Top 9 Things to Do in Kuantan For All Types of Travellers
If you ever find yourself on the East Coast of Malaysia, Kuantan is one of the best cities to check out. It offers beautiful panoramic views, amazing food, exciting activities, majestic waterfalls and more, allowing it to cater to different kinds of travellers.
Of course, we didn’t know this during our first time, which led us to be overwhelmed by the different things to do. Well, this is actually why I’ve decided to make this list!
So, get ready! From swimming to canyoneering and anything in between, below are the things you must do while you’re in Kuantan!
Wind down at Teluk Cempedak
— Media credit: lars.beumann
Address: 25050, Pahang, Malaysia
Teluk Cempedak, also known as Palm Beach, is one of the city’s best attractions and it’s not hard to see why. For starters, it offers all its visitors beautiful panoramic views of cerulean waters as far as the eye can see.
These waters aren’t just for sightseeing, though, as visitors can also choose to engage in fun activities such as swimming, surfing, kayaking and even jet-skiing! Plus, the shallow part of the beach is perfect for kids to enjoy without worrying about strong waves.
The beach also features a distinct pure white sand that makes it look all the more magical, especially when the sun hits it at just the right angle.
Pro tip:
You can use the sand as a natural exfoliator and enjoy more radiant skin after your beach day. Just be sure to lather enough sunscreen on your body to avoid getting a nasty sunburn!
Admire the massive dragon statue at Lao Zi Temple
— Media credit: liyilow
Address: 3°51’20.3″N 103°14’55.0″E, Malaysia
Contact details: +60 12-983 2881
Operating hours: Daily from 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM
Rates:
- Dragon entrance: RM5
- Shortcut: RM3
Whether you’re a fan of impressive feats of architecture or not, the Lao Zi Temple should be part of your itinerary! It’s home to the famous 823-metre Golden Dragon Structure, which is the official Guinness Book of World Records holder of the longest dragon statue in Malaysia.
It’s more than just a statue too, as visitors can enter from its tail and be in awe of the 5000-word scripture, Book of Tao & Its Virtues, written inside its walls. In the end, you’ll come across the treasured “Dragon’s Pearl”, which is believed to bring good luck to whoever touches it.
Aside from the dragon itself, you can also explore the rest of the temple and find several statues depicting different Chinese deities and zodiac creatures. Furthermore, you’ll find an awe-inspiring 7-metre-tall statue of Laozi himself—pretty cool!
Pro tip:
As much as possible, rent a car to get here since the nearest bus stop is several minutes away from the attraction on foot. Plus, there are more than ample free parking spaces in the area.
Shop ‘til you drop at the East Coast Mall
— Media credit: eastcoastmall
Address: Jalan Putra Square 6, Putra Square
Contact details: +60 12-983 2881
Operating hours: Daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
If you have an off day to spare on your itinerary, visiting the East Coast Mall is one of the best things you can do. For starters, you can treat the inner shopaholic in you by stopping by the numerous stores in the mall, as they feature everything from sportswear to gadgets, shoes, etc.
Meanwhile, if you’re not looking to buy anything, you can simply chill at one of the mall’s many cafes and wind down with your loved ones. Similarly, you can treat your tastebuds to gastronomic experiences through the mall’s selection of restaurants.
Lastly, you can also experience a classy movie-watching experience by checking out the mall’s cinemas. You’ll find nine different theatres here, each of which screens the latest local and international films.
Pro tip:
If you want to save money on transportation, you can simply take the train and drop off at the Sri Rampai Station. From there, the walk towards the mall will be around 10 to 12 minutes.
Wind down at Taman Gelora Kuantan
— Media credit: gszemean
Address: Jalan Dato Abdullah
Contact details: +60 12-364 8866
Operating hours: Open 24 hours
If you don’t have anything to do in the morning or in the afternoon, then consider stopping by Taman Gelora! It’s one of the most beautiful parks in the city (and Malaysia, in general), mostly because of the tall lush trees and the mirror-like pond.
This massive park opens the door to tons of fun activities like jogging and cycling. The magnificent pond in its middle is one of the best sights to see when you’re jogging, as it casts the perfect reflection—plus, it houses several beautiful lilies!
There’s also a playground on the premises where your kids can run wild while being surrounded by the beautiful sounds of nature. Lastly, what’s great is that it’s complete with amenities like benches and comfort rooms, allowing for a more accessible experience.
Pro tip:
If you grow hungry after your day in the park, you can head to the nearby Taman Gelora Food Court to replenish your energy with cheap and delicious food!
Go on a fun adventure at Cherating
— Media credit: gszemean
Address: Kampung Cherating
Kampung Cherating is one of the best places to check out in Kuantan if you’re looking for endless opportunities for fun activities. For instance, you can try your hand at surfing if you’re tired of the same old swimming routine thanks to the beautiful waves of the beach!
Also, since the beach features a wide strip of sand, you can also ride through its terrains by driving one of the super-fast ATVs offered at the beach! Or if you’re looking for something more laid back, you can fly bright and colourful kites with your kids.
Furthermore, you can opt for different types of boat tours that will take you to various parts of the beach and its surrounding areas. One of our favourites is the fireflies tour, which is the closest thing we could get to a fairytale-like scene from the movies!
Pro tip:
If you’re looking for something to bring home after your trip to the beach, we recommend enrolling in Limbong Art’s classes. Here, you can try your hand at creating batik, which is one of the most famous textiles/art forms in Malaysia.
Be in awe of Sungai Pandan Waterfall
— Media credit: placesmalaysia
Address: Air Terjun Sungai Pandan
Contact details: +60 16-922 4777
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Rates:
- Locals:
- Kids: RM1
- Adults: RM2
- Foreigners:
- Kids: RM3
- Adults: RM5
Sungai Pandan is one of the most majestic waterfalls you’ll find in Malaysia, boasting a total height of over 100m. Its multi-tiered nature allows the water to flow down gracefully, creating a mystical white mist as it hits the different levels of the rocks.
It’s more than just a spectacle too, as visitors can enjoy swimming in its naturally formed pool to cool down after hiking. The pool itself is child-friendly thanks to its shallow nature and fish residents but if you really want to meet some new scaly friends, you can head to the fish spa.
Lastly, Sungai Pandan is one of the best places to eat in Kuantan as a whole, as you can pack your food and arrange your picnic near the waterfalls. Alternatively, you can prepare your food in the vicinity itself, as there are various barbeque grills available for rent.
Pro tip:
You can head to the suspension bridge located next to Sungai Pandan if you want to get a better look at the elegance of the waterfall.
Explore the wonders of Taman Negara National Park
— Media credit: taman.negara
Address: Pahang
Operating hours: Open 24 hours
Rates:
- RM1 per person
- RM5 per camera permit
Taman Negara National Park should be on your itinerary if you’re looking for exciting adventures during your trip to Kuantan. It’s one of the oldest rainforests in the world, dating back to over 130 million years ago and it’s been perfectly preserved since then!
Thanks to its preservation, visitors can enjoy spotting different types of wildlife, including some exotic birds and insects. If you want to see the best views of both the rainforest and its inhabitants, the best spot is the rope walkway, which is the longest in the world!
The national park also features various walking and hiking trails that you can conquer to satisfy your inner adventurer. Don’t worry though, as you’ll be treated to majestic views throughout your journey.
Pro tip:
Make sure to stop by the Orang Asli villages in the national park! You’ll be amazed at how they go through their everyday lives and do different activities such as blowing darts.
Admire the architecture of Masjid Sultan Ahmad Shah
— Media credit: encik_adang
Address: Jalan Mahkota, Kompleks Pentadbiran Kerajaan Negeri Pahang
Contact details: +60 9-516 5818
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Friday: 5:30 AM to 11:00 PM
- Saturday: 5:30 AM to 10:30 PM
Masjid Sultan Ahmad Shah is one of the most magnificent places of worship in Malaysia and it’s among the most well-known structures in Kuantan. For starters, it features a bright blue and white colour motif that’s instantly recognisable from afar.
As for the architectural style itself, you’ll find Ottoman-Moorish Islamic influences, from the huge dome to the beautiful arches found throughout the sacred building. Another notable aspect of its exterior is its four minarets.
But, the interior is just as magnificent, featuring a massive hall that’s decorated elegantly with beautiful carvings and simple colour schemes. Also, this hall is so huge that it can house over 8,000 people!
Pro tip:
If you’re planning on commuting, the best thing to do is to ride the bus and drop off at the Masjid Negeri Pahang bus stop. However, we do recommend renting a car since the mosque features more than ample parking space.
Take a lovely stroll along Taman Esplanade Kuantan
— Media credit: azim_taufik
Address: Jalan Tanah Putih
Contact details: +60 19-631 0521
Operating hours: Open 24 hours
Taman Esplanade is one of those places you can go to if you want to unwind and enjoy a cold breeze during a leisurely stroll. It’s a public park that features the best seats in the house for admiring the ever-so-beautiful Kuantan River.
Furthermore, it also houses a playground complete with swings, slides and everything that your kids are guaranteed to enjoy. Meanwhile, adults can catch their breaths on one of the park’s benches while enjoying the beautiful panoramic views.
Pro tip:
If you want to get around the park in style, we recommend renting an e-scooter from the nearby Beam E-Scooter.