A sea of mist
Sunrise over the valley from Bukit Panorama.
Ronald Tagra — CC BY 2.0 · Elviz Low — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Fikku fiq — CC BY-SA 4.0
A small, quiet town among the hills about forty-two kilometres north-west of Kuantan, which grew in the early twentieth century around a British tin mine that was among the deepest underground mines in the world. In its heyday it had electricity, schools, a cinema and a hospital; the mine closed in 1987 and many residents left. The town has come back to life since the early 2000s as a heritage destination: the Sungai Lembing Museum, in the old mine manager's house on the hill, tells the mining story in photographs and tools; an old mine tunnel can be entered on a tour; and there are old timber houses and cafes on the main street and a suspension bridge over the river. Its most famous sight is Bukit Panorama: visitors climb a long staircase before dawn to watch the sunrise over a sea of mist filling the valley, one of the loveliest scenes on the east coast. The museum charges a token fee, and wandering the town is free. For the Bukit Panorama sunrise, stay in town or leave Kuantan before five in the morning, with a torch, water and good shoes. The town is usually combined with Gua Charas on the way.
Sunrise over the valley from Bukit Panorama.
A museum and an old tin-mine tunnel.
Over the town's river.
About 42 km north-west of Kuantan
For nature and photography lovers, yes: the misty sunrise is rarely beautiful. But the stairs are long and dark before dawn, so bring a torch and do not climb alone.