house in which Indonesian founding father Tan Malaka was born.
References
External links Official website