From the mountainous upper reaches of Gunung Tahan (Mount Tahan) (2187 metres) the Sungai Pahang (Pahang River) meanders in a south-easterly direction, passing Kuala Lipis, Temerloh, Chenor, Mengkarak and turning east at Lepar into the floodplains of Pekan, Kuala Pahang before meeting the South China Sea. Hence, when we talk of Kuala Pahang, we will invariably be drawn to the history of this mighty river, too.

According to history, the banks of Sungai Pahang was settled as early as the 1400s by warriors and seafarers from around the Malay Archipelago, including Aceh, Riau, Palembang and Sulawesi.

In the old days, the Pahang River and the Muar River in the southern state of Johore were almost touching each other at a place called Jempol, in Negeri Sembilan. This was because the Serting River flows into the Bera River, a tributary of the Pahang River. Jempol River flows into Muar River. Trading boats from the Muar River could continue their journey until they reached Kuala Pahang in Pekan, or Kuala Lipis to make their way to Terengganu, Kelantan or Perak.

A unique practice was that at a place called Penarikan, the local folks would help the boaters drag their vessels across a narrow strip of land that separated the two rivers. The distance is about 300 meters and because of the pulling of boats overland, the route is named Penarikan. The Pahang River - Muar River route is a safer route to the South China Sea or to the Straits of Malacca, because there were no disturbances and threats of piracy compared to the seas.

Many historical sites can be found along the Pahang River. Among the sites is Makam Lubuk Pahang. This tomb is situated near to Kampung Jeranggang. This burial site consists of the tombs of Sultan Abdul Jamil, Datuk Budiman and Puteri Buluh Betong, the consort of Sultan Abdul Jamil. Their death were associated with attacks from Aceh in 1617.

Sultan Abdul Jamil and Datuk Budiman were killed by Seri Mahkota Alam from Aceh. The bodies of Sultan Abdul Jamil and Datuk Budiman were buried side by side with their heads facing the Pahang River. Sultan Abdul Jamil's tomb is on the right whereas Datuk Budiman is on the left of the Sultan's tomb. Puteri Buluh Betong was buried at the foot of their tombs.

At one point near Pekan, it was said that a fortress known as Kota Biram or Kota Pahang was completely destroyed. On that site, a building for the British Resident was erected. It was later converted into a palace for the Sultan. Now it is the Sultan Abu Bakar Muzium.

Jerantut is 15 km from the confluence of the Jelai River and Tembeling River. Temerloh is situated at the confluence of the Semantan River and Pahang River. The town of Pekan, which is Pahang's royal town, is situated on the southern bank of the river, near the river mouth.

Such is the colourful past of the Pahang River that standing on the banks of the wide estuary at Kuala Pahang allows one to better appreciate this rich natural heritage. There is nothing much at Kuala Pahang in terms of modern structures save for a golf and country club near Pantai Legenda. The road that passes through some rather water-logged villages leads to a dead end with a distant view of the point where river meets sea.