​Indonesia is a tropical paradise formed by 13.466 islands in 3 different time zones in the South East Asia. One of islands, Belitung is surrounded by about 189 small islands. The length of its diameter from East to West about 79 km and North to South about 77 km. The Total of land is about 480,060 hectare with less than 260,000 habitants, located in the middle between Jakarta and Singapore at the East coast of Sumatera, as well as easy to access less than one hour by flight from Jakarta operated by Sriwijaya Air and Batavia from Jakarta

Belitung Island is slightly smaller than Bali and in a pair with Bangka had been known as the producer of tin due to its geological position as part of Malacca tin source chain from Malaysia, Singkep, Bangka and Belitung. In fact, it is the beautiful beach paradise such as granite rocks, truly white and soft sands spreading 10km long across the border of North West part of the island facing crystal clear, warm and calm blue, green and turquoise wide open sea with hundreds of shallow coral reef marine life. Its white sand beaches quite like Caribbean's, Fiji or Maldives. When those white sand beaches are decorated with unique formation thousands of granite boulders spreading in several group along the beach and open sea, will form about 20 neighbour small islands and becomes a combination of Seychelles and Maldives. Also, Lengkua Island is 19th century antique light house built in Dutch colonial foreign civilization.

There are many following potential tourist destinations consist of waterfall, swimming park, nature forest, mountain and river in Belitung.

Nature Tourism

Batu Mentas combines forest, river and Tarsius conservation centre. Tarsius is an animal likes a small monkey where its head can turn 180 degree, can be found in the foot of Gunung Tajam Mountain near the river. Visitors can take river cubing and have their meals at a large restaurant. There are several nature swimming pools located in the little forest at Air Seruk Village about 20 minutes by car from Tanjung Pandan with the natural forest environment and water recreation centre as well as large filed of tree shade area. Tirta Marundang is an ideal tourist spot for family recreation. Rumah Adat, a cultural and heritage artefacts represent daily traditional Belitung's Malay architecture in a form of big wooden house. Also, there are collections of traditional bridal suit, traditional tools and other artefacts represent lifestyle of local people. Other waterfalls facilities are not yet available such as Gurok Berave Waterfall for swimmers, Dam Dua Waterfall for adventurers, Kapala Kawai Waterfall for trekkers, Gurok Berang Waterfall for accommodation.

KAMPONG DEDAUN

A beautiful beach covered with share tree for tourists and local to enjoy in well managed environment supported by completed facilities. It is located 3km to the East of Tanjong Tinggi. The white sandy beach decorated by granite boulders spread along the sea to enable visitors to spend their times for enjoying, relaxing or napping under the tree while laying down on the sun-lounger, beach chair, park chair or gazebo on the beach and tasting best delicious cuisines such as local seafood and Indonesian menu in fine restaurants in an ambience with nice beach and park view of area. There is a stage for music show for night barbeque party. Furthermore, visitors can rent a kayak (canoe) that is equipped with live fest for safety purpose.It is fun to ride on a Kayak above calm wave sea and even to reach the group of granite boulders in the middle of the sea about 1 km from the beach.

GRANITE BOULDERS

Unique rocks usually placed in a mountain but in beach now. There are giant rocks spreading over from surrounding beach down to sea. Some looks animal, likes Tanjung Kelayang, the boulders named as Kelayang bird

PANGKUAN HILL

An agro planation located in Mentawak Village of Kelapa Kampit sub-district for local fruits such as durian, mango, rambutan, lengkeng, belimbing and Jambu Jamaike.

LENGGANG RIVER

The largest river in Belitung flow from Simpang Tiga Village in the centre of the island, west of the island. Naduk is an island probably due to the mud formed a Lenggang River. Fishermen catch the small Cempedik fish, 3-5 cm length by nets during rainy seasons. The result of geological exploration by Dutch, the soil under and surrounding Lenggang River reserve rich tin. The Tin Company used the sophisticated machine (Kapal Keruk) or in Dutch called Emmer Bager to dig soil far underground operates in the river or sea, floating in a huge platform. Around the Lenguas Island is a hopping for visitors. River cruise in the Lenggang River, Dam of Pice is in the name of architect built in 1930

LITERARY MUSEUM

The Belitung has become tourist hot spot since 2008 because of the hype of Phenomenal Laskar Pelangi (Rainbow Troops) movie that was watched by more than 6 million people in Indonesia and become the top box office movie in Indonesian film history. The movie is taken from Laskar Pelangi story made in Gantong Village, East regency, the best seller Indonesia novel created by Andrea Hirata, a Belitung-born writer described bout 10 elementary school students who flight continuity of their poor school. As a result, it has inspired thousands of people to love the touching story and treasure the natural beauty. The movie highlighted a few spots of Belitung icons such as Tanjung Tinggi Beach and Tanjong Kelavang Beach and Lengkuas Island and made Belitung more popular via media. Andrea Hirata has dedicated himself to build a Museum kata Andrea (Literature Museum of Andrea Hirata) to explore about Laskar Pelangi. Meanwhile, visitors can visit Manggar Town, a second town in Belitung, capital of East regency, a famous coffee tradition and many coffees shop can be found in the town as well as shopping.

Observations and views

Belitung is an ideal destination and peaceful paradise suitable for international visitors, particularly for nature and cultural lovers as well as for those who wish to escape from busy city life and experience relaxing atmosphere to live with nature by virtue of its unspoiled natural resource, unique intangible and tangible cultural heritages. It has a potential tourism opportunity to attract more international visitors and investors due to its strategic location and untouched natural spots coupled with strong support of Indonesia Tourism policymakers and marketers who have been actively promoting tourism and adopting a strategic marketing plan to develop a sustainable tourism.

Useful links

​Alliance Syndication Network