Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia

Introduction

Terengganu is one of the Malaysia state which is endowed with a wealth of charming and refreshing natural landscapes. She has beaches, exotic islands, lush virgin tropical jungle, quaint fishing villages, dazzling waterfalls and many, many more. Her miles and miles of white, sandy beaches and crystal clear water stretches throughout its 255 km coastline, extending from Besut in the north to Kemaman in the south. Her islands are among the most picturesque and fascinating in the country. From its myriad of colourful pastimes which include batik printing and songket weaving to the rapturous celebration of its many generations of cultural and traditional heritage, Terengganu is indeed a very blessed state.

Terengganu's population, which stands at approximately 1 million people, consists of 90% Malays, with the rest being made up of Chinese and Indians. The pace of life in Kuala Terengganu, its state capital, and all the towns and villages in Terengganu is unhurried and unaffected bythe hustle and bustle of a big city.
Terengganu's history goes back to as far as the 1st century and has long been an important area of Malay settlement. Throughout the time up to the present day, Terengganu has been ruled by16 Sultans.
TRANSPORATION AND TRANFERS

Transfer rates from Kuala Lumpur to major cities in Malaysia
HISTORY

Find the history of Terengganu in these pages... You have seen some of the sights and have been enticed bythe adventures of Terengganu. Now, find out more about Terengganu's exciting and wondrous past.

We are still working on these amazing historical tales but we promise to send them to a computer near you - soon!

Kampung Cina: Chinatown of Kuala Terengganu

The Ritual Path.

Terengannu's Batu Bersurat (inscribed stone)

LOCATION
Terengganu is one of the three east coast states on Peninsular Malaysia. It has a land area of 12,995 square kilometres and 225 kilometres of picturesque coastline. Kuala Terengganu, its capital, stands on the bank of the Terengganu river..

State/Districts/Cities

Getting Around

Terengganu

ISLAND

Pulau Perhentian

Pulau Redang
Pulau Lang Tengah
Pulau Kapas

Pulau Tenggol

Map of Terengganu
Places of Interest

Map of Malaysia
Buslines
Railbus
Terengganu Hotel Reservations

Terengganu Transfer Services

Malaysia Airline Domestic Flight Fares

Weather Report

Economy & People
Economy
The main economic activity of the population is fishing Offshore oil installations in the South China Sea off Terengganu have helped strengthen the state's economy. Kuala Terengganu has transformed from a place "slipped past bytime" into a rapidly expanding modern city, while farther down the coast, huge new oil refineries and depots have deen springing up.

People
Apart from nature, the charm of Terengganu lies in its people. They are as beautiful as their state; courteous and helpful. The people of Terengganu welcome with open arms those who wish to share the beauty of the state. They lead a moderate and graceful lifestyle in picturesque villages where religion, tradition and culture are still dominant in their daily activities. Terengganu people are gifted. They are artistically inclined and able to create traditional works of arts including the highly-skilled craft of boat building.

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Places of Interest
Visitors to the Waterfront of Kuala Terengganu will be in awe of and fascinated bythe 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.
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.
Istana Maziah is believed to have been constructed during the reign of Sultan Zainal Abidin lll. It was built in 1897 to replace the Istana Hijau which was burned down during World War ll. 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.
The Central Market, or locally known as Pasar Payang which is located bythe 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 experience shopping in local fares at reasonable prices
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 is an exquisite and delicate art which requires skill, patience and meticulousness. In batik painting, brightly colored 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 spells 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.
A visit to Pengkalan Budaya or the Cultural Centre, a venue for cultural performances, is a must on the itinerary for all visitors to Kuala Terengganu. Ideally located along Pantai Batu Buruk (Batu Buruk Beach), it offers visitors an opportunity to see for themselves, the performance of Silat which is the Malay art of self defense, traditional dances such as Ulek Mayang and Joget and a wide selection of games and pastime. The performances are held every Friday and Saturday, between 5.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. and 9.00 p.m. to 11.00 p.m. So, do not miss the opportunity to witness the fascinating diversity of Terengganu's culture.
Bukit Puteri is a 200 m high historical hill, I 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 surrounding it.
Desa Craff, 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 bythe Terengganu State Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) as part of its effort to promote Kuala Terengganu as a popular tourist destination .
Pulau Duyung is the most well-known boat building ground in Terengganu. There, you can see boats being made byskilled 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 bythe Sultan Mahmud Bridge, or for those who enjoy using sea transportation, take a boat from the Kuala Terengganu waterfront.
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.
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Beaches
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 bythese 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 kilometers 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, snorkeling and wind surfing. Its distinctive features are caves which are easily reached bywalkways.
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.
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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 colorful array of spectacular marine life, a breathtaking sunset and what could be the world's most mature coral gardens. This paradise-like island is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, jungle trekking, fishing, boating and canoeing. It takes about 2 hours byboat from the village of Merang. However, visitors have to abide bythe 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.

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Pulau Perhentian

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, snorkeling, deep sea fishing, swimming, wind surfing, sailing, boating and canoeing. Surrounded bya 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 byboat from Kuala Besut.

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PULAU REDANG

Pulau Redang, located 45km off the coast of Kuala Terengganu is the largest of a group of islands dotting the South China Sea off the Terengganu coast. The island offers crystal clear waters and numerous dive sites for the enthusiast. Sheltered within the Pulau Redang Marine Park, the waters here abound with marine life. At mid-day, when the rays of the sun penetrate the sea, brilliant hues of coral, anemones and clams may be seen.
This paradise island is perfect for snorkeling, swimming, scuba diving, jungle trekking, boating and canoeing. No fishing is allowed within a 3.2 km radius of the island as Pulau Redang is gazetted as a marine park. The collection of corals and other aquatic life is also prohibited.
Visitors to Pulau Redang have a choice of accommodation ranging from budget to international standard holes. Guests staying at Berjaya's two hotel properties on the island at the 18-hole golf course.

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Pulau Kapas

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 bylovers 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, snorkeling, wind surfing, kayaking, boating or just lazing around. It is only 6 km or a 30 minute boat ride from Marang.

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PULAU TENGGOL

Seventeen kilometres off the coast of Kuala Dungun lies the small rocky island of Pulau Tenggol. An island visited mostly byfishermen, picnickers and naturalists, it possesses a variety of plants and animals, particularly reptiles.
The western part of the island - with its secluded white beaches backed bysteeply forests cliffs - is a pleasant retreat for swimming, diving, quiet strolls and lazing on the beach.
Basic chalet-type accommodation is available on the island. Alternatively, accommodation is also available in Dungun, on the mainland.

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Food

Terengganu cuisine is distinctively memorable for its fresh ingredients, inimitable spices, and unique flavors!

There are many good restaurants in Kuala Terengganu serving Malay, Chinese and Indian dishes. Western cuisine can be found at larger hotels and restaurants in many towns.
Nasi Dagang is glutinous rice, white or pinkish, cooked in coconut sambal. More recent accompanying items include chicken and seafood cooked in curry.
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Transportation
Visitors will find most places in Terengganu easily accessible. There is a host of transportation modes that one can choose from, when traveling to and within Terengganu, i.e. byair, road, buses and coaches, taxi.

MAS operates daily direct services from Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Terengganu as well as connecting services from other major cities and towns. For inquiries on flight reservations and confirmation, visitors are requested to call MAS at Tel. 09-6221415, 09-6222266, 09-6664204.

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