View source for Kuantan

{{distinguish|Kwanten|Kelantan}}
{{for-multi|the federal constituency represented in the Dewan Rakyat|Kuantan (federal constituency)|the state constituency represented in the Pahang State Legislative Aseembly|Teruntum (state constituency)}}
{{More citations needed|date=July 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Kuantan
| native_name        = ''Kontaeng'' ([[Pahang Malay]])<br>''Kuatang'' ([[Terengganu Malay]])
| other_name         = 
| settlement_type    = [[List of capitals in Malaysia|State capital]] [[List of cities in Malaysia|city]] and [[List of capitals in Malaysia#District capitals|district capital]]
| official_name      = City of  Kuantan<br />''{{nobold|Bandaraya Kuantan}}''
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
| border                 = infobox
| total_width            = 290
| image_style            = border:1;
| perrow                 = 2/2/2
| image1                 = Kuantan - view from Menara 188 at blue hour - May 2024.jpg
| caption1               = Aerial view of Kuantan
| image2                 = Kuantan River 2.jpg
| caption2               = [[Kuantan River]] and [[Kuantan 188]]
| image3                 = Pahang state mosque.jpg
| caption3               = [[Sultan Ahmad Shah State Mosque]]
| image4                 = Kuantan Municipal Council.JPG
| caption4               = Kuantan City Council
| image5                 = Kuantan TC Beach.jpg
| caption5               = [[Teluk Cempedak|Palm Beach]]
| width5                 = 140      
| height5                = 90
| image6                 = Kuantan Port Container Berth.JPG
| width6                 = 150      
| height6                = 97
| caption6               = [[Kuantan Port]]
}}
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = MBK_Emblem.png
| image_map          = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|type=shape|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|zoom=10}}
| coordinates        = {{coord|3|49|N|103|20|E|region:MY|display=inline,title}}
| map_caption        = Location of Kuantan in Pahang
| pushpin_map_caption = {{Legend inline|#800000|outline=black}} '''Kuantan''' in {{Legend inline|#FEFEEF|outline=black}} '''[[Pahang]]'''
| pushpin_map        = Malaysia Pahang#Malaysia#Southeast Asia#Asia
| pushpin_mapsize    = 275px
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_type1  = [[States of Malaysia|State]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[Districts of Malaysia|District]]
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|Malaysia}}
| subdivision_name1  = {{flag|Pahang}}
| subdivision_name2  = [[Kuantan District|Kuantan]]
| established_title  = Founded
| established_date   = 1851 (as Kampung Teruntum)
| established_title1 = Establishment
| established_date1  = 1 August 1913
| established_title2 = Administrative centre
| established_date2  = 27 August 1955<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=http://www.pahang.gov.my/en/sejarah- |title=Establishment History |publisher=Official Portal Pahang State Government |access-date=24 May 2017 |archive-date=7 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407150100/http://www.pahang.gov.my/en/sejarah- |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| established_title3 = Municipality status
| established_date3  = 1 September 1979
| established_title4 = City status
| established_date4  = 21 February 2021
| government_type    = [[List of local governments in Malaysia|City council]]
| governing_body     = [[Kuantan City Council]]
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = Dato' Zaliza Zulkipli
| area_total_sq_mi   = 
| area_total_km2     = 324
| area_footnotes     = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://mbk.gov.my/portal/en/latar-belakang/|title=Background}}</ref>
| population_as_of   = 2020
| population_total   = {{formatnum:548,014|R}}<ref name="dosm.gov.my">{{cite web|url=https://www.dosm.gov.my/v1/uploads/files/6_Newsletter/Newsletter%202020/DOSM_DOSM_PAHANG_1_2020_Siri-83.pdf |title=Pengenalan Newsletter|website=Dosm.gov.my|access-date=17 July 2022}}</ref>
| population_footnotes = 
| population_density_sq_mi = auto
| population_density_km2 = 1,691
| population_demonym = Kuantanese
| timezone           = [[Malaysian Standard Time|MST]]
| utc_offset         = +8
| timezone_DST       = Not observed
| elevation_m        = 21.95
| elevation_ft       = 72
| elevation_max_ft   = 
| elevation_max_m    = 
| elevation_max_point = 
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal codes in Malaysia|Postcode]]
| postal_code        = 25xxx
| blank_name_sec1    = [[Mean solar time]]
| blank_info_sec1    = UTC+06:46:48
| website            = {{URL|https://mbk.gov.my/portal/en|mbk.gov.my}}
}}

'''Kuantan''' ([[Pahang Malay]]: ''Kontaeng''; [[Terengganu Malay]]: ''Kuatang/Kuantang'') is a city and the state capital of [[Pahang]], Malaysia. It is located near the mouth of the Kuantan River. Kuantan is the [[Largest cities in Malaysia|12th largest city in Malaysia]] based on a 2020 population of 548,014 and the largest city on the [[Peninsular Malaysia#Other features|East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia]].

The administrative centre of the state of Pahang was officially relocated to Kuantan on 27 August 1955 from [[Kuala Lipis]], and was officiated by HRH [[Abu Bakar of Pahang|Sultan Abu Bakar Ri'ayatuddin Al Muadzam Shah]],<ref name="auto"/> the Sultan of Pahang.

==History==
{{more citations needed section|date=December 2023}}
Kuantan in the first century was a part of [[Chi Tu|Chih-Tu empire]]. In the 11th century, this piece of land was conquered by another small empire called Pheng-Kheng before being taken over by the Siamese during the 12th century. During the 15th century, Kuantan was ruled by the [[Malaccan Sultanate|Malaccan Empire]].

Kuantan is said to have been founded in the 1850s. The name was notably mentioned in [[Abdullah bin Abdul Kadir|Munshi Abdullah]]'s travelogue ''[[Kisah Pelayaran Abdullah ke Kelantan|Kisah Pelayaran ke Kelantan]]'' circa 1851/2:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kisah Pelayaran Abdullah ke Kelantan (Account of Abdullah’s Sea Voyage to Kelantan) {{!}} NUS Libraries Post |url=https://blog.nus.edu.sg/linus/2023/10/23/kisah-pelayaran-abdullah-ke-kelantan-account-of-abdullahs-sea-voyage-to-kelantan/ |access-date=2025-08-19 |website=[[National University of Singapore]]}}</ref>

{{blockquote|...On Thursday night came a boat from Kuantan. Then they told the ship's crew there's a pirate ship at ''Tanjung Tujuh'', forty of them and at [[Kapas Island]], and as well at [[Redang Island]]; it was spotted by two Kuantan boats and they set off...|author=|title=|source=}}

In its early days, it was known as ''Kampung Teruntum'' (lit. '[[Lumnitzera]] Village'). The village was situated at the mouth of [[Teruntum River]] which is in front of the current hospital and it was established by Haji Senik{{who|date=December 2023}} and his followers in the 1850s. Early primary economic activities included fishing and small businesses. The main evidence of the establishment of the village is the cemetery that is situated near [[Taman Esplanade, Kuantan|Taman Esplanade]] in front of the current [[Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan]].

Towards the late 19th century, arrival of [[Malaysian Chinese|Chinese]] miners and traders saw the establishment of a township in Kuantan and nearby tin mining areas such as [[Gambang, Pahang|Gambang]] and [[Sungai Lembing]]. Similar to what occurred in other states in [[Peninsular Malaysia]], rubber plantations attracted [[Malaysian Indian|Indian]] settlers as well.

The [[sinking of Prince of Wales and Repulse|sinking of HMS ''Prince of Wales'' and HMS ''Repulse'']] took place off the coast of Kuantan on 10 December 1941.

Kuantan was declared a full-fledged city by [[Sultan of Pahang|Sultan]] [[Abdullah of Pahang]] on 21 February 2021 and its town council officially renamed the Kuantan City Council (MBK).<ref>{{cite news |title=Kuantan is now a city |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/02/21/kuantan-is-now-a-city |access-date=21 February 2021 |newspaper=[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]] |date=21 February 2021}}{{page needed|date=December 2023}}</ref>

==Government==
The [[Pahang]] state government shifted the administrative centre of Pahang from [[Kuala Lipis]] to Kuantan in 1955. The urban area of Kuantan city is located mostly in the mukims of Kuala Kuantan and Beserah.

'''[[Kuantan City Council]]''', formerly known as the '''Kuantan Sanitary Board''' ({{langx|ms|Lembaga Kesihatan Kuantan}}) from 1913 until 1937, the '''Kuantan Town Board''' ({{langx|ms|Lembaga Bandaran Kuantan}}) from 1937 until 1953, the '''Kuantan Town Council''' ({{langx|ms|Majlis Bandaran Kuantan}}) from 1953 to 31 August 1979 and the '''Kuantan Municipal Council''' ({{langx|ms|Majlis Perbandaran Kuantan}}) from 1 September 1979 until 20 February 2021, is the local authority of Kuantan.

===Urban development===
Part of the larger [[East Coast Economic Region|East Coast Economic Growth Region]] (ECER), Kuantan will see many new developments including:

* Relocation of the state administration centre to its proposed site in [[KotaSAS|Kota Sultan Ahmad Shah]] (KotaSAS).
* Kuantan Port City consist of [[Kuantan Port]] expansion, Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park, and Kuantan Integrated Biopark<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2015/02/14/kuantan-port-expansion-to-improve-economic-ties-with-china/|title=Kuantan Port expansion to improve economic ties with China |website=Thestar.com.my|access-date=20 June 2016}}</ref> 
* [[East Coast Rail Link]] (ECRL) from Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://paultan.org/2016/03/16/new-kl-east-coast-double-track-railway-link-planned/|title=New KL-East Coast double-track railway link planned|website=Paultan.org|date=16 March 2016|access-date=20 June 2016}}</ref> Moreover [[MRL East Coast Rail Link|ECRL]] also passing through [[Bentong]] & [[Temerloh]].
* [http://www.kwrc.com.my/ Kuantan Waterfront Resort City] at Tanjung Lumpur.
* Greater Kuantan development that stretches from [[Kerteh|Kertih]], Terengganu to [[Pekan]], Pahang.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ecerdc.com.my/en/about-ecer/key-development-area-kda/ecer-special-economic-zone/|title=About ECER|website=Ecerdc.com.my|access-date=3 August 2017|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930174754/https://www.ecerdc.com.my/en/about-ecer/key-development-area-kda/ecer-special-economic-zone/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Climate==
Kuantan features a [[tropical rainforest climate]] under the [[Köppen climate classification]]. Usually, the area experiences two seasons per year, i.e., the "Dry" and Hot season and the Rainy season. The "Dry" and Hot Season (a relative term as the city does not truly have a [[dry season]]) occurs when seasonal south-west winds blow from Sumatra toward the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia but are blocked by the Titiwangsa Mountain Range. The temperature may reach 40 degrees Celsius. The Rainy season usually occurs between October and March. During this season, the north-east winds bring rain to Kuantan. It can get very cloudy with a large amount of rainfall. Floods may also occur. Areas subject to possible flooding include the road to Sungai Lembing and also a few areas along the Kuantan River.

In 2006, Kuantan experienced significant air pollution that affected visibility because of the [[2006 Southeast Asian haze|haze]] blowing in from [[Sumatra]] and the [[Peninsular Malaysia#East Coast and West Coast|West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia]].

{{Kuantan weatherbox}}

==Demographics==
[[File:Pahang state mosque.jpg|thumb|[[Sultan Ahmad Shah State Mosque|Pahang State Mosque]].]]
Kuantan's population was approximately 427,515 in 2010 which was composed of 78.5% [[Malay (ethnic group)|Malay]], 17.9% Chinese, 3.3% Indian and 0.3% other races. The following is based on Department of Statistics Malaysia 2010 census. {{my10}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="text-align:center;" colspan="3"| Ethnic groups in Kuantan Municipal Council, 2010 census
|-
! [[Ethnicity]] !! Population !! Percentage
|-
| [[Bumiputera (Malaysia)|Bumiputera]] || 335,599 || 78.5%
|-
| [[Chinese Malaysian|Chinese]] || 76,525 || 17.9%
|-
| [[Malaysian Indian|Indian]] || 14,108 || 3.3%
|-
| Others || 1,282 || 0.3%
|-
|}

By 2019, its population had grown to 529,600.<ref name="dosm.gov.my"/>

==Economy==
One of its major economic activities is tourism. Domestically, it is famous for the production of handicrafts, [[batik]], ''keropok'' (dried fish crackers) and salted fish. Kuantan serves as the administrative and commercial capital of Pahang. Trade and commerce are important in the economy of the town.

There are [[petrochemical]] industries, mostly in Gebeng, an industrial area about 25&nbsp;km north of Kuantan. Among the major companies operating in Kuantan are BASF PETRONAS Chemicals, MTBE/Polypropylene (M) Sdn Bhd,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.basf-petronas.com.my |title=BASF PETRONAS Chemicals |website=Basf-petronas.com.my |access-date=19 November 2011}}</ref> BP Chemicals,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bp.com/sectiongenericarticle.do?categoryId=9008835&contentId=7016418 |title=BP Chemicals |website=Bp.com |access-date=19 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927022945/http://www.bp.com/sectiongenericarticle.do?categoryId=9008835&contentId=7016418 |archive-date=27 September 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> MTBE,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.petronas.com.my/internet/corp/directory.nsf/0/18304105f78e0b6e48256aa10035275c?OpenDocument |title=MTBE |publisher=Petronas.com.my |access-date=19 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929183122/http://www.petronas.com.my/internet/corp/directory.nsf/0/18304105f78e0b6e48256aa10035275c?OpenDocument |archive-date=29 September 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Flexsys,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flexsys.com|title=Eastman in the Automotive Industry – Overview|access-date=20 June 2016}}</ref> Bredero Shaw,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.shawcor.com/ |title=Bredero Shaw |publisher=Shawcor.com |access-date=19 November 2011 |archive-date=16 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111116230524/http://www.shawcor.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Eastman Chemical]], Kaneka,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kaneka.com |title=Kaneka |publisher=Kaneka |access-date=19 November 2011}}</ref> Polyplastics,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.polyplastics.com |title=Polyplastics |publisher=Polyplastics |access-date=19 November 2011}}</ref> Mieco,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mieco.com.my/intro.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060423005625/http://www.mieco.com.my/intro.htm|url-status=dead|title=Mieco|archive-date=23 April 2006|access-date=17 July 2022}}</ref> KNM,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.knm.com.my|title=KNM Home|website=Knm.com.my}}</ref> JiKang,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jigang.com.cn/abroad/abroad_co.htm |title=JiKang |website=Jigang.com.cn |access-date=19 November 2011 |archive-date=29 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929183121/http://www.jigang.com.cn/abroad/abroad_co.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[W.R. Grace and Company|W.R. Grace]], [[Sealed Air|Cryovac]], Wasco Pipeline Coatings,<ref>[http://www.wascoenergy.com/ Wasco Energy Limited]. Wascoenergy.com. Retrieved on 27 September 2013.</ref> AMC,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amcsb.com.my |title=AMC |website=Amcsb.com.my |access-date=19 November 2011}}</ref> etc.

===ECER Special Economic Zone (ECER SEZ)===
Kuantan is being identified as a [[Special Economic Zone]] (SEZ). The launch of SEZ in 2009 by Prime Minister [[Najib Tun Razak]] is one of the first of its kind in Malaysia. The SEZ is located inside [[East Coast Economic Region]] (ECER) of Greater Kuantan which stretches from the district of [[Kerteh|Kertih]], Terengganu to the district of [[Pekan]], Pahang. It is now one of the largest SEZs in Asia, covering 390,000 hectares. ECER SEZ serves as a catalyst to fast-track the economic development in the east coast. ECER SEZ aims to generate RM90&nbsp;billion of investments and provide over 90,000 new jobs by 2020. At the centre of southeast Asia with four seaports ([[Kuantan Port]] as the main gateway) and two airports, ECER SEZ will serve good transportation link between Indochina, India and China.

The development master plan will offer special incentives to attract investors. Include tax exemptions, import and export duties exemptions and 100 per cent investment tax allowance.

==Tourism==
{{puffery|date=March 2023}}

===Beaches===
[[File:TelukCempedak.jpg|thumb|250px|Teluk Cempedak beach.]]
Kuantan's main sightseeing attraction is the beach at [[Teluk Cempedak]] or Palm Beach. There are scenic beaches popular among vacationers in the city's vicinity, such as [[Batu Hitam]], Balok, Chenor, [[Pantai Sepat]], Beserah, and [[Cherating]]. Near Cherating ([[Club Med]] is located here) there are turtle sanctuaries. A few kilometres away from Cherating is Pulau Ular (Snake Island). There is a legend connected with this island.

===Waterfalls and parks===
[[File:Pahang River.jpg|thumb|250px|Kuantan river.]]
Kuantan is known to tourists for its waterfalls. The most well-known is the [[Sungai Pandan Waterfall]]. Two others are the [[Sungai Berkelah Waterfall]] and the [[Jerangkang Waterfall]].

There are four parks in the city, the Gelora Park, Teruntum Mini Zoo, Gambang Safari Park and Agriculture Park at [[Bandar Indera Mahkota|Indera Mahkota]]. A small park across the main road (and next to the river) in front of the [[Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital|Hospital]] is named the [[Taman Esplanade, Kuantan|Esplanade Park]] or Downtown Kuantan. Here, it is possible to go on a river cruise from the small jetty. The Kuantan area also produces handicrafts and [[batik]]. Other tourist attractions include the [[Masjid Negeri Sultan Ahmad Shah|State Mosque (Masjid Negeri)]].

===Sungai Lembing===
{{main|Sungai Lembing}}
Sungai Lembing is located about 26&nbsp;km northwest of Kuantan. It used to contain the world's deepest underground tin mines. There is an interesting Tin Museum in the former mining town of [[Sungai Lembing]]. Just north of the Tin Museum is a "hanging bridge" (''jambatan bergantung''). Access is via a narrow, winding road at the base of the entrance to the Tin Museum. There is another hanging bridge on the outskirts of Sungai Lembing town (visible from the main road, on the right side). There is a Panorama Hill which provides an impressive pre-dawn view. On the [[Jalan Sungai Lembing|Kuantan-Sungai Lembing road]] at the hamlet of Pancing, there is a limestone mountain which houses a large reclining Buddha in one of its caves, Charah Cave.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cavesofmalaysia.com/photopage6.htm |title=Show caves |website=Cavesofmalaysia.com |access-date=2 June 2011 |archive-date=5 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005161903/http://www.cavesofmalaysia.com/photopage6.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> The highest peak, Gunung Tapis, also can be accessed from here.

===Theme parks===
Bukit Gambang Resort City (BGRC) is one of the largest water theme park resorts in Malaysia, spanning 547 acres and offering a 17.1-acre lake, and a 24,000 square feet wave pool. Bukit Gambang Safari Park, the biggest safari in east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bgrc.com.my/AboutBGRC.html |title=BGRC-About BGRC |access-date=1 December 2012 |archive-date=27 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527192510/http://www.bgrc.com.my/AboutBGRC.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Kuantan 188==
{{Infobox building
| name             = Kuantan 188
| former_names     = Teruntum Tower
| native_name      = Menara Kuantan 188
| location_country = [[Malaysia]]
| status           = {{Green|Completed}}
| coordinates      = {{coord|3.803992|103.327529|format=dms|type:landmark_region:MY-44|display=inline}}
| image            = File:Menara 188, Kuantan.jpg
| image_alt        = 
| image_size       = 250px
| mapframe-zoom    = 15
| caption          = Kuantan 188 at night.
| highest_prev     = [[First World Hotel & Plaza|First World Hotel Tower 1 & 2]]
| highest_start    = 2019
| highest_end      = 2023
| highest_region   = [[Pahang]]
| highest_next     = [[Genting Highlands|Grand Ion Majestic]]
| location         = [[Kuantan River]], Kuantan
| developer        = East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC)
Pahang State Government
| owner            = East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC)
Pahang State Government
| cost             = RM 4405.0000 million ($10 million USD)
| architect        = Neoformation Architects Sdn. Bhd.
| building_type    = Observation tower
| architectural_style = Teruntum Putih (Lumnitzera Racemosa) / Pahang's coat of arms
| structural_system = [[Steel]]<br />[[Reinforced concrete]]
| start_date       = August 2017
| completion_date  = 3 September 2019
| opening_date     = 15 December 2020
| inauguration_date = 21 February 2021
| structural_engineer = Pembinaan Purcon Sdn. Bhd.
| groundbreaking_date = 
| logo             = 
| logo_size        = 
| logo_caption     = 
| top_floor        = {{cvt|104|m}}
| observatory      = {{cvt|92|m}}
| architectural    = 
| roof             = {{cvt|124|m}}
| antenna_spire    = {{cvt|188|m}}
| floor_count      = 3
| known_for        = 
| website          = {{URL|https://www.kuantan188.com.my/}}
}}

'''Kuantan 188''', previously known as '''Teruntum Tower''' is a 3-storey, 188-meter-tall tower in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. It is the Malaysia's second tallest tower after the Kuala Lumpur Tower and the second-tallest in East Coast Economic Region after the newly completed Grand Ion Majestic in [[Genting Highlands]], which is [[Pahang]]'s tallest building. Its construction was started in August 2017 and completed on 3 September 2019. It features an observation deck at 92 meter high, restaurant at 98 meter high and an open sky-deck at 104 meter high. The tower offers 360-degree view of the Kuantan River and Kuantan City.

===Design and concept===

The design of the tower was inspired by spear head which is one of element on the Pahang's Coat of Arms while the tower's porch inspired by Lumnitzera Tree.

There are also some symbolic concept behind the tower's design:

* The tower's porch symbolize the diversity of the people of Kuantan and Pahang.
* Five connected steel post of the spire represent five principles of the Rukun Negara as the core of people's unity. It also represent the five Pillars of Islam.
* Golden tower's pinnacle symbolize the sovereignty of the Sultan of Pahang.

===Inauguration===

Kuantan 188 was official inaugurated on 21 February 2021 by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah (who also is the Sultan of Pahang) via video footage played on a giant screen during the event. The tower opened as new iconic landmark for the new proclaimed city of Kuantan. It expected to revitalise the state tourism sector by attracting thousand of tourists to the city.

Al-Sultan Abdullah was represented by his heir, the regent of Pahang Crown Prince Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah alongside of his other sons, Tengku Muhammad Iskandar Ri’ayatuddin Shah and Tengku Ahmad Ismail Mu’adzam Shah. Other honorable guests including the Chief Minister of Pahang Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, Senior Minister of Infrastructure Development Fadillah Yusof, then Minister of Communications and Multimedia Saifuddin Abdullah, Speaker of the Pahang State Legislative Assembly Ishak Muhamad, Pahang State Government Secretary Salehuddin Ishak, Mayor of Kuantan City Hamdan Hussin and other members of federal cabinet and Pahang State Government.

During the event, the honorable guests also witnessed a boat parade by the federal government, state government, local authorities and defense forces along the Kuantan River.

==Tallest structures in Kuantan==

Apart from Kuantan Tower 188 which is iconic in the middle of the city center, there are several tall buildings around Kuantan City.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Rank
!Name
!Height
!Floor
!Function 
!Area
!Notes

|-
| 1 ||  Kuantan 188 || 188 m || 3 || Observation tower || City centre || Second tallest structure in [[Malaysia]]
|-
| 2 ||  Swiss-Bellhotel & Imperium Residence || 120 m  || 28 || Hotel & Residential|| [[Tanjung Lumpur]] || Tallest building in Kuantan
|-
| 3 || The Zenith Hotel Kuantan || 95 m || 24 || Hotel || City centre || Tallest building in Kuantan (2007-2021)
|-
| 4 || Teruntum Complex || 87.5 m || 22 || Mall || City centre || Tallest building in Kuantan (1979-2007)
|-
| 5 || Mahkota Valley || 70 m || 16 || Residential || [[Bandar Indera Mahkota]] ||
|-
| 6 || Shahzan Hotel || 70 m || 16 || Hotel || City centre ||
|-
| 7 || Timurbay Seafront Residence Suite || 68 m || 15 || Residential || Sungai Karang ||
|-
| 8 || Grand Darul Makmur Hotel || 62 m || 13 || Hotel || City Centre ||
|-
| 9 || TNB Kuantan || 58 m || 13 || Office  || City centre ||
|-
| 10 || Menara CDO || 52 m || 13 || Office || Taman Teratai ||
|-
| 11 || Wisma Persekutuan || 50 m || 12 || Office || City centre || Tallest building in Kuantan (1979)
|-
| 12 || Kompleks Tun Razak || 50 m || 13 || Office || [[Bandar Indera Mahkota]] ||
|- 
| 13 || E-Red Hotel || 49 m || 13 || Hotel || City centre ||
|-
|  14 || CIMB Bank Kuantan || 49 m || 13 || Bank || City centre ||
|-
| 15 || Kuantan City Council || 49 m || 13 || Office || City centre ||
|-
| 16 || Grand Continental Hotel ||  45 m || 12 || Hotel || City centre ||
|-
| 17 || IPK Pahang Building (PDRM PAHANG) || 45 m || 10 || Office || City centre ||
|-
| 18 || PPRS Pinggiran Putra || 45 m || 11 || Apartment Building || Pinggiran Putra ||
|-
| 19 || Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital || 45 m || 10 || Hospital || City centre ||
|-
| 20 || Cathayana Hotel || 45 m || 8 || Hotel || City centre ||
|-
| 21  || KPJ Pahang Specialist Hospital || 40 m || 9 || Hospital || [[Tanjung Lumpur]] || 
|-
| 22 || Wisma Sri Pahang || 40 m || 9 || Government Building|| City centre ||
|-
| 23 || Tokio Marine || 39 m || 8 || Office || City centre || 
|- 
| 24 || AC Hotel by Marriott Kuantan || 39 m || 7 || Hotel || City centre ||
|-

|}

==Culture==
===Cuisine===
Kuantan is famous among locals and tourists for its fish crackers (called ''keropok'' in Malay) and salted fish, where the fish are marinated mainly with salt and left out to dry in the sun for days and sold at the market, Serambi Teruntum in Tanjung Lumpur. Fresh grilled fish or ''[[ikan bakar]]'' can be purchased at Tanjung Lumpur and Beserah area mostly located near fishermen's village.

Many types of local food can be found at the city centre.

Very popular and sold by street vendors (especially at the night markets) are varieties of [[satay]] which consists of grilled meat on a stick which is dipped into peanut sauce and [[roti canai]], a thick flatbread dipped in a [[dhal]] curry sauce.

Typical ethnic Indian dishes include the [[naan]] and [[tandoori chicken]].

==Healthcare==
[[File:Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital.JPG|thumb|[[Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital]].]]
Medical needs are served by several hospitals and clinics. The main hospital is [[Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital]], which is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment such as a [[Computed tomography|CT scanner]] and [[Magnetic resonance imaging|MRI]].

In Indera Mahkota, there are the International Islamic University Medical Center [[International Islamic University Malaysia]].

There are several private medical centres operate in city: KPJ Pahang Specialist Hospital, Kuantan Medical Center (KMC), Hospital Pakar PRK Muip, KCDC Hospital and Darul Makmur Medical Center.

A Community Health Centre serves suburbs such as Beserah, while smaller clinics are in smaller suburbs such as ''Bandar Indera Mahkota''.

==Education==
===Higher education===
{{See also|List of educational institutes in Kuantan}}
There are many institutes of higher learning in Kuantan. They are categorised as Institut Pengajian Tinggi Awam (IPTA); public university or Institut Pengajian Tinggi Swasta (IPTS); private university. Two of the public institutes in Kuantan is ''Politeknik Sultan Ahmad Shah'' (POLISAS) & ''Politeknik METrO Kuantan'' (PMKu). POLISAS established in 1976 and PMKu established on 1 April 2011.

The [[International Islamic University Malaysia]] (IIUM), which is a branch from the main campus in Gombak. There are two IIUM campuses in Kuantan. The Jalan Hospital campus (JHC) campus that opened on year 1997 and the {{convert|1000|acre|km2}} Indera Mahkota campus on year 2004. IIUM Kuantan focuses on medical related degree programmes offered through several faculties or Kulliyyahs such as: Kulliyyah of Medicine, Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences (Radiography, Optometry, Dietetics, Audiology, Physiology and Biomedical Science), Kulliyyah of Nursing, and Kulliyyah of Science (Biotechnology, Computational and Theoritical Sciences (CTS), Applied Chemistry, Physics, Marine Science, Plant Science, and Applied Plant Science), Kulliyyah of Dentistry.

The Jalan Hospital campus (JHC) campus houses the notable IIUM Breast Centre, a centre devoted to the research and diagnosis of breast cancer.

Kolej Komuniti Kuantan was founded in 2001 and currently operating at a permanent campus in Bandar Indera Mahkota.

The [[Universiti Malaysia Pahang]] (UMP) was founded in 2002 and located in Gambang. UMP offers undergraduates and postgraduates education mainly in engineering and technical fields through its 7 faculties and centre. UMP has a newly built main campus in Pekan.

====Private colleges and institutes====
[[File:University College Shahputra.JPG|thumb|Widad University College.]]
* International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)
* [[Tunku Abdul Rahman University College]]
* [[Open University Malaysia]] (OUM)
* Universiti Islam Pahang Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah (UniPSAS)
* [[Widad University College]]
* Kolej Yayasan Pahang
* Kolej Poly-Tech MARA
* Kolej Matrikulasi Pahang (KMPh)
* Institut ECMA
* Institut Latihan Perindustrian Kuantan (ILP Kuantan)
* Institut Teknologi MIDAS
* Institut Saga
* Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi MARA (KKTM)
* Kolej Komuniti Paya Besar, Gambang
* Kolej Professional Mara Indera Mahkota
* Kolej PSDC
* Kolej Teknologi Cosmopoint
* Malaysian Aviation Training Academy (MATA Aviation)

===Secondary schools===
Secondary school (''high school'') education is provided by Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (National Secondary School) (e.g., SMK Air Putih), Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan (National-type School) Chinese primary schools and Religious schools (e.g., SMA Al-Ihsan). All follow the syllabus and curriculum provided and regulated by the Malaysian Ministry of Education (Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia).

Alternatives to national education are provided by international schools which follow international curriculums such as Cambridge and US Common Core. This includes Regent International School (Cambridge) and the International School of Kuantan (US Common Core), grades K to 12.

==Transportation==
===Land===
[[File:Kuantan Sentral Terminal.JPG|thumb|[[Terminal Kuantan Sentral|Kuantan Sentral Terminal]].]]
[[File:Lebuhraya Pantai Timur towards Kuantan Interchange (Exit 833) eastbound in Kuantan District, Pahang 20240224 155334.jpg|thumb|Kuantan Interchange at [[East Coast Expressway]]]]
[[File:Lebuhraya Pantai Timur towards Pelabuhan Kuantan Interchange (Exit 837) eastbound in Kemaman District, Terengganu 20240224 162305.jpg|thumb|East Coast Expressway towards Pelabuhan Kuantan Interchange]]
Kuantan is connected to Kuala Lumpur via the [[East Coast Expressway]] and Karak Expressway. Kuantan is now more accessible by road transportation than before, primarily because of the opening of East Coast Expressway. The East Coast Expressway, which begins in [[Gombak District|Gombak]], Selangor and ends near [[Kuala Terengganu]], also links Kuantan to other major towns in Pahang.

Besides Kuala Terengganu and [[Kota Bharu]], the other two capitals of the east coast, the scenic coastal road ([[Malaysia Federal Route 3|Federal Route 3]]) also runs southward through [[Pekan District|Pekan]], [[Kuala Rompin]], [[Mersing]] before terminating in [[Johor Bahru]] just before the interchange to Singapore. This route winds through verdant forests and small coastal towns, and a stretch of beautiful quiet beaches at [[Rompin]] and [[Lanjut]]. Alternatively, [[Tun Razak Highway]] [[Malaysia Federal Route 12|Federal Route 12]] that runs from the town of [[Segamat]], Johor to [[Gambang, Pahang|Gambang]] and proceeding to [[Gambang-Kuantan Highway]] [[Malaysia Federal Route 2|Federal Route 2]] also connects Kuantan with Johor Bahru.

Kuantan Bypass is a highway that runs from Kuantan Port to Kuantan Airport. Interchange are available at [[Bandar Indera Mahkota]], [[Bandar Damansara Kuantan]], East Coast Expressway, [[Jerangau Highway]] [[Malaysia Federal Route 14|Federal Route 14]], Semambu and major roads.

Alternatively, express buses to Kuantan depart from [[Kuala Lumpur]]. Tickets for these buses are available from Hentian Pekeliling or [[Terminal Bersepadu Selatan|Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS)]] in Kuala Lumpur. These express buses will stop at the [[Terminal Kuantan Sentral]] at Bandar Indera Mahkota. There's local bus services stationed at the bus stop in Kuantan General Market near the Darul Makmur Stadium. This station provides services to [[Cherating]], [[Pekan District|Pekan]] and nearby destinations. [[Rapid Kuantan (brand)|RapidKuantan]] buses are accessible to most places in Kuantan even from Pekan, the neighbouring town and from Kemaman in Terengganu. The main stop centre of RapidKuantan is near the General Market (Pasar Besar) and the Darul Makmur Stadium.

===Rail===
The upcoming [[MRL East Coast Rail Link]], connecting [[Kota Bharu]] and [[Port Klang]], will serve the city. The line is expected to enter operation by 2027.

===Air===
[[File:Sultan Ahmad Shah Airport.jpg|thumb|[[Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Airport]].]]
Kuantan is served by [[Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Airport]]. This is the only airport in Pahang State that is controlled by Malaysia Airport Bhd. Currently, the airlines that fly to Kuantan: [[Malaysia Airline System]] (MAS), [[Firefly (airline)|Firefly]], [[Scoot]], [[Malindo]] and [[AirAsia]]. Firefly has scheduled direct flights to Singapore and Penang. In 2009, the airport handled 226,912 passengers on 3,110 flights, though the airport is able to handle over one million passengers annually. In 2008, Taiwan and Tourism Malaysia had co-operated that there were 23 charter flights directly from Taipei to Kuantan Airport, this condition had made Kuantan Sultan Ahmad Shah Airport the first airport in East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia that received international flights. Passengers have to walk from the plane to the arrival hall. Planes from Kuantan fly directly to [[KLIA]], Subang Airport, [[Singapore Changi Airport]] and [[Penang International Airport]]. Seasonal flights to Taipei are operated by [[China Airlines]]. [[Royal Malaysian Air Force]], also operates from the nearby [[RMAF Kuantan airbase|RMAF Kuantan]].

===Sea===
[[Kuantan Port]], an all-weather port is a multi-cargo seaport facing South China Sea. New Deep Water Terminal (NDWT) is currently being developed adjacent to the port. Upon completion, Kuantan Port is envisaged to be the main gateway to China and the Far East. The port is part of the [[21st Century Maritime Silk Road]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3112665/tale-two-belt-and-road-initiative-port-projects-malaysia-shows|title=Tale of two Malaysian belt and road projects shows limits of Chinese money|date=7 December 2020|newspaper=[[South China Morning Post]]|access-date=17 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.southworld.net/the-maritime-silk-road-in-south-east-asia/|title=The Maritime Silk Road in South-East Asia.|website=Southworld.net|access-date=17 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://globalmaritimehub.com/wp-content/uploads/attach_923.pdf|title=The Maritime Silk Road|website=Globalmaritimehub.com|access-date=17 July 2022}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
{{In popular culture|section|date=July 2022}}
* Kuantan features prominently in the first part of [[Nevil Shute]]'s 1949 novel ''[[A Town Like Alice]]''
* Kuantan is mentioned in the ''[[Command & Conquer (series)|Command & Conquer]]'' video game series backstory as being a major base of operations of the Brotherhood of Nod.
* Box-office success local movie "[[Woohoo (film)|Woohoo]]"(2010) was shot at Beserah, Kuantan.
* In "[[Polis Evo 2]]", the fictional place "Bongsun" is located in Kuantan, where this place is a shooting location.
* Famous social responsibility site, KCPbantu is based in Kuantan.
* Kuantan is mentioned in the 42nd episode of anime ''[[Jujutsu Kaisen]]'' as [[List of Jujutsu Kaisen characters#Kento Nanami|Kento Nanami]]'s preferred place of retirement; it trended on international social media soon after the episode aired and the popularity is acknowledged by the Pahang State's Communications and Media Exco [[Fadzli Mohamad Kamal]] in a post on Facebook on the same day.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=[[Sinar Harian]]|language=ms|url=https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/636932/edisi/pahang/kuantan-trending-gara-gara-pesanan-terakhir-kento-nanami|title=Kuantan trending gara-gara 'pesanan terakhir' Kento Nanami|author=Rosilawati Rosedi|date=28 November 2023 }}</ref>

==International relations==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Malaysia#Kuantan|l1=List of twin towns and sister cities in Malaysia}}

===Sister cities===
Kuantan currently has one [[sister city]]:
{|class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|
* {{flagicon|PRC}} [[Qinzhou]], China.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2015/02/14/kuantan-port-expansion-to-improve-economic-ties-with-china/|title=Kuantan Port expansion to improve economic ties with China|author=Simon Khoo|work=The Star|date=14 February 2015|access-date=21 December 2015}}</ref>
|}

{{Geographic location
 | North = [[Beserah]]<br />[[Kemaman]]
 | Northeast = ''[[South China Sea]]''
 | East = ''[[South China Sea]]''
 | Southeast = ''[[South China Sea]]''
 | South = [[Pekan]]
 | Southwest = [[Gambang, Pahang|Gambang]]<br />[[Maran, Pahang|Maran]]
 | West = [[Maran, Pahang|Maran]]<br />[[Jengka]]
 | Northwest= [[Sungai Lembing]]<br />Ulu Kuantan
 | Centre =  Kuantan
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Kuantan}}
*[https://www.kuantancity.com.my Kuantan City Portal | KCPbantu Laman Bantuan untuk Rakyat Malaysia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221231102440/https://www.kuantancity.com.my/ |date=31 December 2022 }}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20101006022914/http://mpk.gov.my/web/guest/home Official website of Kuantan Municipal Council]
*[http://www.pahangtourism.org.my Pahang Tourism Official Website]
*[https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&z=12&ll=3.81664,103.260155&spn=0.163402,0.233459&t=k&om=1 Satellite Image of Kuantan City]
*[http://www.worldweather.org/020/c00083.htm Weather forecast for Kuantan City]
*{{Wikivoyage inline|Kuantan}}
*[http://www.visitpahang.my Visit Pahang Official Website]

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[[Category:Kuantan| ]]
[[Category:Populated places in Pahang]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in Asia]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Malaysia]]
[[Category:State capitals in Malaysia]]