Currently, Bintan is well-known for its luxurious resorts and shining beaches. But do you know about the island’s profound history? Well, let us take you on a trip down memory lane.
Bintan sebagai Pelabuhan Perdagangan yang Maju
Many centuries ago, Bintan was famous as a trading center in Asia. It was a site where traders from all over the world, particularly China, the Middle East, and India, gathered and conducted their businesses. Traders from Indonesia bought spices from other islands while foreign traders, such as the Chinese, brought tea, porcelain, and silk to Bintan. Due to its strategic location, Bintan became one of the busiest trading routes for local and foreign traders.
Karena letaknya yang strategis, Bintan menjadi salah satu jalur perdagangan paling banyak dikunjungi oleh para pedagang lokal dan asing. Hal ini terjadi pada abad ke-14 dimana Bintan dan Temasek (Singapura), sebagaimana tercatat dalam catatan maritim Tiongkok, merupakan salah satu pulau di kepulauan Riau yang dihuni oleh bajak laut Melayu.
Tak lama kemudian para pedagang asing terpana dengan pesona Bintan. Terletak di dekat Khatulistiwa, Bintan menikmati iklim tropis sepanjang tahun. Perpaduan sempurna antara perairan biru kehijauan yang hangat di Laut Cina Selatan dan pantai berpasir putih yang berkilauan, Bintan adalah impian bagi pedagang dan penduduk. Banyak pedagang yang akhirnya memutuskan untuk menetap di Bintan dan menikah dengan penduduk setempat. Begitulah Riau dan Bintan menjadi rumah bagi perantau Melayu dan laut serta pendatang dari China, India, dan Timur Tengah. Sejarah Bintan merupakan produk asimilasi budaya di antara orang-orang ini. Signifikansi keindahan alam dan keragaman budaya Bintan adalah alasan wisatawan yang tak terhitung jumlahnya tertarik ke surga di Bumi ini.
Perjuangan untuk Menguasai Bintan
Letak Bintan yang strategis awalnya diperebutkan oleh banyak pihak. Bintan pernah menjadi bagian dari “segitiga perang” antara Portugis, Kesultanan Johor, dan orang Aceh di Sumatera utara. Bintan menyaksikan banyak penguasa tumbuh dan merosot dari kekuasaannya. Sebagian besar dari mereka mencoba untuk menguasai wilayah tersebut karena Bintan adalah tempat penting bagi para pedagang.
Before gaining its independence, Bintan was occupied by Indonesia’s three colonizers: the British, the Dutch, and the Japanese. In the 18th century, Bintan was occupied by the English East India Company as a suitable port for maritime trading. In 1911, Bintan became a Dutch colony. When the Japanese entered the region in 1942, Bintan was occupied by them. It was only after Indonesia gained independence in 1945 that Bintan became part of the Riau province.
Bintan as a Good Tourism Hub
Located only one hour away from Singapore by ferry, the Indonesian government was very ambitious to transform Bintan into a major tourist destination in the western part of Indonesia. In the 1990s, cash flowed into Bintan, which was very beneficial since Bintan needed foreign investment for its economic development.
Since then, numerous resort developers and companies flooded onto the island which resulted in hundreds of luxurious resorts and recreational spots on the island. Though Bintan has experienced plenty of ups and downs during its development, the island now boasts of international-standard high-end resorts and recreational facilities, one of which is the Crystal Lagoon, the largest artificial seawater lagoon in Asia.
Perekonomian Bintan saat ini sangat bergantung pada pariwisata. Mengingat kedekatannya dengan hub regional seperti Singapura, Jakarta, dan Johor Bahru, tidak mengherankan jika Bintan mendapatkan popularitasnya sebagai tujuan wisata internasional utama dalam sekejap. Wisatawan, baik lokal maupun internasional, tertarik pada keindahan alam pulau serta sejarah dan warisan budayanya.
Menginap di The ANMON Resort Bintan
Are you keen to explore Bintan after learning of the island’s rich and captivating history? Make sure to consider The ANMON Resort Bintan as your place of accommodation during your visit to Bintan. The ANMON Resort Bintan is a desert glamping resort that offers guests a retreat into a desert adventure, where soulful experiences meet wanderlust. The resort also has various facilities that guarantee your stay here to be the best glamping experience you will ever have.