WELCOME TO PAHANG

ABOUT PAHANG

Pahang, with a land area of 35, 960 square kilometers is the largest state in Peninsula Malaysia. Nestled in the centre of the Peninsula, Pahang boasts some 210 kilometers of splendid South China Sea coastline on its eastern flank and a mountainous-forested interior.

Ancient Tropical Rain Forests estimated to be some 130 million years old dominate its hinterlands and the best place to discover its magic is none other than the Taman Negara or the National Park. Five of Malaysia’s major hill resorts are located in the state, namely Cameron Highlands, Genting Highlands, Fraser’s Hill, Bukit Tinggi and Janda Baik. So too is the highest peak in the Peninsula Malaysia, Gunung Tahan which stands at 2, 187 meters above the sea level.

Pahang has a population  of about 1.5 million. The majority are Malays, followed by Chinese, Indians and the Indigenous Peoples. These diverse groups provide a colorful background to the cultural mix and harmony that could be easily seen in their life.

Pahang offers you an adventure of a different indeed. The more adventurous would surely be spoilt for choice with activities ranging from bird watching to white water rafting and four-wheel drive adventure to big game fishing.

 

HISTORY OF PAHANG

Pahang’s name is believed to be derived from the ‘mahang’ tree according to a Malay legend. Other sources attribute it to traders from China who called it ‘Pang-Hang’, which slowly became Pahang in spelling and pronunciation. Pahang was ruled by the Srivijayan Empire in ancient times until its collapse in 1000. Pahang was then conquered by the Siamese and then Malacca in 1400.

After the downfall of Malacca, it became a central part of the territorial conflict between Acheh, Johor, the Portuguese, and the Dutch. Finally, in 1888, Pahang was conquered by the British before receiving independence with the rest of Malaysia in 1957. With a population of 1 million, Pahang is peaceful and unspoilt.

As a bulwark of natural conservation, visitors who truly love nature will adore the state for all its natural goodness.

 

ACCESSIBILITY

Malaysia is easily accessible from around the globe. The Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) serves more than 80 international, regional and domestic airlines, while Port Klang , just 41 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur, serves as the leading port of call for many cruise liners. Kuantan, the state capital of Pahang, is accessible by air from KLIA and almost all state capitals  in Malaysia. The completed East Coast highway cuts travel time by road from Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan by nearly a half hours, and traveling around the state by land is an ease, as a network of excellent roads connects all the major and small towns.

 

PEOPLE AND CULTURE

The Malays, Chinese, Indians and the Indigenous People that makes the 1.5 million people in Pahang are a perfect picture of diversity in harmony. Existing peacefully, each with their own colorful pomp and pageantry, they display a tolerance and understanding born out of mutual respect for each other. It thus provides unique harmony, which continues to astound many a visitor.

The many aspects of their cultures that have nicely blended can be found  in the language, beliefs, clothes, food, traditional games. It would be hard indeed to fully describe the many facets of Malaysian cultures, but even your brief encounter is sufficient to reveal some of the scintillating vibrancy of Malaysia’s rich and diverse heritage.