Belitung Island

Belitung Island is located of the east coast of Sumatra close to Palembang. Very few visitors venture to Pulau Belitung, though with development of some new hotels there is still an opportunity to enjoy the uncrowded white sandy beaches with crystal clear blue waters.
The capital city of Belitung is Tanjungpandan. There is a museum, built within an old Chinese mansion on Jalan Melati with displays of the tin mining industry which was Belitung and the neighbouring Bangka Island main industry.Today the tin mining is continuing along with the typical palm oil plantations that you see all over Sumatra.
There are a number of nice white sandy beaches on Belitung Island. These include Tanjung Tinggi, Burung Mandi, Tanjung Keliyang, Tanjung Binga, Pantai Punai and Mebalong. Also the the small islands, just off the coast of Belitung, Lengkaus Island and Burung Island have beautiful white sandy beaches and good places for snorkelling.
Belitung Island still has a large Chinese community, as many Chinese moved here in the late 19th century to work in the tin mines. There is a beautiful Chinese Temple near Burung Mandi Beach on the eastern coast of Belitung.Belitung Island has some great spots for snorkeling and scuba diving though the tourist industry is not yet developed enough to support these activities especially the scuba diving.