CHERATING BEACH

Less than 50km north of Kuantan is Cherating. Cherating is the perfect antidote to frantic city life. Here, wide gently sloping sandy beaches, lined with casuarinas trees, extend as far as the eye can see.

The enamored and fabulous sparkling seas, pristine beaches and cool breezes made Club Mediterranean open its first Asian venture here, on a private beach. The main Cherating beach is the location of many hotels, reboots and chalets, catering for all budgets.

First popularized by the backpackers, Cherating is now popular with many visitors who came to enjoy the beach, sea and sun. Handicraft shops and cultural establishments have been established, and many visitors enjoy making their own batiks. Batik painting and pandanus handicrafts remain popular souvenirs from Cherating.

Cherating also offers you the chance to shop for handicraft and see cultural performances. Village maidens nimbly weave the "pandanus" leaves into mats, hats, bags and other inexpensive lightweight souvenirs. Cultural shows include wayang kulit (shadow play) and silat (the Malay art of self-defence).

LOCATION:

From Kuantan city, head north for about 45 minutes. There should be ample signboards that will lead you to Cherating. From Kuala Lumpur, Kuantan city is a breezy 2.5-hour drive away on the scenic East Coast Expressway (ECE). Alternatively, there are 2-3 daily flights from KLIA to Kuantan (KUA) on Malaysia Airlines (MH). AirAsia (AK) does not fly to Kuantan.

DESCRIPTION:

The eternal lure of Cherating is embodied by the decision by the Club Med hotel chain to establish Asia's first Club Med resort here many years ago. Since then, various international class hotels and resorts sprouted along this long beach stretch.

What is known as Cherating is actually a series of different beaches with different access points. If you are driving from Kuantan, the row of medium-class resorts such as The Legend, Holiday Villa, and De Rhu Beach Resort should mark the starting point of the beach area. Another 10 minutes further, there is a small right-turn into the rustic village of Kampung Cherating. Further up on the main road brings you into Club Med Cherating. One may not be able to enter the resort (unless you are a hotel guest), but the beach fronting Club Med Cherating should be for everyone to enjoy. Then, little further is the area of Chendor beach where Suria Cherating and Impiana Resort are located.

I think the beauty of Cherating is immortalized by foreigners in its rustic villages - small roads with kampong-style chalets that can be rented cheaply, and the basic lifestyle of the people here. The actual beach is some distance away - I estimate that one need to walk for about 1-km, passing through an expansive natural lagoon area. There are necessity shops here; mini grocery stores, internet cafés, local handicrafts and food outlets.

Right at the Club Med's entrance is a turtle hatchery centre operated by local Marine & Fisheries Department. You can see hatching turtle eggs being buried in the warm sands. To be honest, I'm not really sure where do the turtles land in Cherating area - most likely the areas are closed to the public as a measure to arrest further decline in turtle population in the East Coast.

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www.kuantan-hotels.com/accommodations/cherating.htm
www.cuti.com.my/Sub/Pahang/guide_cherating.htm
www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Asia/Malaysia/Negeri_Pahang/Cherating_Beach-1294899/TravelGuide-Cherating_Beach.html
www.malaysiahotelreview.com/pahang/destination/pantai-cherating.shtml