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.
