Pangkor Island, Perak, Malaysia

Pulau Pangkor is an island off the coast of Perak in north-west peninsular Malaysia, reached by ferry from Lumut. It has a land area of only 8 square kilometers, and a population of approximately 25,000 people. It is heavily promoted as a low-key tourist destination by the Malaysian government, but fishing and fish products remain major industries.
Historically, Pangkor was a refuge for local fishermen, merchants and pirates. In the 17th century, the Dutch built a fort in an effort to control the Perak tin trade. In 1874, it was the location of a historic treaty between the British government and a contender for the Perak throne (The Pangkor Treaty), which began the British colonial domination of the Malay Peninsula.
Pangkor is famous for its fine beaches and a mix of low budget to 5 star accommodations. Teluk Nipah and Coral Bay on the north west of the island is extremely popular with travellers from Europe. The quality of sand in the Pasir Bogak Beach is far superior to that elsewhere on the island. The sand is golden brown, quite similar to most leading prime beaches. There are a few resorts in Teluk Nipah or Nipah Bay.
Well-known for its sandy beaches and clear waters, visitors can bask under the sun and swim. There’re also plenty of water-sports facilities available for you to jet-ski or take a speed boat round the island. The popular beaches include Nipah Bay, Pantai Pasir Bogak, Teluk Ketapang, Pantai Puteri Dewi and Emerald Bay. Snorkelling is another activity you can do here.
Nipah Bay is the most popular beach with plenty of huts, chalets, resorts and restaurants. However, the beach is still able to maintain its natural beauty. Unlike the other beaches, it has corals, sea cucumbers and even hornbills flying around during the evenings.
Visitors can also take a look at the traditional fishing villages and have a small meal at the many stalls along the streets. Walking through the villages will enable you to glimpse the culture of a Malay fishing village at its best. You must also try the local salted and dried delicacies of fish and shrimps from the sea such as ‘Satay Fish’.
During the day, you can also visit the Fu Lin Kong, a Chinese temple with its own mini Great Wall of China. At Teluk Gudang, the remains of a Dutch Fort built in 1670 can be seen. Only the stone foundations and carvings left on a large rock by the soldiers remain, called ‘Batu Bersurat’. Other interesting places to visit include the fish farms where, for a fee, the fishermen will show you around. You can also ask them to catch a fish for a local restaurant to prepare for you.

The main attractions in Pangkor Island are the beaches. Other attractions include:

• Pangkor Town
• Fishing Villages
• Fu Lin Kong Temple
• Kali Amman Temple
• Batu Bersurat and Tiger Rock
• Dutch Fort (Kota Belanda)
• The Tombs
• Tortoise Hill