Islands and Beaches of Pahang   Pahang Area Hotels

Further up Malaysia's eastern coast are the enchanting beaches of Pahang (Pahang Area Hotels) as well as the fabled island of Tioman (Tioman Island Area Hotels). Picturesque villages and the serene rhythms of the South China Sea make the Pahang coastline one of the most enchanting locations in all of Malaysia.

For centuries, Pulau Tioman has been regarded as a jewel in the sea. One early Malaysian legend claims Tioman to be a transformed dragon princess. Apparently the beautiful princess stopped enroute to Singapore from China to admire the charms of this spot. So enraptured was she that she decided to discontinue her journey, take the form of an island, and remain there as a place of shelter and comfort to passing travellers. Tioman's beauty, from its towering dual volcanic peak to its soft sands, swaying palms, and vibrant profusion of tropical wildflowers, is such that it lends credence to the tale. One indication of Tioman's enduring ability to inspire fables is that it was chosen as the location for the film version of the musical "South Pacific." It is Bali Hai.

Pahang, which covers an area of 35,960 sq. km, is the largest state in Peninsular Malaysia. Pahang has so much to offer the visitor that tourists, both locals and foreign, come back again and again.

Pahang has cool green mountains, rain forests, hill resorts, tranquil fishing villages, long stretches of sandy beaches, mysterious caves and unspoilt lakes.

Golf Pahang

With population of 1 million, the state, which lies on the East Coast, offers the finest in beaches such as the famous Cherating Beach, Teluk Chempedak and Beserah Beach. There are the renown hill resorts of Cameron Highlands, Genting Highlands and Fraser's Hill. If you are looking for adventure, why not visit parks such as Kenong Rimba, Endau-Rompin and Taman Negara (National Park).

In Pahang, the visitor will find fascinating evidence of the diverse Malaysian cultures, manifested in the customs, clothes, food, art forms, games and festivals of the various races.

Pahang has a rich cultural heritage and its specialty is songket (s. below), the distinctive hand-woven gold and silver brocade. Travelers can visit the handicraft centres at Teluk Chempedak, Sungai Karang and Cherating. Household items made from pandanus leaves and woodcarvings, shell crafts and batik are sold at these centers.

Visitors should also not miss out on the Pahang Silk Weaving Centre in Pulau Keladi, Pekan where they can see the process of making the intricately woven material. For those short of time there is a showroom in Kuantan, located on the first floor of Teruntum Complex in Jalan Mahkota.

Batik, the unique wax-printed fabric, is available everywhere with manufacturing outfits at Kuantan, Semambu, Beserah and Cherating. At some of these places the visitors are able to view how batik is made.

The Legend Resort, Cherating   Situated by sparkling blue waters and a pristine beachfront is our resort on the East Coast, 45 km north of Kuantan in Cherating. Nestled within 6.5 hectares of lush greenery, this resort offers the pleasure of a tropical paradise. Most of the rooms overlook the sea or pool and each one is tastefully furnished with comfortable amenities and facilities. You can unwind from a hectic day by enjoying the range of sports and recreational facilities available. Feeling tired after a day filled with activities? Relax on the idyllic beach of Cherating, listening to the sounds of waves crashing upon the white sandy shore, while you bathe in the sun’s rays.

Teluk Chempedak

This popular beach resort lies five kilometers from Kuantan, Pahang. The beach has a range of watersports facilities, including sailing, surfing, and waterskiing. A wide range of accommodations are available. Balai Karyaneka, the handicraft center, offers visitors a delightful variety of local handicrafts--wood carvings, shellcraft, gold threaded songket materials, pandanus household items, Dara jade jewelry, and, of course, beautiful batiks.

Cherating Beach - The old Cherating Village has a blend of the modern and traditional. A stretch of road about 1km long runs parallel to the beach, dotted with charming and comfortable chalets, many of which face the beach front. Cherating has the perfect combination of great surf, a wide stretch of white-sandy beach, a wealth of accommodation, dining choices and a classic surfers' nightlife scene. Surfers linger for days and even months in this small enclave to catch the best waves and chill out with fellow surfers, exchanging the day's conquests at one of the chic bistros or bars.
In fact, "Surfers' Haven" has long been the description of old Cherating Village since the 70's. Each year, surfers from around the world return to Cherating to test out the surf and catch up with local acquaintances. Cherating beach is immaculate and breath-taking. So much so that Club Med decided to build its first Asian base right here. And surfers take the opportunity to have local friends take them through some of the most charming rural villages along the coast and soak in the gorgeous scenery along the way.
Hotels Cherating Beach

Cameron Highlands - There are many things to see and do in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia's largest highland resort. Walks through lovely little villages, visits to the butterfly, strawberry, honey bee farms and sprawling tea plantations or meals at the delightful Tudor-styled country inns, are all pleasurable and relaxing activities to be experienced here. You can't beat the weather up here. A few days out of the sweltering lowland heat will surely recharge your batteries.
One other popular activity in Cameron Highlands, actually more of a tradition, is to have tea and scones. This very English tradition dates back to the days when English colonial officers used this hilly location as a cool getaway from the heat of the lowlands. Bird-watching and trekking are also popular activities here.
Situated 1,500 metres above sea level, Cameron Highlands comprises a series of little townships that include Ringlet, Tanah Rata, Brinchang, Tringkap, Kuala Terla and Kampung Raja. What's more, it's easy to get to. Cameron Highlands lies less than an hour off the main North-South Highway, and is a pleasant, easy 3.5-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur.
Hotels Cameron Highlands

FOOD & BEVERAGE

In between these mouth-watering meals you can snack on deliciously fresh tropical fruits. When thirsty, try a fresh coconut just plucked from the tree. SATAY are morsels of marinated meat skewered on palm leaf sticks and barbecued on an open flame. Eaten with a spicy peanut sauce, cucumber, onions and ketupat (rice boiled in woven palm leaf cases). Satay is the ‘kebab’ of the Malay world. A dish you must try!

Woven on a Malay frame loom, elaborate patterns are created by introducing extra gold or silver weft threads with the use of a flat needle or cuban.

The songket goes through eight stages before it becomes a piece of fabric and it is still traditionally woven. As weavers are usually from rural areas, it is not surprising to find that the motifs are patterned after local flora and fauna. These motifs are also named after local Malay delicacies such as seri kaya, wajik, and the tepung talam, believed to be favorites of royalty.

Exclusive songket requires between one and three months to complete, while ordinary songket only takes about 3 days.

Men wore the songket fashioned into a destar or head-cloth. It was only later that Malay women started wearing songket sarung or sarung worn in 'rolling waves; style with a baju kurung top. Today songket is a popular choice for the Malay wedding costume and is often presented by the groom to the bride as one of the wedding gifts. In order to preserve the original lustre and quality of the songket, a large cowry shell known as genus is normally used to polish the cotton fabric or songket cloth before the telepuk process is initiated.

Telepuk is another beautiful handicraft creation of the Malay society in the olden days. Composed of golden lace, this fabric is used specially for official functions.

Songket is not meant just for the affluent as the fabric ranges from RM100, with the exclusive running into several thousands of Ringgit.