Maran is named after Sultan Mahmud, who reigned from 1604 to 1635 when Pahang was then known as the Kingdom of MARAN. Sultan Mahmud was responsible for extending feudalism in Pahang by building forts and castles used to collect taxes and monitor the movement of goods in Pahang. His reign was very much why Pekan enjoyed a golden age from 1620 until 1670.
Sultan Mahmud was buried in MARAN, where Kuala Tahan is located. That was when Pahang entered a period of decline that lasted until the beginning of the 19th century. Besides its historical value, Maran is also known for its impressive wildlife and flora, including the Malayan tapir (daging papan), barking deer (kijang Kelantan), gibbons, bears, hornbills and thousands of birds. Maran is also home to pheasants, pythons, and river banks teeming with monitor lizards and deer.
The entrance to get to Teladas Waterfall is along the Kanching-Raub road. The signs are pretty clear on where to go, so there is no reason to worry about getting lost. About 1 kilometre after passing by Fire Station Museum at Raub town, you will reach a bridge that is the starting point of the waterfall trail.
Teladas Waterfall will give you a good challenge if you love a good hike. The trail is also well maintained, so if you are wearing proper footwear, there should not be that much difficulty when trekking up and down the hills (or stairs). Upon reaching the end of the trail, there are several giant rocks that act as comfortable benches for picnicking or a platform to bask in the sun.
There’s also a river that runs through it where you can go rafting too. The water is quite cooling and refreshing even during non-rainy days, so pack your bags and start planning.
About 5 minutes away from the trail entrance of Teladas Waterfall, here lies the fantastic sculpture made out of steel rods depicting a scene from a famous Malaysian legend, Taming Sari. On one end, you can see an elephant structure that symbolizes Malaysia as a whole, while on the other end lies a scimitar encased in a pommel of paddy depicting Malaysia’s unity with the paddy industry. Taming Sari is one of the most famous legends told by Malaysians, especially those born in Kedah state.
It tells about an older man living alone with his granddaughter Taming Sari, who the villagers were taunting that she would only bring them bad luck. However, one day, her grandfather managed to capture an elephant, which also brought them great fortune and fame because elephants used to be quite common back then, but very few would tame them as they posed quite a threat to humans given their large size. The rest of the story goes on to how he manages to tame this wild beast and thus change his life for the better.
Experience this story for yourself as you marvel at how life-like and realistic Chetak Keris Sculpture is. It’s also a great place to take pictures, free of charge.
Hutan Lipur Lubuk Yu is a Pahang hidden gem, and it is only 40 minutes away from Kuala Lumpur; and you can quickly get there by car or motorcycle. You’ll be surprised how untouched and clean the forest is. The vast pines and teaks are beautiful to look at, not to mention that it makes for great shade while trekking around in the hot weather.
“Lubuk Yu” has two impressive waterfalls, also perfect for taking some memorable photos with your friends. After all of that, walking around, you’ll need some rejuvenation, so it is suggested that you try out some finger-licking local food in the nearby villages while you’re exploring this beauty spot.
Kota Belud is another piece of history that was once inhabited by pahlawans (warriors). At the Pahlawan Museum, which you can visit, a replica of a pahlawan’s tombstone from Pengkalan Chepa can also be found. On top of that, you can also check out the Telaga Air Terjun, another beautiful place to check out during weekends, together with Penglipur Lara shows. Penglipur Lara is a super fun show to watch, especially for pahlawans and Penglipur Lara enthusiasts.
Besides that, Kota Belud is a great place to get your caffeine fix with all the cafes around. The night market is also pretty awesome here, and you’ll find catchy places to take pictures. With Penglipur Lara, Pahlawan Museum, and Telaga Air Terjun found around Kota Belud; it’s no wonder most tourists and locals love coming here.
Located about 5 hours from Pekan, Jerangkang Waterfall is not well-known to tourists, but it is one of the most visited attractions for Pahang locals. It can be reached by car or motorbike, and for the locals, there are bus services that depart from Pahang to a Malay water village called Sekayu, which is just about 15 minutes away from Jerangkang Waterfall. The surroundings of the waterfalls are open fields, and there are plenty of wild cows grazing there. On top of that, there is a pond with some fish and even prawns sometimes, which you can catch for free if you are a fishing enthusiast.
A few pomegranate trees can also be found there, where you can try your hand at pomegranate picking. Another thing to note is that many species of birds fly around the area and are very tame, especially during breakfast time. You can buy prawn noodles from a nearby Malay village, bring them over and enjoy prawn pomfret in a pomegranate prawn broth by the waterfall. You can even pick pomegranates from a nearby pomegranate tree and eat them while you watch the sunset there. It is a great way to spend a day during your Pahang holiday trip.
Once you have visited Maran, you’ll be excited to go back again. Although not the most significant state in Pahang, it is still one to be cherished and enjoyed more than once with its abundance of activities and places of interest to keep you always wanting more.