Pangkalpinang, Indonesia
Region: Bangka Belitung Islands
Geographic Coordinates: -2.133300, 106.117000
Temperature Range: 25.0°C to 32.0°C (77°F to 90°F)
Climate: Tropical climate with high humidity and rainfall throughout the year in Pangkalpinang, Indonesia.
Population: 218569
Language: Indonesian
Pangkalpinang is a city situated on the east coast of Bangka Island in Indonesia. It serves as the capital of Bangka Belitung Province and is renowned for its rich history, Culture, And natural beauty. The city has a population of approximately 200, 000 people and covers an area of around 118 square kilometers. One of the primary draws in Pangkalpinang is its stunning beaches. Pasir Padi Beach is the most popular beach in the city, Featuring soft white sand and crystal clear water.
Visitors can enjoy swimming, Sunbathing or take part in various water sports such as jet skiing or parasailing. The Tin Museum is another notable attraction in Pangkalpinang that showcases the history of tin mining on Bangka Island. The museum displays various artifacts related to tin mining such as tools used by miners, Old photographs, And documents detailing the history of tin mining on the island. Pangkalpinang also offers visitors a chance to explore its local culture through traditional dances such as Tari Topeng (mask dance) or Tari Serampang Dua Belas (12-beat dance).
These dances are performed during cultural events such as weddings or festivals and showcase unique aspects of Pangkalpinang’s cultural heritage. Food enthusiasts will also find plenty to enjoy in Pangkalpinang with its wide variety of local delicacies. One popular dish is Nasi Belauk which consists of rice cooked with coconut milk served with fried chicken or fish alongside spicy sambal sauce. Another must-try dish is Mie Lendir which features noodles cooked with thick gravy made from beef broth mixed with egg yolks.
adventure seekers visiting Pangkalpinang can take part in trekking tours through Bukit Kabut Forest Reserve where they can experience stunning views over lush green forests stretching out towards blue sea waters beyond it. Pangkalpinang is a beautiful city that offers visitors a chance to experience the unique culture, Natural beauty and rich history of Bangka Island. With its beautiful beaches, Cultural events, Local delicacies and adventure activities, Pangkalpinang is definitely worth visiting for anyone looking to explore Indonesia’s diverse attractions.
Important Landmarks
- Bukit Mesinung – A hill that offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city and surrounding islands.
- Pasir Padi Beach – A popular beach known for its crystal-clear waters and white sandy shores.
- Depati Amir Airport Monument – A monument erected in honor of the first airport in Pangkalpinang.
- Tin Museum – A museum that showcases the rich history of tin mining in Bangka Belitung Islands.
- Pangkalpinang City Square – A public space with various attractions, including fountains, playgrounds, and food stalls.
- Kaolin Lake – An abandoned kaolin mining site that has turned into a natural pool surrounded by stunning scenery.
- Sriwijaya Kingdom Site Museum – An archaeological site where visitors can explore artifacts from the ancient Sriwijaya kingdom that once ruled Sumatra island.
- Bintang Timur Park – An amusement park designed for families to enjoy together with rides, games, and food stalls.
- Kwan Im Statue –A giant statue of Kwan Im (Guan Yin), the Buddhist goddess of mercy located at Taman Wisata Alam Pantai Tikus (Pantai Tikus Natural Tourist Park). The park is also known for its beautiful sunset view over Bangka Strait.
- Bukit Batu Nature Reserve –A protected forest area located about 10 km east from Pangkalpinang city center where visitors can enjoy nature walks through lush forests filled with diverse flora and fauna including rare bird species like Helmeted Hornbill and Black-capped Kingfisher.
Primary Industries
- Pangkalpinang is the capital city of Bangka Belitung Islands province, Indonesia.
- The city has a diverse economy with major industries that include:
- Tin mining and processing
- Agriculture
- Tourism
- Small businesses
- Shipping industry
- Manufacturing industry
- Service sector
- Tin mining is a significant contributor to the local economy as Pangkalpinang is known for its rich tin deposits.
- The city’s fertile soil supports agriculture such as:
- Rice cultivation
- Rubber plantations
- Fisheries
- Tourism in Pangkalpinang is also thriving with several attractions such as:
- Beaches
- Historical sites like Kwan Im Temple
- Traditional markets like Pasar Pagi (Morning Market)
- Culinary tourism
- Small businesses such as:
- Food stalls (warung makan)
- Street vendors (kaki lima)
- Shops selling souvenirs or handicrafts
- The city’s strategic location on the coast makes it an important hub for shipping activities in Bangka Belitung Islands province.
- There are several manufacturing industries located in this area that produce:
- Processed foods & beverages
- Textiles & garments products
- Wood-based products & furniture manufacturing etc.
- Banking services such as:
- Bank Mandiri Syariah
- Bank Rakyat Indonesia
- BNI
- BRI
- CIMB Niaga
- Danamon
- Panin Bank
- Other services like healthcare facilities etc., are also available here.
Noteable History
- Pangkalpinang was a Dutch colony from the 17th century until Indonesia gained independence in 1945 during the Dutch colonial period.
- The tin mining industry has been an important part of Pangkalpinang’s economy for centuries, making it well-known for this industry.
- Japanese forces occupied Pangkalpinang during World War II from 1942 to 1945.
- Tin from Pangkalpinang was used to build Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, named after Indonesia’s first president Soekarno and vice-president Hatta.
- Notable people associated with Pangkalpinang include Mohammad Natsir, who served as Indonesia’s third prime minister, B.J Habibie, who was Indonesia’s third president, and Tantowi Yahya, a former badminton player and Indonesian ambassador to New Zealand.
Museums and Things To See
- Museum Timah Indonesia
- Taman Merdeka Pangkalpinang
- Masjid Jamik Pangkalpinang
- Benteng Bukit Intan
- Pantai Pasir Padi
- Museum Bangka Belitung
- Pulau Lengkuas Beach and Lighthouse
- Rumah Adat Bangka Belitung
- Sungailiat City Park
- Pasar Ikan Tradisional Pangkalpinang
Cultural Events
- Pempek Festival: This festival celebrates the famous local dish, pempek, which is a type of fishcake served with a sweet and sour sauce.
- Bangka Cultural Week: This week-long event showcases the cultural heritage of Pangkalpinang and includes traditional dance performances, music concerts, and art exhibitions.
- Sail Bangka Belitung: This international sailing event attracts sailors from all over the world to compete in races around the beautiful waters surrounding Pangkalpinang.
- Chinese New Year: The Chinese community in Pangkalpinang celebrates this important holiday with dragon dances, fireworks displays, and traditional food offerings.
- Maulid Nabi Muhammad SAW: This religious festival commemorates the birth of Prophet Muhammad with prayer services at local mosques and other religious events.
- Independence Day Celebrations: On August 17th each year, Pangkalpinang residents celebrate Indonesia’s independence day with parades, flag-raising ceremonies, and other patriotic events.
- Cap Go Meh Festival: This colorful festival marks the end of Chinese New Year celebrations with lion dances, lantern processions, and other festive activities.
- Babel Fair (Bangka Belitung Fair): Held annually in November or December in Pangkalpinang City Stadium to showcase various products from different regions throughout Indonesia including handicrafts & culinary delights as well as music performances by popular Indonesian artists.
Cuisine
- Mie Tarempa is a well-known Pangkalpinang noodle dish made with yellow noodles, fried shallots, and beef or chicken slices.
- Nasi Goreng Kambing Bangka is a local fried rice variation made with lamb meat and served with pickles.
- Sate Bangka is grilled marinated chicken or beef skewers served with peanut sauce.
- Gangan Ikan is a traditional fish soup prepared using coconut milk, turmeric, lemongrass, and other spices.
- Rumah Makan Sederhana offers authentic Bangka cuisine such as nasi lemak (rice cooked in coconut milk), soto (soup), and seafood dishes.
- Warung Kopi Tiga Besar is a trendy coffee shop that serves traditional Indonesian coffee alongside snacks like banana fritters and sweet potato balls.
- Bakso Goreng Pak Yanto is a street food vendor that sells crispy fried meatballs (bakso goreng) as well as tofu and tempeh chips.
- Pempek Selamat Datang specializes in pempek – a type of fish cake served with vinegar sauce – which is one of Palembang city’s most famous dishes located near Pangkalpinang city.
- Taman Merdeka Pangkalpinang is a large public park in the heart of Pangkalpinang that offers a variety of recreational activities such as jogging, cycling, and picnicking.
- Pantai Pasir Padi is a beautiful beach located on the outskirts of Pangkalpinang that offers swimming, sunbathing, and other water sports.
- Museum Timah Indonesia showcases the history and culture of tin mining in Indonesia and offers guided tours.
- Bukit Girimaya Golf Course is located on a hill overlooking the city and offers stunning views while playing golf.
- Pulau Bangka Botanical Garden features various plants native to Bangka Island and has walking trails for visitors to explore.
- Taman Kota Bukit Intan is located on top of a hill overlooking the city and offers panoramic views as well as playgrounds for children to play in.
- Bintang Beach Water Park features various water slides, pools, and other attractions for families to enjoy together.
- Taman Mini Indonesia Indah Bangka Belitung showcases traditional Indonesian architecture from different regions across the country.