Timeline
17:02
Arrive at Graha Maria Annai Velangkanni. The shrine opens at 08:00, so you have plenty of time. Find a quiet corner near the main entrance to wait for the evening light. The architecture is striking, and the atmosphere is calm before the crowds arrive.
18:02
Watch the golden light hit the shrine's towers. The sun sets toward the WSW, W, or WNW depending on the season, casting long shadows and warming the stone. This is the best time for photos before the sky turns dark.
18:32
Stay for the sunset. The sky will deepen into twilight. The shrine remains open until 18:00, so you can linger inside or on the grounds as it gets darker.
19:02
Leave the shrine. It is now dark outside. Use a car-hailing app like Grab to head back toward downtown Medan. A bike ride costs around Rp 30,000 and a car ride costs between Rp 50,000 and Rp 60,000. The trip takes about an hour by bus, but a car is faster and more comfortable after the heat of the day.
Local tip
The shrine is 11 km from downtown. If you take the local bus (routes 10, 26, or 61+6), it costs Rp 5,000 per ride and takes about an hour. Check the route and timing if you choose public transport.
Check before you go
- The shrine is open from 08:00 to 18:00.
- Car-hailing is available, but public bus routes may have limited evening service.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Medan (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).