Pangkor

Pangkor Island is in Perak, on the west coast of peninsular Malaysia, about 100km west of Ipoh and halfway between Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

Understand

Pangkor Island is a relatively small island with total surface area of about 8km2. In 2005 its total population was approximately 25,000.

History

Pangkor was previously a favourite refuge of fishermen, sailors, merchants and pirates, and was an important site from which to control trading in the Strait of Melaka.

A Dutch fort was built in the 17th century to monopolise tin trade in Perak and to protect the Perak Chieftan against Acehnese and Siamese incursions, but the Dutch were soon driven out by the local ruler when the promised protection did not materialise.

In 1874 a contender to the Perak throne sought British backing and signed the Pangkor Treaty, as a result of which James WW Birch was installed in Perak and thus began the British Colonial era on the peninsula.

Pangkor's economy was once reliant on fishing, and fishing and dried fish products are still a major industry for the island. The famous satay fish originated here.

Tourism

Although Pangkor is less well-known than Penang, Langkawi, and Tioman, the Perak state government is making efforts to promote it as one of Malaysia's main tourist destinations. It is a popular local resort and can get very crowed at weekends and on public holidays, however the beaches are almost empty during the week. 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

The east cost of the island faces the mainland and 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 runs along the east cost of the island turns west in Pangkor Town and crosses the island to one of the most famous beaches on the west cost of the island, Pasir Bogak (about 2km from Pangkor Town).

From Pasir Bogak, the road runs north to the village of Teluk Nipah, where most of the budget accommodation is located. 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 is the 17th century Dutch fort and the Batu Bersurat (Written Rock).

Get in

By plane

Berjaya Air has five flights a week in both directions between Kuala Lumpur and the relatively new airport on Pangkor.

By ferry

The closest mainland settlement is the town of Lumut, an attractive, laid-back place about 7km away. From the Lumut pier, ferries depart regularly to different parts of Pangkor Island. Fares are 10 ringgit per person (to and fro), and 1 ringgit for bicycles. First departure from Lumut is at 07:00, last at 20:30. First departure from Pangkor is at 06:30, last at 20:30. Departures are at 30-45 minutes intervals, depending on the time of day, and the crossing usually takes 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 third pier, the Pan Pacific Jetty at Teluk Dalam, is exclusively for guests of that hotel.

Get around

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.

See

• Pangkor Town

• Dutch Fort at Teluk Gudang

• Fu Lin Gong Temple and Mini Greatwall (福临宫）

• Batu Bersurat (inscribed stone) - 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 about the inscription. One sinister version of the tale claimed that the Malays and Bugis kidnapped and murdered a Dutch dignitary's son in 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.

City tours

Beaches

• Coral Bay - the best west coast beach, just north of Teluk Nipah, with clear emerald-green water due to the presence of limestone. Usually clean and pretty, but there are not to many people swimming there.

• 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. It is the largest and most popular beach on the island. The beach is crescent shaped and numerous shady trees provide idyllic picnic spots under the canopy of their lush foliage. The water is shallow and crystal clear, offering endless hours of fun and frolic in the sunlit sea. There are some facilities for boating, fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving (Pulau Sembilan), kayaking, rafting.

• Teluk Nipah - a wider beach.

Activities

• Jungle trekking - at the hill side called Titi Gantung and Teluk Segadas Hill.

• Motorbike tour - rent a motorbike (from 25 ringgit) and go around the island. The road is good, but on the north side of the island it is quite steep. You can visit the Dutch-Fort, south of Pangkor town, but there is not much of the fort left. Another very nice place is the temple north of Pangkor Town.

• Bicycle tour - rent a bicycle (from 8 ringgit) and cycle around the island.

Shopping, Pangkor souvenirs

Good restaurants and cheap meals

Village Seafood Restaurant - A Chinese seafood restaurant recommended by the locals. Nice and cheap. Walking distance from the Puteri Bayu Beach Resort.

Pangkor nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.

Hotels, youth hostels, lodging

Budget

• Delima Chalet (Teluk Nipah)

• Nazri Nipah Camp (Teluk Nipah) is at the end of the road on the edge of the rainforest with new renovated A-frame huts and a lot of hangmats. 15/20 ringgit weekday/end for 2 pax A-hut with fan, dimmable light and socket. Very friendly place to chill out.

• Seagull Beach Resort [1] is located 200m apart from the noisy road and beach of Teluk Nipah. Air-con-rooms from 40 ringgit and fan rooms for 30 ringgit. They serve common breakfast. Its the place to go for backpackers. There is free Internet with WLAN. They give long-stay discounts. Free drinking water, a snooker table and table-tennis facilities for stay-in-guests.

Mid-range

• Sea View Hotel at Pasir Bogak beach. Hotel and chalets. Swimming Pool and sports facilities. Hotel is owned and run by Mr Tan, a former Malaysian badminton champion. Excellent Chinese restaurant.

• Golden Beach Hotel and Resorts [2] offers a very welcome environment and comfortable stay for your holidays. This 3 star pleasant, homely and lovely resort is suitable and fascinate for your vacation.It is located near the prime beach of Pasir Bogak which is approximately 5 minutes away from the jetty of Pangkor Island. Pasir Bogak is the most popular stretch of beach on the island of Pangkor.

Splurge

• Pangkor Laut [3] is one of the most expensive resorts in all Malaysia, reputedly favored by Pavarotti among others.

• Pangkor Island Beach Resort - luxurious resort with private beach, beautiful swimming pool, golf course etc. This resort was originally a Pan Pacific resort, the sister resort to Pangkor Laut.

Get out

• Lumut on the mainland

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