One of the most beautiful parts of the exotic far east, Indonesia, is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty that’s elegantly highlighted by its cultural spirit. From splendid temples to magnificent mountains, it is a veritable feast for passionate travellers. It is a land of pristine beaches, offbeat wonders, thrilling adventures and verdant islands, lots of islands. In fact, Indonesia has 17,000 of them! Belitung is just one of them.

Comparable in size to Bali, it is not as popular. But that is a blessing in disguise as it doesn’t get as crowded as some of the other well-known holiday destinations. Belitung is just realising its potential as a world-class holiday destination and is quickly becoming a favourite with holiday goers. But before now, it was known for its tin industry, rather than its beaches. Now, Belitung has earned its bona fide credentials as a holiday destination that gives offers you some of the best beaches in Indonesia.

Does Belitung Island have anything more to offer than its beaches or is it just restricted to spectacular views of the ocean? Let’s find out.

The New Bali?

Belitung is being touted as the new Bali sans its crazy pace, glamour and glitz. Located at one hour’s flying time from Jakarta, you can get a direct flight to TanjungPandan, the main town of Belitung. Live the quintessential island life as it moves to the beat of its own drummer. Nobody’s in a hurry and a comforting calm reigns supreme. The roads are largely empty, and a large part of the island wears a green cloak. A bicycle is the best way to get around and take in all the sights Belitung has to offer.

Did we mention its pristine beaches? They are beautifully complemented by the inviting blue waters and natural granite structures that dot the landscape. And with a bewildering array of local flora and fauna, Belitung is an aspiring Geopark too! When you visit here, look forward to stunning golden sunsets, peaceful explorations and scrumptious island cuisine that will leave your tastebuds asking for more. Here are a few more places of interest and things to do for a complete island holiday.

The Belitung Experience

Though the Belitung experience revolves around beaches, there’s more to the island. But let’s start with its beaches.

TanjungKelayang

The white sandy beach at TanjungKelayang is decorated with carelessly strewn boulders like some giant’s playground. This is the flagship beach of the island and one of its top holiday destinations. The calm waters around the beach are perfect for leisurely swimming. Test your kayaking skills or indulge in a bout of exciting water sports.

Bukit Berahu

This secluded beach has a soothing ambience that lets you relax and just soak in the island experience. The calm waters make it an ideal picnic spot for families looking to spend a quiet day at the beach. The treeline along the beach provides adequate shelter from the sun and lets you enjoy your outing in relative cool.

Bukit Permanun

This Geopark is full of life and wears a perpetual green cover. The different species of birds and monkeys will astound you with their variety. The park is crisscrossed by trekking trails that let you discover its hidden secrets. Don’t miss the lookout points atop giant granite boulders that give you an aerial view of the surrounding multi-hued forests.

Museum Kata

This rather unique museum is dedicated to the memorabilia LaskarPelangi, a successful novel and silver screen adaptation. Kata means ‘Word” in the local language. The museum is meant to inspire the younger generations to achieve their dreams. You can spend hours browsing the literary collection housed in this vividly coloured building.

Danau Kaolin

The Danau Kaolin is a man-made lake that hides an abandoned kaolin, or white clay, mine underneath. While the lake itself is off limits for safety reasons, the bright blue water interspersed with the white rock makes for an unexpectedly photogenic background. Visit here for Instagram-worthy pictures that will add a touch of exotic to your Indonesian vacation.

KelentingSijuk

Buddhism is one of the prevalent religions on the island along with five others. This Buddhist temple offers a unique insight into the Indonesian flavour of the peaceful religion. You are welcomed by a gaily coloured gate that features dragons and other motifs from Buddhism. Take a break from your island exploration and head to Danau Kaolin for moments of reflection and introspection.

Belitung may not have the suave pizazz of Jakarta or the pulsating night life of Bali. But it compensates for its lack of cosmopolitan wonders with one of the most unique island experiences that you can seldom find anywhere else. You must try it yourself on your next visit to Indonesia.