Discover Bangka-Belitung

White beaches, enormous granite boulders and islands define Kepulauan Bangka Belitung, an island province east of Sumatra. It includes the two main islands of Pulau Bangka and Pulau Belitung, as well as numerous smaller islands. For your trip, you can choose from very different experiences: coastal landscapes and boat trips, rainforest and trekking trails, or temples, museums and regional traditions.

Beaches with their own distinctive character

At Pantai Tanjung Kelayang, white sand, clear blue-green water and enormous granite boulders meet. The beach is also a starting point for island-hopping trips to Pulau Lengkuas, Pulau Batu Berlayar and Pulau Pasir. You can hire boats for these excursions through local providers. A historic colonial-era lighthouse stands on Pulau Lengkuas, and snorkeling is possible in the surrounding waters. If you want to combine a beach visit with an outing on the water, you’ll find both here as concrete trip ideas.

The beaches on Bangka also differ in their described features. Pantai Pasir Padi has a wide coastline with coral and rocks, as well as a two-kilometer stretch of white sand. Peh-Chun ritual ceremonies are held there. At low tide, you can reach Pulau Punai on foot from the beach. At Pantai Matras, the beach is three kilometers long and 20 to 30 meters wide; visitors can swim there and play on the beach or in the fresh water that flows all the way to it. Pantai Parai Tenggiri combines fine white sand and clear greenish water with large granite boulders. Banana boat rides are offered at Pantai Tikus Emas.

Rainforest, rocks and nature experiences

The Belitong UNESCO Global Geopark encompasses land and sea, as well as 241 surrounding islands. Its landscapes include coral reefs, mangrove forests and seagrass meadows. In Kuale Granite Mangrove Forest, a 650-meter-long path leads through the mangrove forest. Pulau Cina, within Belitung’s regional marine protected area, is an important sea turtle nesting site. A center dedicated to their protection, combined with tourism and education, is being prepared there.

Bukit Peramun has designated trekking trails. The area offers views of tropical rainforest and huge granite boulders; from the summit, the view extends to the sea. Bukit Peramun is also home to rare plants and the distinctive rainbow langurs. Kampung Reklamasi Air Jangkang tells a different story of nature and land use: the area, on former mining land, serves nature conservation and tourism, as well as the breeding and rehabilitation of protected animals.

The islands’ culture and flavors

For culture lovers, several religious sites and traditions are part of the region’s character. Bukit Fathin San is a Mahayana site, or temple, for Buddhist and Chinese worshippers on the slopes of Bukit Betung. Access involves climbing 350 steps. Pagoda Nusantara at Bukit Naga Kumala is also a religious destination and place of worship for Buddhist and Chinese worshippers. In Pangkalpinang, the Museum Timah Indonesia, founded in 1958, presents the history of tin mining and its development in Bangka Belitung. At Nam Salu Open Pit near Gunung Kik Karak, visitors can see remains of historic tin-processing technologies and some of the oldest exposed rocks on the island.

Cultural highlights also include Kain Cual, a woven textile typical of Bangka that has been known since the 18th century. It features distinctive patterns and gold threads and was formerly worn by nobles in Mentok. Muang Jong is a Sawang ritual in Belitung in which a miniature boat loaded with offerings is set adrift at sea. Perang Ketupat is an annual tradition in Tempilang, Bangka Barat, held before Ramadan. Regional cuisine also offers discoveries of its own: Lempah Kuning is a yellow dish with a tangy, fresh flavor, usually made with fish as its main ingredient. Kemplang, a baked or fried fish cracker, is often enjoyed as a snack or a souvenir.

Which area is right for your trip?

When choosing a holiday rental, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on: perhaps the coast and banana boat rides, island-hopping from Tanjung Kelayang, a visit to cultural sites, or trekking at Bukit Peramun. Then check the location in relation to the places you actually want to visit. For more information on the region, see pages about Bangka Tengah, Pangkalpinang, Tanjung Pandan, Manggar, East Belitung, Belitung, Sijuk and Mentok.

For the broader travel overview: Indonesia.