Kuantan facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids

Kuantan

Kontaeng

State capital city and district capital

City of Kuantan
Bandaraya Kuantan

Other transcription(s)

• Jawi

كوانتن

• Chinese

关丹 (Simplified)
關丹 (Traditional)
Guāndān (Hanyu Pinyin)

• Tamil

குவாந்தான்
Kuvāntāṉ (Transliteration)

From top, left to right:
The Kuantan 188 tower is located on the banks of Kuantan River, Downtown view, the Sultan Ahmad Shah State Mosque, the Kuantan City Council Building, the Kuantan Court Complex, Teluk Cempedak beach, and Kuantan Port

Seal

Kuantan

Location in Pahang

Kuantan

Location in Malaysia

Kuantan

Location in Southeast Asia

Kuantan

Location in Asia

Country

Malaysia

State

Pahang

District

Kuantan

Founded

1851

Establishment

1 August 1913

Administrative centre

27 August 1955

Municipality status

1 September 1979

City status

21 February 2021

Government

• Type

City council

• Body

Kuantan City Council

Area

• Total

324 km² (125 sq mi)

Elevation

21.95 m (72 ft)

Population

(2020)

• Total

548,014

• Density

1,691/km² (4,380/sq mi)

Demonym(s)

Kuantanese

Time zone

UTC+8 (MST)

• Summer (DST)

Not observed

Postcode

25xxx

Mean solar time

UTC+06:46:48

Kuantan City Council Majlis Bandaraya Kuantan مجليس بنداراي كوانتن‎

Type
Type	Local authority
History
Founded	21 February 2021
Preceded by	Kuantan Municipal Council
Leadership
Mayor	Hamdan Hussin
City secretary	Yusoff Husain
Meeting place

Menara MBK, Kompleks Bandaraya Kuantan, Jalan Tanah Putih, 25100 Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur.

Kuantan is a city and the capital of Pahang, a state in Malaysia. It is located near where the Kuantan River meets the sea. Kuantan is the 14th largest city in Malaysia. It is also the biggest city on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. In 2020, its population was about 548,014 people.

The main government offices for Pahang were moved to Kuantan on August 27, 1955. This was done by Sultan Abu Bakar Ri'ayatuddin Al Muadzam Shah. Kuantan officially became a city on February 21, 2021.

History of Kuantan

Early Beginnings of Kuantan

In the first century, Kuantan was part of the Chih-Tu empire. Later, in the 11th century, another small empire called Pheng-Kheng took over. The Siamese then ruled it in the 12th century. By the 15th century, Kuantan was part of the Malaccan Empire.

Kuantan was likely founded in the 1850s. It was first known as Kampung Teruntum. This means 'Lumnitzera Village'. The village was by the Teruntum River. Haji Senik and his followers started it in the 1850s. People there mostly fished and ran small businesses.

Growth and Important Events

In the late 1800s, Chinese miners and traders arrived. This led to the growth of Kuantan town. Tin mining areas like Gambang and Sungai Lembing also grew. Indian settlers came to work on rubber plantations.

A major historical event happened off Kuantan's coast. On December 10, 1941, two British warships, HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse, were sunk here.

Kuantan became a full city on February 21, 2021. This was announced by Sultan Abdullah of Pahang. Its town council was then renamed the Kuantan City Council (MBK).

Weather in Kuantan

Kuantan has a tropical rainforest climate. This means it's usually hot and humid. The city has two main seasons each year.

Dry and Rainy Seasons

The "Dry" and Hot season is not truly dry. It happens when winds from Sumatra are blocked by mountains. Temperatures can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius.

The Rainy season is from October to March. Strong winds from the northeast bring a lot of rain. It can get very cloudy, and sometimes floods happen. Areas near Sungai Lembing and the Kuantan River can be affected.

In 2006, Kuantan had bad air pollution. This was due to haze from Sumatra.

Climate data for Kuantan (1991–2020 normals)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	34.2 (93.6)	35.0 (95.0)	35.3 (95.5)	36.0 (96.8)	37.8 (100.0)	36.4 (97.5)	36.0 (96.8)	34.9 (94.8)	35.3 (95.5)	35.6 (96.1)	34.0 (93.2)	33.1 (91.6)	37.8 (100.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	29.8 (85.6)	31.0 (87.8)	32.1 (89.8)	33.1 (91.6)	33.5 (92.3)	33.1 (91.6)	32.8 (91.0)	32.9 (91.2)	32.7 (90.9)	32.3 (90.1)	30.9 (87.6)	29.7 (85.5)	32 (90)
Daily mean °C (°F)	25.6 (78.1)	26.2 (79.2)	27.0 (80.6)	27.7 (81.9)	28.0 (82.4)	27.7 (81.9)	27.4 (81.3)	27.3 (81.1)	27.2 (81.0)	26.9 (80.4)	26.2 (79.2)	25.6 (78.1)	26.9 (80.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	22.9 (73.2)	22.9 (73.2)	23.5 (74.3)	24.1 (75.4)	24.3 (75.7)	24.1 (75.4)	23.9 (75.0)	23.8 (74.8)	23.6 (74.5)	23.6 (74.5)	23.5 (74.3)	23.2 (73.8)	23.6 (74.5)
Record low °C (°F)	17.0 (62.6)	17.5 (63.5)	17.5 (63.5)	19.5 (67.1)	20.5 (68.9)	19.5 (67.1)	19.0 (66.2)	19.5 (67.1)	19.0 (66.2)	20.0 (68.0)	18.0 (64.4)	18.0 (64.4)	17.0 (62.6)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	315.8 (12.43)	146.4 (5.76)	155.1 (6.11)	136.4 (5.37)	176.9 (6.96)	158.4 (6.24)	149.7 (5.89)	198.9 (7.83)	181.1 (7.13)	275.0 (10.83)	375.1 (14.77)	717.4 (28.24)	2,986 (117.6)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)	13.9	8.2	9.3	9.9	11.3	10.0	9.3	11.5	11.9	15.7	19.4	18.9	149.3
Average relative humidity (%)	86	84	84	85	84	83	83	83	83	84	88	87	84
Mean monthly sunshine hours	140	171	176	180	174	170	170	174	172	160	135	119	1,941
Source 1: World Meteorological Organization
Source 2: Ogimet Deutscher Wetterdienst (humidity),

People of Kuantan

Pahang State Mosque, a beautiful place of worship.

In 2010, Kuantan had about 427,515 people. Most of them were Malay (78.5%). There were also many Chinese (17.9%) and Indian (3.3%) people. A small number of other races made up 0.3%.

By 2019, the population grew to 529,600 people. Kuantan is a diverse city with people from different backgrounds living together.

Kuantan's Economy

Tourism is a big part of Kuantan's economy. The city is known for its local products. These include handicrafts, batik (a type of fabric art), keropok (dried fish crackers), and salted fish.

Kuantan is also the main business and government center for Pahang. Trade is very important here.

Industries in Kuantan

There are many petrochemical industries in Gebeng. This is an industrial area about 25 km north of Kuantan. Large companies like BASF PETRONAS Chemicals operate here. These industries help create many jobs.

ECER Special Economic Zone (SEZ)

Kuantan is part of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ). This zone was started in 2009. It is one of the first of its kind in Malaysia. The SEZ covers a huge area of 390,000 hectares.

The ECER SEZ aims to bring in a lot of investments. It also plans to create over 90,000 new jobs by 2020. Kuantan Port is a key gateway for trade between Indochina, India, and China. The SEZ offers special benefits to attract investors. These include tax breaks and investment allowances.

Fun Things to Do in Kuantan

Kuantan has many attractions for visitors.

Beautiful Beaches

Teluk Cempedak beach, a popular spot for relaxation.

Teluk Cempedak, also known as Palm Beach, is a main attraction. Other popular beaches nearby include Batu Hitam, Balok, and Cherating. Near Cherating, you can find places that protect turtles. There's also a small island called Pulau Ular (Snake Island) with a local legend.

Waterfalls and Parks

The Kuantan River, offering scenic views.

Kuantan is famous for its waterfalls. The most well-known is the Sungai Pandan Waterfall. Other beautiful waterfalls are Sungai Berkelah Waterfall and Jerangkang Waterfall.

The city has several parks. These include Gelora Park and Teruntum Mini Zoo. You can also visit Gambang Safari Park. The Esplanade Park is by the Kuantan River. From here, you can take a river cruise. Kuantan is also known for its local handicrafts and batik. The State Mosque is another important landmark.

Exploring Sungai Lembing

Sungai Lembing is about 26 km northwest of Kuantan. It used to have the world's deepest underground tin mines. You can visit an interesting Tin Museum there. There are also "hanging bridges" (jambatan bergantung) to see.

Panorama Hill offers amazing views, especially at sunrise. Near the village of Pancing, there's a limestone mountain. Inside one of its caves, Charah Cave, you can find a large reclining Buddha statue.

Exciting Theme Parks

Bukit Gambang Resort City (BGRC) is one of Malaysia's largest water theme parks. It has a huge lake and a big wave pool. Bukit Gambang Safari Park is the biggest safari park on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

Kuantan 188 Tower

Kuantan 188
Menara Kuantan 188
Kuantan 188 at night.
Former names	Teruntum Tower
Record height
Tallest in Pahang from 2019 to 2023
Preceded by	First World Hotel Tower 1 & 2
Surpassed by	Grand Ion Majestic
General information
Status	Completed
Type	Observation tower
Architectural style	Teruntum Putih (Lumnitzera Racemosa) / Pahang's coat of arms
Location	Kuantan River, Kuantan
Country	Malaysia
Coordinates	3°48′14″N 103°19′39″E / 3.803992°N 103.327529°E / 3.803992; 103.327529
Construction started	August 2017
Completed	3 September 2019
Opening	15 December 2020
Inaugurated	21 February 2021
Cost	RM 4405.0000 million ($10 million USD)
Owner	East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) Pahang State Government
Height
Antenna spire	188 m (617 ft)
Roof	124 m (407 ft)
Top floor	104 m (341 ft)
Observatory	92 m (302 ft)
Technical details
Structural system	Steel Reinforced concrete
Floor count	3
Design and construction
Architect	Neoformation Architects Sdn. Bhd.
Developer	East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) Pahang State Government
Structural engineer	Pembinaan Purcon Sdn. Bhd.

The Kuantan 188 tower is 188 meters tall. It used to be called Teruntum Tower. It is the second tallest tower in Malaysia after the Kuala Lumpur Tower. The tower was built between August 2017 and September 2019.

What Can You See at Kuantan 188?

The tower has an observation deck at 92 meters high. There's also a restaurant at 98 meters. An open sky-deck is at 104 meters. From these spots, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the Kuantan River and the city.

Design and Meaning

The tower's design is inspired by a spearhead. This is a symbol found on Pahang's Coat of Arms. The tower's entrance looks like a Lumnitzera Tree.

The design also has special meanings:

The entrance shows the diversity of people in Kuantan and Pahang.
Five steel posts in the spire represent the five principles of Rukun Negara. These principles are important for unity. They also represent the five Pillars of Islam.
The golden top of the tower symbolizes the power of the Sultan of Pahang.

Official Opening

Kuantan 188 was officially opened on February 21, 2021. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah, who is also the Sultan of Pahang, inaugurated it. The tower is a new landmark for Kuantan. It is expected to attract many tourists to the city.

Tall Buildings in Kuantan

Kuantan has several tall buildings. Kuantan 188 is the most famous tower.

Kuantan 188: 188 meters tall, an observation tower.
Swiss-Bellhotel & Imperium Residence: 120 meters tall, a hotel and residential building. It is the tallest building in Kuantan.
The Zenith Hotel Kuantan: 95 meters tall, a hotel.
Teruntum Complex: 87.5 meters tall, a mall.

Kuantan's Food Culture

Kuantan is well-known for its local foods.

Local Delicacies

The city is famous for its fish crackers (keropok) and salted fish. These fish are dried in the sun and sold in markets. You can also find fresh grilled fish (ikan bakar) in areas like Tanjung Lumpur.

Many local foods are sold in the city center. You can find satay, which is grilled meat on a stick with peanut sauce. Roti canai, a flatbread with curry sauce, is also very popular. Indian dishes like naan and tandoori chicken are also available.

Healthcare in Kuantan

Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital, a major medical facility.

Kuantan has several hospitals and clinics. The main hospital is Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital. It has modern equipment like CT scanners and MRI machines.

The International Islamic University Medical Center is in Indera Mahkota. There are also private hospitals like KPJ Pahang Specialist Hospital. Smaller clinics serve different neighborhoods.

Education in Kuantan

Kuantan has many places for higher education.

Universities and Colleges

Politeknik Sultan Ahmad Shah (POLISAS) was started in 1976.
Politeknik METrO Kuantan (PMKu) opened in 2011.
The International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) has two campuses in Kuantan. They focus on medical programs like medicine, pharmacy, and nursing.
Kolej Komuniti Kuantan was founded in 2001.
The Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) started in 2002. It is in Gambang and offers engineering and technical courses.

Other Colleges and Institutes

There are many private colleges too, such as:

Tunku Abdul Rahman University College
Open University Malaysia (OUM)
Widad University College
Kolej Yayasan Pahang

Schools for Younger Students

Secondary schools in Kuantan follow the Malaysian Ministry of Education's curriculum. These include National Secondary Schools and Religious schools. There is also the International School of Kuantan for those who prefer a different curriculum.

Getting Around Kuantan

By Land

Kuantan Sentral Terminal, a hub for bus travel.

Kuantan Interchange on the East Coast Expressway.

East Coast Expressway heading towards Kuantan Port.

Kuantan is connected to Kuala Lumpur by the East Coast Expressway. This expressway makes it much easier to travel to Kuantan. It also links Kuantan to other towns in Pahang.

You can also use Federal Route 3, a scenic coastal road. It goes south through towns like Pekan and Mersing. This route offers views of forests and quiet beaches. The Tun Razak Highway also connects Kuantan to Johor Bahru.

The Kuantan Bypass is a highway that runs from Kuantan Port to Kuantan Airport.

Express buses from Kuala Lumpur arrive at the Terminal Kuantan Sentral. Local buses, called RapidKuantan, serve most places in Kuantan. They also go to nearby towns like Pekan and Kemaman.

By Rail

A new train line, the MRL East Coast Rail Link, is being built. It will connect Kota Bharu and Port Klang. This line is expected to start running by 2027 and will serve Kuantan.

By Air

Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Airport, Kuantan's airport.

Kuantan has its own airport, Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Airport. It is the only airport in Pahang controlled by Malaysia Airport Bhd. Airlines like Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, and AirAsia fly to Kuantan. Firefly offers direct flights to Singapore and Penang. The airport can handle over one million passengers each year.

By Sea

Kuantan Port is a large seaport on the South China Sea. It can handle many types of cargo. A new Deep Water Terminal is being built next to it. This will make Kuantan Port a major gateway for trade with China and the Far East. The port is part of the "21st Century Maritime Silk Road."