Tanjung Pinang

Tanjung Pinang (Tanjungpinang) is the main town on the island of Bintan, and the capital of Riau Islands province.The town has an instantly likeable 'feel' despite being somewhat of a culture shock after squeaky clean Singapore. The local people are very friendly and most will rustle up a few words of English, particularly if you try out your few words of Indonesian! The town wraps itself around several hillsides with different types of housing amidst a plethora of mosques, churches, Buddhist temples, shop-houses, cafes and general confusion!

Understand
This is the capital of the province of Riau Islands, that separated from the Riau mainland in 2002. The city is fast growing with a population around 228,000 (2020). It is a trading, shipping, shopping and tourism "seafood" center in the region. There is no logical centre to the town, but most things radiate out from the ferry port.

By plane


The easiest option to get from the airport to the city is to take a fixed price cab, which will cost around S$3-5 to central Tanjung Pinang. Fares elsewhere on the island will cost around twice as much.

The neighbouring island of Batam, which is accessible by ferry from Tanjung Pinang, has a larger airport, which is served by flights to more destinations, as well as a few international flights from Malaysia. For most international travellers though, the easiest way to get to Tanjung Pinang would be to fly to Singapore and take a ferry from there. If connecting to a flight from Singapore, you must be on the ferry to Singapore at least 4 hours before the departure time of your flight. Bintan is 1 hour behind Singapore, so be sure to factor that in when checking schedules.

By boat
The Sri Bintan Pura ferry terminal at Tanjung Pinang at the southern end of Jalan Merdeka is the main passenger port of Bintan and is used by all domestic and international services from the city. It is a visa-free for most ASEAN citizens and a growing number of EU countries as well as being a visa-on-arrival port; see Indonesia's Get in section for visa details.


 * From Singapore's Tanah Merah ferry terminal (TMFT), there are 5-7 direct ferries every day on Penguin, IndoFalcon and Wavemaster (+65-6786 9959). The ferry fare is S$28-40/50 one-way/return. There are two trips on M-F and three trips during Sa, Su and public holidays, taking about 2 hours each way. There are regular shuttle buses between TMFT and Changi Airport, costing S$3 each way, and taking about 15 min in good traffic. Tanjung Pinang's time zone is one hour behind Singapore, so keep that in mind when looking at schedules, particularly if you need to connect to a flight out of Singapore.
 * Alternatively, take a ferry from Singapore's HarbourFront to Batam Centre ferry terminal. Then take a taxi direct to Telaga Punggur (S$6), from where you can connect to another ferry to Bintan (journey time 60 min, departures every 30 min, $5/8 one-way/return).
 * From Malaysia; there are also less frequent connections from Stulang Laut port of Johor Bahru, Malaysia (three hours away).
 * From other Riau Islands with varying frequency. The Bintan Resorts on the northern part of Bintan, Tanjung Pinang is about 50 minutes by speedboat, although connections are not frequent. See the main Bintan article for ferry connection details.

Especially on weekends, it's advisable to reconfirm your ferry tickets out as soon as you arrive. If you're staying with a large resort, they can usually take of this for you, so enquire when booking... but if you're on your own, you cannot do this at the ferry terminal and instead need to find the appropriate travel agent, none of whom are located near the port! IndoFalcon's agent is next to the Laguna Hotel, while Penguin's agent can be found in the Bestari Mall.

By road
Buses and taxis link Tanjung Pinang with the port of Tanjung Uban at the northwestern end of Bintan where there are speedboats to/from Telaga Punggur on Batam. The bus fare from Tanjung Uban to Tanjung Pinang bus terminal is about Rp10,000 (as of 2005, 3 hr). The bus terminal is 7 km east of town. Angkut (passenger vans) shuttle between the terminal and town. From the port of Kijang (where Pelni ships dock) over 20 km to the east, there are bemos and taxis to Tanjung Pinang.

25 minutes to the fantastic Trikora beach on the east part on Bintan Island. Tanjung Pinang is about an hour and forty-five minutes south by car from Bintan Resorts on the northern part of Bintan.

Get around
Central Tanjung Pinang, including the old part of town which is built on stilts, is small enough for you to move around on foot. If you want to move further out, such as to Bintan Mall, Bestari Mall, Bintan Center, Trikora beach, open air "Akau" restaurant, Buddhist " Kelenteng Senggarang" temple taxis are the easiest way for foreigners. Buses exist but are seldom easy to understand as stops are rarely marked, drivers do not speak English, and there is no information available for them on paper.

By taxi
Only take taxis from the main road. 'City Taxis' charge $3 if you request to leave the urban area. The taxis are affordable once you have successfully bargained. Fix your price firmly before boarding the taxi to avoid any problems. A 40-km trip to Trikora Beach should cost $5.

By motorcycle taxi
There are also the thousands of motorcycle taxis called ojek waiting to ferry you around, although consider this more of an "adventure" way to travel and is not necessarily safe.

By minibus
Minibuses known as Angkutan Kota operate on fixed routes, they carry six to eight passengers and charges per person vary with the distance is another useful way to roam around. The fare is fixed at Rp. 3000 within the city. To stop at your destination, just shout "'pinggir' or 'kiri'" pak.

By boat
Regular boats to Penyengat Island cost Rp5,000/person, starts from small alley at Jalan Pos. But you have to wait a while to have the boat full. You can hire own boats for a much more expensive cost.

From Jalan Pelantar I you can go to Senggarang, cost about Rp5,000 (1-way) per person for a small boat. You may need to wait for a while to have the boat full or you can hire own boats but need to bargain beforehand.

From Jalan Pelantar II you can go to Kampung Bugis.

By land
Tanjung Pinang today is a sprawling Indonesian town, with mosquitoes and rats running under stilt houses on the coast at low tide and anonymous concrete blocks marching up the hills. However, the area around Jl. Pelantar II still retains the town's Chinese heritage, with densely packed shophouses hawking all manner of goods.


 * 500 Luohan Temple. Buddhist temple that contains a fantastic sculpture park. The star attractions are the 500 arhats (Eng: "perfected ones"; Mandarin: "luohan"). All of them have different poses and expressions. The temple is 10 minutes drive from Tanjung Pinang.
 * There is also a newly built Buddhist temple which house the largest sitting Guan Yin (Goddess of mercy) in South-East Asia. Locate approx. 10 miles from Tg. Pinang downtown.
 * The old ruler's palace and royal tombs, among them the grave of the respected Sultan Haji, who also was creator and author of the first Malay Language grammar book, are among the legacies left by the Riau sultanate.
 * The cultural center for stage performances of Malay music and dances is located in Tanjungpinang. The center organizes regular festivals and other performances such as music and dance.




 * Raja Haji Fisabillah Monument, downtown Tanjung Pinang. 28m tall and raised in memory of the national hero Raja Haji who died during the heroic battle of Malacca against the Dutch in 1784. He was a famous Malayan king and had his castle on the island Penyengant right outside Tanjung Pinang. Unfortunately the very statue of Raja Haji had been removed by local government due to safety issue - It had been partially worn out. So you can only see the base of the monument now.
 * Kelong, 'Kelong' is a stilt house the fisherman built for breeding or trapping of fish, some are built mainly for commercial use but, there are a few that offer stays on the 'Kelong'. Most of them are built away from the bustling town thus, it's a perfect getaway if you're looking for some peace and quiet. Cost is around S$20 per room for 2 per night, meals can be arrange with the operator as some provide fresh catch from the sea. Also fishing trip in the open sea can also be arrange with the operator. It's good way to explore and learn how the local do their fishing the 'Kelong' way.

By water


Take a walk down to the docks and find yourself a little boat to take you for a round trip around the harbour (10 Singapore Dollars or less). Tanjung Pinang is built into the water and being on the water is the best way to see it.

For a longer trip, rent a guide - who will arrange a boat or boats - at one of the piers (i.e., at the end of Jn Pelantar 1 or 2), and go and see Penyengat, Senggarang and Sungai Ular Temple in one go. Price is up to negotiation, may be S$30-40 for two persons. Watch out to get only one person showing you around, and make it crystal clear in the beginning that price is all-inclusive.


 * Penyengat Island. Places to visit include the Masjid Raya - the old vice-royal mosque, which locals claim is made "from egg" (the mortar, that is, not the whole building). There are also a few more mosques and graveyards to see, some of which include royalties.
 * Senggarang Temples is a temple complex including Chinese and Hinduist worshipping places. This includes a 40-armed statue and several animal deities. From there, you can walk to a stilt house village, where there is also a temple that a tree has grown into. There are boats going from Tanjung Pinang piers to Senggarang frequently, haggle for price.
 * Sungai Ular Buddhist Temple, or Snake River Temple, is a little way up the so-called snake river (for its windings). The best (and probably only) way to get there is by boat. Go there for some gory murals depicting the Chinese version of hell.

Do
Fishing Many Singaporeans often use Tanjung Pinang as a departure point for fishing trips. The vessels used are usually made of wood and are rarely equipped with GPS or any modern equipment. Yet they are often booked solid six months ahead.

Shopping
Tanjung Pinang is famous for its wooden handicraft, and Indonesian-designed textile. Everything else is cheap with some products lower than 10% of the prices in Europe.


 * Ramayana Shopping Mall (Jalan Wiratno No. 1), a double-storey shopping centre. Sells clothes and apparel on the first floor, with a rather understocked supermarket and gaming arcade on the second. The mall also contains a fast-food restaurant and an Internet cafe.

Products:


 * Keropok (Deep-fried crackers) - Buy keropok from the wholesaler in the main marketplace at the old part of town (Jalan Plantar II). They will be at least 50% cheaper than at the resorts.
 * Fakes: Just like in most of South-East Asian countries, pirated goods are available openly. DVD and music CD are everywhere, often not more than one Singapore dollar for a DVD. Quality is "ok". You can test the quality before you buy.
 * Tea & Coffee: The most popular brand for tea in Tanjung Pinang is called Teh Prendjak by PT.Panca Rasa Pratama. It has a very unique flavor that you can find in nowhere. Most tourists will buy them as gifts.
 * Also are the 'Kaya' (a local bread spread) made from coconut and egg are a must try, some may find it too sweet for their liking.
 * Electronics: Very competitively priced in Tanjung Pinang. The shops carry many of what you may need. When buying electronic goods, remember that Singapore uses 240 V voltage with a British-style three-pin plug.
 * Cameras & Watches: The main street from the Ferry Terminal has a selection of camera shops. Prices are significantly lower than in many other countries.

Eat
Tanjung Pinang has many seafood restaurants, and prices are low by Singaporean (or even Western) standards, Try crab (ketam) and gong-gong, a local mollusk.

Padang restaurants, named after the town of Padang, can also be found throughout Tanjung Pinang. In a Padang-style restaurant, the table will quickly be set with dozens of small dishes filled with highly flavored foods such as curried fish, fried tempeh, stewed greens, chili eggplant, curried beef liver, fried chicken, and of course, sambals, the spicy sauces ubiquitous at Indonesian tables. Customers take - and pay for - only what you eat from this array of dishes.

As for local delicacies you might want to try

"Bak Kut Teh" - The Chinese Pork Rib Soup (Pricing between Rp20,000 - Rp 25,000) can be found at Jl. Potong Lembu or Around Jl. Pelantar II area.

"Otak-otak" (Costs mostly Rp1,000 (buy 10 get 2 free)) can be found at Jl. Pelantar II.

"Wet kway teow" - rice noodle (Pricing between Rp12,000 - Rp20,000) can be found at Jl. Pasar Ikan, Jl. Tambak, Jl. Potong Lembu.

Or, head to the local food court just across the street from the ferry terminal. There is also the Potong Lembu street food court on Jalan Potong Lembu. A large range of Indonesian, Chinese, Thai and other Asian dishes are available. Beer is also sold and on several tables it was being consumed by locals, suggesting that it is socially acceptable. The atmosphere is rustic to say the least, but it is incredibally atmospheric and the food 'anak' - delicious!

Other national delicacies such as Pempek, Sup Ayam Kampung, Gado-gado, Soto, Special BBQ of Chicken and Fish are also available in a comfortable modern coffee shop like " Sweet " located at Jalan Bakar Batu No.102 C so near that it takes only 5-10 minutes walk from the International Harbour.

For those who are vegetarian, there is a Chinese vegetarian restaurant (Bumi Maitri) at 'Suka Berenang'. They open until 21:00 everyday and the price is very reasonable.

Sam's Anna Jalan Yos Sudarso, is a thatched roof, open sided seafood restaurant located next to the sea. They serve excellent chilli crabs and other seafood dishes at prices far below Singaporean ones. Service is fine without ever being slick, partly as being a large restaurant there is a long distance from the serving hatch to tables. It's located in the Eastern part of town. Be warned that there are two Sam's Anna's in town, the one on Jalan Lr Sutami being a burger joint aimed at local teenagers!

Drink
Alcoholic drinks are available in most of the cafes and restaurants, nonetheless of being the country with the largest Muslim population. Non-Muslim Indonesian drink alcohol only in social setting. Despite this, no-one has a problem with others drinking and many local Muslims are happy to sell it.

If you like to drink new things, try the local "Double Kiwi", which comes in clear (i.e. vodka-like) and amber (i.e. whisky-like) fashions, at only 15-20 degrees alcohol.

Driving
Avoid drinking while driving. While in the old time, you might be stopped for drink driving and could "settle" your way through with $10-20, the policeman might now charge you with bribing attempt instead. As a consequence, you might be jailed for up to 3 months and the officer would get a stipend for US$1,000.

If you are stopped by police for any offence, just ask to write you up and pay the summon letter directly to the nearest bank. This would be a cheaper, faster and risk free settlement.

Budget

 * Bong's Homestay, Lorong Bintan 2, off Jalan Bintan. Probably Tanjung Pinang's oldest and best-known backpacker place, Bong's hasn't changed in twenty years and it's still cheap (Rp40,000/night) and no-frills (fan only, bucket-shower).

Mid-range

 * Bintan Beach Hotel. 3 km from town, has an attached mall and waterfront park and most of the regular resort facilities. One of the two hotels with a swimming pool. The other is comfort hotel.
 * Bintan Beach Hotel. 3 km from town, has an attached mall and waterfront park and most of the regular resort facilities. One of the two hotels with a swimming pool. The other is comfort hotel.

Splurge

 * Melia Bintan Permai Hotel (10-15 min walk from Ferry Terminal). It is a pleasant hotel fully air-conditioned with hot shower. From Standard Rooms to Suite the price range from S$58-108. Your stay comes with complimentary breakfast. Attached to the hotel is a kelong behind it with full view of the other islands and terminal. Check-out time is noon.  The services provided by the hotel is extremely friendly.
 * Pelangi Hotel & Resort, Jalan D.I. Pandjaitan Km.6 (About 15 minutes from ferry terminal), tel. +62 771 21982 / 318888, . Facility :  Wifi, pool, gym.  Rooms rate S$36-80. the folks there are very very nice.

Connect
There are several Internet cafes called "warnet" in Tanjung Pinang. You can find one at Bintan Mall in downtown 200 meters from the Ferry Terminal. Another place is the everpopular Ramayana Shopping Mall in uptown. Some hotels have Internet connections, but be forewarned, their speed is slow. There are also a few Internet cafes located along 'Tambak', which is within downtown, costing between Rp5000 to Rp6000 an hour.

Go next
Tanjung Pinang is the best place to catch ferries to the other islands in the Riau and Lingga archipelagos, including Batam, Tanjung Balai karimun, Galang, Moro, Tanjung Batu, Lingga, Singkep, and the Natuna Islands. Tickets can typically be bought at the ferry terminal to these places and are typically only a few dollars for even long journeys. Beware that the notion of time is loose, cancellations can happen, and ferries may arrive at alternate ports during bad weather. Knowledge of some Malay or Indonesian (or even Mandarin) is recommended as there are few English speakers outside of Tanjung Pinang. However, the archipelago is extremely scenic and if you have the time to explore, it is highly recommended to see the thousands of uninhabited tropical islands in their natural beauty, which you will come across in any ferry travel through the region.