Culture and Religious Tourism

Even if Batam is multi-ethnic it is still the Malayan culture and Islam which forms the root of the local culture. Both daily life and the ceremonies have religious and mythical elements, expressed in dance, music and other forms of art. Some of the most popular traditional dances are Jogi Dance, unique for Batam, Zapin Dance, which reflects strong Arabic influence, Persembahan Dance, to welcome honored guests and Ronggeng Dance, where the guests can be invited to come up and join the dance and song.

This small Indonesian island city is just 45 minutes by ferry from Singapore, and is the second most popular destination in Indonesia for international tourists. Famed for its nightlife and youthful vibe, Batam is also rich in cultural and religious attractions. The wide range of sites to explore includes Kampung Jabi Tourism Object, the Vietnam Refugees Camp, Setokok Village , Duta Maetreya Vihara, Cetya Tri Darma Pagoda as well the Japanese Cemetery – an ancient burial yard – and Tumenggung Abdul Jamal's Tomb.