Sungai Lembing 3D2N

November 16, 2019

Rainbow Waterfall

Iconic big tree

Charming old town

Sungai Lembing is a tin mining town in Kuantan district, Pahang. It is about 3 hours drive from Kuala Lumpur (267.8 km). Sungai Lembing town developed in the 1880s when the British set up the tin mining industry. The pit mines were closed in 1986 due to high operational costs and low yields. During their heyday, they were among the largest and deepest in the world. The total tunnel length is 322 km, with a depth of between 610 m and 700 m. Today the town of Sg Lembing is in decline although it was once the richest town in Pahang, known as El Dorado of the East. In the 1940s, about 1400 people worked in the mine. Today many of the wooden shoplots are closed and people are moving away. The town straddles the river, and the main street on the right bank is split by majestic trees.

For our 3-days-2-night escape in Sungai Lembing we stayed at Time Capsule Retreat. A place which built in nature and it is really peaceful.

The best time to visit Sungai Lembing is during the non-monsoon season from March to October. The incidence of rain is much higher during the monsoon season from November to February.

Sugai Lembing Mines was our first stop. The management is maintaining one of the original tin-mine cave where people have to enter to the cave with old train and then walk through the rest of the underground tunnel. It is an easy walk with good ventilation.The mine is very interesting and educational. You get to read information about it along many different sections of the walking path. The entrance for adult ticket is RM15.90.

Sungai Lembing Museum is a must visit place to understand the background and history of sungai lembing. The building itself is on a hill, was once the residence of the British mining manager and his family. Entrance fee is just RM2.

Our main reason to Sungai Lembing is for Rainbow Waterfall. We booked the tour with our hotel for RM60/pax. It was a beautiful morning and the guide came at 6am to pick us up for breakfast at town. The ride was bumpy, fun and adventurous. It takes about 40 minutes to reach there and another 1km trek to reach the waterfall. Very scenic place and we were lucky enough to see the mini rainbow and it was really pretty.

Mini rainbow

Mee making

Panorama Hill is 271m in height with approximately 1,000 steps to the top. There are a few resting huts to take a break when you get out of breath. We started our climb around 6 am and took about 30 mins to reach the top and the view of sunrise was stunning; sea of clouds like in Chinese painting.

Sunrise at Panorama Hill

Every town has its own unique dishes. There is one we really like in Sungai Lembing; the Egg Chee Cheong Fun. We had it for our breakfast after came down from Panorama Hill. On the way back to Kuala Lumpur, we also stopped by Mount Charas and Bentong for Chamang Waterfall.