The boat trip
Narrow channels and open water.
Rubenjoker — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Rubenjoker — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Rubenjoker — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Rubenjoker — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Rubenjoker — CC BY-SA 4.0
Chini Lake is the second-largest freshwater lake in Peninsular Malaysia, in the Pekan district of Pahang, made up of 12 connected lakes covering about 5,085 hectares. It is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and the Jakun, an Orang Asli people, live around its shores. It makes a calm boat outing between forest and water. The lake drains through the Chini River into the Pahang River. A dam on the river keeps its level up in the dry season, but this has disrupted its ecology and killed trees along the shore. Residents have also complained of pollution from logging and nearby mining. Legends tell of a dragon called Naga Seri Gumum and a sunken Khmer city, stories with no evidence behind them. Sources count 138 plant species and 144 freshwater fish species here. Motorboat trips run through narrow channels into broad stretches of open water, and there are wooden walkways. Sources differ on the lotus season, June to August or August to September, when white and pink blooms appear, and the display is not guaranteed. Packages from the National University of Malaysia's research centre include visits to Jakun villages, so ask before taking photos. The lake is about 66 km from Teluk Cempedak in a straight line and suits a day trip by car from Kuantan or Pekan. Buses go only as far as Felda Chini, then you need a taxi. Bring insect repellent and ask about water levels, as some boat routes sometimes close.
Narrow channels and open water.
A path among plants and water.
Visits on organised tours.
Pekan District, Pahang
No. They are seasonal, with sources differing on months between June and September, and water changes can affect them, so ask before you go.
It is a local legend, like the story of the sunken Khmer city. There is no scientific evidence for either, though they add to the lake's charm.