Places of Interest

In and around Kuala Terengganu

Waterfront of Kuala
Visitors to the Waterfront of Kuala Terengganu will be in awe of and fascinated by the hustle and bustle of activities taking place there. Stroll down the waterfront and watch fishmongers haggling for the price of fish and other seafood, or take a boat ride to one of the many beautiful surrounding islands. Another appealing alternative is to take a passenger boat to Seberang Takir, where the most incredible view of the South China Sea can be seen.

Terengganu State Museum Complex
The Terengganu State Museum Complex consists of a Main Museum, a Maritime Museum, a Fisheries Museum, 4 traditional houses and botanic and herbs gardens. The Main Museum is built on 16 stilts, in accordance with the traditional architecture of Terengganu. Its 4 blocks are adjoined, to represent a big family. There are 10 galleries showcasing textiles, crafts, historical, royal, nature, art, petroleum, Islamic, new generation and contemporary arts.

Sutera Semai Centre
Approximately 6 km south of Kuala Terengganu is Sutera Semai Centre at Chendering. It is Malaysia's pioneer silk weaving centre, where visitors can witness different stages of silk manufacturing. There, witness the painting of batik designs onto the fabrics, resulting in beautiful batik shirts, kaftans, scarves, handkerchiefs, etc.

Batik painting
Batik painting is an exquisite and delicate art which requires skill, patience and meticulousness. In batik painting, brightly coloured floral motifs are painted in stages onto dyed cloths. Songket, a piece of dyed silk material weaved with gold and silver threads, is the clothing for royalties, and Malay brides and grooms at their weddings. It is also often worn during special ceremonies and occasions such as on Hari Raya Aidil Fitri (The celebration which marks the end of Ramadan, the Muslim fasting month). There are many Batik and Songket Centres in and around Kuala Terengganu which produce and sell batik and songket.

Bukit Puteri
Bukit Puteri is a 200 m high historical hill, situated next to Istana Maziah. It was used as a fortress between the years of 1831 to 1876 to defend the state from enemy attacks. Some of the historical remains which can be seen on Bukit Puteri are cannons, a flagpole, a large bell and a fort. Today, as it is the highest point in Kuala Terengganu, visitors standing on top of Bukit Puteri can witness the magnificent view of the areas sur-rounding it.

Istana Maziah is believed to have been constructed during the reign of Sultan Zainal Abidin III. It was built in 1897 to replace the Istana HijalJ which was burned down during World War II. Located next to Bukit Puteri, it is the venue for royal birthdays, weddings, conferment of titles and receptions for local and foreign dignitaries. A product of the blend between splendid modern and traditional architecture, it is also well-known as one of Malaysia's cultural attractions.

Masjid Tengku
The Masjid Tengku Tengah Zaharah, located outside Kuala Terengganu is just 4.5km away. This is no ordinary mosque but said to be the only one of its kind in Malaysia. Combining modern and traditional architectural desighs, the mosque creates an illusion of itself as floating on water.

Central Market
The Central Market, or locally known as Pasar Payang which is located by the Terengganu River is one of the most popular tourist spots in Kuala Terengganu. Housed in a modern building complete with a shopping arcade and a car park, it offers visitors a variety of traditional handicrafts such as batik, silk, songket, brocade and brassware, other fresh produce such as fruits, vegetables and 'Keropok Lekor', which is a special local delicacy made from a mixture of fish and sago. Visitors to this market will have a delightful experi-ence shopping in local fares at reasonable prices.

Desa Craft
Desa Craft, formerly known as Usaha Desa, is an interes-ting handicraft centre which showcases songket, brassware, batik, souvenir items and also fashion wear of current batik designs. This centre was developed by the Terengganu State Economic Develop-ment Corporation (SEDC) as part of its effort to promote Kuala Terengganu as a popular tourist destination.

Pulau Duyung
Pulau Duyung is the most well-known boat building ground in Terengganu. There, you can see boats being made by skilled boat builders who implement skills which have been passed down from generation to generation. Boat building is an art form therefore the boat builders take pride in their skill. The boat builders are unique, for they work entirely from their memory and experience, and without any set plans. Pulau Duyung is also renowned for its dried and salted fish, and fish crackers industries. It is easily accessible by the Sultan Mahmud Bridge, or for those who enjoy using sea transportation, take a boat from the Kuala Terengganu waterfront.

Malaysian Handicraft Centre
Chendering, located approximately 6 km from Kuala Terengganu, is the site of the Malaysian Handicraft Centre. The centre offers visitors a wide variety of Malaysian handicraft and also an insight into handicraft making. Some of the exquisite items which can be found here are songket, batik, vases, and mats, hats, wallets and bags made from pandanus leaves. Visitors will also get a chance to witness first hand the skills of local artisans in songket weaving, batik painting, basket weaving, etc.

Beach

Another place that should be on every visitor's itinerary is Rantau Abang, 60 km south of Kuala Terengganu. There, visitors lay in wait quietly from midnight to dawn to watch giant leatherback turtles laying eggs. The turtles lumbering slowly on the white sandy beaches to lay eggs is a memorable sight. These giant turtles, up to 2.5 m in length and sometimes weighing more than 375 kg is indeed a phenomenal sight to behold. Rantau Abang is one of only six places in the world visited by these turtles, from the months of May to September.

Gently sloping sands and fairly shallow, sparkling water give Penarik the ideal ambience and make it the perfect setting for sunbathers and fun seekers who want a quiet, serene vacation spot to while away the hours in uninterrupted bliss.

Approximately 140 km north of Kuala Terengganu and a few kilometres from Besut, lies Bukit Keluang. The view in this area is one of the most breathtaking and magnificent in Malaysia. It is also an ideal site for swimming, snorkelling and wind surfing. Its distinctive features are caves which are easily reached by walkways. Try to conjure up an image of a very peaceful village with beautiful wooden houses, innocent looking children playing games such as hopscotch or marbles, cows grazing in the field, swaying coconut trees, fresh cool breeze and a spectacular curve of white, sandy beach. This description describes Merang to a tee.

Islands

Located 50 km off the coast of Kuala Terengganu is one of the most beautiful and exotic islands in Malaysia. Far from the hustle and bustle of a big town or city, Pulau Redang offers crystal clear water, pearly white shores, a colourful array of spectacular marine life, a breathtaking sunset and what could be the world's most mature coral gardens. This paradise-Iike island is perfect for swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, jungle trekking, fishing, boating and canoeing. It takes about 2 hours by boat from the village of Merang. However, visitors have to abide by the Fisheries Act 1985 as Pulau Redang is one of the few marine parks in Malaysia. No fishing is allowed within a 3.2 km radius of the island, and the collection of coral and aquatic life is prohibited.

Pulau Perhentian, situated 21 km off the coast of Terengganu, consists of two islands: Pulau Perhentian Besar and Pulau Perhentian Kecil. A trip to this lush and exotic tropical island is a must for all nature lovers and those who enjoy scuba diving, snorkelling, deep sea fishing, swimming, wind surfing, sailing, boating and canoeing. Surrounded by a virgin jungle, swaying palm trees. white sandy beaches, warm sapphire blue waters, and a colourful coral garden, Pulau Perhentian is renowned as one of Malaysia's marine paradise and part of the national marine park. Therefore, the same code applies here, as in Pulau Redang. The journey to this spectacular Island takes about one and a half hours by boat from Kuala Besut.

Pulau Kapas is an island renowned for its pure emerald waters, white sandy beaches, swaying palm trees, caves with swallows' nests, dazzling marine life and superb coral formation. Long kept a secret by lovers of the underwater world, this island offers many secluded areas which are unspoiled and quiet. There are many activities which can be undertaken here. Pulau Kapas is a haven for swimming, snorkelling, wind surfing, kayaking, boating or just lazing around. It is only 6 km or a 30 minute boat ride from Marang.