Kuantan Tourist Attractions

A couple of picturesque beaches, an abundance of cultural sights and good choices for nature enthusiasts: Kuantan may be not the most famous tourist destination in Malaysia but it won’t disappoint if you happen to get there.

Panching Caves

Any holiday is simply incomplete without some good exposure to the local culture. A shining (any vaguely intellectual puns are entirely intended) example of such is Panching Caves, a spot where sunlight stretches through the hole in the cave to illuminate a statue of Buddha. If you explore beyond the main cave and go further up the mountain, open-sided caves frame the most far-reaching and unencumbered panoramic view of the countryside.

Trips to the caves are frequently followed by swims in the pools of the Pandan Waterfall. It is a good day out – for anyone involved. Entrance fee for an entire family, including parking, will come to less than MYR 10.

Sultan Ahmad Shah State Mosque

A trip to Sultan Ahmad Shah State Mosque is another part of the cultural musts. The mosque was built in the early nineties and is named after the founder of the royal family of Pahang. The mosque is quite astounding in its size and impact when you see it in the flesh. It is able to accommodate almost ten thousand worshippers on Fridays, and is the backdrop to countless scenes of a special, real, and heart-warming nature. The large municipal field before it holds thousands over the Ramadan period – a great place to take some fantastic photographs, or just sit and be.

Watercraft Gallery

Ah, the Watercraft Gallery. What a great place to soak in some history and culture! This trip is a great one for families. The gallery has a host of perfectly restored authentic traditional boats whose significance is detailed wonderfully by the guides available. The gallery is around 40 minutes north of Kuantan and is easily accessible by whichever mode of transport you choose.

Sungai Lembing

The adventurous will be well interested in a trip to the town of Sungai Lembing. It is around 40km north of Kuantan and can be reached by bus, car, or taxi. The town is small and is really a shadow of its former bustling self with only one gas pump for all the residents of the town to share. However, a trip to the town, into the museum, and maybe even down the mines is anything but under stimulating. If you’re there overnight, wake up before the sun peers over the horizon and catch its rise from the peak of Panorama Hill – gorgeous views over the town below await.

Beaches

A fun place to take the kids is Pantai Batu Hitam. It is a beach a few km north of Kuantan, with noticeably large beds of black rocks. Let the children play with nets and their imaginations while you kickback on the sandy parts for a few hours of you and some Vitamin D.

Balok beach is a good alternative. It is less stimulating and more picturesque though. It will interest couples and younger travellers, maybe even a few photographers looking to get a whimsical sunrise shot!

Selangor River

Maybe one of the most beautiful things that one can ever see is available to you along a soothing and mind-expanding trip down the Selangor River. Float down the river in a traditional sampan, keep your eyes firmly fixed on the branches of the mangroves that line the river, attempt to not lose your cool when you see the fireflies ignite and shine for a fleeting few seconds.

Fireflies watching tours

The Kampung Kuantan firefly site is known to be one of the biggest in the world. Hundreds upon thousands adorn the branches of the trees when the sun slips under the horizon. Charter a boat (for you and up to three others) for only MYR 40 and enjoy every second of it!