Terengganu Travel Guide: Kuala Terengganu

Kuala Terengganu - the capital of Terengganu

If you are short of time, but still wish to feel the essence of Terengganu, then a visit to Kuala Terengganu, the capital and the royal state of Terengganu is what you need. In Kuala Terengganu and the sorrounding areas, there are many places of interest which you can visit such as the Pasar Payang, Bukit Puteri, China Town, Istana Maziah, Seberang Takir, The Floating Mosque, Muzium Losong, Pulau Duyong and Pantai Batu Burok.

Learn the process of making of beautiful batik and Songket that Terengganu is famous for at the many Batik and Songket shops here or pay a visit to Desa Craft. Discover the interesting history and rich culture and heritage from the Terengganu State Musuem.

Climb the Bukit Puteri and get a birds eye view of the city. Try out the delicious local delicacies of Terengganu such as Nasi Dagang, keropok lekor, satar and otak-otak. Shop and bargain for beautiful works of art, food and souvenirs at the Pasar Payang .

Places of Interest in Terengganu :

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 ten galleries showcasing textiles, crafts, historical, royal, nature, art, petroleum, Islamic, new generation and contemporary arts.

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 and 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 Tengah Zaharah (The Floating Mosque), located outside Kuala Terengganu is just 4.5km away. This is not an ordinary mosque but said to be the only one of its kind in Malaysia. Combining modern and traditional architectural designs, the mosque creates an illusion of itself as floating on water

Pasar Payang (Central market) 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 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.

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.

You can even take the boat to travel between Kuala Terengganu and Seberang Takir for a small fee. If you're in Seberang Takir then try out the delightful Terengganu specialties like the keropok lekor, laksam, nasi dagang and the big glass fruit juice while you relax and enjoy the view of the serene fishing village scene here.