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Tioman Island, Malaysia
Seashore lore
With its dense greenery and spiny mountains, Malaysia's Tioman Island is said in some folklore to be a dragon princess who came to rest here enroute to her wedding. Charmed by the clear blue seas, she chose to transform into an island on the spot (no doubt to the chagrin of her stood-up dragon groom). That's not the only tale of troubled romance featuring Tioman – for the 1958 movie musical "South Pacific," scenes of the mythic isle Bali Ha'i were shot on location here.
Seashore lore
With its dense greenery and spiny mountains, Malaysia's Tioman Island is said in some folklore to be a dragon princess who came to rest here enroute to her wedding. Charmed by the clear blue seas, she chose to transform into an island on the spot (no doubt to the chagrin of her stood-up dragon groom). That's not the only tale of troubled romance featuring Tioman – for the 1958 movie musical "South Pacific," scenes of the mythic isle Bali Ha'i were shot on location here.
We're visiting an outpost of rainforest wilderness some 50 kilometres off the Malaysian mainland.
© Nirian / E+ / Getty Images 2026-09-11 08:45:51 :