Beautiful Tasik Chini (Lake Chini) is a series of 12 lakes linked by vegetation-clogged channels. One of Pahang’s natural flood retention basins, environmentalists see increasing threat to the area as a result of decades of uncontrolled mining and logging activities. But there is much to bring travellers to this magnificent landscape, and as elsewhere in Malaysia many hope that ecotourism will motivate the government to protect this fragile landscape. See our Understand: Environment section for more details.

Tasik Chini’s shores are inhabited by the Jakun people, an Orang Asli tribe of Melayu Asli origin, and the surrounding jungle hills are some of the least-visited trekking areas in the country, still hiding tigers and elephants amidst glorious waterfalls and caves. Locals believe the lake is home to a serpent known as Naga Seri Gumum, sometimes translated as a ‘Loch Ness Monster’. The best time to visit the lakes is from June to September when the lotuses are in bloom.

Tasik Chini offers two excellent all-inclusive options for travellers. Rajan Jones Guest House lies nestled in flower-filled Kampung Gumum and acts as base camp for the titular Rajan Jones’s excellent jungle and lake adventures. Rajan speaks perfect English, is close with the Orang Asli, has been leading treks for over 20 years and can arrange a spectrum of activities from jungle trekking (three-hour trips, RM50 per person), night hikes (RM30), longer treks (RM80 per day) waterfall trips (RM75) and lake trips (RM50 to RM100). All of Rajan’s tours include transport and all meals.

A less rustic option is the magnificently landscaped Lake Chini Resort, which has beautiful rooms facing the lake, an onsite restaurant and even karaoke. Eight-bed dorms are neat and often filled with student groups. Staff at the resort can arrange all activities for you.

The easiest way to get to Tasik Chini is to arrange transport from either Lake Chini Resort or Rajan Jones. The more complicated way involves taking a bus to Kampung Chini from either Kuantan (RM7, 2 hours) or Pekan (RM6, 11/2 hours) to Kampung Chini and then taking a private car the remaining 7.5km to Kampung Gunum for about RM20. You can a taxi from either Pekan or Kuantan for around RM80.

 

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