The city’s charms are quite basic - it is an interesting blend of pre and post colonial Malaysia with stately buildings brushing shoulders with high rises, contemporary complexes sharing space with temples and mosques in the classic mode.

Its most interesting facet is its personality- Malaysia in a microcosm, reflected in the in religious buildings of a multiethnic population and manifest in the cultural diversity of cuisine, clothes, festivals, crafts and customs. Malay Muslims, Chinese Buddhists, Indian Hindus, European Christians found their way to Kuantan many decades ago - they came in search of livelihood and to share in the region’s lucrative trade. Some left but most stayed behind bound together by harmonious inter-community and inter-racial relations.

Kuantan lays little claim to tourist attractions within the city except for busy streets, the hustle bustle of market places, the activities at the waterfront and a few interesting buildings. The most prominent landmark in Kuantan is undoubtedly the State Mosque with its distinctive dome and minarets. A walk down Jalan Besar will open to visitors a veritable Pandora’s box of the smells, sounds and tastes of Malaysia. Hindu temples on Jalan Tanah Puteh and the Buddhist temples on Jalan Bukit Ubi and Jalan Bukit Setongkol showcase the two communities culture, religious practises and festivals.

Kuantan by night is another story altogether. Busy streets are transformed into a fairyland with twinkling lights and a festive ambience - vendors sell everything from local crafts to magic potions and herbal remedies, mouth watering aromas of spicy food cooked on open fires tantalises taste buds and the joie de vivre of chattering crowds come together to create a completely sensual experience.

But what Kuantan really has to offer visitors lies a few miles away - some of the finest beaches in the state of Pahang, off shore islands, caves and waterfalls, fishing villages and a picturesque lake district. The well-developed beach resort at Chempedak lies barely 5km away from Kuantan. It has a couple of top-notch hotels, plenty of facilities for water sports, a good beach and the Teluk Chempedak Forest Reserve for treks and a glimpse of real tropical jungle wilderness.

The Sungai Pandan Cave and Waterfalls (25km) spread across some 11 hectares of parkland is a popular spot for daytrips. The cave houses a Buddhist temple while close by are eight cascades/rapids that descend into pools perfect for swimming.

Balok beach (15km) comes with miles of white sand, deep blue waters of the South China Sea, windbreakers of swaying casuarinas and perfect conditions for windsurfers. An hour or less of driving time to the north of Kuantan past little fishing villages, handicraft factories and black rock beaches brings visitors to Cherating Village (42km). Cherating is one of the most popular beaches on the east coast of Malaysia and has been built up as a major tourist destination complete with beachside huts, restaurants and facilities for windsurfing. Visitors can wander around the local crafts shops, buy batik or mengkuang and watch performances of ‘Wayang Kulit’ and ‘Silat’, the ancient Malay martial art of self-defence. A mile or so away from Cherating is the famous nesting ground of green turtles and giant leatherbacks at Chendor Beach. For turtles, peak season is anytime between July and September when they travel ashore to lay eggs.

The charming little hamlet of Beserah is a village of fisher folk - and can be smelt well before arrival! Salted fish lie drying on mats while the pungent odour of the village speciality, ‘belacan’ (dry shrimp paste), an essential ingredient of the regional cuisine hangs heavy in the air. Its quaintness is enhanced by the sight of sturdy water buffaloes pulling carts loaded with the day’s catch, which then becomes the responsibility of the women.

The offshore islands of Pulau Tioman, Pulau Kapas and Pulau Perhentian are some of the beauties that dot the beautiful east coast of Malaysia - an idyllic place of sunny skies, clear waters, coral reefs and beautiful beaches tailor made for R&R, diving and snorkelling. Kuala Rompin is the gateway to Tioman, long considered the jewel of the South China Sea. Local mythology tells the story of a dragon princess on her way to China, who was so entranced by the beauty of the area that she opted to stay behind. She transformed herself into the beautiful island of Tioman, offering shelter and succour to weary seafarers.

The most remarkable of all the sights to see in and around Kuantan is the region around Lake Chini (62km). Tasik Chini is the second biggest natural water body in Malaysia and consists of a series of 12 smaller lakes around which live the indigenous Orang Asli tribes. Another lovely old tale identifies the lake as the home of a dragon, guardian of the lost Khmer city of gold. A trip to the lake includes a sampan ride down the Chini River as it winds its way past thick stands of rainforests and native Malay settlements. Visitors to the area can arrange to stay at the Orang Asli village of Kampung Gumum or at one of the more conventional tourist residential complexes that come with restaurants, chalets and campsites.

The Gua Charas caves are natural formations in a limestone outcrop 25km from Kuantan. These caves were used by Buddhists as temples thousands of years ago and still contain artefacts and statues of Thai origin. One of the caves biggest attractions is a large statue of the Buddha in repose. The caves are tended over by monks who spend their lives in solitude, rarely leaving the premises. Visitors can take either a cab or a bus for the village of Panching from the main station in Kuantan - it is a hot and dusty 4km hike to the cave site from the village.

Getting There: Kuantan is connected by Malaysian Airlines to Kuala Lumpur (45 minutes) and Singapore (1hour). If travelling by road, then Kuantan is around 277km from Kuala Lumpur on the Karak Highway and 325km from Johor Bahru/Singapore.

When to Go: Malaysia is hot and humid all year round as befitting an equatorial country, so plenty of heat and sweat is on the cards whatever the season. For travellers to Kuantan and the Malaysian east coast, the one season that is best avoided is the rainy season between November and January.

Accommodation: Kuantan has plenty of quality accommodation for visitors - even the medium priced range of hotels is comfortable and clean. There are quite a few excellent hotels in the heart of the city but most tourists prefer the charms of seaside accommodation - and there are plenty of those to pick and choose from. Resort complexes with traditional Malay style architecture, beach huts, villas and sea facing rooms attract the maximum numbers of visitors.

Dining & Entertainment: Kuantan is a diner’s delight offering a truly gastronomic experience. Local cuisine is Pan-Malaysian - Malay, Chinese, Indian or Nonya (Strait Chinese) and can be savoured at the many restaurants and food stalls in the city, at the multicuisine restaurants in hotels or from hawkers who peddle their ware on the streets. All time favourites with locals and visitors are the endless variety of dim sums, noodles, laksa, roti canai, satay, nasi lemak and rice dishes cooked with an assortment of vegetables, seafood or chicken.

For those who want a change from Asian food, French, Italian, Mexican cuisines and American fast food is as easily available as local food. Popular drinks include fresh fruit juices, aerated drinks, iced lemon tea, teh tarik (hot tea) and beers, brewed locally or imported. Pubs, discos, karaoke lounges, cinema houses, cineplexes and an enormous indoor amusement park are just some choices for an entertaining day/evening out.  Cultural highlights would include live performances of local music, dances and the Malay martial art form, Silat.

For detailed country and visitor information, see Malaysia.