Pahang’s capital offers a lively mix of sights, flavours and easygoing activities, a wonderful spot for families, couples or friends
Photography Razlan Yusof
Kuantan officially achieved city status in 2021 but retains the undeniable charm of smaller towns along the eastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia. With azure waters and soft sands along this coastal city, Kuantan’s early reputation as a fishing village has evolved into a beach holiday town with fun activities and delicious meals. If you’re here for the perfect weekend vacation, these are the highlights to hit up.
Saturday
Morning. Start your day on a high note with an early morning hike up the Pelindung Hill Loop to admire the sweeping panoramic views of the city. You may also be able to spot the dusky leaf monkey which is native to the area. At approximately 5km long, the hike takes up to two hours to complete depending on your pace.
The entrance to the trail is accessible from the city centre, near the Tengku Ampuan Afzan Secondary School. The trail is not particularly technical but requires a reasonable level of fitness and proper footwear to navigate a combination of uphill and downhill sections and some uneven terrain.
Now you’re ready for breakfast. Like most Malaysians, the people of Kuantan take their breakfasts seriously, especially at Muar-E Kopitiam (A643, 2 Jln Beserah; @muar_e_kopitiam) which sells out on busy weekends. Order the mee tepung goreng (stir-fried noodles), nasi kunyit (turmeric rice) or roti stim (steamed bread). Wash it down with a refreshing muar teh ais (iced tea) or kopi ais (iced coffee) for a strong caffeine kick.
There’s been a street art renaissance around Malaysian cities – city backlanes once marred by unsightly graffiti are now converted into walkable streets with beautiful wall art. Check out the Kuantan Art Street (Jln Teruntum) and you’ll find a variety of colourful murals depicting wildlife such as the Malayan tiger or buaya (crocodile) and 3D art with playful effects that encourage you to interact with it.
Not far from the street art is Menara Kuantan 188 (Jln Besar). Ride up the tallest observation tower on the East Coast (and second tallest in Malaysia) to take in sweeping views of the city and Kuantan River. For thrill-seekers (and those who aren’t afraid of heights), there’s a skywalk where you can take a harnessed walk along the perimeter of the tower.
Afternoon. Have lunch with a side of nostalgia. Well-known in the Kuantan café scene is Kuantan Pickers & Kedai Kopi (22 Jln Besar; @kuantanpickers) – a spot that serves local fare against the backdrop of old-school knick-knacks and vintage posters. On some days, a busker serenades diners with classic feel-good tunes as they enjoy dishes like roti goyang (toast topped with a runny half-boiled egg) or the Ah Lee mee rebus satay (a sweet noodle dish served with thick peanut sauce and three satay sticks).
Drive 35 minutes from the Kuantan city centre to Sungai Pandan Waterfall. Nestled within a lush rainforest, this is an ideal spot for picnics, swimming or simply immersing in the sights and sounds of nature. While you have the option to hike to the top of the waterfall, the picnic area is easily accessible from the parking lot.
Evening. As a seaside city, fresh seafood is a must-have in Kuantan. Visit Ana Ikan Bakar Petai (Jln Tanjung Lumpur) for their signature Kuantan-style ikan bakar – grilled fish and petai (bitter bean) with a fragrant sauce. Other dishes to try would be the sotong goreng tepung (fried battered squid) or kailan ikan masin (Chinese broccoli with salted fish).
After a nourishing feast, wind down with a pleasant stroll on the beach at Teluk Cempedak. This is a popular night-time spot for families, couples and groups of friends. Here, street vendors sell snacks, bubble guns and other toys. Buskers singing top 40 covers add to the vibrant atmosphere.
Sunday
Morning. Tuck into some hearty Malay fare such as nasi kukus (steamed rice) along with dishes like freshly fried chicken or ikan bawal goreng berempah (fried pomfret), kari kambing (mutton curry) and gulai kawah daging (beef curry) at Warung Mazenah Nasi Kukus (Lot 78 Off, Jln Beserah).
Afterwards, go for the Kuantan River Cruise (Jeti Shahbandar, Jln Tanah Putih; @kuantanrivercruise) where you can learn more about the flora and fauna of a 500-year-old mangrove forest. This two-hour boat ride is led by a licensed nature guide who will share about the city’s fishing history and industry as well as the river animals and seabirds found here.
Afternoon. Head to Bazar Serambi Teruntum (Jln Tanjung Lumpur; @serambiteruntumkuantan), where you’ll find an array of hand-woven products and other handcrafted goods from across the state of Pahang. You can also grab traditional Malay snacks like serunding (dried shredded meat), cookies and kuih muih (glutinous rice cakes) for the ride home.
Have lunch at the food court, which features an array of culinary delights. Try Lemang To’ki’s delicious lemang (glutinous rice cooked in a hollow bamboo tube) and Calong Serambi’s famous mee calong (fish ball noodle soup).
Later, take a gander at Muzium Pahang, also known as Muzium Sultan Abu Bakar (Jln Sultan Ahmad), which is housed in a restored colonial building from the 1910s. Get an up-close look at Pahang’s arts and culture, such as traditional Malay wood carving, driftwood animal sculptures and Tenun Pahang woven fabrics.
With comfy couches, trendy viral swings and fun party tunes, Puteh Beach Bar (Pantai Batu Hitam; @putehbeachkuantan) is an ideal spot to kick back, feel the salty sea breeze and watch the sun go down. Snack on pizza or fajitas and sip on a refreshing Puteh Signature Mocktail (made with longan, assam, lemongrass, syrup and soda).
Evening. Sample Chinese-style cooked seafood and dishes at crowd-favourite Restoran HLS (2092 Jln Beserah). Helmed by an award-winning chef known for his innovative dishes like crab seafood porridge and abalone fried rice with tobiko, this restaurant can often be packed, so plan ahead.
After a hearty dinner, take a stroll along The Esplanade by the Kuantan River (Jln Tanah Putih) and enjoy the calm night air and sea breeze.
Where to stay
Club Med Cherating
Set in an 80-hectare jungle, 50 minutes from Kuantan, this all-inclusive retreat blends nature and comfort with refreshed rooms, outdoor experiences and space to slow down.
@clubmedcherating
Mangala Resort & Spa 
A boutique private estate resort 45 minutes from Kuantan, with luxurious garden and water villas, a spa, horse riding and pre-booked picnics using homegrown produce. frankyhotels.com
Swiss-Belhotel Kuantan
Set in Kuantan Waterfront Resort City, this hotel is steps from Tanjung Lumpur’s dining, marina walks, shops and waterpark.
swiss-belhotel.com.my
