Kuantan
Kuantan, the capital of the state of Pahang, is a lively, charming city located approximately halfway north to south along the East Coast of Malaysia. See Citypopulationreview for weather information.
How to get to Kuantan
Every day, Malaysia Airlines planes fly to the airport. Sultan Ahmad Shah Airport from Kuala Lumpur. The flight takes ~25 minutes.
The capital of the country can also be reached by road – 260 km separate Kuala Lumpur from Kuantan (and 325 km from Johor Bahru). Good highways link the city to Singapore and Kota Bharu.
Shopping: shops
In the souvenir rows on the street. Jalan Besar you can find local handicrafts and souvenirs, as well as antiques from China and throughout Southeast Asia.
The beaches of Kuantan
Teluk Chempedak Bay Beach is the most famous beach in the capital, 4 km from the center. On both sides it is limited by rocky capes, and along the coast there is a pedestrian promenade. It houses the Balai Karyaneka complex with shops, souvenir shops, restaurants and cafes. A trail begins on the shore, leading through the Teluk Chempedak nature reserve to the less crowded Pantai Pelindung beach. Luxurious hotels, nightclubs and cafes have also been built there.
Entertainment and attractions of Kuantan
In the center of the city stands the colonial-style Courthouse, and next to it is the magnificent main mosque of the state. In the nearby park at Jalan Teluk Sisek, a wonderful lily pond has been built. Jalan Masjid ends at a jetty where you can take a ferry to the fishing village of Kampung Tanjung Lumpur.
Labuan
Labuan Island is a tropical paradise with excellent sandy beaches, a golf course and colorful dive sites. In addition, Labuan is an international offshore financial center and Malaysia’s only deep water harbor. The island is located in the South China Sea in close proximity to the coast of the state of Sabah.
In the main city of the island, Bandar Labuan, there is an airport and a marina.
The island is attractive for its status as a free trade zone and, accordingly, duty-free shopping. In other words, here you can buy quality diving equipment at reasonable prices.
How to get to Labuan
On local airlines Air Asia or Malasia Airlines, Labuan Island can be reached from Kuala Lumpur (3-4 flights per day) or Kota Kinabalu.
In addition, the island can also be reached by ferry: from the capital of the state of Sabah, the city of Kota Kinabalu. Travel time is an hour and a half.
Diving on Labuane
Tourists are attracted here by shipwrecks where you can dive. There are four wrecks off the coast of the island, which are easily accessible. Two of them have been here since World War II, and two more are fishing boats that were wrecked in the 1980s. The best time for diving is March – October. All dives are carried out with an anchor line and with spare cylinders supplied during decompression stops.
Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru (popularly known as JB), the charming capital of the state of Johor, is a vibrant tourist hub of the country with international class hotels, modern shopping and entertainment complexes. Residents of Singapore are very fond of relaxing here (and not far from home, and inexpensive – due to the difference in exchange rates).
JB serves as a starting point to the famous resort of the east coast of Malaysia – Desaru (Desaru).
How to get to Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru lies 368 km (or five hours) from Kuala Lumpur. The North-South Expressway toll road reduces this distance to 220 km and three hours.
Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia fly to the airport. Sultan Ismail Airport, 32 km from the city center) from Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Terengganu, Kuantan and Kuching. Buses run regularly from Water Front City to Johor Bahru to the airport, operating hours: from 5:00 to 19:00. The same buses pick up passengers from the Copthorne Hotel in Singapore.
Trains of the national railway company Keretapi Tanah Melayu connect Singapore with the rest of Malaysia via Johor Bahru. Directly with Singapore, the city is connected by a dam with a road and railway lines, it also houses border and customs control points. 30 km southeast of Johor Bahru, another bridge is thrown between Tanjung Kupang on the Malaysian side and Tuas in Singapore.
Entertainment and attractions of Johor Bahru
The Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque is located on the top of a hill, offering amazing views of the Strait of Johor. Nearby is the Grand Palace (Istana Besar, Museum of Sultan Abu Bakar). It houses exhibits related to the royal family, including rarities collected by Sultan Abu Bakar. The northern wing houses the throne room and the museum, where all court ceremonies, state receptions and banquets are held. A stone’s throw from the building is a rather extensive Palace Garden in an amazing Japanese style.
The palace of Istana Bukit Sirin is interesting, which is currently occupied by the ruling sultan. It is closed to visitors, but passing by, you can admire its luxurious garden. Building them. Sultan Ibrahim is located on the hill of Bukit Timbalan.
Dataran Bandaraya Square (“city square”) is interesting for its fountain, minaret and clock tower. This is a favorite place for evening walks of the townspeople. The Johor Free Trade Zone is Malaysia’s largest duty-free complex. It includes a hotel, a center for mass events, a floating restaurant with a nightclub and a five-story shopping podium. Ferries depart from here to Singapore and Indonesia, customs and border control points are immediately located.
