Words Takes Flights: November 2025

Masjid Tanjak

The mosque is located in the area of Bandar Udara Internasional Hang Nadim (Hang Nadim Airport) on the island of Batam, in the province of Kepulauan Riau, Indonesia.
It was built by the local development body Badan Pengusahaan Kawasan Batam (BP Batam) and officially inaugurated on 24 June 2022 by the Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs.
The building area is roughly around 15,100 m² of land, with building floor area of about 2,094 m² on the ground floor + mezzanine of around 468 m² according to earlier sources.
Architectural height: the building height is about 39.5 m, and the minaret ~45 m.
Unique architecture:

The mosque is designed in the shape of a “tanjak” — a traditional Malay men’s headgear.
Rather than a conventional dome, the structure mimics the tanjak’s upward sweep, embedding Malay cultural identity into the mosque’s architecture.

Antara Riau Tourist-friendly & religious site:

It is seen not only as a place of worship but also as a religious-tourism destination for Batam.

In fact, locals use it for “ngabuburit” (waiting for iftar) during Ramadhan because of the pleasant ambiance.
Scenic location & atmosphere:

Positioned near the airport area, it offers a refreshing environment and is noted for its cool breeze and good photo opportunities.

Barelang Bridge

Full name: Jembatan Barelang (short for Batam–Rempang–Galang — the three main islands it connects)
Location: About 20 km southwest of Batam city centre
Built by: The Batam Authority (now BP Batam), initiated by B.J. Habibie, the third president of Indonesia
Structure: A chain of 6 bridges linking several islands over a distance of ~50 km
Nickname: “The Golden Gate of Batam” — because the first bridge resembles San Francisco’s Golden Gate
This iconic chain of 6 bridges linking islands in the Batam area is one of the most photographed landmarks.
Go for sunset for dramatic views and good photo-moments.
Tip: Plan for a half-day if you want to drive out and explore beyond just the main bridge.
Architectural Wonder

The first bridge (Tengku Fisabilillah) is the most famous and photogenic, with a stunning cable-stayed design.
Scenic Views – Gorgeous coastal and sea vistas; perfect at sunset or early morning.

Cultural & Historical Value

– It connects to Galang Island, which once hosted a Vietnamese refugee camp (“Kampung Vietnam”) — a heritage site open for visitors.

Great for Photos – Many travellers stop at the first bridge for panoramic shots, drone photos, or short videos.
Local food nearby

Small seafood stalls and cafés line the road before and after the bridge
ideal for a relaxing meal with a sea breeze.

Best Time to Visit

Morning (7 AM – 10 AM) — Less traffic, cooler weather, perfect lighting for photography.
Late afternoon (4 PM – 6 PM) — Golden hour and sunset views.
Avoid noon if possible — the area can get hot and bright with little shade.

Masjid Sultan Mahmud Riayat Shah

Location & Basic Details The mosque is located in Kelurahan Tanjung Uncang, Kecamatan Batuaji, Kota Batam, in the province of Kepulauan Riau, Indonesia.
The site covers a land area of about 41,422 m² (≈4.14 hectares).
The building footprint is about 57,000 m² (approx) and it is described as the largest mosque in Sumatra.
The major construction period: ground-breaking on 30 April 2017; official inauguration 20 September 2019.
Architectural Highlights & Features

The mosque blends Arab, Turkish, and Malay architectural motifs.

One of the most striking features: the main dome has a span (bentang) of 63 metres, covering the main prayer hall.
It includes eight large “membrane” umbrellas (payung membran) in the exterior prayer area, reminiscent of those at Masjid Nabawi (Madinah) — each about 25×25 m.
There is a principal viewing tower (“menara utama”) 99 metres tall — visitors can go up (via lift) to a panoramic viewing floor at around 64.5 m to see Batam and on clear days even Singapore.
Built to accommodate large crowds: capacity stated around 25,000 jamaah in the primary building.

Puncak Beliung

Puncak Beliung is located in the area of Tanjung Riau, Kecamatan Sekupang, Kota Batam, in the province of Kepulauan Riau, Indonesia.
The site covers approximately 10 hectares of area.
It is a relatively new attraction (opened in around 2020) used for adventure/outdoor recreation.
Why It’s Worth Visiting

Spectacular views:

From the hilltop you can see forested areas, and on clear days even views out toward water/seascape.

Fun & Instagrammable:

There are photo-spots like a “rainbow slide”, giant swing, “karpet terbang” (flying carpet), scenic staircases, and more.

Family-friendly:

Suitable for family visits—play areas, open air, nature atmosphere.

Evening option:

Opens till evening/night (some reports say up to ~11 pm) with lights and ambiance.

What to Expect & Practicalities

Opening hours:

Generally from about 08:00 to 19:00 or later; some sources say until 23:00.

Entrance fee: At the time of recent reporting: for example, the entrance ticket is around Rp 10,000 for adults.
Additional fees apply for special rides (rainbow slide, etc).
Activities / rides:

Giant Swing: high-adrenaline swing over the hill.
Rainbow Slide: slide with bright colours, viral on social media.

Other photo spots: scenic stairway, “sky” view, etc.

Sudut Batam Facilities:

Family-oriented facilities: parking, snack/food outlets, rest spots, perhaps tents or gazebos.

Weather & terrain:

Being a hilltop destination, expect a climb (stairs, slope) and possibly stronger breeze.
In December, weather is warm & humid; mornings or late afternoon may be more comfortable than midday.

Tips for Your Visit & optimisation for December

Go early morning or late afternoon: To avoid the strongest sun and get good light for photos.
Bring water & sun-protection: Hilltop = more exposure.
Wear comfortable shoes: There is walking and likely uneven path / stairs.
For photo lovers: Choose spots near sunset for dramatic light.
The “rainbow slide” and giant swing are best captured at golden hour.
Combine with other nearby activities:

Since you’re in Batam for the first time, you could do Puncak Beliung in the afternoon/early evening, then a dinner in a scenic restaurant nearby.

Check transport & distance:
Depending on where your hotel is, allocate sufficient travel time to Sekupang area. Evening visits might need to consider lighting & safety.
Budget wise: Entry fee is modest, but add budget for rides/activities you may want.
Weather check: December can bring showers—if rain, the hilltop view may be misty; that can add atmosphere but may limit visibility.
Family travel:

If travelling with children, check which rides have height/age restrictions, and supervise at higher-adrenaline spots.

D'Sand Santorini

Address: Jl. Bengkong Laut Golden City No. 1A, Tanjung Buntung, Kec. Bengkong, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau.
Concept: The café/restaurant is designed with a Greek-island (Santorini) theme — white-washed walls, blue domes/accents, Mediterranean ambiance combined with Asian flair.
It’s a very popular spot for photo-shoots, Instagram moments, as well as meals/coffee with a scenic and thematic twist.
Why You Should Visit

Visual appeal:

If you’re looking for somewhere with unique aesthetics, De’Sands delivers.
The architecture and décor give you a feeling of being in Santorini rather than Batam.
They offer Asian-Western fusion dishes. For example: “Ayam Betutu Pizza”, “Santorini Short Plate Salad”.

Photo-spots:

Curved staircases, blue-dome motifs, narrow stone paths, LED arches — all designed for memorable photos.

Evening ambience:

The café stays open late (e.g., until ~1am on some nights) so it can be part of your evening plans.

Opening hours:

According to sources: Monday–Wednesday 11:00 → 01:00, Thursday–Sunday up to 02:00.

Best time to go:

Afternoon for daylight photo-spots and lighter crowds.
Evening for ambience, lights, dinner/coffee vibes.

What to order:

For main course: the fusion dishes (e.g., Ayam Betutu Pizza).
For drinks: cocktails (they even have creative ones like Es Cendol Cocktail).
Cost: Menu items can be moderately priced for Batam café standards (check current menu on site).

Transport & access:

Make sure your hotel or base is in Batam city, then ride-share or taxi to Bengkong area (Golden City).

Photo-gear:

Bring your camera/phone, maybe a wide-angle or good lighting for interior.
Some food/drink plates are also photo-worthy.

Dress/ambience:

Casual smart is fine. It’s a café/restaurant, not formal. But since you’ll likely take photos, choose something you’re comfortable being photographed in.

Nagoya Hill

Location: Jl. Teuku Umar, Lubuk Baja, Batam City, Kepulauan Riau, Indonesia
Type: The largest mall in Batam, known for affordable shopping, local and international brands, electronics, cosmetics, souvenirs, and food galore.
Great indoor choice in case of rain (December might have showers).
Tip: After exploring, drop into one of the cafés or restaurants here to recharge.
Why go:

It’s the heart of Batam city life — locals and tourists alike shop, eat, and hang out here What to Buy
Perfumes & Cosmetics

Popular stores: The Body Shop, Guardian, Watsons, and local perfume shops (many sell branded testers or inspired fragrances at low prices).
Tip: If you love perfume — Batam is tax-free, so you’ll find cheaper prices compared to Singapore or Malaysia.

Fashion & Accessories Stores:

H&M, Levi’s, Giordano, Planet Surf, and local boutiques with trendy outfits.
Local picks: Batik clothes, beachwear, and Batam-made handbags

. Electronics & Gadgets

Many stores sell mobile accessories, earphones, and budget electronics — just buy from reputable shops.

Local Snacks & Souvenirs

Look for these at Hypermart or small souvenir stores inside the mall:

Layer cake (kue lapis Batam)
Otak-otak,
ikan bilis sambal,
keropok, and dry seafood snacks
Batik Batam and keychains with Barelang Bridge motif

Batamia Ole2

Address: Jl. Nagoya Thamrin, Lubuk Baja Kota, Kec. Lubuk Baja, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29444, Indonesia.
Type of store: A dedicated “oleh-oleh” (souvenir / takeaway) shop — good for picking up food gifts, local snacks, little mementos.
Operating hours: Generally 09:00–21:00 daily according to listing.
What to Buy There

Here are typical items you might find at Batamia Oleh-Oleh:

Local snack foods (dry snacks, traditional sweets) — good for taking home.
Small souvenir items: keychains, magnets, t-shirts with Batam motifs.
Possibly halal snacks (since many tour notes highlight buying “kek lapis halal” and similar items in Batam).
Something for budget / gift-friendly shopping.
For more premium shopping you might go to malls, but this spot is handy for straightforward souvenir choices.

Tips:

Go earlier in the day when the store is less crowded, so you can browse without rush.
Bring cash + card: small souvenir shops may prefer cash for smaller denominations.
Check packaging especially if buying edible items to bring back to Malaysia (check customs / transport rules).
Take note of your luggage: if you buy bulky items, ensure you’ve space and safe packing.
Combine your visit: you could stop by Batamia after your main shopping at a mall (eg. around Nagoya Hill) to pick up souvenirs, then head back to hotel.

Masjid Cheng Ho

Location & Basic Facts

The mosque is located in the area of Golden City, Bengkong Laut, Kota Batam, in the province of Kepulauan Riau, Indonesia.
It was officially inaugurated on 21 February 2015.
The land area is about 80 × 80 m with the building itself around 20 × 30 m.
Capacity approx 180-200 people.

Why It’s Worth Visiting

Unique architectural style: at first glance it resembles a Chinese temple — due to the Chinese-style ornaments, colours, roof design — yet it functions as a mosque.
It is a symbol of cultural fusion: Chinese heritage + Islam + Indonesian local context.
A nice spot for photography and reflection:

If you’re exploring Batam and seeking places off the typical beach/mall track, this offers something different.

Relatively accessible from central Batam:

According to tourism info, from Batam Centre ferry terminal it’s ~15 minutes drive.

Practical Visiting Info

When to go:

A quieter time would be off-peak prayer times (e.g., after Friday prayer) if you’re there as a visitor.
Early evening or late afternoon may offer good light for photos.

Dress & etiquette:

As with visiting any mosque, modest clothing is required.
Remove shoes when entering prayer hall;
women should bring headscarf if not already.

Photography:

Exterior is distinctive.
When inside, be respectful of worshippers and avoid disturbing any activity.

Transport:

Arrange ride-share (Grab/GoCar) or taxi from your hotel/centre.
Public transport may not directly serve the site easily.

Combine visit:

You could include this after shopping or sightseeing in Bengkong/Golden City area.

Things to Note

The mosque is quite compact in size compared to large city mosques; don’t expect huge domes or huge halls.
Because it is visited for both religious and tourism purposes, weekends may have more visitors. If you prefer quieter, aim for weekday visit.
Since the building mimics a temple‐look, some visitors might mistake it for non-mosque; signage may help but double-check for prayer times.

Pasar Pagi (Batu Ampar) – Traditional Morning Market

For a more authentic local market experience — early morning produce, snacks, local crafts.
Ideal if you like walking around local scenes rather than fully commercial malls.
Tip: Bring cash, small bills, and go early (morning). Good for photo-moments too.

Where to Buy:

Nagoya Hill Mall (mentioned above) — major shopping hub.
Batam City Square (BCS Mall) — good for fashion, electronics. E
Mega Mall Batam Centre — convenient if your ferry or hotel is near Batam Centre.
Traditional markets like Pasar Pagi (for local crafts & snacks) as above.

What to Buy:

Local snacks & cakes — for example the layered cake (“kue lapis”) is often mentioned.
Leather goods (bags, belts) and accessories.
Duty-free electronics, cosmetics, beauty products — Batam being a somewhat duty-free zone gives some advantage.
Handicrafts / batik / wood carvings — better quality if you go a bit deeper than the basic souvenir stalls.

Shopping Tips:

Bargaining at traditional markets is acceptable; in malls the prices are more fixed.
Check authenticity for electronics & branded items — make sure shops are reputable.
Consider your luggage & return journey: if you buy heavy or fragile items, ensure packaging & transport are sorted.
For snacks & edible souvenirs: check export restrictions (especially if returning to Malaysia).
December is likely busy (holiday season) — allow extra time for shopping, hotels, etc.

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