About Tioman Island
Tioman is the largest and highly populous island at the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It is also the most impressive island as it was discovered as a holiday destination quite some time ago. It was the mythical magical island of Bali Hai from the Hollywood movie production of South Pacific filmed in 1958. In the 1970s, the Time magazine hailed it as one of the ten most beautiful islands in the world. In 2003, National Geographic discovered amphibians and reptiles that are rare and endemic to the island and once again putting Tioman Island in the limelight.
How Tioman the island got its name is as intriguing as the island and the people themselves. It is steeped with myth and legends that will enchant listeners to the story of its origin. Visitors to this island will be enchanted with its idyllic and laidback charm of this place and its people. Its beauty will definitely bedazzle first time travellers/visitors to this island.
The island has a couple of tales that include a tale of a beautiful dragon princess from China who stopped at this spot to seek solace after a terrible incident that made her heartbroken and was changed into an island. If you look carefully as you approach the island you can see the horns of the dragon as they served as the first focal points when you travel to the island either by water or air. These peaks are known as Dragon Peaks which long before the Chinese seafarers referred to it as "Tiong Man" and over the years the name had been shortened and simplified to "Tioman"! Hence, from that day onwards the island is known as Tioman and that name remains until today.
|
