Island of Hidden Charms
DISCOVER
Tropical sunshine, pearly-white beaches and glistening seas that are a playground for diving and watersports have made Bintan an unparalleled resort paradise. But venture off the resort path and you’ll discover that there’s a whole lot more to this island you never knew existed.
As the largest island in the Riau Archipelago, Bintan is home to over 300,000 locals, the majority of whom live in and around the capital, Tanjung Pinang, located on the southwestern coast. The city’s history can be traced to the early 3rd century, when it flourished as a trading post on the India–China trade route. Today, it continues to serve as a trading port for the islands in the Riau Archipelago, and is a great starting point for experiencing an authentic slice of Indonesian life.
Tanjung Pinang is home to multiple ethnic communities, evident in its charming mix of temples, churches and mosques, and which you can savour in a rich variety of local food. There are treasures to be unearthed at its bustling local markets, and being a port city, it is heaven for seafood lovers where you can sample the day’s fresh catch.
Ancient traditions and way of life continue unchanged in some villages on the island, including the village of traditional boatmakers along Trikora beach, the extraordinary sea gypsy villages where the locals live their entire life on the sea, and Senggarang, a Chinese village built on stilts.
Away from the coast, Bintan offers further enriching connections with nature, where you can journey along the river through lush mangrove forests, trek to the summit of Gunung Bintan, Bintan’s highest peak, or play a game of golf on a course nestled within the rainforest or on a rolling hill.
From sun-soaked relaxation to adventure and discovery, Bintan offers everything and more you could wish for.
