TASIK Chini, located about 100km from Kuantan, consists of 12 interconnecting water bodies spanning an area of 5,026ha. It is one of two natural lakes in Malaysia apart from Tasik Bera in southwest Pahang.
The lake is surrounded by tropical forests and is home to 138 species of plants, 300 species of land animals and 144 species of freshwater fish.
The Jakun tribe, one of 18 orang asli sub-ethnic groups in Malaysia, lives around the lake and survives by gathering jungle produce, hunting, fishing and cultivating crops.
Tasik Chini is rich in myth and legend and an ancient Khmer city is believed to be at the bottom of the lake. A dragon called the Naga Seri Gumum by the Jakuns (sometimes referred to as Malaysia’s version of the Loch Ness monster) is said to live in the lake and guard the sunken city.
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