Kuantan is the capital city of Pahang state, Malaysia. The city is widely famous for its exquisite beaches, delicious local cuisine, and distinctive cultural landmarks.
Kuantan is the largest city on the East Coast of Peninsular, Malaysia. The city is vibrant and clean, and patches of beautiful greenery which gives the town a revitalizing country vibe.
How to go there
Kuantan is accessible from any part of the world. There are daily flights from Singapore and Thailand to Kuantan’s Sultan Ahmad Shah Airport. If you are from the USA or UK, you will need to fly to Kuala Lumpur first.
From Kuala Lumpur:
By Air:
The quickest way to go to Kuantan from Kuala Lumpur is to take a domestic flight. There are three domestic flights available from Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan daily. It takes only 45 minutes to reach Kuantan.
Car:
If you want to hire a car, then it will take 4-5 hours (depending on traffic) to reach Kuantan city.
Train:
A journey from Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan by train takes almost 8 hours, but it is the cheapest way to reach the city.
Bus:
There are several bus services available from Kuala Lumpur. A bus journey from Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan will take nearly 6-8 hours depending on traffic.
A bus service from Singapore is also available to reach Kuantan, which will take almost 7 hours.
Places to visit in Kuantan
Teluk Chempedak Beach:
Teluk Chempedak Beach is locally known as “Palm Beach”. The beach is known for its crystal-clear waters. This sandy beach is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports.
For kids, there is a playground at Teluk Chempedak with a decent amount of playing equipment and facilities. The boardwalk here links to Missionary Beach and provides stunning views of the beach and jungle on the opposite side.
- Location: 5 km east of the town center.
Sungai Pandan Waterfall:
Sungai Pandan Waterfall is in s lush, tropical rainforest. The waterfall is a popular destination for nature lovers, especially hikers.
There is a hiking trail to reach the fall. The trail is relatively easy to navigate and takes about 15-20 minutes to reach. It is a great place to enjoy beautiful surroundings.
- Location: 20 minutes drive from the city center.
Sultan Ahmed Mosque:
Sultan Ahmed Mosque was built in the 1980s. The mosque was named after the former sultan of Pahang, Sultan Ahmad Shah. The mosque is known for its stunning architecture and decorations.
It is an important worship for the local Muslim community. But this place is open to all faiths, and it is a popular tourist attraction of Kuantan.
- Location: Near the city center of Kuantan.
Taman Gelora Park:
Taman Gelora is one of the most beautiful seaside parks in Malaysia. This park is widely popular for its scenic beauty, playgrounds, and recreational facilities.
The major attraction of this park is the daily 10,000-step challenge. The challenge not only allows visitors to get into good health but also takes tourists through the many areas of this exquisitely designed park.
- Location: Jalan Beserah, about a 30-minute drive from the city center.
Batu Hitam Beach:
Batu Hitam means Black stone. The beach is called Batu Hitam for its stretch of black stones. This beach’s wonderful scenery, complete with its amazing beach and its shining black stones, is something to behold. There are many rocks for fish to hide out at because they like to hang out near rocks.
On this beach, you can locate various stalls where you may purchase delicious seafood.
- Location: 10 km away from Kuantan.
Things to do in Kuantan
Know the history and culture:
You can learn about a place’s history and culture by going to historical sites and landmarks. However, visiting their museum is the greatest method to learn about Kuantan’s history. Since Kuantan has many museums, you can learn all about the precise history of the city and the nation.
Visit muziumpahang to know more about the museums.
Heritage walks:
You can learn more about Kuantan’s historical sites and famous landmarks by taking the city’s heritage walk. I recommend you to do a heritage walk while you are in Kuantan.
A local guide who is familiar with the city is necessary for a heritage walk. Therefore, appoint a local tour guide to go on a wonderful heritage stroll.
Shopping:
While visiting Kuantan, there are numerous shopping opportunities. Modern malls are not the only shopping options; there are also some regional markets and sidewalk vendors. East Coast Mall is one of the biggest malls in Malaysia, which is situated in Kuantan.
Hiking:
There are several places available in Kuantan where you can go hiking. Cherating Beach, Teluk Chempedak, and Bukit Tinggi Hill are some famous hiking trails in this area. Don’t miss the opportunity to go hiking when you are in Kuantan.
Local foods of Kuantan
Curry Laksa:
Curry Laksa is a popular spicy noodles soup. Locals prepare it with a coconut milk-based broth that has a variety of herbs and spices, including galangal, chili peppers, and lemongrass, as well as coconut milk. They usually serve it with thin rice noodles and a variety of toppings, including bean sprouts, boiled eggs, tofu, shrimp, and chicken.
Don’t miss the opportunity to taste this hearty and flavorful dish in Kuantan.
Cendol:
In Southeast Asia, notably Malaysia, cendol is a well-liked dessert. Along with coconut milk and green jelly noodles, the dessert is prepared using shaved ice.
On hot days, people frequently enjoy this cool, refreshing dessert as a sweet treat after meals.
Kaya toast:
Kaya is a sweet and fragmented coconut jam. It is a popular breakfast dish in Malaysia. The dish consists of toasted bread with a layer of kaya and a slice of butter.
This dish is smoky in flavor. It is a popular breakfast dish in Malaysia, and you can often find it in local coffee shops.
Nasi Lemak:
The word “Nasi lemak” means “fatty rice” in Malay. The dish consists of rice that has been cooked with coconut milk and is served with a variety of side dishes. What makes it pretty special is the fact that they serve it on banana leaves.
They serve the traditional dishes with nasi lemak include peanuts, boiled eggs, cucumber slices, sambal, and many others.
Curry Laksa:
Curry Laksa is a popular spicy noodles soup. Locals prepare it with a coconut milk-based broth that has a variety of herbs and spices, including galangal, chili peppers, and lemongrass, as well as coconut milk. They serve the soup with thin rice noodles and a variety of toppings, including bean sprouts, boiled eggs, tofu, shrimp, and chicken.
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