Kuantan is the state capital of Pahang, the third largest state in Malaysia after Sarawak and Sabah. Nestled in the mouth of Kuantan River, facing the South China Sea, Kuantan is populated mainly by Malay, Chinese and Indian ethnic people, and has a population of about 600,000 people.
Sent on a mission by Asian Itinerary to collect traveling information and discover more parts of Malaysia not yet exposed to you, our dear readers, I without any hindrance set off to visit Kuantan.
Since Kuantan is mostly famous for its beautiful beaches along its long coastline, in this article I wish to expose to you the three best-rated beaches in the area.
Teluk Cempedak
Teluk Cempedak beach
Located about 5 kilometres from Kuantan city, this is known as the resident area for the royal clan; in fact, most of the landscaped gardens, villas and buildings you find along the way there belong to royal family. Thanks to its white sandy beach, a coast dotted with rocks of different sizes and the several coconut plantations,Teluk Cempedak is a must visit area for tourists and locals.
This is the perfect area for a plethora of activities, the most popular being sunbathing, water-sports, swimming, snorkeling, sailing and surfing. Malaysia is near the equator line, which means lots of sun throughout the year: get your mat, towel and sun lotion and enjoy the bake! Picnic and camping are also recommended as the beach is amazingly clean.
Souvenirs shops at Teluk Cempedak
Besides this, Teluk Cempedak offers fresh air, good for those who want to go walking or jogging: I advise a walk on the sand or alternatively along the pedestrian walk arranged by the local government. This pedestrian walk connects you directly to the jungle trekking routes. I used this path and I can guarantee fun: amuse at the beautiful environment, watch the monkeys and admire their lifestyle, take pictures and observe the amazing diversity of the tree population.
Suitable for family and friends, Teluk Cempedak has a children playground, a volleyball court and some battery-operated cars to feed your needs. There are a few good restaurants and shops for dining, and for your social and business lifestyle.
Teluk Cempedak pedestrian walk
But visiting won’t be enough. For a tourist like me, who always want some memories from the places I visit, getting a fridge magnet is a must. There are plenty of stores and shops selling souvenirs and handicrafts for you to take back home.
If you are visiting Kuantan, Teluk Cempedak is a must must must do! To get to Teluk Cempedak, catch a bus, a taxi or drive; the journey should take less than 7 minutes from Kuantan city. The best accommodation option is the Hyatt Regency Kuantan Hotel.
Pantai Batu Hitam
Pantai Batu Hitam
This translates into English as the ‘Black Stone Beach’. The beach area is known by this name thanks to the presence of different black and dark stones, similar to those found in Teluk Cempedak, which are mainly brown. There is a group of big black stone along the beach that s believe to have originated from an ancient volcano eruption. The fantastic view of this beach, with black stones sparkling in the sun and the amazing beach, is a sight to behold.
Activities there include swimming, sightseeing, picnic, camping and finding a seashells. Not far from this beach there is a seafood stall where you can indulge yourself in local cooking. The most recommended dish there is the grilled fish, known as Ikan Bakar in the local language, Bahasa.
Pantai Batu Hitam can be reached either by self-drive, bus or taxi, and it is located about 10-kilometers away from the town. Duta Sands Beach Resort is the hotel we recommend.
Pantai Cherating
Cherating Beach sandy dunes
This beach, located about 47 kilometres from Kuantan town, is famed as Asia’s first Club Med. Pantai Cherating is well catered for visitors, with a wide range accommodation – resorts, chalets, hotel – as well as services like restaurants and souvenir stalls. Apart from that, the scenery offered by the beach, with lots of coconut trees swinging in the wind and an amazingly green sea, is overwhelming.
Pantai Cherating is popular amongst Europeans. This is probably because it has a truly exotic feel to it, and thanks to the beautiful surrounding nature. The area, needless to say, offers a wide range of activities like kayaking, surfing and watching fireflies and turtles.
Cherating beach stalls
Pantai Cherating is recommended for families, honeymoon and picnic groups. To get there you can either take a taxi, a bus or drive on your own. I drove, which made me feel free from sticky schedules and quick stopovers. I took my time and stopped anywhere I pleased.
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I hope the above information stirs your curiosity, and that these three beaches inspire lots of fun under the sun. Kuantan can be reached by plane, car or bus. If you plan to arrive by plane, both Airasia (www.airasia.com) and Malaysian Airlines (www.malaysiaairlines.com) cover the Kuala Lumpur-Kuantan route. If you are driving from Penang, you will amaze at the several beautiful places and yummy delicacies you will encounter along the way… Enjoy Pahang and Kuantan!
