Bitan is the largest of the islands scattered throughout the idyllic Riau Archipelago, a dazzling collection of around 3,000 mostly untouched isles. With a verdant interior encircled by pristine beaches and thriving reefs, Bitan attracts visitors who wish to find both adventure and serenity amid the lush scenery. Neighboring Penyengat Island, a tiny oasis hovering above aquamarine waters, was once the seat of the Riau-Lingga Sultanate, and its vividly hued Sultan’s Palace is an attractive blend of Javanese and Dutch architecture. Try some seafood at the traditional fishing village of Senggarang, founded in the 18th century by Chinese immigrants who built their charmingly rickety wood homes on stilts above a tranquil bay.
