Pahang Travel Guide provides useful information for tourists and visitors planning a sightseeing trip there
Pahang is the largest state in Malaysia. It covers an area of 35,960 sq km. The name Pahang Darul Makmur means Pahang, the Land of Prosperity. Pahang faces the east coast, and has a population of about one million people.
One of the oldest rainforests in the world is located on the southern tip of Pahang, at the Endau Rompin State Park. Another stretch of primeval rainforest blankets the northern part of the state, where the first national park in Malaysia, the Taman Negara, covers a section of Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan.
Sungai Palas Tea Plantation, Cameron Highlands, Pahang.
The western portion of Pahang is dominated by the Main Range, or Banjaran Titiwangsa, and along this mountain range are several hillstations including Cameron Highlands, Fraser's Hill and Genting Highlands. All these are located in Pahang but are more easily accessible from the west-coast states of Perak and Selangor.
Pahang is certainly a haven for nature lovers. Those into hiking and jungle trekking will delight in the rainforest trails at Taman Negara. The indigenous inhabitants of the rainforest is the Orang Asli. It is possible to arrange visits to Orang Asli villages and get to know their lifestyle, and how they cope with increasing urbanization.
Pahang History
Archaeologiests have traced the existence of human habitation in Pahang as early as 3000-2000BC. Among the archaeological sites in Pahang are Kota Tongkat, Kota Gelanggi (near Jerantut); Gua Kecil (Raub); Gunung Senyum, Bukit Chintamanis (Karak); Sungai Lembing, Tersang (Kuala Lipis); Sungai Selinsing, Sungai Tui, Nyong, Teluk Lubuk Puai, Batu Pasir Garam, Bukit Jong and Kg. Pagi (the meeting point of Sungai Tembeling and Sungai Pahang). Most of the artifacts uncovered were stone tools made and used by mesolithic people.
Agricultural implements from the last stone age were also discovered by archaeologists at Sungai Lembing, Teluk Lubuk Puai and Bukit Jong (by Sungai Lipis). A fragment of an ancient bronze drum - called the Dong S'on Drum - was found at Kampung Batu Pasir Garam (by Sungai Tembeling). Dong S'on Drums were made in Indo-China and brought over from Funan in present day Vietnam/Cambodia to Ulu Tembeling sometime in the 3rd century.
The name Pahang was first mentioned by the Majapahit people, who referred to the Malay Peninsula as simply Pahang. Variations to this name, as documented in Chinese records, showed the land to be known as Pang-Hang Peng-Heng, Pang-Heng, Pong-Fong, Phe-Hang, Pang-Kang and others. Chinese historian in the 13th century mentioned Pahang as Peng-Keng. Arab and European traders referred to it as Pam, Pan, Phang, Paam, Poa, Paon, Phamm, Paham, Fanhan, Phang and Pahagh. There are several versions of how the state got its name. According to old Malay belief, the name probably had its source from the large mahang tree that fell across the Pahang river at Kampung Kembahang.
AsiaExplorers is researched and written by Timothy Tye. We take reasonable care to check and verify the accuracy of the content. However, we disclaim any responsibility for any inconvenience, mishap, injury or death resulting from following the advice provided directly or indirectly by AsiaExplorers and the comments on its pages. Photographs in AsiaExplorers may not be reused unless you first obtain permission. Click here for licensing terms to use the photographs. EarthDocumentary disclaim responsible for the use of information on this website. The author is a Christian. Click here if you are interested to know more about his Christian beliefs. To contact AsiaExplorers, use the following email address:
