Situated at the mouth of the Pahang River, the royal town of Pekan is home to the Pahang Sultanate with its majestic palaces, mosques and mausoleum. Pekan has been a strategic port for goods imported from the region and products exported from the interior. The Abu Bakar Bridge extends over the river near the town centre to provide a link for north-south traffic. Before Kuantan, Pekan was the Pahang capital after Kuala Lipis. Now, it is known as Auto City for its vehicle assembly plants and related infrastructure. Two-storeyed shoplots dating to the 1950s line the town’s riverfront. Each layer of paint offers a tale from Pekan’s colourful past. The walls of some of these buildings and adjoining alleyways are decorated with artistic murals. Pekan’s Heritage Route weaves through the town centre, along the riverfront and esplanade. Pekan’s heritage precinct includes an impressive mosque, Royal Mausoleum and Sultan Abu Bakar Museum. Displays are dedicated to the royal family, natural history, tin mining and ceramics. Nearby, the setting changes to village life with traditional houses, gardens and a relaxed ambiance.
Here, the Istana Abu Bakar Royal Residence adjoins the Roya Sports Field including the Royal Pahang Polo Club. Istana Mangga Tunggal is a modest wooden building located opposite of the Chief’s Rest House. The Royal Pahang Silk Weaving Centre and Museum that is located at Pulau Keladi is also known as the birthplace of our 2nd Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak. Accommodation options range from the deluxe AnCasa Royale Pekan overlooking the river to welcoming homestays. Inderapura Lake Resort is located beside a lake to the north of the town. The Chief’s Rest House, built in 1929, with its open-sided verandahs appeals to those who love heritage and nostalgia. Local hospitality is also available at suburban residences like Homestay Pinggiran Polo.
The locals are proud of the specialty dishes served in Pekan’s restaurants. Puding Raja (Royal Pudding), a favourite of Pahang royalty, is a combination of fried bananas, custard, dried fruits and egg floss. Other popular dishes include ikan bakar, nasi dagang ubai, durian cendol and murtabak. Murtabak Mengkasar Haji Din has a reputation that surpasses its modest roadside setting. Sumpit-Sumpit Restaurant offers a rustic setting perched over the ponds, in which, the fishes can swim freely. Its special dishes include ikan bakar pepes petai and nasi ayam bakar kicap expertly grilled over charcoal. Elsewhere, nasi dagang ubai is a well-loved rice dish, with the shoplot at Ubai Perdana has been specialised in this since 1958. Further afield, Tasik Chini is a significant wetland with economic, cultural and ecological value for the Jakun Orang Asli who live around the lake and fish its waters. Visitors can rent a boat to explore Malaysia’s second largest freshwater lake. Tasik Chini comprises a total of 12 lakes and flooded forests.
It is famous for its lotus and lily flowers and the pandanus-lined foreshore. Activities include hiking to the summit of Bukit Chini, fishing, birdwatching, photography and boating. Legend has it that the lakes are home to a mythical serpent, Naga Seri Gumum and possibly an ancient Khmer village. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia conducts fieldwork and research here at the Tasik Chini Research Centre. Visitors arrive by boat from Kampung Belimbing across the Pahang River and then via a lock that ‘raises’ the boat into Sungai Chini. Acacia royal honey is harvested from the forests around the village. A chalet and campsite located at the Tourism Complex Lake Chini in Mukim Penyor is a base for adventurous activities including a rope course, abseiling, jungle trekking, off-roading and a flying fox. Pekan is located 46 km south of Kuantan, 276 km from Kuala Lumpur and 296 km from Singapore. Tasik Chini is located 50 km west of Pekan.
