Pahang is synonymous with lush jungles, home to Taman Negara National Park in the north—the world's oldest rainforest, dating back 130 million years. Endless canopies are punctuated by traditional kampung houses on stilts. Ideal for eco-adventurers. Just 20 km from Kuantan, the capital, Sungai Pandan Waterfalls deliver a refreshing natural spa. Families picnic and dive here, climbing winding paths and suspension bridges to a tranquil plateau pool for serene swims.
KLIA Ekspres train zips you from the airport to the city center in 30 minutes (www.kliaekspres.com). Visit on arrival or departure: Petronas Twin Towers (452m, 88 floors, once world's tallest) boast luxury shopping. Dive into vibrant Chinatown and Little India—honking streets, sizzling snacks, teeming energy. Hop-On Hop-Off bus hits essentials (Petronas, Golden Triangle, Chinatown, Central Market). Day tickets at stations.
Chinese, Indian, Malaysian delights abound. Essentials: 1/ Satay—charcoal-grilled meat skewers (chicken, beef, mutton) in spicy peanut sauce, street or restaurant staple; 2/ Nasi lemak—coconut rice in banana leaf; 3/ Nasi goreng—fried rice with meats and veggies. Dessert: Durian, the "king of fruits." Potent aroma (hotel-banned), but creamy, custard-like taste surprises.
Backpacker haven Cherating, 40 km north of Kuantan, launched Asia's first Club Med in the 1970s. Now the group's eco-village flagship—Ecolabel and Bronze Green Globe certified. Stilt bungalows nestle in 80-hectare forest like a kampung. Lounge on 5 km pristine beach (no loungers for turtle nesting—wake-up calls available). Mind the macaques; secure belongings!
Snap up batiks, pandanus weaves (placemats, baskets), mini blowpipes, palm sugar cylinders. Best at Kemaman Market (30-min bus from Cherating Beach), Kuantan, or KL Central Market.
- Paris-Kuantan via Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Airlines: 0 892 35 08 10, www.malaysiaairlines.com.
- Info: Malaysia Tourist Office, 29 rue des Pyramides, Paris 1er. 01 42 97 41 71, www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my.
