Pahang, the largest state on the Malaysian peninsula, covers a wide swath of land and coastline in the eastern part of the country. With the South China Sea on one side and vast inland forests and on the other, Pahang offers a broad spectrum of environments, cultures and activities.

The adventurous travellers who make their way to this relatively untrammelled part of Malaysia come for the long sandy beaches, offshore islands, colonial hill stations and virgin jungle waiting to be explored. Although outdoor activities make up the bulk of highlights in Pahang, there are also a few cultural attractions and a taste of urban life in the relaxed capital, Kuantan.

The diverse mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian and smaller indigenous cultures makes Pahang a surprisingly colourful destination. Each group of people has its own identity and customs, yet all coexist peacefully, creating a pleasant atmosphere where visitors are warmly welcomed. Malaysia’s rich tapestry of culture really shines through in Pahang, even in the British colonial hill stations in the Cameron Highlands, which have their own unique flavour.

One of the biggest draws to Pahang is the impressive Taman Negara National Park, Malaysia’s most popular national forest preserve on the peninsula. Visitors will find plenty of adventure in Taman Negara including trekking, river rafting, rock climbing and other challenging activities. With the help of a local guide, you can see the park.

Gunang Tahan, the highest mountain on the peninsula, is also here beckoning climbers and trekkers looking for extreme adventure. Another highlight of Pahang is its proximity to the idyllic tropical island of Pulau Tioman, arguably one of the most beautiful and underrated islands in Southeast Asia. A long list of excellent white sand beaches stretch along Pahang’s eastern coastline, offering quick access to the South China Sea and all the water sports that go with it.

The hub of Pahang’s urban life is found in its capital Kuantan, a small city with a relaxed tropical feel. Visitors can fly into Kuantan from Kuala Lumpur and a couple of other regional destinations and make their way around the sprawling state via bus or rental car.

Accommodation can be found in all of the developed areas of Pahang. Resorts and hotels are readily available along the beaches, at the colonial hill stations, and in most of the larger towns. Don’t expect too much in the way of modern amenities though; this sleepy undiscovered region of Malaysia is still in its youth.

Pahang has a long history of inhabitation stretching back to the Mesolithic era, when local hunter gatherer tribes lived in the region’s caves and mountains. These settlements grew over the millennia, evolving into the Semang aborigine tribe, which were the predecessors of the indigenous tribes which still live in the remote mountains of Pahang today.

Long before the founding of the peninsula’s powerful city of Melaka in 1400, the region was well-known for its abundant supplies of gold and tin along the Tembeling River. During its peak in the 8^th and 9^th centuries, the state of Pahang covered the entire southern half of the Malay peninsula under the rule of Srivijaya, a maritime empire based on trade. When this empire collapsed in 1000 AD, the Siamese were the first to move in and stake their claim, controlling Pahang until the rise of Melaka around the end of the 1400s.

The region’s history of colonisation continued with the arrival of the first Europeans in 1511, when Melaka was captured by the Portuguese. As the struggle for control over this part of Southeast Asia intensified during this era, Pahang suffered from continual invasion and occupation. The Portuguese, Dutch, Acheh and Johor powers all fought battles with each other for nearly 200 years until Portuguese and Achenese influence waned in the early 17^th century. This opened the door for the great Johor-Riau empire, based in Johor, to exert its control over Pahang without interference from the outside world.

But like all empires, the Johor-Riau state eventually collapsed, allowing a man named Bendahara Wan Ahmed to proclaim himself the Sultan of Pahang in 1882. Soon after, the British showed up on the scene. At first they simply appointed a British resident to interact with the sultan in 1888. But the British presence quickly evolved into imperialism, which at that time dominated much of South Asia.

The British didn’t completely subvert the Malay peninsula during their colonial occupation. This allowed the culture to continue to develop on its own terms, resulting in the wonderful blend of cultures which still coexist today. Pahang state suffered a final indignation in the 1900s, when the Japanese occupied Malaysia during WWII. After the Japanese were defeated in 1945, Pahang joined the Federation of Malaya, which went on to gain full independence in 1957.

Since that momentous day, Pahang has enjoyed a steady and stabile economy. Although mainly fuelled by agriculture and manufacturing, tourism has become an increasingly strong source of income for the state. As Malaysia continues its growth and popularity as a travel destination, the state of Pahang looks set to reap the benefits as more visitors arrive to explore the untapped mountainous interior and beautiful coastline.

Pahang enjoys the same temperate tropical climate as the rest of Malaysia, with two distinct seasons helping to break the monotony of its equatorial latitude. The monsoon season arrives each year around June, bringing short but heavy downpours to the region until October. This is not an ideal time for scuba diving excursions in the South China Sea, but the weather is actually much better than most visitors expect.

The seasonal rains turn Pahang into a lush green landscape, particularly the inland hill station areas. Thunderstorms are usually quick and refreshing, although they tend to linger towards the end of the monsoon. Sunshine quickly replaces clouds, though humidity levels are at their highest during the summer months.

Pahang’s average daily temperature hovers around a balmy 32°C throughout most of the year, meaning visitors rarely have to consider the cold unless trekking around the hill country or on Gunung Tahan mountain. The dry season from November to June is perhaps the best time to visit Pahang, when the skies are reliably blue and the rains very infrequent. As the seas calm, snorkelling and diving conditions become very good.

Most visitors arrive during this winter season, especially those from colder countries in search of warmer climes. Conditions never reach anything which resembles crowded, but for maximum seclusion consider a visit during May or October.