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• History • Pangkor Town • Sungai
Pinang Fishing Village • The Dutch Fort (Kota Belanda) • Batu Bersurat
(Tiger Rock) • Kali Amman Temple • Lin Ye Kong Temple • Getting There •
Pulau Pangkor is a popular island resort which offers fine beaches with
a wide range of sun and sea activities such as windsurfing, fishing, and
snorkeling. The real attraction here however are the enchanting beaches
- marvellous for swimming amidst tranquil surroundings. The modern
facilities make it an idyllic gateway. Nearby is the smaller privately
owned world renowned island resort of Pangkor Laut.
Pangkor is a popular destination that can get very crowded 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 and some great local food
(especially seafood).
The Island is a relatively small with total surface area of about 8
square km and a population of about 30,000, consisting mainly of fisher
folk. They live in scattered fishing settlements along the coast
especially on the eastern side, facing the Lumut and their catch
comprises mainly cuttlefish and anchovy. 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.
History
Pangkor in the old days was known as Dinding and was previously a
favourite refuge of fishermen, sailors, merchants and pirates. An
important site from which to control trade in the Straits of Malacca,
the Dutch built a fort in the 17th century to monopolise the 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. 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.
Getting There
By Plane - Berjaya Air has five flights a week in both directions
between Kuala Lumpur (Subang Airport) 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. 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 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.
Pangkor - Places & Sights
Pangkor is a fascinating island that has had its share in history with
its old fort and sights to see such as its fishing villages and temples.
Pangkor Town
This is basically your one street town and with that one street being
called the Main Street or Road. The shops there have an air about them
that nothing has changed in the past 20 years.
Here there are quaint coffee shops and souvenir shops and others selling
sea products such as dried squids and cuttlefish, anchovies, dried
pre-packed fish and dried shrimps.
 Sungai Pinang Fishing Village
On the east coast of the island, facing the mainland, there's a
contionous village strip comprising Sungai Pinang Kecil and Sungai
Pinang Besar. The ferry from Lumut stops at before arriving at the
Pangkor Jetty. This quaint Chinese fishing villager offers a closer look
at life of the average Chinese fisherman and his family.
 The fishermen's
houses are next to the docks and when they return with their daily
catch. The womenfolk are ready with knives and baskets to prepare their
catch Their catch, which includes small and big fish as well as squid
are then dried in the sun and later soaked in a sweet, spicy sauce.The
smell here however can be overwhelming, so those with sensitive noses
and stomachs, should best avoid these places. This is principally the
Chinese part of the island. The Foo Lin Kong Temple is worth a quick
look. Located on the side of the hill, the main attraction is a mini
Great Wall of China!
The Dutch Fort (Kota Belanda)
At the end of Pangkor Village, at Teluk Gedung, there's a road that
leads towards the Dutch Fort - walking distance, some 3kms or so. If
you're unsure, just ask the locals for directions. The Dutch Fort was
built in 1670 as a strong point and
a tin store.
The Dutch attempted to monopolise the lucrative tin trade but despite
the presence of the fort, smuggling of tin continued. Disgruntled local
leaders frequently attacked by a local warrior, Panglima Kulab, and his
followers, eventually led the Dutch to abandon the area in 1690. In
1743, the fort was rebuilt and was made into a garrison for 600 Dutch
soldiers. Today, the Museum Department has reconstructed the Fort and it
stands in its original foundations.
 Batu Bersurat (Tiger Rock)
On the right of the fort there is a little path leading into, what seems
like a dead end. This is the entrance into a secluded area called Tiger
Rock. 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. 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.
 Kali Amman Temple
The largest, and the only Indian temple of any significance on the
island, it is noted as one of the two Indian temples in Malaysia that
have the entrance the shrine of the goddess Kali, facing the sea. The
other is located on Penang Island. The temple has a short staircase that
descends to the sea where worshippers are required to cleanse themselves
before entering the hall for worship.
Location: Sungai Pinang Kecil.
Lin Ye Kong Temple
Built in the honour of Kuan Ying or the Goddess of Mercy. It is built on
an outcrop of rock and is located several yards from the road. A rugged
and narrow dirt road cut through the lightly forested path to a wooden
bridge that leads to the entrance of the shrine.
Location: North of Teluk Nipah
RELATED LINKS
Pangkor ~ Beaches
Pasir Bogak / Teluk Nipah / Coral Bay / Teluk Belanga / Emeraid Bay /
Pantai Teluk Dalam / Accommodations / Getting Around
Pangkor Island Area Map
Map of Pangkor Island with layout of road, location of villages,
beaches, places of interests and nearby islands.
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