Tanjung Pinang

On the southwest coast of Bintan is the capital of the Riau Archipelago, Tanjung Pinang, accessible by ferry from Singapore. It is the largest town in Riau that retains much of its old rustic charm, with a fishing... More »

On the southwest coast of Bintan is the capital of the Riau Archipelago, Tanjung Pinang, accessible by ferry from Singapore. It is the largest town in Riau that retains much of its old rustic charm, with a fishing village of rickety stilt houses dotting the coast. In the main square, an eclectic mix of places of worship can be spotted, from mosques and Chinese temples to Dutch churches that bear testimony to the country's colonial past. A touristy highlight here is the small but interesting Riau Kandil Museum at Jalan B.G. Katamso in the eastern suburbs, which exhibits weaponry, musical instruments, furniture and artefacts that once belonged to the Riau sultans.