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| SPOTLIGHT | | Tropical
beaches and jungle, Wildlife, natural heritage and sun-kissed islands. |
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| Malaysia Most Beautiful Beaches |
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Air Batang Beautiful Beaches
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The east coast state of Pahang is the largest in
Peninsula Malaysia and is perhaps nature's gift to the country. It has so much
to offer the visitor and is usually the most sought after holiday destination
by both locals and foreigners. Exotic flora and fauna are an intrinsic part of
the wild life and there is unspoiled beauty throughout the state. Rich varied
scenery and landscape leave visitors thoroughly enchanted with the magnificent
gifts nature has bestowed on this tropical paradise. From pristine waterfalls
to invigorating mountains, palm-fringed beaches to refreshing jungles, Pahang
is a rendezvous with diversity and contrast.
Apart from its attractions,
Pahang is also rich in natural resources with two-thirds of the state covered
by tropical forests. Palm oil, rubber, and cocoa are cultivated extensively in
large land development schemes. Manufacturing has also provided additional income
to the state.
Pahang is the largest state in Peninsular
Malaysia and is situated in the eastern coastal region. The state's 35,964 sq.
km encompasses a remarkable range of Malaysia's many different environments, from
the majestic peaks and cool hill regions of the state's western region to the
miles of soft sand beach along the South China Sea. Pahang's nearly one million
people constitute a representative mix of Malaysia's three main ethnic communities--
Malay, Chinese, and Indian.
Quick Facts
Pahang is the largest State in the Peninsular Malaysia. The State is bounded on
the north by Kelantan and Terengganu, the east by the South China Sea, the south
by Johor and Negeri Sembilan and the west by Selangor and Perak. Spanning north
to south of the state is the Titiwangsa mountain range that also forms a natural
divider between the Peninsula's east and west regions. Pahang's highest point
is Gunung Tahan (2,187 m), which is also Peninsular Malaysia's highest peak.
Climate
On the whole, Pahang's climate is
tropical monsoon. The temperature is relatively uniform within the range of 21°C
to 32°C throughout the year. During the months of January to April, the weather
is generally dry and warm. Humidity is consistently high on the lowlands ranging
between 82% to 86% per annum. The average rainfall per year is 2,032 mm to 2,540
mm and the wettest months are from May to December.
How to Reach
By Air
Penang is easily accessible by air with daily flights from major
capitals of the region. It has direct links with Singapore, Bangkok, Nagoya, Medan,
Xiamen (China) and Madras, operated by Malaysia Airlines. The airlines also operates
more than 20 flights daily between Kuala Lumpur and Penang. The Penang International
Airport is about 20 km from the city center. Taxis plying the route follow the
coupon system by which fixed fares are charged between the airport and various
destinations in Penang. Limousines charge higher fares. The Penang Yellow Bus
Co. operates an hourly service between the Airport and Weld Quay in the city between
6.00am to 10.00pm daily (Bus No. 83).
By Road
Penang Island
is accessible by road via the Penang Bridge. A charge of RM7.00 is levied on all
classes of cars using the bridge at the toll plaza in Prai on the mainland. No
payment is required for the return trip form the island to the mainland.
By Ferry
From Butterworth, it is necessary to take the ferry to
Penang Island. Operated by the Penang Port Commission, the ferry service is available
around the clock for both passengers and vehicles. Fares for passengers and vehicle
charges are collected at the Butterworth terminal. No payment is required for
the return journey.
By Rail
The train journey from Kuala
Lumpur to Butterworth takes approximately 6 hours and affords the opportunity
to view the scenic countryside of Peninsular Malaysia. Comfortable air-conditioned
coaches are available for first and second class passengers. Malayan Railway or
Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) also operates regular services to Alor Setar,
Padang Besar, Haadyai and Bangkok from Butterworth. For enquiries regarding train
services or fares, contact the KTMB offices at Port Weld in Penang | |
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Top Beaches |
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 Batu
Ferringhi |
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Batu Ferringhi, a thirty-minute
bus ride west of Georgetown on Transitlink #202 or Transitlink air-con #93 (but
not the standard #93), has a decent beach and several guesthouses, albeit filthy
sea. |
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| Teluk
Bahang |
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The beaches around this rocky
headland are better than the ones at Teluk Bahang itself, but since the big hotels
run boat trips out here, it's unlikely that you'll have them to yourself. |
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| Air Batang |
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A fifteen-minute trail
leads over the headland to the north, which - after an initial scramble - flattens
out into an easy walk, ending up at secluded Penuba Bay. From here, it's an hour's
walk to Monkey beach, beyond which is Salang. |
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| Juara |
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Juara is refreshingly
free from the buzz of speedboats and motorbikes, while its lovely wide sweep of
beach is far cleaner and less crowded than anywhere on the other side. The bay,
however, facing out to the open sea, is the most susceptible on the island to
bad weather. |
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| Mukut Beach |
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Mukut , a tiny fishing
village on the south coast, lies in the shadow of granite outcrops. Shrouded by
dense forest, and connected to the outside world by a solitary card phone, it's
a wonderfully peaceful and friendly spot to unwind, though be warned that this
is still a conservative place, unused to Western sunbathing habits. |
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| Salang Beach |
Salang is a
quieter option with a better beach, but there has been a lot of development recently
and the string of hostels stretches pretty much the whole length of the seafront;
prices tend to be a little higher than at Air Batang.
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| Pasir Bogak |
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Only a few of the chalets
front the beach itself; most line the road that continues north along the west
coast, but they're all reasonably close to the sea. |
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| Teluk Ketapang And Teluk Nipah |
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The
best beach at Teluk Nipah is Coral Bay - a perfect cove with crystal-clear sea
and smooth white sand. The bay is inaccessible by road and to reach it you have
to climb over the rocks at the northern end of Teluk Nipah (watch the tide). |
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| Nipah Beach |
| Comprising a clean, empty
beach of coarse, yellow sand and a landlocked lagoon, there's no village to speak
of here, but there is a Dive Centre and canoeing. |
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| Pantai Cenang Beach |
The bay forms
a large sweep of wide, white beach with crisp, sugary sand, but again the water
here won't win any prizes for cleanliness.
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| Tekek Beach |
| The sprawling
village of Tekek is the main settlement on the island and the least inspiring
part of Tioman.
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| Perhentian Besar Beach |
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stunning conglomeration of three beaches, separated from the main area of accommodation
by rocky outcrops and reached only by speedboat, it provides a secluded haven
between May and September for green and hawksbill turtles to come ashore and lay
their eggs. |
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| Perhentian Kecil Beach |
East-facing
Long Beach has been the target of most development on Kecil, not surprisingly,
since it boasts a wide stretch of white beach and good coral nearby.
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| Pantai Kok And Telaga Tujuh |
| Pantai
Kok lies on the far western stretch of Langkawi and is the best beach on the island,
a large sweep of powdery white sand with relatively clear and shallow water -
quieter and more secluded than Cenang and more intimate in feel. |
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