When talking about Batam Center, almost everyone only refers to the ferry terminal offering voyages to Singapore and Johor Bahru. While the terminal is impressive indeed, Batam Center is also home to plenty of marvelous attractions. So, if you’re planning to do some sightseeing, then let this list be of assistance. These are the six best activities in this town, which was established as the island’s administrative center.
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1. Shop at Mega Mall Batam Center
Opposite the ferry terminal is the biggest mall in Batam. Mega Mall Batam Center continues to attract locals and tourists with its wide variety of stores such as Electronic Home Solutions, Hypermart, and Matahari. For fans of video games, the mall is home to the popular Timezone arcade. If you’re a movie enthusiast, you can catch a Hollywood or Indonesian film at Cinema XXI, complete with a Dolby Digital sound system. There are also different types of restaurants here that are sure to satisfy your appetite. Lastly, Mega Mall has coffee shops where you can relax, enjoy a cup, and surf the net with the free WiFi. The mall can easily be reached from the terminal via the connecting bridge on the second floor.
Mega Mall Batam Center
Address: Jl. Engku Putri No.1, Tlk. Tering, Batam Kota, Kepulauan Riau, Indonesia
Facebook: Mega Mall Batam Center
2. Try delicacies from The Chocolate House
Posted by Batam Chocolate House on Saturday, 2 July 2016
If you’re a true chocolate lover, then this place is guaranteed to astound you. The Chocolate House in Komplek Rejeki Graha Mas has a huge collection of flavors such as almond, tiramisu, vanilla, milk, durian, strawberry, coffee, and cheese. Apart from the international and locally-produced delicacies, t-shirts, caps, and dolls are also available if you want to buy more souvenirs. Make sure you bring your camera as well; the chocolate statue will surely give you lots of photo opportunities. Prices of chocolates range from 4 to 7 USD.
Batam Chocolate House
Address: Komplek Rejeki Graha Mas blok A no 1-2 Batam Centre, Batam
Website: Batam Chocolate House
3. Relax at Kampoeng Totok and Spa
Posted by Kampoeng Totok & Spa on Friday, 20 November 2015
Whether you’re starting or finishing the day in Batam Center, a visit to this spa in Komplek Mahkota Raya is sure to be a blissful experience. Kampoeng Totok and Spa’s village setting provides a tranquil atmosphere, and the natural spices it uses will make your skin glow and your body healthier. You can choose from different types of treatments, all of which last for more than an hour. If you choose the Red Wine Spa Treatment, you will enjoy a foot bath and body steam, followed by a body scrub, body mask, and hydrotherapy. The treatment uses wine grapes that repair damaged skin and prevent aging. You can also try out the Milk Papaya, Green Tea, Yellow Lemon Mint, Boreh Herbal, Jasmine Java Lulur, and Rich Milk treatments. Boreh Herbal is highly recommended for those who are experiencing colds, flu, and muscle pains. The Jasmine Java utilizes ingredients that will not only lighten the skin tone, but also help eliminate toxins. For the Green Tea, skin cells are rejuvenated thanks to its ingredients consisting of anti oxidants.
Kampoeng Totok and Spa
Address: JL Engku Putri, No. 1, Komplek Mahkota Raya, Blok E, Indonesia
Website: Kampoeng Totok and Spa
4. Eat at Fish Soup Yong Kee
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
A Batam Center trip won’t be complete without a taste of its famous fish soup. The town is surrounded by the ocean, hence its active seafood industry. Head to Yong Kee and enjoy a bowl of soup, which uses spices, green tomatoes, star fruit, egg whites and fillets to avoid the foul odor. The type of fish may vary, but it’s mostly snapper, mackerel, and dory. Add a little soy sauce to it and you will surely have a memorable dining experience. Other dishes you must try here include the garlic fried chicken and the pudding.
Fish Soup Yong Kee
Address: Komp. Hup Seng Blok. A No. 5-8, Jl. Engku Putri, Tlk. Tering, Batam Kota, Kepulauan Riau 29444, Indonesia
5. Visit Masjid Raya
Next to the “Welcome To Batam” sign is the biggest mosque on the island. Masjid Raya, also known as the Grand Mosque, will amaze you with its one-of-a-kind pyramid-style structure. There are no poles inside, making the halls very spacious for worship. It was designed by renowned architect Achmad Noe’man, and it remains to be one of the most significant religious sites for the Batam Muslim community. Lights fill up the mosque at night, giving it a more enchanting look. Indeed, it’s the best to place to appreciate authentic Middle Eastern architecture. After admiring the design, head to the courtyard to see the fountains and palm trees. If you’re coming from the ferry terminal, you can reach Masjid Raya in eight minutes on foot and five minutes by car.
Masjid Raya
Address: Jl. Engku Putri, Tlk. Tering, Batam Kota, Kepulauan Riau 29444, Indonesia
6. Explore Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya
It was built in 1991, and it’s considered as one of the largest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia. Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Temple in Sei Panas houses different types of sculptures of the Laughing Buddha. The deity is believed to be the successor of Gautama Buddha, and his purpose is to spread love and happiness throughout the world. Be inspired by his message of universal love as you marvel at the images of his smiling face and large belly. You will also see the statues of Gautama Buddha, Guanyin the Goddess Of Mercy, Guan Gong, and many more. Picture taking is allowed inside the building. The Maitreya section is where you will see worshippers praying three times a day. There are also sections where followers can pray to Gautama Buddha and Satya Graha Bodhisatva Kalama. Apart from the prayer halls and sculptures, Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Temple has a clinic, vegetarian restaurant, and school. Weekends and holidays are usually the most crowded seasons. Free tours are available, but only for Bahasa Indonesia.
Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya
Address: Kompleks Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya, Bukit Beruntung, Sei Panas, Batam Center, 29456 Indonesia
Enjoy your trip to Batam Center
The ferry ride from Singapore usually takes one hour, but if you’re coming from the airport, you can reach the town by taxi. Airport cab rides cost around 6 USD, while cabs outside the airport charge around 2 USD. You can negotiate with the driver regarding the fare. As for the town, you can explore all the attractions on foot. Walking around will also give you an opportunity to see all the offices and government buildings up-close. The government buildings such as PEMDA and Otorita Batam are renowned for their well-preserved traditional architecture, which will certainly look good on your cameras. Despite not having as many tourist destinations as other major cities, Batam Center still promises a wonderful experience. Once you’ve tried the fish soup, seen the mosques and temples, bought precious souvenirs, and experienced a heavenly spa session, you will say that the trip was worth it. Come and be charmed by Batam Center.
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