Welcome!
The Bangka Belitung Islands are home to warm-hearted communities and captivating tourism charm. This province comprises two main islands, Bangka and Belitung, as well as numerous smaller islands. With white sandy beaches, crystal blue seas, granite rock formations, and lush tropical forests, the region welcomes every visitor with natural beauty, earning its place as one of Southeast Asia’s top destinations.
Bangka Belitung is enriched by its cultural diversity, inhabited by various ethnic groups including Malay, Javanese, Chinese, Sundanese, Batak, Madurese, and Bugis communities. The local cuisine is also a highlight, featuring delightful dishes such as mie koba, lontong sayur, martabak, kue cubit, and es jeruk kunci (calamansi lime ice).
Interestingly, the province is known as the birthplace of the Peranakan Chinese community. This cultural blend traces back to Chinese contract laborers brought by the Dutch to work in the tin mining industry. Many workers who stayed after their contracts ended eventually married locals and built new lives in the region.
At the Bangka Belitung Pavilion in TMII, visitors are greeted by a traditional Malay stilt house. Constructed using wood sourced directly from Bangka Belitung, this house serves as an exhibition and demonstration space. Its roof is adorned with white pepper motifs, symbolizing the local community’s pride in one of their key agricultural products.
Inside, guests will find traditional items such as kain cual (a local handwoven fabric featuring flora and fauna patterns), kopiah resam (a traditional headpiece), and musical instruments like the gambus, accordion, and gambus guitar. The traditional attire and Paksian wedding costume—a fusion of Malay, Arab, and Chinese cultures—are also on display, showcasing the region’s rich cultural tapestry.
Don’t miss the Bangka Belitung handicraft exhibits, including akar bahar (black coral crafts), resam grass weaving, and a variety of tin-based traditional crafts. Among the most unique treasures is the Satam stone, a black mineral with distinct vein patterns, naturally formed with high tin content. Locally, it is believed to possess healing properties and provide protection from supernatural disturbances.
DID YOU KNOW?
One of Bangka Island’s signature dishes, Lempah Kuning or Lempah Nanas, offers a unique flavor profile. This yellow soup features fish, chicken, or beef, combined with pineapple and spicy seasonings that create an unforgettable, addictive taste.
