MALAYSIA
PENINSULAR MALAYSIA – EAST COAST •• Kuantan Book your stay at lonelyplanet.com/hotels
KUANTAN
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Many travellers find themselves on an over-
night stopover in Kuantan, the pious and
functional state capital, as it’s the main
transit point between Taman Negara and
Pulau Tioman. Kuantan’s star attraction is
Masjid Negeri, the east coast’s most impressive
mosque. At night it’s a magical sight with its
spires and lit turrets.
Information
Banks are clustered at Jln Bank and there are
plenty of ATMs around Jln Haji Abdul Aziz
(the continuation of Jln Mahkota).
Main post office (Jln Haji Abdul Aziz) Near the soaring
Masjid Negeri.
Mega Tech (2nd fl, cnr of Lg Pasar Baru 3 & Jln
Stadium; per hr RM2; h9am-midnight) Internet
access next to the long-distance bus station ( Terminal
Makmur).
Tourist information centre (%516 1007; Jln
Mahkota; h9am-10pm Mon-Thu, 2.45-5pm Fri,
9am-1pm & 2-5pm Sat) One of Malaysia’s most
helpful.
Sleeping & Eating
Kuantan has some seriously dismal budget
options and the following are the only ones
we found worth mentioning.
Sungai Wang Utama Hotel (%514 8273; 16 Jln
Penjara; r RM15-35; a) The vibe is a little sleazy
but it’s cleanish and cheap.
Hotel Makmur (%514 1363; 1st & 2nd fl, B 14 & 16
Lg Pasar Baru 1; r RM30-70; a) Totally boring and
functional but it’s clean, reception is friendly
and it’s an easy pack haul to the long- distance
bus station.
Classic Hotel (%516 4599; [email protected]; 7 Jln
Besar; d incl breakfast RM90; a) All rooms here
are spacious and clean and have free filtered
water, tea-making facilities, TVs and air-con.
Add the central location and Malay-style
breakfast and it’s worth the splurge.
oAkob Patin House (%013 931 2709;
hlunch) This riverfront place serves wild-
caught (RM20) and farmed (RM8) patin (sil-
ver catfish – the local delicacy) in a tempoyak
(fermented durian sambal) sauce served
buffet-style with other Malay-style meat and
vegetable dishes – the price is per fish.