Gandorian Beach In Pariaman, Sumatra, Indonesia

Gandoriah is name of gilr in Minangkabau histori. According to Head of Marketing and Tourism Cooperation Pariaman City, Asnul Nazar, this story is increasingly rarely known to the public, except by the elders of society. The story tells the journey of love of a young man named Anggun Nan Tongga with Puti Gandoriah, who is none other than his cousin.

Narrated, Anggun Nan Tongga went sailing to find three mamaknya (uncle) who do not go home from overseas. On the way through many obstacles, Nan Tongga manages to uncover his uncle one by one. Because of the betrayal of one of his former friends back to his hometown, Puti Gandoriah thought his lover had died.

In his grief, Puti Gandoriah decided to meditate on Mount Ledang. This story had sad ending when Nan Tongga and Puti Gandoriah see againt but shall be know that they are is family and cannot to married.

Nan Tongga in this story become later used as the name of a hotel on the shores of Pariaman Beach, which is the oldest hotel in the city. The existence Nan tongga hotel became the name of the beach inspiration by the Tourism Office of Padang Pariaman District at that time.

According Muradd Masri, head tourism period 1983-1995, 

Menurut Bapak Murad Masri, Kepala Dinas pariwisata periode 1983-1995, initially there are three naming options namely, Piaman Indah, Angso Duo, and Gandoriah. From these three option, finally Gandoriah selected and inaugurated as the name of this beach during the reign of Regent Zainal Bakar (1990-1994).

Panorama of the sea is one of the main advantages of this beach. Off the coast there are at least 6 small island clusters that look like decorating the horizon. The six island is Kasiak island, Angso kasiak, Tangah island, Ujung island, Gosong island and Bando island.

not only can be enjoyed as part of the panorama of the sea, but also most of the island can be visited by travel time about 20 minutes journey.

Besides enjoying the beauty of the panorama, this beach also presents a variety of marine recreation activities that can be a choice during the holidays. Among them, swimming, surfing, and various other types of beach sports. Unfortunately, these recreational facilities are only available on weekends and on holiday seasons only.

The advantage of Gandoriah Beach is also supported by its strategic access. The beach position in the city center, making public transportation access such as angkot and inter-city bus is not too difficult to find here.

In addition, there is a train line that connects directly this beach with the city of Padang. In fact, the position of the station was right in front of the gate. No wonder PT. KAI then presents a tour route of the Padang-Pariaman tourist train that operates every weekend.

According records of local tourism agencies, the intensity of tourist visits to the beach is relatively high, especially at cultural events such as Festival Tabuik.

Every years, this beach is the location of the event of the peak of tabuik tradition, that is when the disposal of tabuik into the sea. Therefore, if when the momentum arrives, this beach turns into a sea of people who come from various parts of West Sumatra.