How to explore Bintan like a local - A melting pot of diverse cultural influences

Beyond its pristine beaches, thrilling water sports, upscale resorts and golf courses, Bintan is a blend of different cultural elements that is truly more than meets the eye. Today, it has become a top pick among many tourists to explore eye-catching alleys set against a backdrop of Dutch-inspired architecture and discover traditional shops selling local goods.

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Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Temple

The best way to start exploring Bintan would be to visit a temple. This beautiful Indonesian temple is a perfect example of diversity and unity. This serene place has been capturing the hearts of travellers across the world ever since it was opened for the public in 2017. At a very first glance, there is a greater probability for a person to expect that this temple is located in Mainland China or Myanmar. The temple was first found in Tanjung Pinang city (on Bintan Island of the Riau Islands). It is also popular among locals as Vihara Patung Seribu, meaning vihara of thousand statues. Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is an incredible sight to behold. The temple houses 500 Lohan statues which were made by a Chinese artist. The majority of statues here are a depiction of human-like creations, mostly depicting Buddhist monks whilst there 40 statues of revered gods inside the temple. The giant Buddha statue standing at the front of the temple gives an epic welcome for anyone who enters, whether as a tourist or for players. If you are staying at one of the many Bintan hotels the likes of The Residence Bintan, it is a 40-minute ride to this temple.

 Visit Tanjung Pinang

If you wish to get a glimpse of the local life in Bintan, a visit to Tanjung Pinang will be a time well spent as it is the largest town on the island. There are plenty of interesting things to do here. Wake up early in the morning and head over to the traditional morning market where you can find Bintan delicacies, shop for arts and craft, dried seafood and fresh fruits. Do not forget to take a leisurely stroll down Panglong Village. You will be able to spot wooden homes on stilts and this is where the sea gipsies live. It will be incredible scenery to see how local fishermen weave fishing nets and cast the nets out to the sea. Spare some time to try out a scrumptious seafood dish served at any seafood restaurant here.

The temples at Senggarang Village

While you discover the wonders of Indonesia, make a visit to a Chinese village and fishing hamlet n Senggarang Bintan and get close to the unique traditions of a Chinese ethnic community who live here. Not far from a ferry ride from Tanjung Pinang, you can visit an impressive range of temples in Senggarang Village. It is regarded as the first Chinese settlement in Bintan. History enthusiasts can have an interesting time here as it is home to a centuries-old temple that is engulfed by the Lau Ya Keng temple and a huge Bunyan tree. The oldest temple located in Riau dates back to the time of the Qing Dynasty.

Explore the sand dunes of Gurun Pasir

Head over to an Insta-worthy and dreamy attraction with picturesque sand dunes at Gurun Pasir Busung. Located in close proximity to Tanjung Uban, one can barely imagine a desert in the middle of tropical Indonesia. Early in the days, it has used to be a quarry for a mining area but today, it has been transformed into a touristy attraction. Gentle slopes with tints of red sands and varying yellow and brown hues make it one of the Instagram-able spots on the island of Bintan.