BINTAN

About Bintan:

Approximately 1,140sqkm in size, Bintan Island is located 50km southeast of Singapore. The largest island within the stunning Riau Archipelago, the island is well known for its rich historical past as much as its legendary beaches and natural beauty. Situated at the centre of the crucial Indo-China trading route, it has been in the midst of several power struggles throughout history.

Takes about 120 minutes from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal Singapore to Sri Bintan Pura Tanjung Pinang, 60 minutes to Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal. About 165 minutes from Stulang Laut Johor Bahru to Sri Bintan Pura Tanjung Pinang

The island is truly an unique paradise. Simple life, beautiful beach, friendly people which bring us the leisure. Gives the refreshment to our mind and body. Tanjung Pinang, Kijang, Kawal, Trikora Beach, Senggarang, Tanjung Uban and Lagoi / Bintan Resort sites, are places that should not missed when you are in Bintan.

Desert Bintan, known by local people as ‘’ Bukit Pasir Desa Busung ‘’ . At that time it was bauxite mining and active to export, and any source said it exported to Singapore for reclamation project. Then it closed and this place left well enough well alone. No more mining activities.

Then, many tourists decide to stop at this spot and take a picture. Slow but sure this place become a hit on Instagram. A ton of instagrammer take their picture there. Even this desert made by mining activities but it looks like natural and it has beautiful view.

This desert look pretty broad, from a distance it looks fine sand and when you are getting closer it’s a gravel, and when the spring comes the color goes to yellow. We are going to feel at the truly desert.

This dessert covered up with many trees by the side of it and also there is some tares. Easy to find this spot its located at the curb between Tanjung Ubang – Tanjung Pinang. By using car it takes only 15 minutes. Spend the time at this place in the evening is a good choice.

Is in it … ?

Telaga Busung, the location is close to Desert Bintan. This lake was made naturally from mining activities in the past when a lot of an exploitation of sand in  the past. The size of this lake around 90-100 m. Around this lake already covered up with several attractions to get best pose in front of camera. It just takes Rp. 5000, we can explore every spots.

This locations very crowded every end of week. Beside enjoying great view, there is other activity like ATV for children, Shop, they serve diversity food and baverage originally from the local people it self. So no need to worry about it.

Would you be there ???

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, or known as thousand faces of Vihara statue located  in hill km14, this places was built in 2010 and donation from kinds Singaporean. He donated his land to this building. The function of this building is for saving monk statue/arahat. Arahat means a man who reaches spiritual chastity to follow Buddhism.

By first entering this place we will greeted by 2 giant statues with spooky face, as though both of them are guard this Vihara. Mostly every statues there has giant size and imported from China with tall range about 1,8 m – 2.0 m. The total of them around 500 statues of Buddha’s student.

If we observe the statues in detail as though they would like to communicate with us. And they have different expression each other. There are consist smile face, angry face, and funny face.

This vihara opens for public and has no entrance fee at all. So who ever you are can visit this Vihara. But we have to be able to be polite attitude, as though we have tolerance attitude between religion diversity. And Buddhism assumes as holy place for them.

FYI, this Vihara opens at 08.00 till 16.00 WIB.

 Penyengat Island is a small island that is approximately 6 km from the town of Tanjung Pinang, Riau Islands province. This island measures approximately 2500 meters x 750 meters, and is approximately 35 km from the island of Batam. This island can be reached by using a boat or better known by pompong boat. By using pompong boat, it takes approximately 15 minutes drive.

Penyengat Island is one of tourist attractions in Riau Islands. One of the objects that can be seen are Sultan Riau Great Mosque that have been made ??from egg whites, the tombs of the Kings, the tomb of the national hero Raja Ali Haji, the Palace complex and blockhouse Office at Kursi Hill. Penyengat island and Penyengat Island palace complex has been nominated to UNESCO to be one of the World Heritage Site. Penyengat island is the perfect island to be visited to enjoy the Malay cultural heritages.

In the reign of Sultan Riau, this island was used as headquarters ground in Malay land. It can be seen from the many historical relics of the past. Aside from being the headquarters of the government, the island was also being a fortress forefront in confronting the Dutch attack.

The evidence from the center of defense during the war is can be seen from the presence of a castle on the hill. The hill is known as Bukit Kursi. As a center of defense, it has some cannons that facing to the sea. The cannons are very strategically located, which can be use at any time when the enemy approached.