Not only in Indonesia, but also throughout the world, the giant dams always have a dual function, one of which is as a tourism object. Some of the giant dams in Indonesia that are visited by tourists include Gajah Mungkur Dam in Central Java, Karangkates Dam in East Java, Sigura-gura Dam in North Sumatra, and many others.
One of them is a giant dam located in Pekanbaru Riau which is popularly known as the Bandar Kahyangan Lembasari Tourism Lake, which is located in Limbungan Village, Rumbai District, Pekanbaru City, Riau.
Although it is one of the modern cities in Sumatra, the beauty and naturalness of the city are still maintained. One of them is the existence of an artificial lake in the middle of the city, namely Lembah Sari Lake.
The lake’s calm, green and spacious atmosphere is the main attraction of the many tourists who visit here. Especially at dusk.
This artificial lake, which is actually a giant dam, was originally built for the benefit of irrigation of the rice fields in the area around the lake. However, because of the natural beauty around it, it makes this place crowded with tourists, before finally becoming one of the tourism icons in Pekanbaru.
Spanning an area of 150 hectares with a water area of 14 hectares, the dam which has a depth of 2 – 6 meters was inaugurated in 1990. Under normal conditions, Danau Lembah Sari is able to accommodate water of around 5.25 million meters3 without ever experiencing drought.
Around the lake area, there are also many stalls that provide typical Pekanbaru culinary delights, such as the delicious Tukung Soup that will make you addicted.
In the rainy season, the water overflow in this artificial lake can be controlled because it has a spillway in the form of two rivers, namely the Pengambang River and the Limbungan River. Both rivers are tributaries of the Siak River.
The name of this lake is familiar to the people of Pekanbaru because it has been used as a tourism object for decades, even when it was still in the form of a river and no dam was built as it is now. Moreover, this lake has also been used as an arena for Sky Air during the implementation of PON XVIII in 2012.
Lembah Sari Lake can easily be visited because it is only about 10 km from the center of Pekanbaru City. Tourists who want to go to the location can use private vehicles or public transportation for about 20 minutes.
Tourists who want to enter the location are subject to an entrance ticket of IDR 5,000 per person plus a parking fee of IDR 5,000 for two-wheeled vehicles and IDR 10,000 for four-wheeled vehicles.
By paying an entrance ticket, tourists can not only enjoy the natural charm that this lake offers, but also a number of facilities that can be used for free and paid for.
Various facilities that can be used for free include chairs and park benches to enjoy the view, an entertainment stage complete with seats that at certain times displays music performances, and a prayer room to facilitate visitors who wish to worship.
Surrounded by hills and green trees, it makes the atmosphere in the Danau Lembah Sari area feel cool and beautiful. The hills and trees also make the scenery look charming when combined with the vast expanse of water.
The calm and peaceful atmosphere makes this tourist destination interesting to visit with family and also attractive to young people who are hunting for a romantic atmosphere while looking for photo spots.
Even though this artificial lake is not equipped with unique ornaments like contemporary tourist objects that are deliberately built to take pictures, the beautiful stretch of lake water can be used as a photo background that is no less captivating. Plus there are parks in several corners of the lake.
The peak of the beauty that is presented by Lake Lembah Sari can be found in the afternoon. When the sun descends towards the bed, the golden yellow light will be refracted by the lake water, creating an extraordinarily beautiful view.
Visiting this tourist spot is not only treated to natural beauty alone. Visitors who have a hobby of fishing, comfortable fishing spots are available under the shade of trees.
Lembah Sari Lake is also home to various types of fish. That is why many visitors who come here do not intend to travel but to indulge in their fishing hobby.
