3.0  NATURAL ATTRACTIONS AND HERITAGE

These natural attractions and heritages are the natural hosts for outdoor activities, carefree, freelance or organized by social groups.  The outdoor activities includes swimming, scuba diving, leisure beach strolling, idyllic sit and relax, coral exploration, bird watching, sightseeing, scenery appreciation, fishing, cool mountain stream dips, boat tours, picnics, camping, training programs, health exercises, entertainments, etc.

 3.1  The Natural Heritage at Kg. Paya – Background and Natural History

Tioman has one of the most beautiful and unspoiled virgin (primary) forest in the world, and it has brought in many researchers from many parts of the whole notably from the Scandinavian countries, Singapore, USA, UK, Japan and Singapore.  These researchers are scientists and experts in the field of botany, limnology, marine biology, etc.  Others include psychologists, environmentalists and natural health researchers.One notable group of researchers and scientists headed by a limnologist a professor and a botanist from Iceland University would normally come to the island each year with his 30 to 40 students to conduct research on fresh water biology and botany on our island.  A species of insect thought to have extinct was re-discovered in Tioman. At Paya Village there are a number “heritages” which tourists can visit.  They are:

3.11  The Lagoon Mangrove

The whole Tioman heritage including this “heritage” of mangrove trees.  It has one of the few beautiful and oldest mangrove wetland in the world with notably very old species of mangrove trees.  The unique species are mainly Bruguiera, Ceriops and Xylocarpus moluccensis with plank or kneed roots. The Lagoon Mangrove is filled not with mud but is a heritage, truly sandy with clear water and clean-looking mangrove wetland. The famous and beautiful mangrove swamp at Kg. Paya with one of the oldest (50 ~ 100 years old) mangrove trees in the world.

3.12  The Coral Stretch at Pulau Tumok

There are beautiful corals for exploration stretching from the Pulau Tumok southwards to Pulau Batu about 500m away. 

3.13  The Huge Sandy Bay Beach at Tanjung (Tg.) Pauh known as Paya Beach

The huge sandy beach is known as the Bay Beach of Tanjung Pauh.  This beach stretches from the bridge at Tioman Paya Resort to the mouth of Paya River along the turquoise color Lagoon of Tanjung Pauh and curving up to the far end of Tumok island.  The beach is about 1/2 kilometer long.

3.14  The Mini Blue Lagoon at Two Rivers-Sea Confluence

Very scenic spot with a huge sandy beach at the “Kuala” or river mouth of both Paya River and Eagle Nest River which drain into a small turquoise lagoon.  The lagoon drains into Paya Beach at Tanjung Pauh. 

3.15  The Rock Fall at Gunung Kajang

The rock fall at Paya Village is at the top of Gunung Kajang with a large rocky surface being exposed but with little water to be considered for a normal waterfall – hence its name Rock Fall.  Very clean waters with numerous small falls, rapids and ponds are an excellent ground for those who want a cool dip or a picnic or a camping or water fun or fresh negative ion spray. The area around Paya Village is rich in natural negative ions due to the minuscule water vapors coming from Gunung Kajang rock fall and the small rapids of Paya River and Sarang Lang River (Eagle Nest River because the sea eagles of Tioman build their nests here).  For many years, many a tourist has mistaken the little rapids below the Rock Fall as the real Rock Fall.  Under the reflection of the full moon, the Rock Fall appears mystical.

3.2  The Natural Attractions in Tioman Island – An Overview 

The Tioman Island is well known for its wonderful local natural attractions.  These include:

i.   Cooling breeze near the foothills and the mountains is extremely fresh for the feel. However, the breeze near the beach is hotter and humid. Tioman Paya Resort stretches to the foothill of Gunung Kajang and tourist can feel the fresh breeze of the mountain

ii.   The beautiful scenery of a green island protruding out of the clear greenish blue sea

iii. The unpolluted and unspoiled virgin volcanic island

iv.  The beautiful underworld of marine lives with colorful fishes and fantasy world of the garden of corals

v.   The beautiful milky white beaches facing the sea and occasionally protruding of some islets of rocks here and there

vi.  The chance of seeing turtles in one of the scuba diving as they swim close to these islets. The famous one is Pulau Tulai at the north which is excellent for scuba diving and snorkeling. There are numerous marine park islands around Tioman Island.

vii.  The clean fresh air which city-dwellers long for

viii.  A haven for honeymooners

ix.    A haven for relaxation or business transactions or adventure activities

x.     You might spot a Rafflesia and some rare local species of animals, insects, birds and above all the friendly giant water monitor lizards

xi.    A haven for natural meditation, healing, rejuvenating and enhancement development of a possible truly balance body, minds and spirits

xii.   Sandy mangrove Swamps with very old and special species of mangrove trees to be admired

xiii.  Researchers from various parts of the world come to the island to carry out research studies

xiv.  Local fruit trees are an attraction to foreigners

xv.  The huge mountains of volcanic rock covered by some soil and vegetation forming mythical shapes unassuming to travelers’ feeling and many more

xvi. A small island known as Renggis Island is one of the only known spots in this area where sea frigates (a species of big sea bird) from the South China Sea will come in large number every evening at about 6.30 pm to sleep. These birds will leave the island every day at about 6.30 am to the South China Sea.

xvii. The beautiful legendary Dragon Princess of China lying asleep with her granite head, sharp nose, chin chest and whole body to the foot facing the heaven.

xviii. Behind her head is the twin tower. The Twin Tower is a famous twin peak granite rock stone pillar located behind the head of the beautiful legendary sleeping Dragon Princess of China