10 Must-Visit Tourist Destinations in Bintan

Bintan is the largest island owned by the Riau Archipelago. On this island is the capital of the Riau Archipelago Province, which is Tanjung Pinang. With its strategic location, Bintan borders Singapore and Malaysia, making it a stop for many traders from and to China in the past.

With its beautiful scenery and interesting culinary and handicrafts, Bintan has become a favorite for both local and international tourists in recent years. Now, due to Bintan Island's borders with two countries, there are special regulations issued by Bank Indonesia, my friends. Regulation number 17/11/DKSP issued on June 1, 2015, contains the obligation to use Indonesian currency during transactions in Bintan. So, no mixing payments with Ringgit or Singapore Dollars, okay, friends.

With so many tourist destinations in Bintan, many tourists stay for a long time to experience these beautiful areas. Now, if you want to travel to Bintan but are confused about where to go, let's take a look at the explanation of the ten tourist destinations in Bintan below.

Penyengat Island

Penyengat Island must be on your list of tourist destinations when vacationing in Bintan. Penyengat is located in the city center of Bintan, namely Tanjung Pinang. Riau, which is rich in Malay customs, is represented by this island because on Penyengat there is the Sultan Riau Grand Mosque, one of the legacies of Malay culture.

This ancient mosque from the Johor Sultanate stands majestically in Tanjung Pinang. The building, which contrasts with its surroundings, will be immediately noticed by tourists as it looks impressive. The distinctive architecture of the Malay sultanate is dominated by gold color with an aesthetic large gate.

Thousand Faces Statue Vihara

In Bintan, there is a Buddhist heritage site that is very famous for its uniqueness. It is the Thousand Faces Statue Vihara. Located at KM 14 Kijang Kota, Tanjungpinang, this vihara is also known as Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.

The Thousand Faces Statue Vihara is indeed intended for the worship of the Buddhist community, but this location is also open to the public with an entrance fee of Rp5,000. There are about 500 statues with different expressions and sizes, my friends. It is said that the vihara's donor from the Ling Shan Foundation is still looking for donors to build new statues. Wow, it could really reach a thousand! Very cool.

Trikora Beach

A glance at Trikora Beach brings memories of Belitung. This is because this beach is somewhat similar to Tanjung Tinggi Beach located on Tanjung Island with its granite rocks.

Trikora Beach looks shady due to the many green trees. Near the beach, there are also small huts that tourists can rent for shade or to enjoy food.

Senggiling Beach

Senggiling Beach can be visited by traveling for 1.5 hours from Tanjung Pinang. Located in Teluk Sebong, Senggiling Beach indeed has a long and difficult route, making this beach less known to tourists compared to Trikora Beach. However, the view of this beach is very beautiful. This white sandy beach is one of the destinations that you must visit when vacationing in Bintan.

Blue Lake

Blue Lake is a lake that emerged from sand mining activities. The area where the sand was excavated created a depression, and eventually, a lake with clean water was formed. This lake is a new tourist destination in Bintan as it was officially opened by the government in 2017.

Tourists can relax by the lake while chatting with family, partners, or friends. There are many food vendors near the lake. Facilities such as places of worship and public toilets are also available, making visitors feel comfortable. If bored, tourists can rent rafts, canoes, or ATVs to explore the lake.

Busung Sand Hill

Busung Sand Hill is located in Busung Village. Like Blue Lake, this tourist destination was also formed due to sand mining activities. The difference is that mining activities are no longer active in Busung Sand Hill.

This site has a view resembling a desert in the Middle East. This view is unique because Bintan is known for its blue beach tourism. This hill can be visited by traveling for one hour from the city center.

To obtain a beautiful view, it is best for tourists to come during the dry season. Visiting in the afternoon is recommended as the air and sun are not too hot. By finding a good pose, you will surely get photos that look like they were taken in a desert.

Crystal Lagoon

Crystal Lagoon seems to be an unexpected treasure for Bintan. How could it not be? The swimming pool located in Teluk Sebong Lagoi is dubbed the largest swimming pool in Southeast Asia, covering an area of 600 hectares. The pool water is filtered seawater.

Tourists must pay an entrance fee of Rp100,000. For those who love swimming, Crystal Lagoon is certainly a very enjoyable destination. However, for those who are bored with swimming, there are also rentals for various water games such as frisbees at a rental price of Rp20,000 per hour and jetovators that can be rented for 30 minutes at a price of Rp2,100,000.

White Sands Island

White Sands Island is also known as Pulau Beralas Pasir, which is a tourist attraction in Bintan located in Teluk Bakau. Visiting this island feels like visiting a private island because it is very quiet and uninhabited.

Offering views of white sand with clear sea waters, this island is a must-visit when coming to Bintan. In addition to relaxing peacefully, tourists can also enjoy snorkeling to see marine life there, play volleyball, and even go camping.

Mangrove Forest

Bintan is not only rich in its marine tourism. This island also has a mangrove forest that is pleasing to the eye.

The forest located in Sebong Lagoi is actually the largest and most complete tobacco forest in Southeast Asia. Tourists can enjoy the forest by taking a boat tour, which is widely available for rent there. Along the way, tourists will be greeted by various forest animals, such as monkeys, birds, and snakes. Don't worry, there will be a guide explaining about the forest so that tourists gain a lot of knowledge while exploring.

Mount Bintan Waterfall

In addition to having beautiful mangrove forests, Bintan also has a tourist destination in the form of a waterfall, my friends. It is located in Kampung Bekapur, Bintan Buyu Village, Teluk Bintan District. Its name is Mount Bintan Waterfall. Tourists can enter here by paying an entrance fee of Rp10,000. To reach the location, tourists must walk 300 meters from the vehicle parking area.

Wow, it turns out that Bintan indeed has a wealth of tourist destinations, my friends. From swimming pools to mangrove forests, it has earned the title of the largest tourist destination in Southeast Asia and makes Indonesia proud. No wonder Bintan receives many visits from local and international tourists. However, don't forget, while enjoying the tourism, also keep the destination pristine and well-maintained!

Author: Nisa Maulan Shofa