Dokan Batak Village
Dokan Batak Village
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4.0
32 reviews
Excellent
6
Very good
17
Average
9
Poor
0
Terrible
0
palawanismyhome
Palawan Island, Philippines24,383 contributions
Mar 2020
We organised a private car between Berastagi and Lake Toba with a few stops. The village of Dokan was interesting as there were 5 Batak houses. Wandering around we were invited to take a look in one house where several families lived. They were eager to show us their home and of course a small donation was expected. It was well worth the 30 minute stop on the journey.
Written 14 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raymond W
Townsville, Australia4,537 contributions
Dec 2011 • Couples
For budding anthropologists, Sumatra's highlands offer fertile grounds for exploration. They offer age-old tombs and wooden houses from before the colonial period and hints of customs which stretch back millenia. The Batak are one of Sumatra's largest and most interesting ethnic groups. Any group whose cannibalistic antics struck fear into the heart of Marco Polo deserves a modicum of respect.
These days the Karo Batak have fervently embraced Christianity. We toured through this part of Sumatra on a Sunday and heard lovely singing coming out of their churches. But what is most likely to draw Westerners to this misty part of Indonesia is the Karo Batak traditional villages, which are fast falling into mildewy disrepair. For those on the heritage trail, we do not hesitate to recommend Dokan.
Dokan is not as old as the famous Desa Lingga, now listed on the World Monuments Watch of endangered historical sites, but it is in better repair. This may be because Dokan was one of the last villages built in the old style, with towering wooden houses with thatched roofs. Dating from the 1950s, it was perhaps the last gasp of tradition before the Kara Batak started building with concrete. These stilted old beauties are a sorry reminder of what has been lost.
These days the Karo Batak have fervently embraced Christianity. We toured through this part of Sumatra on a Sunday and heard lovely singing coming out of their churches. But what is most likely to draw Westerners to this misty part of Indonesia is the Karo Batak traditional villages, which are fast falling into mildewy disrepair. For those on the heritage trail, we do not hesitate to recommend Dokan.
Dokan is not as old as the famous Desa Lingga, now listed on the World Monuments Watch of endangered historical sites, but it is in better repair. This may be because Dokan was one of the last villages built in the old style, with towering wooden houses with thatched roofs. Dating from the 1950s, it was perhaps the last gasp of tradition before the Kara Batak started building with concrete. These stilted old beauties are a sorry reminder of what has been lost.
Written 12 August 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LouenStephan
Ghent, Belgium1,762 contributions
Sept 2017 • Couples
On the way from Laka Toba (eastern side) to Berastagi, one can visit Dokan Village. There are several traditional houses, not as a museum, but a real village where people is still living. A young boy ask you to put your name in the visitor book and to give some money for the village. If you are discrete, one can visit the biggest longhouse. The old women invite you. Of course give a small gift to the family (may be 20.000). Dont go inside with a group.
Here one is in the middle of the way how traditional people live now
Here one is in the middle of the way how traditional people live now
Written 29 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Abg_Acid
Muar, Malaysia315 contributions
The moment I saw the green algae engulfed weed roof, the adrenalin starts flowing. A great visit. Large Batak of Karo tribe house, and one of them fits 8 families. These are not show-houses, but these people are still living in it. Just like their forefathers did and it is 150yrs old. Amazing culture of Karo. You may even enter the houses, but do pay respect at them, smile and make some gift.
Written 21 November 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Putri Kitnas
Depok, Indonesia25 contributions
Dec 2019
Even though it's pretty far, about 1 hour from Kabanjahe but this place is worth to visit. I had a chance to talk with a Pak Sitepu family in the biggest and well maintained house (jambur) in the village. The families who live there are friendly and explained to me enthusiastically about Karo culture from A to Z and how 8 families could live together well under the same roof. bring money if you like to buy a Karo house prototype and kulcapi ( Karo traditional music instrument) made by Pak Sitepu. Try also their coffee as Dokan is well known these days by its famous Dokan coffee.
Written 20 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JohnandBettyBangkok
Wirral, UK149 contributions
Sept 2019
Very interesting to see the long houses and the way the residents live there - 6 or ore families sharing the space with firewood stored above and animals below. No tpilet facilities though. The village itself has a lost of trash and litter lying around which was a shame to see - reminded us of Indian villages. Small donation to the longhouse elder for the visit.
Written 14 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hegi S
30 contributions
Sept 2018 • Friends
This is a good village, we can find 5 traditional houses of Batak Karo which occupied. For you who love culture and villages, I think this is really recommended. But we hope the society can keep clean the village.
Written 23 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wilfridblair
Ottawa, Canada182 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
Our guide was superb explaining the family structure and living arrangements of the Batak people. Wonderful place to see living history. Highly recommend this with a knowledgeable guide.
Written 2 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
martineclaire94
Paris, France33 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
We visit this place on our way to Parapat, it takes about 45 minutes drive from Berastagi. The traditional house is nice but the village is a lot trash and dirty. The local should keep the village clean for more tourist will visit this place.
Written 16 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lynnchoy
Klang, Malaysia172 contributions
Oct 2015 • Friends
This is an interesting place to learn about the Batak who are the native of Samosir island. Although they were cannibals once, they have become Farmers after embracing the Christian faith. It is interest to know how their lifestyle and dwellings.
Written 24 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Desa Dokan Batak? Bukannya itu Desa Dokan Karo ya? Tolong di diganti namanya atau di infokan ke Bupati Karo
Written 10 December 2018
Halo? Benar itu adalah Karo,
Batak ada 5 sub etnik dan Karo adalah bagian dari Batak.
Written 11 December 2018
Hello. I am going to see this place from Berastagi. Is there a hike to this place or can we drive up and we are there? I need to make sure I have enough time to go back to Medan on the same day. Thanks.
Written 4 August 2018
HI,
The Dokan village is about 45 mins by car from Berastagi. As far as I know there is no hike to that area.
You can see the village, pay to see the interior of one house and take photos. The village is quite small. We were there for about half an hour. It was worth the stop on our way to Lake Toba.
Hope this is helpful.
Written 6 August 2018
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