Tanjung Pandan
Understand
Tanjung Pandan is a nice but mostly unremarkable town, with most original Dutch colonial buildings in good shape. No traffic jams and polite drivers. Has a neat wharf area and traditional Bugis and Malaya fishing fleet. Very friendly and respectful locals.
People
The majority of the people in Tanjungpandan are Hakka Chinese and Belitung Malay. The religion of the Malays is predominantly Muslims, while the Chinese are mainly Buddhist, Catholic or Protestant.
Get in
By ship
- 🌍 Tanjung Pandan Port (Pelabuhan Tanjung Pandan).
Get around
By taxi
There is transportation to towns across the island by taxi, either official or unofficial. Taxi Angkasa ☏ +62 822 8301 5555, +62 878 964 78835 is the only legal taxi company operating throughout the island. They use meters for rides and claims itself as the cheapest option, but it is highly recommended to reserve by calling when or before you arrive. If you stick to unofficial cabs, be sure to haggle furiously or you will be ripped off. If you are traveling using a coach provided by your tour or have pre-arranged your transportation, most likely they will be standing by.
See
Downtown Tanjung Pandan is quite interesting due to the many Dutch Colonial buildings and shop houses. Most of the governmental buildings are the original Dutch buildings and the old Dutch tin mining housing compound is still kept up.
- 🌍 Tanjung Pendam Beach. So called the city beach of Tanjung Pandan. It's where the city locals typically go during the weekend to watch the sunset, play at the playground or dine at the seafood restaurants.
- 🌍 Kaolin Lake. This is what is left of a kaolinite mine. A lake with blue water and white rocks around it deceives you as if you are near the Poles or a volcano crater.
Do
- 🌍 Kulong Keramik, Jln. Ahmad Yani, Desa Lesung Batang (4 km from downtown). A recreational spot that used tu ba a ceramic manufactury. Relax while watching the fish swim in the lake. There are also restaurants and places that selling souvenirs.
- 🌍 Unique Bistro & Karaoke. Do karaoke in room or enjoy live music each night. They are serving common Indonesian food and to some extent, western food.
- 🌍 Belitung Mangrove Park (Gusong Bugis Beach) (10km from the downtown). A mangrove ecotourism park. If you want to enjoy food in the mangrove area, you can visit the floating restaurant in a Pinisi ship.
Buy
- 🌍 Barata, Jl. Veteran No. 1. Daily 08:00–21:00. The largest (and perhaps the only) mall in Belitung.
- 🌍 Galeri KUMKM Belitung, Jl.Sriwijaya. This is the market where small designers sell their product to fame. The most complete collection of souvenirs, they have all of the above.
- 🌍 Toko Oleh-oleh Keluarga OK, Jl. Patimura. Locally produced bags, fashion, and shell arts. If you buy the crackers in bulks, they have a special wrapping box for your convenience.
Eat
Western foods
Indonesian foods
- 🌍 Dapur Sakato, Jl. Depati Gegedek. Where there are Padang (Minangkabau) people, there is always a restaurant of their cuisine. Does not have the typical prominent roof, but a more premium feel. From Rp40,000.
- 🌍 Kedai Gamad - Makan & Minum, Jl. Gajah Mada. Daily 10:00–23:00. Ayam geprek and Cincau gula merah.
- 🌍 Mie Belitung Atep, Jl. Sriwijaya No. 27 (near the roundabout, before the billboard), ☏ +62 719 21464. Since 1973, this stall has attracted numerous national celebrities to stop by, even the former president Megawati. Specialties are the Mie Belitung, and the key lime juice. Cheap but you might need two to fill you up. From Rp10,000.
- 🌍 Mie Yamin Achoi, Jl. Madura 1, Tanjung Pandan. If you want meat, that is their main ingredient for their noodle dish (bakmi), but they also have the Mie Belitung. From Rp8,000.
- 🌍 RM Diva, Jl. Sriwijaya 27. Has seafood, but much more options if you are bored with it.
- 🌍 RM Mutiara, Jl. Wahab Aziz No. 7. Crowded, but has premium seafood options: crab, fish, and squid. They have the gangan, choose between whole fish or fish head. Dishes from Rp 50,000.
- 🌍 RM Belitong Tempo Duluk, Jl. Lettu Mat Daud. Also a typical restaurant with local food, but with a more premium and hygienic feel. Knick knacks and recipes from the old days of the island.
Drink
- 🌍 Sriwijaya Shop, ☏ +62 719 21202. There is actually no name for the shop but it houses a travel agent (the front display says they sell Sriwijaya Air tickets) and sells local snacks. On a hot day, as is always the case, sit here and enjoy a refreshing shaved ice (sekoteng) with jelly, red or green beans and other toppings, condensed milk and syrup.
- 🌍 The Well Restaurant & Cafe, Jl. Air Saga. 12:00–21:00 (closed Tu). Western-style foods and beverages.
- 🌍 Warung Makan Minum Bang Pasya, Jl. Kemuning. Daily 09:00–22:00. Take a sip of coffee while feasting upon seafoods.
Sleep
| This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room: | |
| Budget | less than Rp500,000 |
| Mid-range | Rp500,000-Rp750,000 |
| Splurge | more than Rp750,000 |
Budget
- 🌍 Central City Hotel (OYO 1612), Jl. Veteran no.7, ☏ +628041040040. Check-in: 14:00. It may look like a small hotel from the outside, but there is a huge pond with fountain in front of the rooms! No windows in your room and not sound-proof. From Rp250,000.
- 🌍 Demuon Hotel, Jl. Jendral Sudirman No. 30, ☏ +62 719 23200. A simple hotel inland away from downtown Tanjung Pandan. Rooms only. Spacious room with minimum design and adequate amenities. From Rp400,000.
- 🌍 Lux Melati Hotel, ln Melati No 72. Large hotel, basic rooms with air-con, TV, and shower. Less than five minutes away on foot to Tanjung Pendam beach or the Tanjung Pandan city center. From Rp300,000.
- 🌍 Martani Hotel, Jl. Yos Sudarso no. 18, ☏ +62 719 21432. Subpar hotel in a central location. Room with simple breakfast. Family room has a home theater system! Doubles from Rp120,000, family from Rp400,000.
- 🌍 Pondok Impian 2, Jl. Patimura no. 8. Midway between downtown Tanjung Pandan and Tanjung Binga beach. Quaint exotic exterior, adequate facilities for a star hotel, superb view. Breakfast was on par with price. You cannot plunge into the beach directly from the hotel though. From Rp250,000.
Mid-range
- 🌍 BW Suite Belitung, Jl. Pattimura, ☏ +62 719 23898. The largest and one of the best places to stay in Belitung. If you want a high unobstructed view of the sunset, this is where you'll find it. Western standard hotel service, large restaurant for a buffet, a swimming pool and bar overlooking the sunset. Doubles from Rp 600,000 per night.
- 🌍 Grand Pelangi Resort, Jl. Pattimura, ☏ +62 719 25552. A lower profile hotel that overlooks the western beach, but still close to Tanjung Pandan. Has a restaurant, karaoke room, swimming pool, and you can rent a car or motorcycle. Doubles from Rp 500,000.
- 🌍 Grand Hatika Hotel, Jl. Kemuning No. A16, ☏ +62 719 22678. Huge hotel facing Tanjung Pendam Beach. Adequate rooms, small pool, and restaurant. WiFi at lobby only. Be aware of the loud live music at the beach every night! From Rp500,000.
- 🌍 Green Village Hotel, Jl. Ahmad Yani No. 4, ☏ +62 719 24135. Inland, away from downtown Tanjung Pandan, makes this hotel lucky enough to offer bungalows for its residence. Garden style hotel, with multiple swimming pools, a restaurant and some gazebos, and an indoor karaoke room. Weekdays from Rp650,000; Weekends from Rp800,000.
- 🌍 MaxOne Belstar, Jl. Sriwijaya. Chic and modern designed hotel, at the suburbs of Tanjung Pandan. Has an in-house restaurant. From Rp500,000.
Splurge
- 🌍 Bahamas, Jl. Pattimura No. 1, ☏ +62 719 22252. Comfortable open-air hotel with 78 rooms overlooking a nice beach. Very easy to coordinate trips from the hotel to locations around the island. Highly recommended. Twins from Rp700,000; doubles from Rp900,000.
- 🌍 Billiton Hotel & Klub, Jl. Depati Gegedek No. 50, ☏ +62 719 22887. A quiet sanctuary right at the center of bustling Tanjung Pandan. High end resort with a pool and its own restaurant. Perfect for honeymooners, but a bit far from the famous beaches. Twins from Rp800,000, doubles from Rp900,000, suites Rp2,500,000 (all includes breakfast).
Connect
Indonesian national mobile operator like Telkomsel, Indosat, and XL Axiata are covering this town.
Cope
Religious services
The area is predominantly Muslim.
Hospitals
- 🌍 Regional General Hospital dr. H. Marsidi Judono (RSUD Dr. H. Marsidi Judono). 24-hour emergency hospital.
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