Looking for inspiration for your next holiday? Traveling to Bintan is a great idea. As the largest island in the province of Riau, Bintan has a myriad of interesting destinations waiting to be explored. This small paradise has something for everyone, whether you are a nature lover, history connoisseur, a foodie, or simply wanting to enjoy your time Bintan.
Just like Jebraw and Naya from Jalan2Men, you will experience fantastic moments exploring Bintan’s exotic destinations. How epic was their adventure? Read Jalan2Men’s story below and let’s go to Bintan, man!
Super Epic Destinations in Bintan
Bintan is worth to be in every traveler’s bucket list because this island has many tourist spots, each with its own uniqueness: from a temple with hundreds of statues to the largest saltwater pool in Southeast Asia. Here are all the must-visit epic places in Bintan.
The Temple of Thousand Faces
See various facial expressions and gestures carved on the statues in the temple that also serves as a gathering place for various nations.
This temple is open every day, except on Wednesday (the day of prayer). Visiting hours: 09:00 – 17:00 WIB.
The Temple of Thousand Faces was established in 2010 by a Singaporean but officiated in 2017 by the Governor of Riau.
The statues are made by artists from the People’s Republic of China.
The admission fee is Rp5.000 for local tourists and Rp30.000 for foreign tourists. The fee will be used for the temple’s maintenance fund.
Tips:bring some water and make sure you are in good condition. This place is located on a hill and the weather in Bintan is sizzling.
Busung Village Sand Dune
The dune is the result of a sand mine that is no longer used.
Opens every day, visiting hours start from 09:00 – 18:00 WIB.
This dune will radiate a pinkish tone when the sun is blazing.
Even though it looks like a fine sand dune, it actually has rough gravel.
Come in the morning or evening (the sunset here is amazing!) because the weather is very hot and blazing in the afternoon.
Bring water and snacks because it is difficult to find stalls or people who sell food and drinks around the location.
Be careful when stepping. The surface of the sand in this place is as hard as corals.
“A beautiful imperfection when nature blends with human touch and time. Not only sand dunes, but there are also small lake that beautifies and adds color to this place!”
– Jebraw
Bintan Mangrove – Sebong River (Sebong Lagoi)
Location: Sebong Lagoi Village, Teluk Sebong District (2 hours from Tanjung Pinang)
To be able to go along this river, you must use a boat that can be rented from local residents or also through local travel agents.
The tour ticket cost is around Rp200.000, including boat and a tour around the mangrove forest with a duration of 60 – 90 minutes.
The mangrove is open for visit starting from 09.00 – 20.00 WIB.
A blend of spring water and saltwater from the sea, this clear and serene river has a length of 6,8 km.
During the day, you can enjoy the wildlife along the shade of mangrove trees. While at night, you can see the sparkling fireflies by the water.
Wear a jacket and pants if you go on the night tour because the wind in this area is quite strong.
Do not smoke in this area. Fireflies thrive in pollution-free area and smoking makes them leave.
Crocodiles still roam the waters in the mangrove area, so it’s best not to swim here.
Treasure Bay
With a length of 800 meters and a total area of 6,3 hectares, or the equivalent of 50 Olympic-sized pools, Treasure Bay is the largest saltwater swimming pool in Southeast Asia.The capacity of the water is up to 115 million cubics, with a maximum depth of 2,5 meters.
It is claimed as an environmentally friendly attraction. Besides using 100 times fewer chemicals, Treasure Bay uses cutting edge water filtering technology, resulting in a more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient process.
Admission fee starts from Rp100.000.
This place is open every day, from 09:00 – 18:00 WIB.
It has a variety of exciting attractions and activities, such as Chill Cove Swimming Pool, Slip and Slide, and Lagoon Kayaking.
Tips: there are many rides and package options available. Before purchasing the package, make sure you had researched the attractions you want to try. Don’t forget to make the priority list so you can make the most of your time.
Try Something New in Bintan
Tanjung Pinang is famous for its seafood. Even the city’s landmark is Gonggong Building, whose name comes from one of the authentic foods of Bintan that you must try.
Gonggong is a sea snail commonly found in Bintan. It is boiled and eaten by picking it out using a toothpick, then dipping it into a peanut sauce.
It contains carbohydrates, calories, protein, and unsaturated fats that are good for the body.
The price of gonggongranged from Rp35.000 – Rp150.000 for a plate, depending on the location and portion.
Transportation
To Bintan by Air
The closest airport to Bintan is Raja Haji Fisabilillah International Airport, located in Tanjung Pinang. The distance from the airport to Bintan is around 40 km, or less than 1 hour by car — you can also use shuttle services or taxis that are available at the airport. Raja Haji Fisabilillah International Airport serves several domestic routes such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Bali, Jogja and has served international routes to several countries.
Other Ways to Go to Bintan
There are alternative transportation to go to Bintan Island. You can take a flight to Singapore first, then continue to Bintan by boat.
Where to Stay?
Natra Bintan, a Tribute Portfolio Resort
Formerly known as The Canopi, you will feel like entering a new world when you stay here. The room design is very unique because it uses canopies as the ceiling. In addition to that, this resort is very suitable for those who want to be pampered and relax because this hotel provides services such as a spa, barbecue in front of the room, and good food! You will get an unforgettable experience staying in a luxurious ‘tent’ surrounded by a beautiful and tranquil garden. Surely, an epic leisure time.
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