Places to visit in Batam – Attractions that fascinate the tourist

Batam has the characteristics of a destination where one can relax having escaped the weary demands of day to day life. More and more people discover this for themselves every day, which is evident from the influx of tourists the city receives. To entertain and accommodate them, Batam has a range of lodging options: you'll see that Travelodge Hotels Asia – Corporate have touched the city with their presence as well.

If you are one to admire the architecture, you are going to love Barelang Bridge. Considered to be one of the acclaimed structures of the country, Barelang Bridge fascinates tourists with its beautiful features. The bridge creates a beeline between Batam and several Indonesian islands. Though it is called a bridge, it is not one per se; it is more of a structure consisting of roads and six bridges spanning over 50 kilometres. This is also a great viewpoint where you can watch the sunset and mill about in the evening.

A tropical island located south of Batam, Pulau Abang is blessed with beautiful corals and aquamarine water. The beaches are freckled with palm trees, and crowds of mangroves populate the island. The island is popular among water sports enthusiasts who love snorkelling and diving. It is also a place where you can sit on the beach and soak up the sun rays.

One of the things to do in Batam is to shop. To that end, Batam offers Kepri Mall, which is a large space of retail shops selling branded items. Inside the mall are a huge supermarket and several department stores. This could also be a stopover for a foodie who likes to sample different cuisines; the mall houses several restaurants serving local and international flavours. You find locals and tourists shopping at Kepri Mall in equal measure, and you could be part of that jovial crowd.

During your stay in Batam, you must visit Bintan Island, which is located in the Riau Archipelago. The island is strewn with historical sites, and tourists love making a detour to the island. You won't find many sprawling shopping malls on the island, but there are several stores selling handcrafted items, souvenirs and batiks. The island also has a sprightly nightlife which tourists come to love.

Outlining the Riau Islands, Nongsa Beach is one of the primary attractions in Batam. Tourists love the amazing sunsets that accompany them. Accommodation options abound around the area, which adds to the appeal of the place.

This is the biggest temple in South-East Asia enclosing some of the largest Buddha statues. The temple is divided into five sections along with rooms packed with artwork and prayer halls. The place evinces the religious influence in the country, and the artworks within are wonderful to see. You can grab yourself a delicious meal at the vegetarian restaurant found within the premises. Weekends are a busy time for the temple as most locals choose that time to visit the site. You also see tourists admiring the temple grounds while taking pictures that'll later become reminiscent of their trip to Indonesia.

This is another amazing shopping mall where you can splash your money around. The mall was established in 2007 and has managed to capture the fancy of tourists and locals alike. There's a range of goods for sale, and everything is priced reasonably.