Tanjung Pandan

Tanjung Pandan is Belitung's capital and only real town, a low-rise place on the west coast with a harbour, a lively market and streets of old shophouses that reflect the island's long Chinese and Malay history. The airport is fifteen minutes away, and most visitors pass through on their way to the beaches.

It is worth lingering for the food. This is the place to try mie Belitung, the island's sweet-savoury shrimp noodle soup, gangan, a turmeric fish soup with pineapple, and seafood at the harbour restaurants. Kong Djie and the other old kopi shops serve strong coffee from early morning.

The town also has the Belitung Museum, the Tanjung Pendam waterfront park at sunset, and practical things like banks, supermarkets and car rental. City hotels here are good value and handy for early flights.