Sitting in a lush valley 45 minutes northwest of Kuantan, Sungai Lembing is a former mining town that’s been showing signs of revitalization. What was once home to the largest underground tin mine in the world is now a popular destination for weekenders out to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. For a lay of the land, get up early and head to the stone staircases that take you to the top of Bukit Panorama to witness the majesty of the sunrise over the forested hills. Sungai Lembing Museum brings the village’s mining past to life, and is one of the few places in Malaysia where you can actually enter an old mining tunnel. But perhaps the best thing to do in Sungai Lembing is to wander the historic town with its colorful timber houses, suspension bridges, and food stalls serving laksa and other noodle dishes.

It’s never cold in this part of Malaysia, but some times of year tend to be hotter and rainier than others. November to February is monsoon season. Sungai Lembing can sometimes flood, especially in December and January. July is the hottest and most humid month, while the coolest month is January. Lunar New Year welcomes one of the biggest festivals of the year and brings the most crowds as locals return home to spend the week with their families and international visitors come to join in the festivities. During the celebration, shops and restaurants are decorated with red lanterns and lights, music fills the air, and fireworks light up the sky at night.

Bukit Panorama

It takes about an hour to climb the 1,000 cement steps to the top of Bukit Panorama, but it’s time well spent. The hill towers 900 feet above the town, making it the best place in the region to watch the sunrise. Weekends can be busy at the peak, so consider going on a weekday.

Sungai Lembing Museum and Tin Mine

At this local history museum, you’ll learn how Sungai Lembing went from a boom town to a ghost town almost overnight. Check out artifacts like tin samples and drilling machines then tour old mining tunnels that extend 1,500 feet underground. English-speaking guides are available.

Rainbow Waterfall

Just west of town stands the nearly 100-foot-tall Rainbow Waterfall, which can be accessed by a 45-minute hike. Though not technically difficult, there are no stairs at this site, and the uphill trek can be challenging — be sure to pace yourself and drink plenty of water in the heat. Exercise care when you reach the rocky portion toward the end of the climb, as the rocks can get slippery when wet. The rainbow from which the waterfall takes its name can be seen between 9 and 10 a.m., when the sun hits the falling water at its base.