Moving around the small town of Bagansiapiapi was very easy as the main commercial activity area is around Jalan Perdagangan and Jalan Sumatra area.
There were many 'becak'(motorized trishaws) and some 'ojek'(motor taxi) readily available..To most backpackers,it will be just on foot exploring every corners of the street.
The Drum Band(DB) Gita Spansa Group from SMP Negeri 1 Bangko school welcoming some dignitaries attending the Barge Burning Ritual Event.
The building in the background is Dekranasda(Dewan Kerajinan Nasional)or National Handicraft Center along Jalan Gedung Nasional displaying locally made handicrafts,silks,'songket' and many unique crafts which were also for sale.
The local municipality secretariat beside the Bupati (regent)office along Jalan Gedung Nasional.
Bagansiapiapi is the capital of Kabupaten(regency) Rokan Hilir in Kecamatan(district) of Bangko and part of the Riau Province.
The executive of the province is a governor who will be elected by the electorate every five years term.
Banner welcoming the new governor(standing left) of Riau province to the Ritual Bakar Tongkang.
Standing beside is the Regent of Rokan Hilir.
Trilingual road sign having Bahasa Indonesia,Bahasa Arab and Bahasa Tionghoa.
Very exclusive and helpful for foreign tourists.
Hotel Bagan
24,Jalan Sentosa
Tel:0767-21888
Rates:200,000 - 500,00Rp
Located in town center.
Hotel Kades Bagan
39-B,Jalan Sentosa
Tel:0767-23139
Rates:250,00 - 400,000Rupiah
Directly opposite Hotel Bagan.
Pasar Pelita along Jalan Perdagangan.
Morning market while there were many individual stalls selling garments,daily necessities and many others within the complex.
Bagansiapiapi is the third largest fish producer in the world in the early twentieth century as it has a seabed within the Sunda Platform.Unfortunately a dwindling sea harvest with the restriction on trawlers activities has affected her ranking.
The population consensus based on year 2010 figures stood at 82,500.Most have migrated to bigger cities across the archipelago in search of greener pastures.
Wisma Dragon building along Jalan Perdagangan,Chinatown area.
This is also a hotel which I initially thought was a Chinese restaurant.
For the Wisma category,room rates were normally 150,000 Rupiah onwards.
Almost all hotel rooms in town including those of Wisma were fully booked six months ahead of any Chinese festivals,so it would be advisable to check it out while in Dumai before getting here.
Hotel Horison along Jalan Perdagangan.
Tel:0767-21001
Rates from 200,000 Rupiah
Most of the residential houses were single storey made of wooden planks supported on concrete stilts.The nature of land mostly of peat soil.
Since Bagansiapiapi in near the Rokan River bank,the chances of flooding from an overflowing river might occur.
Hotel Mulia,
Jalan Perdagangan.
Among the new high rise building in town,wonder whether it's an affiliate of Hotel Mulia in Sendayan,Jakarta.
Visitors to Bagansiapapi will notice that most of the buildings have upper level extensions which served as swiflets houses.The chirping sound of swiflet birds can be heard all over the town.
Swiflet farming has now become the economic contributor and Indonesia is the largest producer of swiflet nests.
Swiflet Farming is a multi million business throughout SoutheastAsia mostly found near the costal plains.
Hon Yen(Bird's Nest Island) near Nha Trang in Vietnam, Mekong Delta region right till Khanh Hoa in the north with many limestone hills and coastal islands is the second major producer.
The 'yen-wo' (bird's nest soup) is a Chinese herbal delicacy believed to have the capability of enhancing body metabolism and immune system.
Wisma Srivijaya off Jalan Sumatra.
1,Jalan Sedar
Tel:0767-21613, 0823-81125119
Rates from 150,000Rupiah
The upper level of this building is the swallow nest farming house as seen in above photo.
Wisma Paradise
13C,Jalan Perwira
Tel:0767-21917
Rates:from 150,000 Rupiah
Near the Soh Clansmen Ancestral Temple.
Hotel Kesuma
owner Mr Tong Hok(0812-9060724)
22b,Jalan Manggis
Tel:0767-21111/fax:0767-21999
h/p:0812-75669938
Wisma Cahaya Baru.('Xin Guang')
A new hotel just started a few months old,owned by one Teo family.
Off Jalan Perdagangan access through a small lane
Lacks publicity and vacant rooms available.
Room rates a bit exorbitant,quoted by the motor taxi man(agent).No receptionist at counter.
Rates:450,000Rupiah.
Most of the dwelling houses in Jalan Pedagangan have near similar design with a bridge road leading to main entrance.
This must be a belief of 'Chi',Chinese feng-shui energy of flow.A welcoming strength nourished by fresh,clear and freely flowing strength.
A cheerful looking house indeed.
New coat of pain and sprucing up for the festival.
Wording inscription on red paper cut out,each placed parallel beside the main door is a very common sight among most Chinese houses maintaining the old tradition.
Inscriptions such as peace,harmony,good fortune or health are the usual headings.
Old shoplots similar to those ideas imported from Tong Ann in Fujian Province.
There's limited nightlife activity after dark and the locals normally hangout around coffeeshops and food stalls .
Other places to stay:
Wisma Mawar,Tel:0767-22346 (near junction of Jln Perdagangan/Jln Gedung Nasional)
Hotel Mahera:17,Jln Utama Tel:0767-21819
1) Sinaboi -55km,an upcoming port city.
2) Pedamaran-17km,a new cable bridge linking mainland to Berkey Island.
3) Kubu-23km,Pulau Halang part of this district,get there by boat and watch the beautiful sunset.
4) Panipahan-60km,go there by boat,another place with Chinese community,some hotels available.
Pulau Jemur(日姆尔岛),45km,an island in the middle of Malacca Straits.
Green leatherback turtle landing spot,Old World War II Japanese fort,Chinese Temple,beautiful sandy beaches and great snorkeling.It's an uninhabited island and the local government is inviting foreigners to develop the island as a tourist destination.Rent a speedboat for day trip,two hours from Bagansiapiapi or One hour journey from Panipahan.
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