Tawi-tawi Chinese Pier Boy and Boat
We were supposed to go to Simunul Island that afternoon, but around noon we were still making our way down Bud Bongao. We didn’t expect that the muddy and sticky trail would slow us down. They already texted us that our host for Simunul was already waiting at the Chinese Pier. After having lunch and checking out Beachside Inn, we sped through town and headed for the old pier where we met Kit. But we didn’t manage to catch our host.
Busy Chinese Pier
Kit talked to other passengers if we can come along with them but she’s not that confident on leaving us with the hands of other people. Our safety was her responsibility so she decided not to let us go to Simunul that afternoon. She knows the place better so we had to respect her decision. While Bongao Tawi-tawi is relatively safe the outlying areas are best explored with a guide or a local.
Chinese Pier Boat Under
We then checked in at the Hotel Juana located at the city center. After a few minutes rest, we decided to head back to the pier and take some shots there. There are actually two major ports here in Tawi-tawi. There is the commercial port where main shipping and transport vessels coming from Zamboanga City and Sandakan, Malaysia come and go. The old pier, also knowns as the Chinese Pier where small boats and inter-island vessels dock. Boats going to Simunul, Sitangkai and other islands of Tawi-Tawi can be found here.
Chinese Pier Drinks and Cigarette Vendor
People got used to calling this port as the old Chinese Pier, since in pre-Hispanic times, Chinese, Arabs and Filipinos use this as the main entrepot. At this time it’s still a place where you could buy goods as the adjoining market is the largest in Tawi-tawi. It’s a busy place with heavy traffic of people.
Very interesting place. And busy too. I am totally envious of all your experiences.
the ports there are similar to the ones in basilan. you still find wooden boats used for fishing and transporting people to other islands. it’s good that you were really in touch with your guide and made good choices to stay instead.
i truly agree now with your famous line… same, same but different. the place looks similar to other piers around the country but i am sure it has its own distinct tawi-tawi feel on it.
It’s very sad to see Ports being dirty.
i said it before, i’ll say it again — parang kelan lang itong biyaheng ito. sayang yung simunul island hop pero siguro next time. kung tutuusin nga, this looks like any other pier sa ‘pinas but for the minaret of the nearby mosque and other distinct features like the agal-agal bodegas.
meron ba silang floating market?
I’m wondering – why is it called the Chinese Pier though?
Thanks Photo Cache!
Yes Dom, it reminded me a bit of Basilan.
Yep Oman, if not for the Bud Bongao and the Capitol at the background, it would have looked like any other ports.
True Yam.
Yep Og.
They used to have a floating market here Pao. I think I saw a few boats now.
Hi Kyels, since the Chinese used this port heavily for trade during pre-hispanic times.