500 Lohan Temple

Generally, there are rather few monasteries dedicated to the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, 地藏王菩萨. In Tg Pinang on Bintan Island, Indonesia, there is an interesting Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Vihara dedicated to the Buddhist Bodhisattva.

A yellow signpost points to the entrance of the vihara where visitors enter a gate at the foot of a hill.  A short climb up the slope, the visitor is greeted by a sculpture of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva reach out to beings in the lowest realm.  

Entering the Vihara

To enter the vihara, visitors must pass through an impressive archway guarded by General Heng and General Ha. Next to the archway is a pavilion with Buddhas in Thai style and facing this pavilion is a sculpture of baby Buddha. The surrounding wall is decorated with Tibetian Buddhist symbols.

The main hall is just next to the pavilion where a sculpture of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva sits on the altar. Below it and on the floor is a Taoist deity of filial piety. Guarding the main hall are life size sculptures of the Dharma Protectors Weituo and Sangharama Bodhisattva, 伽蓝菩萨, more well known as Guan Gong.

500 Arahats, 五百罗汉

From the main hall, a felt of stairs leads visitors to an amazing garden. There, 500 life size sculptures of arahats stand orderly in rows on each of the steps at the edge of the garden. The names of each arahat appear at the base of their sculpture.

Each of the 500 sculptures is extremely lifelike capturing the characteristics, facial features and postures of the arahats. There is a sense of orderly formation and movement at the same time. These 500 arahats must be every photographer’s wonderland.

Facing the 500 arahats are another three great bodhisattvas; Wen Shu Bodhisattva sitting on a lion, Puxian Bodhisattva sitting on a elephant and Guan Yin holding a willow. (文殊菩萨, 普贤菩萨, 观音菩萨)

 

A hidden gem worth looking for

The 500 arahats seem to be main attraction in this vihara. In fact, the locals and tourist maps refer to this vihara as the 500 arahat temple complete with photos of the arahats in the local tourist map.

The vihara is not very easy to find but a few checks with the locals will eventually lead you to the temple. Maybe a little effort required getting there but it is definitely worth it. 

Trikora Beach

Trikora Beach is located in the village of Malang Rapat, about 45 kilometers east of the Tanjungpinang city. To reach Trikora beach from the Tanjungpinang is relatively easy because the road conditions were smooth (already on the asphalt). For the record, there is no public transport routes to the beach Trikora. So, when going to the beach, can hire a private vehicle or rental. Trikora beach has about 25 kilometers to the end, the view is beautiful. Along the beach has white sandy covered with thousands of coconut palms and other trees (mangrove).


Privileged Trikora Beach lies in a vast stretch of white sand and gently sloping, so that travelers can play, sunbathe, or sports such as soccer, running, trekking, and others. In this place, travelers can also enjoy a swim or just soak exposure to sea water waves are slow and clear. Another look at the natural beauty of the many palm trees that lined neatly along the shore. There are also large rocks that were piled on edge until the jutting into the sea that also adds a beautiful atmosphere at the Beach Trikora.  

From above these stones, travelers can sit relax and enjoy the waves chasing each other or see the fishing boats passing by in the distance. On the beach, travelers can also see a variety of marine plants and animals, chopped into small pieces which were on the outskirts of the beach. If tourists want to see the biodiversity contained within it, can dive along the seabed to see the beautiful corals, sea plants, various kinds of fish, and various forms of sea shells. Travelers need not worry about the darkness during a dive because the sunlight can penetrate to the seabed. The travelers are also allowed to bring home the beautiful shells that he had met during the dive.
  
After enjoying the beauty of the seabed, travelers can visit the small islands in the middle of the ocean or some tens of meters from the beach. On these small islands, the traveler can see a variety of animals such as monkeys, pythons, birds and other animals. However, for tourists who want to go on tour, can go to Kelong, a place to catch fish made of wood and sago palm leaf roof. From kelong travelers can see the fishermen who are looking for fish up closer.

Trikora beach can actually become a tourist attraction. The view is equally compared to the Bintan Beach Resort is a world-class tourist area in Lagoi, North Bintan district (about 40 miles from Trikora beach). However, because management is still a "traditional", then the Trikora beach until now only visited by people from Bintan Island and surrounding areas only.

Gunung Bintan

Bintan mountain village located in Bekapur, Village Bintan Buyu, District Bay Bintan, Bintan regency in fact more similar to the hill, because the peak height is only about 400m above sea level. However, this hill is the  highest mountain in Bintan island. Top of the hill can be reached only in about 2 hours.
 

There are some interesting things that can be found throughout the climb. The main thing, of course when we were in the top, we can enjoy the beautiful scenery, because of the hill we could look around Bintan Island.

Besides the beautiful scenery at the summit, the bintan mountain also a tropical rain forest inhabited by a variety of flora and fauna. We can easily find various kinds of tropical plants and giant trees as well as a variety of animals such as monkeys, squirrels, snakes, coney, a variety of birds, etc.. 

 
Having tired of climbing, we can shower with fresh water from a waterfall that is located right at the foot of the mountain. Foot of this mountain there are also many orchards the population, ranging from durian, rambutan, mangosteen, duku etc.. At the time of the fruit season, of course we can buy the fruit here with a cheaper price than the market and new because it tastes better in picking from the tree.

Penyengat Island

Penyengat is a small island situated in 1.5 km (W) from Tanjung Pinang (Bintan island). Administratively speaking, it belongs to the province of the archipelago of Riau.

The island has a 3,5 kilometre length. Its population is about 2,000 persons. Among them, 1/3 are descendants of the former royal family of Riau. Actually, in the early 16th century, the ruler of Malacca took refuge to Bintan after the Portuguese conquered Malacca. The court moved several times, to Johor and to Lingga, and a branch of the royal family eventually returned and settled on Pulau Penyengat.

In the 19th century Penyengat was the cultural capital of the Malay world. Some 9000 people inhabited the island, among them scholars from as far away as Mecca. Some Malay literature masterpieces were composed there, including "the Precious Gift" (Tufhat al-Nafis) of the 19th century writer Raja Ali Haji, describing the history of the Malay world from the 17th to the 19th century.

The island was then ruled by the Dutch and then the British, who supported the Bugis family, giving to the island its "Golden Age".

Nowadays, the island is easily accessible from Tanjung Pinang, and you still find the remains of this original era and dynasty.

Mosque Raya

Hand writing Qur'an

In the centre of the island is the restored palace of Raja Ali, who is remembered for his strict adherence to Islam. Raja Ali decided to build a mosque. According to legends, people donated food to the workers to help to build the mosque. At one time, they donated so much that the number of donated eggs exceeded the needs of workers. Thus, the eggs where mixed with the lime, resulting in the fine cement the mosque has been built of. The mosque was completed in 1844 and became an important centre of Muslim Malay learning in the 19th century.The mosque is worth to be seen, with its original yellow and green colours, but you can’t get in if your not Muslim.

Do not hesitate to check out also the numerous royal graves around the island, and the remains of the Raja’s houses. 

Istana Kantor

Grave of Royal Family

Grave of Engku Putri Raja Hamidah

For those interested in military history, you can also see in the middle of the island an old citadel. It is worth getting there if you want an amazing sight over the whole island. There is also a second lonely little fort located on the west part of the island.

 Don’t hesitate to spend a whole day on this island to visit all the different curiosity. Make a trip around the island using the coastal trail (Becak).

There are collective speed boats (POMPONG) from Tanjung Pinang jetty are getting to Penyengat all day long (only 2km to go). 1$ per person.

 

Senggarang

Senggarang  is a tourist attraction place, it’s a pity to pass awaywhile you are in Tanjung Pinang. This siteis the settlement of ethnic Chinese who have beenthere for hundreds of years ago in Bintan. Untilnow, the peopleare friendly and still adhere to their ancestors as well as custom homes in themediator or on the water, being offered by theunique characteristics of this object.

Tanjung pinang and Senggarang is opposite. Actually Senggarang Island is very convenient place to find peace or a away from city life. But, indeed most people who come from Singapore to here for pray because a lot of the temple here.

Sengarang is the central of temple in Bintan Islands. It is certainly very related to the presence of ethnic Chinese in this island existing almost simultaneously with the development community in senggarang. In Senggarang there are many temples that have the uniqueness of each

• Sun Te Kong Temple

Sun Te Kong temple is located not far from Sengarang Port. This temples have been around 300 years old is the oldest temple in Senggarang. The establishment and existence of this temple is almost the same time with Sengarang resided. At first, the building of this temple still looks highly simple compared to current conditions, this temple is known as the temple of the god of fire, people of Chinese descent who came to this temple to pray to invoke happiness. 

• Marco Temple

Marco is the name of the sea god who so feared by the Chinese. According to the trust if their prayer at this temple, then he will get the safety at sea while sailing. Marco temple is located between the Sun Te Kong temple and Tay Te Kong temple

Form of the building is smaller than the temple Sun Te Kong. This temple was founded in the 17th century by the Chinese community who live senggarang. The building was never been renovated since 1987 just the interior decorations is added some improvements in some parts.
 

• Tay Ti kong Temple

Tay Ti kong temple was built in conjunction with Marco. This temple lies parallel to Marco Temple, but the building is smaller and at the end. Tay Tikong temple is still well maintained. Tay Tikong temple known as the  the god of earth at the local Chinese community, They believed if praying in to this temple when will have a good harvest for paddy rice field, and can build a house. 

 

• Banyan Tree Temple

The location of Banyan temple (Tien Shang Miao) not far from the beach. This temple is believed to have lived 200 years. This temple was formerly a residential home Kapitang. He was a village headman in Senggarang. After the term ends, the Chinese community used this place to reminisce over him. Because of old age, the building is much overgrown with banyan tree that covers the roof of the outer wall. Therefore, this temple is called the Banyan Temple. The majority of the building currently have been lost, which left only partially used as a place of worship and Chinese communities. 

History of Tanjungpinang

Tanjungpinang has been known for a long time. This is due to its strategic position on the island of Bintan as a center of Malay culture and trade traffic. Tanjungpinang history is inseparable from the Johor-Riau Malay kingdom. 

Name of Tanjungpinang is taken from the position of beach nut tree that juts into the sea. Trees that are in the Cape which is a guide for voyagers who will go to Bintan River. Tanjungpinang River is the entrance to Bintan, where there Bentan empire based in Bukit Batu. 

Tanjungpinang existence is increasingly recognized in the Kingdom of Johor, the Sultan Abdul Jalil Shah Tun Abdul Jamil Laksemana ordered to open a commercial trading port on Bintan island, precisely in the River Carang, Hulu Sungai Riau. The new trading port has become a bustling trading port known as Bandar Riau. Tanjungpinang is known as a very important buffer zone and the entrance of Bandar Riau.

Expertise of the government at that time to make Bandar Riau is a major trading port and even to compete with the port of Malacca that control by the Portuguese and finally fell to the Dutch.In some history, their are some traders who want to trade in Malacca they turn directions to Riau, and even the people of Malacca buy rice and cloth in Riau. This is due to Bandar Riau is a safe area with relatively competitive prices with the dealer Malacca. 

Aside from being a trading center, Bandar Riau known as Kingdom government center Johor - Riau. Several times government of Johor moved to Riau and vice versa. 

During the war in 1782-1784 Riau between the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Tanjungpinang is command by Raja Haji Fisabilillah. The battle between Riau and the Kingdom of the Netherlands culminated in January 6 1784 with a victory for the destruction of the Dutch command ship "Malaka's Wal Faren". And urged the Netherlands to withdraw from the waters of Riau. 

After several months of the incident, Raja Haji and Malay forces attack Malacca as bases to Straits Dutch Defense. But in the war the forces of Malacca and Riau experienced defeat as the command of Raja Haji Deceased war. Raja Haji known as National Heroes.
Under the authority of the bugis, Riau developed into a international trade center. Riau is not only exciting Bugis traders from the ground but also English, Chinese, Dutch, Arabic and Indian.
 

On the other hand the development of political and military power of Riau raises the doubts Dutch who occupied Malacca at that time. In 1784, a Dutch fleet of 13 vessels by force, 1594 men, besieged and attacked the Riau (now the Tanjungpinang). On January 6, 1784 the Dutch succeeded in forcibly back to Malacca with the help of Selangor and Melaka encircled.
 

Thereafter on June 1, 1874 a battle fleet of six ships with a magnitude of batavia, 326 guns and 2130 soldiers managed to break the blockade on Malacca. This battle has killed the supreme leader of the Nation Bugis Raja Haji who has managed to gather strength among the Bugis and Malays themselves in an attempt to expel the Dutch occupation of Malacca.
Tanjungpinang also known as the residency of the Netherlands with its first resident David Ruhde. Dutch residency placement is related to the mastery of Riau region that had suffered defeat at the Battle of Malacca. To then build Tanjungpinang as Dutch military base.

The decline of royal Malay increasingly apparent since the 1828 Treaty of London which is about power-sharing agreement in the waters of the Strait of Malacca, where the Riau-Linga under Dutch rule, Johor, Pahang and parts of the peninsula if the British ruled. Through these events precisely what separates the integrity of the kingdom of Riau-Johor-Pahang-Linga, and then the Kingdom is known as the Riau-Linga. And Singapore, which was then under the kingdom of Riau exchanged the Bengkulu change which was then under the British empire.

Since the Dutch controlled the Riau Empire and its interference in the Kingdom, making Riau empire in decline, until the peak occurs at the time of dismissal Sultan Riau by the Dutch in 1912. Sultan at that time did not want to sign the dismissal letter and would prefer to move to Singapore. And since that time-Riau Sultanate ended with the abolition of the Linga-Linga from the map Riau Residency Netherlands. And the existence of Tanjungpinang remains central Dutch residency.
The presence of Japan and the Netherlands had replaced Tanjungpinang at that time made ​​the Japanese Government Center in the Riau Islands. And then back again held by the Dutch.
Indonesia's independence in 1945 put an end to the occupation of the Netherlands on the Riau Islands. In 1950, the Dutch surrender To the Government of the Riau Islands of Indonesia.
Tanjungpinang also became the capital of Riau Islands by Act No. 58 1948.Tahun 1957 by Law. 19 of 1957 established Tanjungpinang Riau province with its capital, but in 1960 the capital was moved to Pekanbaru.

Having long been the capital of Riau Islands, then the Government Regulation No. 31 of 1983 dated October 18, 1983 set as the City Administrative Tanjungpinang.
And then based on Law No. 5 year 2001 Tanjungpinang defined as the Autonomous City. And now Tanjungpinang became the capital of Riau Islands Province. (http://www.visittanjungpinang.com)