Pahang is the largest state in Peninsular Malaysia and has extensive tourism assets including a national park, the highest mountain of the peninsula (Tahan Mountain), beautiful islands, seaside resorts and beautiful beaches.
Those who are familiar with Pahang, also known as "Mansion of Tranquility", may have already visited its many popular tourist sites such as Genting Highlands, Tioman Island and Pahang National Park. However, there is a little-known town on the edge of the great Pahang River that also deserves special mention (and further exploration).
Pekan was the command center and capital of Pahang at the end of the 19th century. Today, it is known as a royal city and the sultanate of Pahang. Visitors will certainly feel in a peaceful atmosphere and can even enjoy royal "treatments"!
Begin a royal visit to Pekan with the following suggestions:
Puding DiRaja
Nothing better to start your explorations of this royal city than with a royal dessert! Puding DiRaja or Royal Pudding was created and served at the royal house of Pahang. This treatment was so popular that it is now available even in Kuala Lumpur and perhaps in other parts of Malaysia, although the best remains to be done here in Pekan.
So what exactly? It is a mixture of bananas, prunes, candied cherries, cashews and so-called jala emas (thin yams of egg yolk prepared in syrup) and served with a milky cream poured over it. It is a complete dessert that awakens all the senses of your taste buds - there is the crunch of nuts, the sweetness of the different fruits, the slight acidity of the prunes, the light texture of the yolks yarn and the creamy liquid creamy that slides on your throat.
Of course, Pekan is also known for its mouth-watering delights. If you have a chance - and there is still room in your belly - dig in the Makassar Murtabak, which will also please royalty and local politicians! In fact, they say that you simply cannot leave Pekan without having tasted the Makassar Murtabak.
It is essentially a type of tasty pancake made from layers of ground beef or chicken, a unique blend of spices, pastries and eggs. Better eaten dipped in pickled onions! It seems delicious to us!
Royal Pahang Silk Weaving Centre
If you have a soft spot for fabrics, then you must acquire Pahang silk as part of your collection! It is a collector's item and would be a wonderful heritage to pass from one generation to the next.
Pekan is home to kain tenun, and in fact some of the best woven fabrics in this region come from this great silk weaving center. His know-how is so refined that he has already been named exclusive manufacturer of Pahang royal garments. A small detail here: Pahang silk was the favorite fabric of the king and queen at their coronation ceremony in 2020!
Today, the center is a privileged place to discover the history of Pahang's woven silk, attend a live demonstration of silk weaving and even buy the fabric for yourself.
Sultan Abdullah Mosque Museum
A trip to Pekan can be very informative. Just visit the museum of Sultan Abdullah Mosque and you will be completely enlightened!
The Sultan Abdullah Mosque was built in 1929 and was the gathering place of the locals for their Friday prayers. It remained the main meeting place for religious services until 1976, when a new mosque was built to serve the community.
Subsequently, the Sultan Abdullah Mosque was abandoned for some time until recently, after having undergone a major reconstruction work lasting three years to become the first museum transformed into a mosque of the country.
Visitors to the mosque museum will be able to learn about Islamic history and art through unique exhibitions on the Islamic world, complemented by state-of-the-art touch screens and interesting stories of artifacts on display. The graceful arches, the majestic domes and minarets and the all-white architecture give the mosque a very beautiful appearance, almost a mini Taj Mahal in the small Pekan!
Sultan Abu Bakar Museum
If you think that museums are bulky places filled with dusty exhibitions, then this museum will make you change your mind! With all the wonderful artifacts and creative presentation of all the exhibits, we did not feel like we were in a museum. On the contrary, we certainly had the impression of being in a well-organized art gallery with a great narrative of our history!
The museum of Pekan, Sultan Abu Bakar, was in turn a residence of officers of the British government, before becoming an barracks of the army, a palace and finally a museum.
The museum complex is home to five galleries: the Keris Gallery; History of Pahang and the Malaysian Sultanate Gallery; The Islamic Art Gallery; The ceramic gallery; and the archeology gallery. Depending on your interest, you will be able to admire weapons such as the Sundang (a double-edged Bugis sword) or Sikin (short-limbed keris), take a closer look at porcelain and ceramics from China and Japan, or dive into the Age of metal flipping through tools, artifacts and skeletal remains.
The entire museum has been designed to offer an immersive experience with a selection of unique objects, insightful storytelling, thoughtful presentation and touch-screen billboards. Even the front yard has been transformed into a kind of art gallery with sculptures of horses, elephants and other animals on the grass.
Black Water Jewel
The mountains and jungle of Pahang are very popular tourist attractions. However, many may not know that Pahang also has beautiful bog forest rich in biodiversity, covering more than 160,000 hectares! It is home to 53 species of mammals and more than 200 birds, including eight species of hornbills.
One of the most noteworthy peat swamp forests is in Pekan, where the Bebar River is located. It is protected as a conservation area, but has recently been promoted as a tourist attraction. It is called Black Water Jewel because of its brown or black waters - a natural color caused by the high content of organic matter - and because it is the habitat of many animals.
Bird watching and river kayaking are recommended for exploring the natural beauty, flora and fauna of the river. A three-hour cruise can be organized from Runchang to Nenasi to Pekan. Throughout the trip, tourists have the chance to see unique animals, including the fully protected small claw eastern otter and the dark-leafed monkeys. A visit to Orang Asli Village can also be arranged.
Meow Island
If you are a cat lover, you will enjoy a visit to Pulau Kucing, affectionately known as the island of Meow by the locals. It is a private sanctuary for cats, also known as Dato 'Shamsiah Cat Shelter Park.
There are more than 60 rescued cats, ducks, geese, goats and dogs as well, who wander freely and lead a comfortable life, thanks to the care provided by the owners and occasional volunteers. Over the years, volunteers have built colorful and original cat shelters here, and helped look after sick animals, feed them and beautify the landscape - all with the goal of providing a safe haven to these felines.
The shelter also receives support from the Pahang Veterinary Service, which conducts monthly checkups on feline residents of the island.
Here, you can pet and play with animals, or volunteer to clean; build and repair cat shelters, or donate if you feel like it.
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