Top 5 Places to Visit in Bentong
Just like all the other visitors to Rest. Pause. Rainforest Retreat, you must be curious about the surrounding area. What to do, what to see, and the most important question of life, what to eat. Of course, Janda Baik has its attractions, eateries and more. But while Janda Baik is a gem on its own, if you want to explore a little more, Bentong is a town you can visit. While maintaining a little old world, kampong charm, the town does have a plethora of things to see, do and eat. Here’s a list of the 5 top places to visit in Bentong.
1. Pasar Besar Bentong (Bentong Market)
Credit: j2kfm.com
The Bentong market is well known amongst market enthusiasts and connoisseurs of fresh food, otherwise known as your mom or neighbourhood aunty. It is also a popular stop for tourists from around the country, and our neighbours down South, Singapore. This makes it one of the top places to visit in Bentong. In the big market (as it’s appropriately named), you’ll find a variety of goods, most of which are brought from the vendors own estates to sell. And because it’s all straight from the plantations and estates, you can enjoy extraordinarily fresh vegetables and fruits, farm products like eggs and chickens, as well as homemade products.
When you find the perfect vegetables.
Credit: Comedy Central via Giphy
There are a few things that make the market a must-visit place. There’s the famous Bentong ginger, known for being more “lat” (hot), chunkier and juicier than the average ginger. It’s also said to have great health properties. The market is also famous for tofu and tofu puffs (tau pok), which you’ll have to come early for. It can go out of stock as early as 8am.
The market is a huge red building located in between Jalan Pasar and Jalan Chui Yin in Bentong; you won’t miss it unless you’re in another dimension.
Coordinates:
3.523115, 101.907509
Get there from Rest. Pause. Rainforest Retreat (34.5km).
2. Jalan Chui Yin
Credit: gobentong.com
Right next to the market is Jalan Chui Yin. The unassuming road is totally transformed at after 4pm into a food den, or a snack haven, or a glutton street. Well, whatever you want to call it, it has lots of warm, delicious, mouth-watering food perfectly complementing the cool night air. This is because it’s at 4-10pm that the hawkers will bring their stuff out for you to enjoy.
Living to eat, that’s what we believe in.
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If you like simple roadside fare, you’ll feel at home here. However, unlike your pasar malam at home, this one is made even more awesome because it’s cooling enough that you don’t have to feel like a sardine in a can. And, the stalls mostly bring their own homemade dishes, so you can be sure that whatever you eat, it’s tasty. Among some of the goodies that you’ll find are handmade desserts, old school style. The char koay teow is quite famous; it is the owner’s own secret recipe. Don’t forget to pick up some snacks along the way.
3. Chamang Waterfall
One of the places to visit in Bentong for a nature escape is the Chamang Falls. The Chamang Falls are a great, well maintained recreational spot for all to enjoy. For the families, there is a picnic area, and a wading area. Bring along all your prepacked picnic goodies like sandwiches, buns and sausages. If your kids are in the water, do remember to keep an eye out on them and be close by. Like be in the water with them to keep them safe. After all, if you came here to spend time with your family, well, spend time with them.
Swimming time.
Credit: Love Magazine via Giphy.
For the more adventurous sort, there are areas of the fall where you can actually swim. However, there are areas that have very dangerous currents and whirlpools. We don’t care if you swim better than Michael Phelps, or if you think you’re part submarine, accidents to happen. So be careful, and look out for the warning signs as you explore the falls.
Coordinates:
N03° 30.56′ E101° 51.47′
Get there from Rest. Pause. Rainforest Retreat (43.7km).
4. Bentong Hot Springs
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You don’t have to get tickets to the Land of the Rising Sun to enjoy some natural hot springs. Right here, in Bentong, there is a place where you can soak in the natural, relaxing waters of a hot spring. Presenting, *drumroll* the Bentong hot springs.
The Bentong hot springs are an open, public pool, mostly enjoyed by the locals in Janda Baik or Bentong. It is also maintained by local volunteers. The hot springs are in the open air, and you’ll get a nice view of the surrounding forests as you relax. However, we are not in Japan. So, we’d advise against going all out naked when enjoying the facilities.
Aaaaaaaahhhhhhh…. that’s the spot.
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Do note that there are a lack of facilities such as changing rooms or a storage area for bags and clothes. You may want to plan what to bring before travelling to the springs. Also, the Suria Hot Springs, are a hotel next to the public pool. They do allow public access for a RM10 charge.
Address:
Lot 2527, Mukim Bentong, 26700 Bentong, Pahang
Get there from Rest. Pause. Rainforest Retreat (18.9km).
5. Kow Po Ice Cream
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If you want ice cream in this day and age, you’d normally think about those hipster cafés with super uncomfortable furniture and expensive ice cream. Well, in Bentong, there’s Kedai Kopi Kow Po. Well, it doesn’t have fancy lightbulbs or chairs hanging from the ceiling, but it does have great homemade ice cream at a reasonable price.
Ice cream, awesome ice cream!
Credit: Nickelodeon via Giphy.
The parlour has been around for a whopping 40 years, serving up ice cream, floats, ABCs and more. So, if you’re looking for a place to cool down after a day of traveling through Janda Baik and Bentong, Kow Po is awesome. Do note that sometimes, it’ll be packed with tourists.
Address: Kow Po Ice Cream, No. 2, Bentong Heights, 28700 Bentong, Pahang
Get there from Rest. Pause. Rainforest Retreat (34.1km).
There you have it folks, 5 top places to visit in Bentong. And of course, if you need a place to chill out, relax and take a few days off while exploring all Janda Baik and Bentong have to offer, why not book Rest. Pause. Rainforest Retreat? It’s quiet, peaceful, and close enough for a visit to Janda Baik and Bentong attractions.
