Cherating, about 35 miles north of Kuantan on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, is perhaps one of the best kept secrets in Southeast Asia. The beach village is, according to one source, “the perfect antidote to frantic city life.”
How good are the beaches there? Cherating became the home of Asia’s first Club Med. And parts of the beach are set aside as one of the world’s most important sea turtle sanctuaries.
But it is more than just beach that brings visitors to Cherating. Atmosphere is essential to the charm and attraction of Cherating. The actual town is basically a Malay kampung, or traditional village. Handicrafts and cultural events are everywhere. You can participate in the manufacturing of batik cloth. You can see Malay dance or watch a traditional shadow puppet play. And of course there is food.
But there are also plenty of the more normal sorts of beach vacation activities to pursue. Jet skis are available. You can swim, sunbathe, wind surf, or just work on the perfect tan. There’s a river cruise that allows you to see some of the surrounding jungle’s wild life. And there are hiking trails.
There are a wide range of accommodations available in Cherating. The previously mentioned Club Med is an example of the more upscale offerings. The 200 acre campus of Club Med Cherating feels like a cross between a national park and a spa. Club Med staff there can make you feel comfortable and welcome in Cantonese, English, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Mandarin, Spanish. But there are plenty of less plush accommodations available on the beach. Cherating has its share of hostels and backpackers, along with straw huts on the beach.
Even if your primary goal in showing up at Cherating is to stretch out on the beach and absorb sunlight, you should be sure to take in at least of few of the local sights. I recommend the orchid farm nearby. And I’ve always loved walking through the morning markets in Southeast Asia and haggling for mangos or flowers to take back to my room. Kemaman market in Cherating provides a good experience in that.
If you’re looking for a particularly exotic place to stay in Cherating, recently ran a feature in their Lifestyle section on Villa Tab. It seems the brother of the reigning Sultan of Pahang has a brother (named Tengku Abdullah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Sir Abu Bakar) who owns a nice cottage on the beach in Cherating: Villa Tab. Because the Sultan’s brother didn’t really use the place much, he decided to start renting it out this past June.
According to The Star, “The main building houses the living area, kitchen, AV room and a small bedroom, while the two ancillary wings contain the remaining three rooms. The master bedroom is bigger than a small apartment and has its own sitting area. The original décor was left intact and the Tengku’s belongings still grace the walls and shelves.” The villa includes an infinity-edge swimming pool, a private cove, and access to two speed boats and a jet ski. A party of up to 14 could stay there without much problem. They’d be cared for by three housekeepers, a gardener, security guards, a handyman, and the host/manager, Jit Chiam. Wherever you stay while you’re there, enjoy Cherating...
