Padang Panjang (sometimes written as Padangpanjang, and spelt as Padang Pandjang in Dutch East Indies era, lit.'long field', Jawi: ڤادڠ ڤنجڠ), is a city located in the cool highlands of West Sumatra, inland from the provincial capital Padang. Created by Law No.12 of 1956, it is an enclave situated geographically within Tanah Datar Regency. It sits on a plateau beneath the volcanoes Mount Marapi and Mount Singgalang. It has an area of 23.0 km2 and a population at the 2010 Census of 47,008[2] and 56,311 at the 2020 Census;[3] the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 58,627 - comprising 29,461 males and 29,166 females.[1] It is located at 0°27′S100°25′E / 0.450°S 100.417°E / -0.450; 100.417.
Home to a famous performing arts conservatorium, Sekolah Tinggi Seni Indonesia (STSI or "Indonesian College of the Art") The town stretches up the hill from the marketplace and central mosque, to the soccer field and bus terminal on up to STSI. The main road through Padang Panjang links coastal Padang and the highland capital, Bukittinggi.
Padang Panjang city consists of two districts (kecamatan), tabulated below with their areas and population totals from the 2010 Census[2] and the 2020 Census,[3] together with the official estimates as at mid 2023.[1] The table also includes the locations of the district administrative centres and its postal codes.
Name of District (kecamatan)
Area in km2
Pop'n Census 2010
Pop'n Census 2020
Pop'n Estimate mid 2023
Admin centre
Post codes
Padang Panjang Barat (West Padang Panjang)
9.75
27,637
32,160
33,195
Kampung Manggis
27111 -27118
Padang Panjang Timur (East Padang Panjang)
13.25
19,371
24,151
25,432
Ngalau
27121 -27128
Totals
23.00
47,008
56,311
58,627
Administrative villages (kelurahan)
West Padang Panjang District consists of the 8 villages of Silaing Bawah, Silaing Atas, Pasar Usang, Kampung Manggis, Tanah Hitam, Pasar Baru, Bukit Surungan and Balai-Balai. East Padang Panjang District comprises the 8 villages of Koto Panjang, Koto Katik, Ngalau, Ekor Lubuk, Sigando, Ganting, Guguk Malintang and Tanah Pak Lambik.
Town without cigarette advertisements
Since 2008, Padang Panjang is the only city in Indonesia without cigarette advertisements. In public areas, public transport, and youth facilities, smoking is prohibited. In other areas, smoking is restricted to smoking rooms. In 2014, some pulmonologists wished to transfer to other towns, because of the lack of patients.[4]
