The most attractive temple on Pulau Pangkor is colourful Foo Lin Kong, a landscaped site with flower gardens, dragon-roofed pavilions and a miniature…
Getty Images/Robert Harding World Imagery
Pulau Pangkor
From a swaying hammock on Coral Beach, Pulau Pangkor’s turbulent past feels a world away. ‘Beautiful Island’ is a former pirate hideout and bit player in the battle to control the Selat Melaka (Strait of Melaka). In the 17th century the Dutch built a fort here in their bid to monopolise the Perak tin trade, and were swiftly driven out. In 1874 a contender for the Perak throne sought British backing and the Pangkor Treaty was signed, ushering in the colonial period.
These days the only ruckus is from monkeys, hornbills – big-beaked birds that are abundant on Pangkor – and Malaysian weekend warriors. Few foreign visitors wash ashore, probably because the beaches aren’t Malaysia’s best.
Beyond resort centres such as Teluk Nipah and Pasir Bogar, there's a subdued, villagey feel. Stroll Sungai Pinang Kecil (SPK) or colourful Teluk Gedong to experience a slower pace…if you can bear to leave that hammock.
Explore Pulau Pangkor
- FFoo Lin Kong
The most attractive temple on Pulau Pangkor is colourful Foo Lin Kong, a landscaped site with flower gardens, dragon-roofed pavilions and a miniature…
- KKota Belanda
The remains of a Dutch fort with a turbulent history are attractively preserved 2km south of Pangkor Town. Built in 1670 to store supplies of Perak's…
- BBatu Bersurat
Close to the waterfront at Teluk Gedong is this mammoth stone carved with the symbol of the Dutch East India Company (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie;…
- LLin Je Kong Temple
A small, psychedelic, open-air temple, adorned with statues of giant mushrooms, Chinese dragons and – for some reason – cartoon mice, perches above the…
- GGaleri Pangkor
This single-hall gallery, 500m north of Pangkor Town's jetty, is an agreeable break from the sun. There's a small collection of handicrafts and…
Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Pulau Pangkor.
See
Foo Lin Kong
The most attractive temple on Pulau Pangkor is colourful Foo Lin Kong, a landscaped site with flower gardens, dragon-roofed pavilions and a miniature…
See
Kota Belanda
The remains of a Dutch fort with a turbulent history are attractively preserved 2km south of Pangkor Town. Built in 1670 to store supplies of Perak's…
See
Batu Bersurat
Close to the waterfront at Teluk Gedong is this mammoth stone carved with the symbol of the Dutch East India Company (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie;…
See
Lin Je Kong Temple
A small, psychedelic, open-air temple, adorned with statues of giant mushrooms, Chinese dragons and – for some reason – cartoon mice, perches above the…
See
Galeri Pangkor
This single-hall gallery, 500m north of Pangkor Town's jetty, is an agreeable break from the sun. There's a small collection of handicrafts and…
Guidebooks
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