Kuantan is the state capital of Pahang, Malaysia. It is near the mouth of the Kuantan River and faces the South China Sea and is Malaysia's second biggest port. Kuantan is the ninth largest city in Malaysia. Most travellers only stop in busy Kuantan to break up long bus trips, but the city is definitely interesting enough to warrant a day or two's exploration, even just to make the most of the coast's best eating opportunities. The nearby beach of Teluk Chempedak gives you resort living without a backpacker in sight.