Once a significant trade port along the Linggi River, attempts to revitalise the town are based around encouraging tourism.

The town is a site for recreational tourism for the fishing of giant freshwater prawns, and the Pengkalan Kempas Historical Complex has been created as a museum for megaliths.

[8] In a 1901 census, the town was recorded as having a total population of 306 people, consisting of 126 Chinese agricultural workers, 87 Malays, 2 Indians, and 91 others.

[12]: 99 The town is a popular spot for giant freshwater prawn fishing,[4] which has been the main source of tourism for more than 35 years.

[3] The town is a potential stop for river cruises, however the current jetty is poorly maintained and is unable to accommodate this demand.

[14] A shrine to Na Tuk Kong in the town fuses Chinese, Malay, and Indian influences, containing clay figures from various religions, including the presence of Hanuman as a guard, and the inclusion of koranic verses.

[12]: 99–104 The Pengkalan Kempas Historical Complex was developed on a site called Keramat Ujung Pasir (prawn river shrine).