SHOPPING IN TERENGGANU

Terengganu is a paradise for bargain hunters and souvenir collectors. There is ample opportunity to buy batik cloth, songket, traditional woodcarvings, local handicrafts, woven hats and baskets, clothing, intricate filigree silverware, gleaming brassware and decorative wallpieces as well as a staggering variety of dried and fresh food. Another special feature for shoppers are the fascinating bustling weekend markets found in practically every town.

Central Market
Locally known as Pasar Payang, Consisting of a wet market and a shopping arcade, it offers fruits, vegetables, fish, batik, brassware, brocade and songket. Keropok Lekor, a local delicacy made from a mixture of fish and sago, is much sought after by both locals and tourists.
Location : At the junction of Jalan Bandar and Jalan Kota. Near to terengganu River.

Desa Craft
Desa Craft, formerly known as Usaha Desa, is an interesting 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 Development Corporation (SEDC) as part of its effort to promote Kuala Terengganu as a popular tourist destination. Among other items found here are wood carvings, wau (giant kites), wayang Kulit (shadow play) puppets, souvenir items and fashion wear of batik designs.
Location : Jalan Bandar.

Handicraft Centre
At Rhusila, about 10 km from Kuala Terengganu, this centre offers interesting insights into handicraft-making by featuring demonstrations of the various crafts.

Terengganu Craft Cultural Central
TCCC located at the Cendering Industrial Estate, approximately 8km from Kuala Terengganu consists of Kraftangan Malaysia, Sutrasemai and SIRIM is a living museum. When visitors are able to witness the demonstrations on the making of local handcrafts. Kraftangan Malaysia offers visitors an opportunity to view traditional craft and the uniqueness of hand drawn batik or ' batik conteng ' and also an insight into handicrafts making. Sutrasemai the pioneer silk producer in Malaysia, allows visitors to discover and experience the wonder of silk manufacturing. At SIRIM a wide large of delicate and intricate brasswares produced by local brass-smiths are on display.

Astaka Shopping Centre
Jalan Sultan Zainal Abidin
Kuala Terengganu 20000 Terengganu

Songket/Batik
Batik is delicate art which requires deft skill and patience. It is an art which is largely synonymous with the East Coast States of Malaysia. In batik printing, bright-coloured floral motifs are painted in stages onto dyed cloth. Wax is then applied to protect previous colourations but it is later boiled and washed away. This process is repeated until the desired effect is achieved. There are many outlets in Kuala Terengganu where batik printing can be witnessed.
Songket-weaving is predominant preoccupation among Malay women. It is an art which involves the weaving of gold and silver threads into intricate designs on specially dyed silk and cotton material.