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![Exploring Kuantan, Malaysia](thumbnails/kuantan.jpg)
Exploring Kuantan, Malaysia
Location: Kuantan (city), Pahang (state), Malaysia
Kuantan
Kuantan is hardly on the traveler's radar screen. People go to Penang, Cameron Highlands, Kuala Lumpur, Melacca...but Kuantan? Never heard. It's the closest small city from Gambang where I did my Vipassana meditation course, so I chose to explore it.
Tourism-wise, Kuantan has the wide river and the kilometer-long wide esplanade to promenade on. In the late afternoon when the sun isn't too harsh, it's an ideal place for an afternoon chill.
Kuantan also has beaches, known to be one of the finest in Malaysia. It has a free-admission mini-zoo. Everything else resembles every small city in Malaysia - malls, eating places, commerce. It's a complete city with everything you need right there - no need to go to Kuala Lumpur for anything basic.
Kuantan Backpackers
When the Guangzhou 5 left for China, I was on my own to get settled in Kuantan and discover the place. Fortunately for me, the owner of my lodging agreed to my business proposal. This meant free lodging for me for 13 days - from March 27 until April 13. I badly needed this break given my low funds. At least I know I won't be packing and unpacking depending on what cheap hostel is giving the best rate for the day - like it was for me in Singapore!
If not for its temperamental internet, Kuantan Backpackers is perfect - walk to bus terminal which gives me access at all points in Kuantan, a/c, cheap bed at MYR 30/night, common kitchen-fridge-recreational space, good water pressure, all-day toast/coffee/tea and central location (walk to malls, river, lots of eating places, etc.) and helpful staff.
Wani
I became friends with Wani, a Muslim lady, who used the common work area in the lodge as her office. It's my first to get a glimpse of what it's like in the muslim world. She was very helpful and friendly. She took me along to the bowling lanes, strolled the malls, eat out (with her being my interpreter), helped me with a Malaysian sim card, even cooked lunch for us. With her car, she even drops me off where I need to go. I'm one lucky dude!
![Exploring Kuantan, Malaysia](images/kuantan.jpg)
Exploring on Foot
I'd been walking around Kuantan on foot - perhaps a kilometer radius from my hostel, discovering Mamak eating places (Malay or Indian cheap eating places that's usually open the whole day) where I can have my staple, Roti Canai + teh tarik (MYR 3) or Chinese noodle soup eateries. There are lots to choose from.
3 Malls
Kuantan has 3 major malls, 2 of them offer cinema viewing with discounted MYR 9/movie on Wednesdays. Like most malls in Southeast Asia, they all look alike. I get to see a few new brands and outlet though that I haven't seen in the Philippines. When there is nothing else to do, there is the mall to stroll about.
Muslim Country
Because Malaysia is a Muslim country, the culture is steeped in Islamic tradition - clothing, food, behavior, architecture, etc. With the exception of Wani, I haven't really been interacting with the Muslim locals (largely because few can speak English), but this is as good a place as it gets to experience the real Muslim world - and not the packaged stereotype fed by US-sponsored media.
Challenges
Being in Malaysia presents challenges. Very few people speak or understand English. I would show a note in either Chinese or Malay to indicate I don't want chili or anything hot and spicy on my food. Still, I get served a spicy dish! It's like playing Russian roulette.
Ending Thoughts
Kuantan isn't exactly the place where tourists beat a path to. It has the feel of a settle-down and make-a-living kind of place - not exactly a charming destination where your senses are inundated by wonder. But it's river and the esplanade has a lot of potential. I somehow envision the esplanade to be lined-up with charming cafes with outdoor tables...and still leave the wide esplanade free for river promenaders. It can work!
As of this writing, I still have a couple of weeks left to discover the place. If I get lucky enough, Wani might show me the part of Kuantan hidden from most passing tourists.
--- TheLoneRider
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Next stop: Fitness in Kuantan
![Google Map](/images/google_maps.jpg)
Kuantan (city), Pahang (state), Malaysia
![important places in Kuantan](/images/icon/municipality.gif)
Terminal Sentral Kuantan - main bus terminal in Kuantan for trips to Kuala Lumpur and other provincial destinations. To get to Kuantan proper, take the Rapid Kuantan 303 bus to Hentian Bandar station.
Hentian Bandar bus terminal - the local Rapid Kuantan bus terminal for destinations within Kuantan (MYR2)
Stadium Darul Makmur - multi-purpose stadium with a capacity of 40,000 people used largely for football matches
Masjid Sultan Ahmad Shah - Pahang's state mosque, inspired by Ottoman-Moorish style architecture
![tourist attractions in Kuantan](/images/icon/travelinfo.gif)
Taman Esplanade (riverside park) - walking distance from Kuantan's main hub, 1 kilometer long, wide promenade, fishing, playground, fitness facilities
River Cruise - leisurely cruise along the Kuantan River
Mini Zoo Park Teruntum - free admission, near Teluk Cempedak
Teluk Cempedak (beach) - Kuantan's most popular beach, Rapid Kuantan #200
Global Max Trading (durian store) - durian during season starts at MYR15/k, Musang King at MYR55/k
Tanjung Lumpur - fishing village and seafood eating place
![hotels in Kuantan](/images/icon/hotel.gif)
Kuantan Backpackers - MYR 30/day, clean, wifi, a/c, central location, all-day toast/coffee, common kitchen/fridge, walk to bus terminal
No 39, 1st Floor, Jalan Tun Ismail, Kuantan City
![restaurant in Kuantan](/images/icon/restaurant.gif)
Hoi Yin Restaurant - Curry Noodles, No. 31, Jalan Teluk Cempedak, Kuantan
Operatings Hours: 7am-2pm (or until sold out), closed alternate MondaysKedai Kopi Ah Soon - Nasi Lemak | Lorong Kubang Buaya 21, off Jalan Kubang Buaya, Kuantan
Operating Hours: 7.30am-12pm (or until sold out), dailyNew Capital Chicken Rice Restaurant - Chicken Rice | 59, Jalan Bukit Ubi, Kuantan
Opening Hours: 8am-3pm, daily with unfixed closed daysTerminal Satay Zul - Sate | No. A 2600, Jalan Alor Akar, Kuantan
Operating Hours: 6pm-12.30am, closed alternate MondaysAlor Akar Seafood Restaurant - spicy sweet sour tilapia fish, herbal beggar chicken, spicy pineapple crabs, pork and fruits in yam cake and hot pot tofu, homemade sugarcane juice | Lot 7695 & 7696, Jalan Kubang Buaya, Kuantan
Operating Hours: 6pm-12am, dailyAna Ikan Bakar Petai 3 - Ikan Bakar | Kampung Tanjung Lumpur, Kuantan
Operating Hours: 5.30pm-12am, dailyRestoran Zaman - Nasi Lemak | Lot 1-3811, KM14 Jalan Gambang, Kuantan
Opening Times: 6am-2pm, dailyMustafa Cendol - Cendol and Rojak | Jalan Teluk Sisek, Kuantan (near the Shell gas station)
Operating Times: 11.30am-7pm, dailyPak Soh Corner - Keropok Lekor | Cherating Tanjung Tengah, Sungai Karang (Balok)
Operating Hours: About 12pm-6pm, dailyJess Cafe - Yong Tau Fu | No. A15, Jalan Seri Kuantan 80, Kuantan
Operating Hours: 9am-6pm, daily, closed MondaysGlobalmax Trading - durian | Jalan Dato Lim Hoe Lek, Taman Pacific, 25200 Kuantan
+60 10-933 1079Lai Yien - Mee Kari (fav of Lee Boon Tai) | Lorong Seri Kuantan 25
![meditation in Kuantan](/images/icon/yoga.gif)
Dhamma Malaya - Vipassana Meditation Centre
Travel Tips for Kuantan
Hentian Bandar Bus terminal
if you plan on using the local public bus, rapidKuantan, in exploring Kuantan, you'd be better off checking-in near the Hentian Bandar station. You get immediate access to all the buses plying the essential destinations in and around Kuantan.Kuantan Backpackers
and if you decide to stay near the Hentian Bandar station and you are a backpacker, I recommend Kuantan Backpackers. I stayed there almost 3 weeks. For the money (MYR 30/night), you get wifi, all-day bread/coffee/tea, a common kitchen where you can cook your meals, common fridge and recreation area, tv, computer, a/c in the dorm room, strong water pressure, adequate toilets/showers. It's also clean and walking distance to the malls and river.
How to get to Kuantan from Kuala Lumpur
- take the local train from KL to TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan)
- at TBS, go to the ticket counter (there are over 50 of them) and book a bus for Kuantan (3 hours, 40 mins/MYR ~24). You can also view the jumbotron for bus schedules, but the counter staff can advise you about bus schedule for Kuantan.
- you will be getting off at the main bus terminal in Kuantan, TSK (Terminal Sentral Kuantan). Take the local Rapid Kuantan 303 bus (to Hentian Bandar, MR 2.00) to get to the city proper
- Hentian Bandar station is the main local bus hub of Kuantan with buses taking you to essential destinations in Kuantan, MR 2.00
How to get to KLIA2 Airport from Kuantan
- go to Hentian Bandar bus terminal - Hentian Bandar station is also the main local bus terminal (303). Any local bus usually takes you to that station (MYR 2).
- Hentian Bandar bus terminal to TSK (Terminal Sentral Kuantan) - first trip is 6am and last trip from Hentian Bandar is 11pm (MYR 2, 20 mins). TSK is the provincial bus terminal in Kuantan.
- TSK (Terminal Sentral Kuantan) to TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan) - earliest trip from TSK is 12:30am but the next one is already 7:30am. TBS is one of the main bus terminals in Kuala Lumpur (MYR 24, 3 hours, 40 mins)
to purchase tickets online from TSK: BusOnlineTicket.com - TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan) to KLIA2 Airport - earliest bus leaves TBS at 3am (1 hour, MYR 12)
to purchase tickets online from TBS: https://eticketing.tbsbts.com.my
Malaysia Blogs
- Cool Climate of Cameron Highlands June 19-23, 2016
- Overnight in Kluang, Malaysia Aug 13-14, 2016
- Funky Flow Yoga with Lora Lorenzo at YogaOneThatIWant Studios July 27, 2016
- Deja Vu Kuala Lumpur with Karine July 21-26, 2016
- Layover in Kuala Lumpur June 22, 2016
- The Kuala Lumpur Experience Jan 21 - Feb 20, 2015
- Police Harassment in Kuala Lumpur Feb 17, 2015
- Visiting Batu Caves of Kuala Lumpur Feb 18, 2015
- Walking Tour of China Town Feb 5, 2015
- Breaking New Ground in Kuala Lumpur Jan 21, 2015
- Goodbye and Thank You Kuantan Apr 13, 2018
- Visiting the Masjid Sultan Ahmad Shah Mosque Apr 10, 2018
- Visiting the Pahang Art Museum Apr 3, 2018
- Beach Fun at Teluk Cempedak April 1, 2018
- Visiting the Kuantan Mini Zoo April 1, 2018
- High Intensity Interval Training Apr 1, 2018
- Fitness in Kuantan Mar 29, 2018
- Exploring Kuantan, Malaysia Mar 25-, 2018
- Hanging-Out in Kuantan with the Guangzhou 5 Mar 25-26, 2018
- Satipatthana Sutta Vipassana Mar 16-25, 2018
- The 24-Hr Trip from Loboc (Philippines) to Gambang (Malaysia) Mar 15-16, 2018
- A First-Timer in Malacca July 28-Aug 8, 2016
- Art Scene of Malacca August 6, 2016
- The River Charm of Malacca August 5, 2016
- About Malacca July 28, 2016
- Penang (Malaysia) Immersion May 27-Jun 19, 2016
- Exploring the Emergent Cafe Culture of Penang Jun 18, 2016
- Encounters with the Guru-Types of Penang Jun 17, 2016
- Overnight Camping at Turtle Beach Jun 10, 2016
- Yoga, Pranayama and Meditation in Penang Jun 10, 2016
- Daytrip to Batu Ferringhi Jun 9, 2016
- Savouring the Food of Penang May 27 - Jun 6, 2016
- Surreal Glow-in-the-Dark 3D World at Dark Mansion June 3, 2016
- The Animated Street Art of Penang Jun 3, 2016
- Exploring the Lush Greenery of Botanic Gardens May 29, 2016
- Up up and Away to Penang Hill May 28, 2016
- About Penang May 27, 2016
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