Kaolin Lake and Manggar in Belitung
Part of the Belitung travel guide — see every topic in All Belitung Guides.
Belitung has a long mining history, for tin and for kaolin, a fine white clay used for pottery and paper. Some old pits have filled with water and turned bright blue, framed by white clay banks. The most famous is Kaolin Lake, near Tanjung Pandan. Then the road runs east across the island, through forest and small villages, to Manggar. This relaxed town is known across Indonesia for its many coffee shops.
Kaolin Lake
Kaolin Lake, or Danau Kaolin, is a former kaolin mine near Tanjung Pandan. The water is a strong light blue, and the ground around it is white clay and sand, which makes a striking picture on a sunny day. There is a small viewing area and parking, and a few stalls. The water is not for swimming, and the clay edges can be soft and slippery, so stay back from the edge. It takes only half an hour to see. The colour is best in bright midday sun. Ask your driver for directions, because signs are small.
Manggar, the coffee town
Manggar is the main town of East Belitung, about 1.5 hours by car from Tanjung Pandan. Local people call it the town of a thousand and one coffee shops, because simple coffee houses line almost every street. Men and women meet here from early morning to talk, play games and drink strong black coffee or coffee with condensed milk. There is no rush. Sit down, order a cup and a snack, and watch the town go by. Prices are low and visitors are welcome.
Film sites in Gantong
Near Manggar, the village of Gantong is the setting of the popular book and film Laskar Pelangi, about poor children at a small island school. A copy of the wooden schoolhouse stands on a field, and many Indonesian visitors come to take photos. Nearby is a small literature museum, Museum Kata, created by the book's author, Andrea Hirata. It has colourful rooms full of quotes, books and pictures. It is a simple, friendly stop on the way to or from Manggar.
The quiet east coast
East Belitung sees far fewer visitors than the north coast. Serdang beach, near Manggar, is long, calm and lined with fishing boats. Other beaches on this side have boulders and empty sand, and you may be the only visitor. The roads are good and nearly empty. Plan a full day: leave Tanjung Pandan in the morning, stop at Kaolin Lake, have lunch in Manggar, visit Gantong and come back before dark. A car with a driver is the easiest choice.
Kaolin Lake and Manggar at a glance
| Getting there | Car with driver; Manggar about 1.5 hours from Tanjung Pandan |
|---|---|
| Kaolin Lake | Near Tanjung Pandan; no swimming |
| Hours | Daytime; coffee shops open from early morning |
| Cost | Small entry or parking fees; coffee is cheap |
| Best time | Sunny midday for the lake colour; dry season |
| Known for | Manggar, the town of 1001 coffee shops |