INTRODUCTION
Pangkor Island is in the Malaysian state of Perak, just a short ferry ride from Lumut, a small town on the western side of Peninsular Malaysia, about halfway between Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
Pangkor Island is a relatively small island with total surface area of approximately 8 square kilometers. Its total population was approximately 25,000 in the year of 2005. The Perak state government is trying to promote it as one of the Malaysia's main tourist destination. It is a popular local resort and can get very crowed on weekend and public holidays. Nevertheless the beaches are almost empty during weekdays.
Pangkor's economy relied a lot on fishing. Fishing and dried fish products are still a major industry for the island. The famous Satay Fish is a type of products which started by the Pangkor Island residents.
The closest mainland settlement is the town of Lumut, an attractive, laid-back place about seven kilometers away.
Pangkor is less well-known than Penang, Langkawi or Tioman, but don't let that put you off. It has some of the west coast's prettiest and most tranquil beaches, authentic Malaysian fishing villages that have changed little in 50 years, and some great local food (especially the seafood).
The closest mainland settlement is the town of Lumut, an attractive, laid-back place about seven kilometers away.
Pangkor is less well-known than Penang, Langkawi or Tioman, but don't let that put you off. It has some of the west coast's prettiest and most tranquil beaches, authentic Malaysian fishing villages that have changed little in 50 years, and some great local food (especially the seafood).
Orientation
Orienting yourself on this 8-square-kilometer island is simple. The east cost of the island, facing the mainland is a continuous strip of residential villages, including Sungai Pinang Kecil (SPK), Sungai Pinang Besar (SPB) and Pangkor Town, the major centre of population.
The road that run along the east cost of the island turns west in Pangkor town, across the island towards one of the most famous beaches on the west cost of the island, Pasir Bogak. This road that crossing the island is approximately 2 km only.
From Pasir Bogak, the road runs north to the village of Teluk Nipah, where you will find most of the budget accommodation. It then goes to the northern end of the island, past through the airport to a site where the Pangkor Pan Pacific Hotel located. This is the location of the famous Golden Sand Bay (Pantai Puteri Dewi) in Teluk Belanga. Next to Teluk Belanga is Teluk Dalam where the third Pier (Pan PAcific Jetty) in Pangkor Island located. This pier is exclusively for the guest to Pangkor Pan Pacific Hotel only.
After Teluk Dalam, the road turns to the east and finally join to the road on the east cost in Sungai Pinang Kecil, completing a full ring.
Beside the simple Ring Road mentioned above, there is only one branch off in Pangkor Town where the road runs southward to Teluk Gedung and Teluk Baharu.
In Teluk Gedung, one will find the Dutch Fort built in the 17th century and the Batu Bersurat (Writen Rock).
DIRECTIONS TO PANGKOR
By plane
Berjaya Air has five flights a week in both directions between Kuala Lumpur and the relatively new airport on Pangkor.
By Road and Ferry
You can take a taxi, bus or rental car from Kuala Lumpur or Penang to the small town of Lumut (guarded car parks are available if you have your own car). From the Lumut pier, ferries depart regularly to different parts of Pangkor Island. Fares are just a few Ringgit, and the journey should take you no more than 45 minutes.
The are two major ferry stops for the residents in Pangkor island, namely the SPK Jetty in Sungai Pinang Kecil and the Pangkor Jetty in Pangkor Town. Tourists should stop by the second pier, Pangkor Jetty as this is the main township in Pangkor Island and have a closer distance towards various beaches on the west cost of the island.
There is a third Pier (Pan PAcific Jetty) in Pangkor Island located in Teluk Dalam which is exclusively one of the hotel guest only.
GETTING AROUND PANGKOR
On the island, unmetered taxis (microvans) are widely available at the airport and in Pangkor Town, or ask your hotel to call one for you. Agree the fare before starting your journey.
THINGS TO DO
See
- Pangkor Town
- Dutch Fort at Teluk Gudang
- Fu Lin Gong Temple and Mini Greatwall
- Batu Bersurat
Batu Bersurat liteally means inscribed stone. It is also known as Tiger Rock due to the etching found on this huge granite boulder. The rock measures about 10.7m long and 4.6m wide and stands at 4.3m tall, and today, there is a pavillion built to shelter it.
Batu bersurat is located close to the Dutch Fort, in Pangkor Island. The etchings shows the picture of a tiger carrying away a child. There are also two round-shaped leaves, and the letters "If Carlo 1743" and "VOC". The "VOC" probably refers to the Dutch East India Company.
There are several theories as who who did the inscription. One sinister version of the tale claimed that the Malays and Bugis kidnapped and murdered a Dutch dignitary's son inyear 1743, in revenge of the ill treatment of the the Dutch to the locals. When the Dutch looked for the boy, the locals made up a story that they saw the boy was snatched by a tiger. In comemorate to such incident, the Dutch soldiers etched such inscription.
Do
- Beaches
Pasir Bogak was the first-developed beach and thus the most famous. It is fine for swimming, but gets very crowded during holidays. The beach here has white sand but is rather narrow.
Passing through a hilly road towards the north, Teluk Nipah has a wider beach.
The best beach by the west coast of Pangkor Island is the Coral Bay, just north of Teluk Nipah with clear, emerald-green water due to the presence of limestone. This beach is usually clean and pretty.
ACCOMMODATION
Nazri Nipah Camp (Teluk Nipah) is the best value on the island. At the end of the road on the edge of the rainforest with new renovated A-Huts and a lot of hangmats. 15/20RM weekday/end for 2 pax A-hut with fan, dimmable light and socket. Very friendly place to chill out.
JUST OUTSIDE PANGKOR
Lumut on the mainland
