Pahang straddles a thick mountain range that forms Peninsular Malaysia’s backbone. The country’s third-largest state is home to some of its best off-the-beaten-track attractions, and tourism remains its principal income generator.
From the grand jungles of the Taman Negara National Park and the lotus-filled Tasik Chini (Chini Lake) to the near-pristine beaches of Pulau Tioman and the surf haven of Cherating, Pahang’s tourism starlets are perfect for outdoor activities. Just three hours from Kuala Lumpur, the state capital is Kuantan – a major stop on most bus routes that head north, south, or across the peninsula. Here you’ll find beaches, jungles, and indigenous tribes instead of having to face the crowds at Malaysia’s more popular and well-known destinations.
Malaysia is blessed to have so many beautiful jungles and lush rainforests, and we’re lucky that a handful of them are still alive and thriving. Pahang is the best place for a retreat, surrounded by verdant trees and colourful flora.
Check out these top 5 nature resorts for your next getaway to Pahang
Sailor’s Rest Resort
Sailor’s Rest offers several room type options such as bungalows, chalets, and actual tents, but we’d opt to stay in the boathouse for the novelty of it.
Great for a team-building excursion, there’s a conference hall, field (dubbed by the retreat staff as a “playground”), and 10 unexpectedly stylish public toilets fitted with rain showers.
Casabrina Vacation Villas
We can’t see why anyone would want to leave this gorgeous place, but if you’re looking for other things to do, you’re spoiled for choice.
The retreat staff can arrange for you to participate in white water rafting, Rafflesia jungle trekking, an elephant and deer sanctuary tour, a waterfall picnic, a Kuala Lipis heritage tour, a Melaleuca spa session, golf, and even paintball sessions.
Tanah Aina Farrah Soraya Eco Tourism Resort
Being close to three waterfalls, the last 10-minute journey leading up to the resort is only accessible by 4×4 vehicles, provided and included in the room rates.
The space is large, housing 21 chalets and dorms, which can accommodate a whopping 185 people. Time to plan that company-wide team bonding trip, maybe?
Enderong Resort At Tanarimba, Janda Baik
For larger group getaways such as company team-building trips, Endarong is the perfect choice, thanks to the availability of an annex hall to host your functions! Located next to a nature trail, you can refresh yourself with a morning walk to the forest nearby, next to the mountain stream the highland nature retreat is named after: Sungei Enderong.
However, if you prefer a more intense workout, Enderong Resort offers guided jungle trekking tours, which is an excellent way to experience nature at its finest! Want to channel your inner Legolas or Katniss Everdeen?
Eight Acrest At Raub
Eight Acres offer 5 types of housings, and each housing is designed to accommodate different volumes of guests, ranging from groups of 5 to 28 people. The resort has enough space for guests to participate in high-intensity activities, such as ATV riding!
Stay a night and take a 4WD (four-wheel drive) to Lata Berembun Waterfall – one of the most famous tourist spots located in Pahang! At Eight Acres, you can also try your hand at picking fresh fruits and vegetables that are specially grown in their garden – eating fruits and vegetables that you’ve picked yourself is definitely much more satisfying. Animal lovers, there are also animals roaming around freely on the resort, such as ducks and even a pony!
Now that you have found the perfect nature getaway, time to get the perfect food!
Pahang boasts of an unending variety of delicacies. Malay, Chinese and Indian food will never fail to stimulate the taste buds and arouse the adventurer in you.
Gulai tempoyak ikan patin
Malay cuisine features a lot of seafood, with patin fish at the forefront.
One of the most famous dishes in Pahang, gulai tempoyak ikan patin consists of juicy, tender patin fish cooked in curry made of tempoyak (fermented durian).
Paceri nanas
Paceri nanas is a traditional dish among Pahang Malays, and is typically served in Malay weddings, festive occasions as well as formal functions.The sweet dish is usually taken with plain white rice or rice dishes such as nasi tomato, nasi kebuli, or nasi briyani as well as chicken or beef rendang.
Puding DiRaja
Originating from the royal seat of Pekan, Puding DiRaja (Royal Pudding) was said to ahve once been reserved only for royalty.Best enjoyed cold, the pudding consists of bananas, prunes, cherries, and cashew nuts which are then dressed with jala mas, golden thread made from duck egg yolks and sugar).
Cendol air putih
Aside from soft, fluffy shaved ice topped with green cendol strands, red beans, coconut milk, and palm sugar.You can also choose to add red beans, glutinous rice, and even savoury pulut ikan (grilled glutinous rice with mashed fish filling), which is unique to the state.
Nasi kebuli
Considered a heritage dish of the Kuala Lipis district.
Nasi kebuli is made of rice cooked with coconut oil mixed with chicken (sometimes substituted with lamb or mutton), raisins, olives, clovers, olives, and lemongrass to give it an aromatic smell.
Feeling excited yet about Pahang?