Kuantan

About

Officially founded in the 1850s, Kuantan is the largest city on Malaysia’s east coast but is still under the radar for most travellers. Since it doesn’t target tourists, Kuantan is a perfect place to immerse yourself in an authentic Malaysian metropolis. Enjoy the city’s mini zoo, situated on a promontory in the South China Sea, or feel the sand between your toes on one of the city’s beaches. You can even hop aboard a boat for a river tour. In the city center, visitors can admire Kuantan’s big, blue, state mosque (and even go inside outside of prayer times), which is surrounded by Colonial-era buildings. The Pehang Museum is housed in a fine colonial-era house, and showcases the state's history and art through a collection ranging from contemporary ceramics to an exhibition on Orang Asli, Malaysia's aboriginal people. And of course, as a major city, there’s plenty of great places to eat!