Pahang is the 3rd largest state in Malaysia next to Sarawak and Sabah and occupies the large Pahang river basin. Geographically Kelantan borders it to the north; Perak, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan to the west; to the south by Johor; and to the east by Terengganu and the South China Sea.
Pahang’s state capital is Kuantan and lies along the coastline, which has many fine stretches of beach from Kuantan heading to Terengganu. The city is situated near the mouth of the Kuantan River and faces the South China Sea giving it easy access to off shore islands like Pulau Tioman known for its extensive coral reef systems. Kuantan is easily accessible by road from many parts of Malaysia.
Fishing is still the traditional industry along the coast including the mass processing of dried fish and seafood. The famed keropok lekor or dried fish cakes remain a local delicacy. Kuantan is a quaint little town with a population of approximately 400,000 and boasts a good mix of the old and new. Tourists can take a leisurely cruise along the picturesque Kuantan River with its 250m long man-made boardwalk to the mangrove jungle or tour the city in its fascinating trishaws.
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The main marketplace in Kuantan is at Jalan Besar. A good part of the day can be interestingly spent walking down the street sampling local delicacies and shopping in the smaller craft and souvenir shops. A speciality in Kuantan is the hawkers selling smuggled electronic goods. There are also a few big shopping malls and handicraft showrooms showcasing good selections of batiks and crafts.
The physical geography of largely mountainous Pahang can be broken into the highlands, the rainforest, and the coastal areas. Its Arabic honorific Darul Makmur meaning “Abode of Tranquillity” is befitting its pristine landscape and picturesque hill resorts like Genting Highlands, Cameron Highlands, Bukit Tinggi and Fraser's Hill. Double click the map for a closer look at the region!
Cameron Highlands is the largest hill resort area in Malaysia, strewn with extensive tea plantations and many varieties of vegetation. The area is also the major supplier of legumes and vegetables to both Malaysia and Singapore. It is accessible by road from many parts in Malaysia.
It is made up of 3 main townships located at different elevations. The first town from the south, Ringlet, the main agricultural hub is at an elevation of 1,200 metres above sea level. Bertam Valley, which is located about 5km away, is one of the main flower and vegetable producers in Cameron highlands. There are not many hotels at this part of the highlands and it usually serves as a fuel stop point for tourists.
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12 kms up from Ringlet is Tanah Rata, the administrative capital of the Highlands. Government buildings, hospitals and the district police station are situated here. There is some accommodation for back packers here including hostels; and also scores of restaurants. Almost all the jungle trekking and waterfall trails start here. The local bus station can also be found in Tanah Rata.
4 kms from Tanah Rata is Brinchang where most of the hotels and restaurants are located. The night market, which is, open every Saturday night and on holidays, features all kinds of vegetables, flowers, fruits and other products of the highlands.
Apart from basic accommodation there are many charming hill resorts, bed and breakfasts and apartment complexes strewn all around the highlands and also in places like Kea Farm, Tringkap, Kuala Terla and Kampung Raja. Jungle trails, strawberry picking and a leisurely tea with scones on one of its expansive tea estates are activities not to be missed.
Genting Highlands, known as Malaysia's playground is home to several hotels, a theme park and the largest casino in Asia. A vertical cable car ride up to the highlands is a memorable experience. Situated 40 minutes from the capital of Kuala Lumpur and accessible by highway, Genting Highlands like Fraser’s Hill straddles the states of Pahang and Selangor.
Fraser's Hill located 105km north of Kuala Lumpur was built on seven hills, just like the ancient city of Rome. The hill resort was named after an English adventurer, Louis James Fraser, who built himself a shack in the hill in the 19th century, which was used as a British summer getaway to escape the tropical heat. It is a now a charming hamlet with English influenced architecture. There are scores of activities including archery, white water rafting, waterfalls, bird watching, jungle trekking, golfing, nature walks, sightseeing tours, picnics, hiking, cycling, abseiling, mountain climbing, horse rides at the Paddock, fishing and boating at the Fraser’s Hill Lake and some quaint places to stay, dine in and watch beautiful sunrise and sunsets from.
The hill is easily accessed by road from Kuala Lumpur but what is distinctive here is that there is only single lane access up and down the Hill.
Pahang also shares the lush rainforest Taman Negara with its neighbouring states Kelantan and Terranganu.
