Tanjung Pinang

Tanjung Pinang (Tanjungpinang) is the main town on the island of Bintan, and the capital of Riau Islands province.

Tanjung Pinang Halal Travel Guide

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 200,000. It is a trading, shipping, shopping and tourism "seafood" center in the region. 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 masjids, churches, Buddhist temples, shop-houses, cafes and general confusion!

Travel to Tanjung Pinang

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Tanjung Pinang

• Raja Haji Fisabilillah Airport IATA Code: TNJ Only caters to a limited number of flights, none of which are international. Sriwijaya Air, Garuda Indonesia, and Lion Air offers daily Flights from Jakarta. Susi Air: Dabo and Letung. Wings Air: Batam and Pekanbaru. XpressAir: Matak and Natuna.

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 Visitors though and the easiest way to get to Tanjung Pinang would be to fly to Singapore and take a ferry from there.

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Tanjung Pinang

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 Indonesia#Get in|Get in section for visa details.

• From Singapore's Tanah Merah ferry terminal (TMFT) and there are 5-7 direct ferries every day on Penguin, IndoFalcon and Wavemaster (+65-6786 9959). The ferry fare is SGD28-40/50 one-way/return. There are two trips on Monday to Fridayand three trips during Saturday to Sun-Public Holidays.
• 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 and 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 Rp. 10.000 (as of 2005, 3 hr). The bus terminal is 7 kilometers east of town. Angkut (passenger vans) shuttle between the terminal and town. From the port of Kijang (where Pelni ships dock) over 20km to the east and 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 vehicle from Bintan Resorts on the northern part of Bintan.

How to get around in Tanjung Pinang

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.

Best way to travel in Tanjung Pinang by a Taxi

Only take taxis from the primary street. '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 40km trip to Trikora Beach should cost $.5.00

By motorcycle taxi (ojek)

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.

Travel by minivan in Tanjung Pinang

Minibuses known as Angkutan Kota operate on fixed routes and 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.

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Tanjung Pinang

Regular boats to Penyengat Island cost Rp7,000/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 Rp7,000 (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.

What to see in Tanjung Pinang

By land

Tanjung Pinang today is a sprawling Indonesian town.

• The old ruler's palace and royal tombs, among them the grave of the respected Sultan Haji, who also was creater 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 and 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$35.00 per room for 2 per day, 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 around 30-40 SGD 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 local residents claim is made "from egg" (the mortar, that is, not the whole building). There are also a few more masjids and graveyards to see, some of which include royalties.

What to do in Tanjung Pinang

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.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Tanjung Pinang

Tanjung Pinang is famous for its wooden handicraft, and indonesian designed textile. Everything else is affordable 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.

Halal Restaurants in Tanjung Pinang

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 and 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 and the spicy Sauces ubiquitous at Indonesian tables. Clients take - and pay for - only what you eat from this array of dishes.

As for local delicacies you might want to try

"Otak-otak" (Costs mostly Rp. 2.000 (buy 10 get 2 free)) can be found at Jl. Pelantar II.

"Wet kway teow" - Rice noodle(Pricing between Rp 22.000 - Rp 60.000) 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 local residents, 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 and there is a Chinese Vegetarian restaurant (Bumi Maitri) at 'Suka Berenang'. They open until 9PM 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 and the one on Jalan Lr Sutami being a Burgers joint aimed at local teenagers!

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Tanjung Pinang

Tanjung Pinang - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Tanjung Pinang, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Tanjung Pinang. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Tanjung Pinang and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Tanjung Pinang. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Tanjung Pinang. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inTanjung Pinang: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Tanjung Pinang.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Tanjung Pinang: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Tanjung Pinang, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Tanjung Pinang.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Tanjung Pinang, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Tanjung Pinang, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Tanjung Pinang and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Tanjung Pinang, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Tanjung Pinang, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Tanjung Pinang without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Tanjung Pinang is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Tanjung Pinang.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Tanjung Pinang is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Tanjung Pinang, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Tanjung Pinang Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

• 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 affordable (Rp 40,000/night) and no-frills (fan only, bucket-shower).

• Bintan Bukit Kursi Resort - From town, it is a collection of comfortable rooms with beach view, very comfortable and private houses. Rooms are fully air-conditioned, spacious and clean. Approx USD$30 per room, fits 2-3. For the adventurous tourist who wants to see a different side of Bintan, and not the normal commercialised places. +65 96356931 (Singapore line) +62 8127065970 (Indonesia line)

• Bintan Beach Hotel. 3 kilometers 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 Harmoni - Very clean, full air condition, television set and bathroom ( with heater ) attached in every room. It is also opposite an supermarket. the cost is lower than what other hotel is offering. price for standard room is S$15(with a smaller queen sized bed) and S$18 for the superior which is a bigger room and comes with a king sized bed.

• Bintan Panorama Hotel - Nice and clean, English speaking. Air condition, cable tv, Asian-style bath, WLAN. Good restaurant: Indo/Chinese/western. Night club on the panorama balcony. About a 10 minutes walk from the ferry terminal, but they offer a free shuttle between the terminal and hotel. S$15-24/room.

• Hotel Paradise (pronounced Paradees) - a pleasant budget hotel a 20 minutes walk (or 10 minutes opolet ride) from the ferry terminal. Clean, basically furnished rooms with air con, sat TV, hot showers and wi-fi. The helpful receptionists speak good English and can advise on a variety of tourist matters. 100m down the street is an excellent open air food court.

• Hotel Gunung Bintan Jaya - Very clean, bright, although rooms are a little small. S$23 for standard rooms with Indonesian-style squat toilets, S$28 for superior rooms with Western sitting toilets, and S$30 for deluxe rooms with western toilets and mini café. All rooms air-conditioned and come with television and telephone.

• Laut Jaya Hotel - Reportedly a good hotel with clean rooms, although front rooms my get a bit of noise from waterfront activities and the open eating area which is set up at the pier at night. Rooms from S$20.

• Lesmina Hotel - Standard rooms cost S$23, superior rooms S$26, delux rooms S$28, family rooms S$31 and executive S$33.

• Riau Holidays Indah - The hotel looks newly refurbished. Rooms from S$23.

• Melia Bintan Permai Hotel (10-15 mins 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-S$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.

• Comfort Hotel - formerly known as Royal Palace | Room price is about Rp 750.000 - Rp 925.000. Nice hotels with clean pool. Easy to find restaurant, shops, supermarkets nearby (walk around 1 kilometers toward city).

Explore more Halal friendly Destinations from Tanjung Pinang

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 hub 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 and 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.

Wn the evening we can see the beauty of the sea between Tanjungpinang and Penyengat Island, somewhere in hill top we can enjoy a whole tanjungpinang view.. this place is gorgeos.. usually the youngs gather here.. but still worth coming to..

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