Pahang is the largest state in the Malaysian peninsular and
covers an area of 35,960 square kilometres. It lies on the
east coast and has a population of about one million people.
Ancient rainforests dominate the state
and form part of the Taman Negara or the National Park. All
the main hill resort are found here as is Peninsular
Malaysia's highest peak, Gunung Tahan, which poses a
challenge to avid mountaineers. A myriad of exotic flora and
fauna are an intrinsic part of the wild life and unspolit
beauty found throughout the state. A rich scenic structure
leaves visitors throughly entranced, as the magnificent gifts
nature has bestowed on this tropical paradise are supremely
top-notch. From pristine waterfalls to tranquil, invigorating
mountains, and palm-fringed beaches fronting serene seas to
refreshing jungles, it is a rendezvous with diversity and
contrast designed to leave you spellbound and delighted.
An astoundingly beautiful coastline
stretching all the way to Kota Bahru in the state of Kelantan
is generously dotted with fabulously picturesque beaches
linked together by quaint, pictorial villages.
All of these not only make up a
photography enthusiast's most momentous fantasies, they also
impart a soothing repose that tempts you to linger on and
savour the unparallelled peace and harmony.
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In Pahang, you will find vivid evidence of fascinating
cultures that make Malaysia a rich source of colour, pomp and
pageantry. The 
Malays,
Chinese and Indians, each with its own distinct identity,
coexist most harmoniously. This is the nuturing result of
mutual respect and understanding, a rare and special feature
which continues to bewitch and astound visitors.
The many cultures of Malaysia can be
found in the clothes, customs, foods, games, art forms and
festivals of the various races. It would be hard indeed to
fully describe the many faces of Malaysian culture. But even
the visitor's brief encounter with this is enough to reveal
some of the scintillating vibrancy of Malaysia's rich
heritage.
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Gourmets and gourmands will relish the delectable and
astonishingly unending variety of delicacies found in the
vast cuisine typical to Pahang. Malay, Chinese (particularly
Cantonese, Hokkien, Szechuan), and both North and South
Indian foods stimulate the taste buds and arouse the
adventurer in each of us.
A must for the uninitiated is satay -
succulent morsels of meat skewered on palm - leaf sticks and
barbecued on open flame, and eaten with piquant, spicy
peanut-based gravy. Accompanying dishes are cucumber and
onion slices, and ketupat (rice boiled in woven palm cases).
Generally, Malay cuisine is spicy and
pungent in nature, but once you have developed a taste for
such tantalishing flavours, it is hard to dissociate yourself
from them.
Rice
is the staple food of Malaysians and is cooked in a variety
of ways - one of which is nasi lemak, which is rice cooked
with coconut milk and eaten with a spicy anchovy sauce,
hard-boiled egg, peanuts and cucumber slices.
Dim sum and its 30 over delicacies are
among the many items on the Chinese menu. The incredible
number of ways they cook rice and noodles prove the
innovation and creativity know no bounds. If you visit Pahang
and do not feast on the ample sea-food available, you would
be missing some of the best dishes the state has to offer.
Ikan baker, or grilled fish, is a hot favourite.
Indian cuisine's star attractions is nasi
briyani, a rich Moghul dish, with a varied spectrum of
dishes. It is hard to decide which to choose as each has
established its own popularity.
Tropical fruits are abundant and
seasonal. Durian, which holds undisputable appeal for those
who love it, often leaves the novice peplexed and intimidated
as its overly pungent odour takes some getting used to. And
it has culled lifelong fans even among Westerners - those who
have stayed here long enough to cultivate a taste for this
exotic fruit. Rambutan, ciku, mango, watermelon, guava,
mangosteen, papaya, pineapple and starfruit are but some of
the succulent fruits that offer delights to all
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Handicraft centres offer a temping array of bewitching items
which you may not find elsewhere. In Kuantan, the teruntum
Complex is a modern shopping complex which houses a cinema,
bowling alley, fast-food restaurant and other such modern
facilities.
Karyaneka, which showcases Pahang
handicrafts, can be found at Teluk Chempedak, Sungai Karang
and Cherating. Pandanus household articles, wood carvings,
brocades, shellcrafts and batik are sold at reasonable prices
here.
Pahang Silk from the Pahang Silk
Weaving Centre in Palau Keladi, Pekan, is an intricately
woven material is made. At Beserah is the Batik Cottage where
you can view how batik, the unique wax-printed fabric, is
made.
If you are looking for eye-catching,
conversation-piece items to take back with you, you will be
thoroughly beguiled by the pandan leaf (mengkuang) mats.
Songket, the fine hand-woven gold and silver brocaded attire
comes in a wide variety of radiant designs. At the Souvenir
Centre, about 1.8 kilometres west of Kampung Sungai Karang,
one will find shellcrafts and local gemstones.
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Cameron
Highlamds
This is
Malaysia's green bowl suppling vegetables to the major cities
of the country and to Singapore. The cool climate makes it an
excellent tea frowing area, and indeed the Cameron tea is
highly priced in the world market. Places of interest are the
Robinson waterfall, the Rose Garden nurseries and the
vegetable farms.
There is also an 18-hole golf course.
The small town of Tapah at the foot of the hill is the
gateway to the resort which can be reached by bus, taxi or
train from Kuala Lumpur. From Tapah, regular bus and taxi
services are available. Accommodation facilities included old
English country inn-styled hotels, chalets and Government
resthouses. Special mention must be made of the Ye Olde
Smokehouse where everything, outside as inside the building
is preserved as it used to be during the colonial time,
except for modern conveniences added for your comfort.
Genting
Highlands (Bentong)
Genting Highlands, one of the most developed and favoured by
local and foreign visitors, offers accommodation to suit
every budget and 
taste.
The cool mountain weather and lush greenery is an ideal
escapade away from the heat, hustle and bustle of the city.
There are numerous activities that one can indulge in :
dining at the Genting Theatre Restaurant featuring shows by
international stars, boating and having fun at the newly
added roller-coaster and many other fun-filled rides at the
all-new Genting Theme Park as well as the attraction of
"Virtual Reality", an exciting and unique game.
Punters can try their luck at the world class Casino De
Genting. The Awana Golf Club, a luxury condotel, provides at
the Awana ranch and jungle trekking. Genting Highlands is
accessible by a well-maintained road and is only an hour's
drive from Kuala Lumpur. Adventure-conscious visitors can
soar above the clouds on cable cars from Awana to the summit.
Fraser's Hill
(Raub)
Fraser's Hill
(104 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur) can be reached from Kuala
Lumpur either through the East-West Highway branching off
towards Bentong/Raub, turning left to Gap before Raub.
Alternatively, one can also take the Northern route (towards
Penang) and cutting off at Kuala Kuba Baharu for a drive to
the Gap. At the Gap, there is a control gate for one-way
traffic to the hill which is open from 6.30 a.m. to 7.00
p.m., with up-hill traffic reserved for odd hours and the
down-hill traffic at even hours. Fraser's Hill provides
visitors with the cool mountain air, the abundance of
luxuriant vegetation, the peace and tranquility combined with
other attractions such as its stable of ponies, the nursery
containing many exotic flowers, the Jeriau waterfalls and a
very pleasant 9-hole golf course. Other facilities include a
children's playground and a roller skating rink. For
accommodation, Fraser's Hill has a range of hotels, chalets
and colonial-bungalows to suit one's preferences and budget.
Bukit Tinggi
(Bentong)
Bukit Tinggi is a hill retreat area with several resorts
taking adventage of the cool, fresh country air that pervades
the area. Among the resorts here are Selesa Hillhomes and
Bukit Tinggi Resort. Visitors can jungle trek, take long
invigorating walks or head for nearby Genting Highlands. Also
in this area is Janda Baik, a resort-cum-residential vicinity
that is popular with urban dwellers seeking to escape city
bustle for a brief respite.
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