Penyengat Island
Located 15 minutes by water taxi from Bintan's Tanjung Pinang district lies Penyengat Island, once the epicenter of the Malay Riau-Lingga empire. It offers a peek into Malay cultural heritage and has been nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The main landmark is the Sultan’s Palace, rumored to be built from a mixture of egg white and lime. Inside the grounds, there's a restored fort, tombs, and a handwritten and illustrated Qur'an that's more than 150 years old. To get here, hire a speed boat at Tanjung Pinang jetty (US$7).
