PAHANG

Pahang

Map Of Pahang in Malaysia

Pahang is the biggest state in Peninsular Malaysia. Pahang prides itself in its 205 km long beautiful sun soaked beaches and islands, tranquil highland resorts, a national park which comprises of 4343 sq. Km of lush tropical forest dated as far back as 130 million years, and its famous luxuriant growth of fauna and flora, serene lakes and waterfalls.


Because Pahang has so much to offer including a hot and humid climate all year round with distinct wet and dry season, the national objective of the state government is to attract tourism investment in the potential areas earmarked throughout the state. This will set Pahang to become one of the leading tourists destinations in the country.




PLACES OF INTEREST



Highlands

Cameron Highlands

North of Fraser's Hill lies another hill resort, but with a completely different character. A favourite getaway for the british colonial civil servants in bygone days, cameron Highlands has often been called 'a little bit of england'. Today the cameron Highlands is malaysia's 'green bowl' the major supplier of temperate and semi temperate vegetables to the cities of malaysia and to singapore.




A flourishing flower growing industry also exists in the cameron Highlands with cut flowers being exported the world over.





The highest peak in the cameron Highlands is gunung swettenham standing at 1961 metres. The Highlands themselves were named after the british surveyor william cameron who first visited the area in 1885. There are three townships within the Highlands. Ringlet is the agricultural centre of the district, tanah rata is the town centre of the Highlands and brinchang, a small town known for its nurseries, fruit farms and tea plantations.


A large new market for the farmers of the area is the export of fresh cut flowers.


Malaysia is rapidly becoming a leading exporter of these flowers, which are new cultivated in abundance. Visitors will be dazzled by the profusion of colours at the flower farms, blooms such as roses, chrysanthemums, carnations, dahlias, geraniums, fuchsia and gladioli thrive in the cool humid atmosphere of the Camerons. No visit to the Camerons is complete without the purchase of some of these beautiful blooms.


The Ringlet and Brinchang areas are dotted with market gardens. On terraced hillsides and valley floors the array of colours, sights and general neatness of the area spells efficient cultivation.


The cool weather and fertile soils of the terraced slopes produce a fresh and healthy variety of vegetables including spring cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes, leeks, brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus and capsicums. You should not miss a visit to one of these market gardens.




Tea plantations by their very nature occupy large tracts of land. You can watch the tea pickers at work and afterwards visit the factory to see the finer aspects of grading, blending and processing of the leaves. Cameron Highlands tea has established a reputation for quality, comparable to the best varieties around the world.





Many types of fruit are also grown in the Highlands, passion fruit, tangerines, persimmons,grapefruits and the most popular of all, strawberries.







Most hotels and restaurants in the Camerons offer local strawberries served with thick delicious fresh cream. A visit to the strawberry park will not only allow you to see how they are grown but will offer you the opportunity to purchase the freshly picked English delight.




For nature lovers a walk along the many jungle paths winding along cool mountain streams should not be missed. Streaks of sunlight occasionally filter through the lush forest foliage glistening on the cascading waters. You can enjoy a cool stimulating dip in one of the many jungle pools found at the base of waterfalls or, just rest and admire the sights and the sounds while having a leisurely picnic. The most popular falls that are ideal for swimming are the Robinson Falls and the Parit Falls.


The rugged climb to the popular peaks of the cameron Highlands is well worth the effort. Gunung brinchang, gunung beremban and gunung jasar are all easily accessible and on clear days your efforts will be rewarded in the panoramic, breathtaking views of the surrounding towns, and row upon row of vegetable plots and tea plantations. You may even see as far as the straits of Melaka.


A wide array of Accommodation dots the Camerons landscape. Old country inns, chalets, apartments and modern hotels provide a variety to suit all tastes. A special mention, however, must be made of Ye Olde Smokehouse Restaurant and Hotel, where everything, both inside and out, is preserved exactly as it was during colonial times. The only additions being modern conveniences that have been added for the benefit of guests.





Cameron Highlands also offers ample facilities for sports lovers. Golfers can tee-off at the 18-hole golf course with waving fairways, winding streams and extremely tricky greens. Visiting membership fees are reasonable and a modern clubhouse will allow you to wind down after your game. Tennis and badminton courts are also available.


Cameron Highlands is a 4-hour ride from Kuala Lumpur via tapah. The uphill roads have a gradual gradient and are well maintained. The journey itself offers splendid views, passing the roaring waterfall of lata iskandar.



Island and Beaches



Tioman IslandLegend goes that a beautiful dragon princess was once flying from china to singapore for her wedding. She settled down to rest over the warm water of the south china sea. The calm sea and warm water gave her pleasure and she decided to stay - thus turned herself into an island, now called Tioman Island. To this day, tioman resembles a resting dragon complete withserrated mountains and permanent clouds.· White sandy beaches intringed by green tropical jungle will certainly magnetise anyone towards this enchanting island, which is one of the ten most beautiful island in the world.

· Well known for its crystal clear water, divers and snorkellers must not miss this opportunity to witness exotic fish and magnificient corals of myriad colours.

· Tioman Island is the largest of a group of 64 islands; so island hopping by boat can be a memorable experience.

· Fishing villages on the other side of the island can be reached by boat or jungle paths; where you will feel at home with the friendliness and hospitality of the village folks.·

Chalets, budget accomodation and international class hotels are available.






Nature and Adventure



Endau Rompin ParkSome of the best and most visually stunning tourist attractions are found in Pahang, and in no place More so, than the Endau-Rompin Park. Endau Rompin maybe the newest nature reserve in Malaysia, yet being over one million years old, it is one of the world's oldest tropical rainforests. Flora and fauna have evolved into a unique eco-system of exotic species found nowhere else on earth. Older than the rainforests of the Amazon and the Congo, Endau-Rompin has remained virtually unchanged through the millennia.


Tropical jungles throughout the world are renowned for their diversity of flora and fauna and Endau Rompin boasts some of the most exotic species ever found. Endau Rompin is one of the major remaining lowland forests in Malaysia, covering 80,000 hectares of virgin jungle straddling the States of Pahang and Johore.


The Park's name comes from the Endau and Rompin rivers which forms the major watershed on which the park lies. This nature reserve offers a whole spectrum of Activities for the adventurous visitor to enjoy and provides you with the opportunity to get back to nature and experience the mysterious secrets of its wilderness.







Activities


*The adventurous ones will be thrilled with rapid shooting.
*Camp out in the wilderness of this state park.




Lake ChiniLake Chini, with its well-known myths, has attracted tourists from far and near. Legend has it that an ancient khmer city once existed and this has resulted in several scientific expeditions by archaeologists. It is also popularly believed that mystical monsters lurk in deep waters and guard this legendary lake.





Sitting amidst 12,000 acres of tropical jungle, Chini is the country's 2nd largest natural lake, and has 144 species of fish. Pink and white lotus blooms from January to June, giving the lake such a picturesque view. You will find aborigines staying around the lake- fishing being their main activity.





· There are plenty of camping sites for those adventurous ones.




· Wooden chalets and restaurants are available.




· The boat ride to reach Lake Chini itself will enchant anyone during its 45 minutes journey if you travel by kampung belimbing road.




· If you do not fancy boat rides, you can go by road via the Segamat Highway through the new town of Chini.








Pahang Silk Weaving Centre

Pahang proudly boasts of the quality of its silk produced here at Pulau Keladi, Pekan. Its traditional intricate weaving method has been passed down for generations. A wide array of silk scarves and fabrics are on sale at the centre.


Pulau Keladi Cultural Village

Located in the royal town of Pekan the cultural village primarily consists of the 'kampung' house where tun abdul razak was born, the tun abdul razak memorial hall the penghulu's (village chief) office and the Pahang Silk Weaving Centre.facilities available in the cultural village include a recreational area by the river, a service counter, an exhibition and display centre, handicraft and souvenir stalls, malaysian style food and refreshments, public restrooms and carpark.


State Museum

A visit to Pekan would not be complete without browsing around the State Museum. Located at jalan sultan ahmad, the museum houses a fairly large collection of ancient chinese glassware and ceramics. The old history of Pahang and its ancient kings is also well documented here.


The Royal Palace

While Kuantan is the administrative capital of the state of Pahang, Pekan is its royal capital. PLACES OF INTEREST include The Royal Palace, the State Museum and silk weaving centre. The ruler of Pahang, his royal highness the sultan, resides at the magnificent palace in Pekan. A stopover to view this authentically fascinating malay palace is worth your trip to Pahang. If you happen to be there during the celebrations of the ruler's official birthday on 24th of october, you would be able to witness the annual outburst of culture and tradition of this special town.


The Tun Razak Memorial Hall

Dedicated to the second Prime Minister of Malaysia, this memorial hall houses some of the late Tun Abdul Razak's personal effects and memorabilia. Completed in 1994 the showcase depict aspects of the life of Tun Abdul Razak, an historic figure in the early days of the nation's development.




The house where Tun Abdul Razak was born has been rebuilt on its original site and in the exact style of the day. The house displays the characteristic 3 section construction, comprising a threshold, the 'ibu rumah' (the house proper) and the kitchen.




Measuring 8.5 metres by 14.15 metres, it offers the visitor a life like experience of the atmosphere of a typical Malay village house at the turn of the century.


Jerantut

Kota Gelanggi

one of the highlights of activity in this area is Kota Gelanggi cave adventure. explore the 150 million year old historical and mythical cave complex and its unique fauna, flora and rock formations. The magnificent cave chambers are among the best in this region. Visitors will be able to experience what tropical limestone caverns are all about, with their myriads stalagmites and stalactites and strangely shaped formations.

Taman Negara


The national park is one of the oldest tropical rain forest in the world. It is older than the jungles of congo or the amazon. Its lush tropical forest dates as far back as 130 million years. Taman Negara is a fascinating sanctuary of nature's many splendours, ready to thrill holiday makers with a zest for adventure.

*After a fascinating boat ride over crystal clear streams and sometimes shooting through swirling rapids, you will reach Kuala Tahan, the Park's HQ and it is from this point that your adventure begins.

*You can observe a large variety of wildlife including the Sambar, Barking Deer, Tapir and sometimes Tigers.

*Experince crossing the Park Canopy Walkway which is 25 metres high and over 400 metres which is the world's longest.

*enthusiastic anglers will find angling of fishes Interesting in the many rivers of Taman Negara.

*River trips must not be missed as you will be mesmerised by the breath taking view of our colourful flora and fauna.

*Explore the caves and forest by mountain climbing and jungle trekking.

*Chalets lodges, dormitories and camping grounds are plenty for you to choose.




Kuala Lipis

Empang Jaleh


In Kuala Lipis, there is a recreational lake called Empang Jaleh where visitors can relax. Here too is located gunung tahan, a mountainous jungle trail which takes about 2 nights to reach its peak. For birdwatchers, the bukit taching is an ideal bird sanctuary to while away the hours. And terenggun forest park is another nature spot perfect for a leisurely holiday. Perhaps its most endearing feature is its profusion of fabulous nature scenes. It has four permanent forest reserves. Another point of honour is that these are amongst the oldest jungles in the world. And nine other areas have been designated for possible reserves.

Kenong Wildlife Park



Having been to Kuala Lipis, one should not miss the opportunity to explore the kenong rimba park. Situated at the sungai kenong (kenong river), kenong rimba park is surrounded by cascading waterfalls, clear mountain astreams, a variety of flora and fauna and the merry chirping of birds will certainly create an atmosphere which is really difficult to express in words. It offers great adventure such as exploring limestone caves, swimming in the river and camping. Challenging hiking trails interspersed with protruding rocks and untouched natural surrounding is a haven for adventure lovers.




Within the Kenong Rimba Park, there are several caves to explore. These are Gua Batu Telangkup, Gua Hijau and Gua Harimau. The caves, situated approximately 122-152 metres above sea level, are a natural habitat for a range of flora and nature's other marvels. For nature lovers, a stop at Kenong Rimba Park is a must. It is a perfect hideout for bird watchers, campers, anglers, trekkers and swimmers.




to get to kenong rimba park, one can take a 20-minute boat ride from sungai jelai jetty which will then take you to the tanjung kiara jetty. Or, if you are game for it, a 3-hour boat ride direct from Kuala Lipis bring you to your destination.



Merapoh

Another entry or the 'back door' to the national park is through a settlement named Merapoh, which is 98 kilometres from Kuala Lipis on the lipis-gua musang road. Merapoh can also be reached by rail - malayan railway from singapore stops at Kuala Lipis via gemas, from there a private train connects Merapoh. License to the national park may be obtained in kuala relau from the department of wildlife and national park office which is 7 kilometres from Merapoh. The trails to gunung tahan from Merapoh takes only three days return whereas the normal jungle trail from kuala tahan will take 10 days return.



Bentong

Air panas Bentong

Apart from chamang waterfalls, other recreational area in Bentong include the "air panas" or hot spring, which is only about 20 minute's drive from Bentong town via the old Bentong-kuala lumpur road. The hot spring was a formation of some volcanic activities back millionof years ago and the mineral in the water is said to be excellent for health. Moreover, the greenery and mountainous view surrounding the hot spring is a good-natured sight not to be missed.



Chamang Waterfalls

Situated at a quiet leisurely town with spring cool water of Bentong, visitors will be enthralled by a lovely waterfalls or so called the chamangwaterfalls or so called the 'lover's falls'. This waterfalls is located inside chamang village and can be reached by travelling along the town's jalan loke yew. Picnickers will definitely find Chamang Waterfalls a good spot to bring families during weekends or public holidays.



Lentang Forest Recretional Park

Lentang Forest Recreational Park is located along Km 48 Kuala Lumpur - Karak Highway and is only a 35-minutes drive from Kuala Lumpur. The forest reserve provides visitors with camping sites especially for holiday makers. For a short weekend holiday, this is an ideal weekend destination. The forest park has an arboretum which allows your holiday to be both relaxing and educational as the family can discover the trees and plants being cultivated here for both scientific and medical research.