Terengganu State

Transportation
Visitor will find most places in Terengganu easily accessible. There is a host of transportation modes that one can choose from, when travelling to and within Terengganu by air, road, buses and coaches, taxi.

Air
Malaysia Airlines and Pelangi Air operate daily services from Kuala Lumpur to Sultan Mahmud Airport in Kuala Terengganu. From Kerteh Airport, flights to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Pulau Tioman are available.

Road
Regular express buses operate daily from Kuala Lumpur and other major towns. Terengganu internal bus services operate from Kuala Terengganu to various small towns in the state. The main bus station is located at Jalan Masjid Abidin, Kuala Terengganu. Taxis are also available throughout the state and they serve all major towns in Peninsular Malaysia.

Places to Eat / Food
Terengganu cuisine is distinctively memorable for its fresh ingredients, inimitable spices and unique flavours. 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 milk and served with fish curry, cucumber, pickle and coconut sambal. More recent accompanying items include chicken and seafood cooked in curry.

Cultural Heritage
Terengganu cultural heritage is stored. Here, by arrangement tourists can see all types of cultural performances such as the Seni silat, traditional dances and wide selection of indigenous Malay games.


Places of Interest

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 block 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 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 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. There are many Batik and Songket Centres in and around Kuala Terengganu which produce and sell batik and songket.

Istana Maziah
Istana Maziah is believed to have been constructed during the reign of Sultan Zainal Abidin III. It was built in1897 to replace the Istana Hijau which was burned down during world war II. Located next to Bukit Puteri, it is the venue for royal birthdays, wedding, 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
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 experience shopping in local fares at reasonable prices.

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 as part of its effort to promote Kuala Terengganu a popular tourist destination.

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 in sight 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.

Masjid Tengku Tengah Zaharah
The Masjid Tengku Tengah Zaharah, located outside Kuala Terengganu is just 4.5 km away. This is no ordinary mosque but one that is unique and 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.

Marang Fishing Villages
A very picturesque fishing village, Marang welcomes her visitors with tall swaying coconut trees, cool fresh air, an incredibly beautiful lagoon and a fleet of fishing trawlers. Any visitor to Marang will be easily captivated by its natural beauty and simplistic ambience.

Chendering Fishing Villages
Besides being considered as the centre for handicraft and traditional textiles in Terengganu, Chendering is also the site for a national deep sea fishing project. Located 6 km south of Kuala Terengganu, Chendering has a long jetty which makes it an excellent site for fishing.

Kijal Fishing Villages
Kijal is a small, quiet and quaint fishing village located north of the Kemaman town. For those who want some peace and solitude, head out for Kijal where you can just laze around while watching fishing fleets returning with the day's catch, fishermen mending their nets or attending to their boats, or just let the cool and invigorating air caress you to a state of tranquility.

Waterfront of Kuala Terengganu
Visitors to the Waterfront of Kuala Terengganu wand rest areas.

LA Hot Springs
There is a hot spring in Besut which is known as the LA Hot Springs with its water temperature ranging from 45-49 degrees celcius. The water contains natural sulphur, which is said to have healing properties. Visitors flock to this spring especially those who are afflicted with skin ailments.

Lata Seru
Lata Seru is located 15 km from Kerteh. It has a beautiful waterfall set in tropical rainforest. The journey to this waterfall comprises an 8 km drive to Kampung Cabang and a 7 km jungle hike from Kampung Cabang to the waterfall.

Hulu Sungai Ibok Waterfall
The Hulu Sungai Ibok Waterfall, 18 km away from Kampung Air Jerneh is a small fall with deep pools. The journey is best undertaken with a 4-wheel drive vehicle.

Bukit Belatan Waterfall
The waterfall is located 19 km from Jerteh. The waterfall offers delightful scenery of water falling over a series of immense rock shelves into a pool bordered by rock-walls.


Islands

Pulau Redang
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-like 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
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
Pulau Kapas is an island renowned for its pure emerald water, 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 minutes boat ride from Marang.

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 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.

Beaches

Rantau Abang
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 are a memorable sight. These giant turtles, up to 2.5 m in length and sometimes weighing more than 375 kg are 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 Pindaric 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.

Bukit Keluang
Approximately 140 km north of Kuala Terengganu and a few km from Besut, lays 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.

Tanjung Jara Beach Resort
Tanjung Jara is located 60 km south of Kuala Terengganu. This enchanting beach resort is specially architecture and designed after an old Malay Palace. Visitors can go for sea-sports, turtle watching and an exciting organised River Safari on the Sungai Dungun.

Agrotourism

Setiu Agro Resort
Seven km from Bandar Permaisuri is the popular Setiu Agro Resort, which has been conceived with the noble agrotourism concept in mind. This is the state government's effort to preserve the environment and at the same time offer healthy recreational activities while providing camping facilities and basic amenities for visitors. The park is a natural laboratory
for the study of nature with the names of trees and plants labelled accordingly. It promotes the importance of care and concern for the environment and enhances civic consciousness among the state's populace and visitors.


Shopping
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 wall pieces 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 avery town.

Accommodation

Kuala Terangganu Primula Park Royal
Jalan Persingahan Off Jalan Sultan Mahmud
Tel: 09-6222100 / 623722
Fax: 09-6233360

Permai Park Inn International
Jalan Sultan Mahmud
Tel: 09-6222122 / 625002
Fax: 09-6222121

Seri Malaysia
Lot 1640, Jalan Hiliran
Tel: 09-6236454
Fax: 09-6238344

Motel Desa
Bukit Pak Apil, 20100 Kuala Terengganu
Tel: 09-6223033 / 6223488
Fax: 09-6203751

Sri Hoover Hotel
49, Jalan Sultan Ismail
Tel: 09-6233823 / 6233863
Fax: 09-6228888

K.T Mutiara Hotel

67, Jalan Sultan Ismail
Tel: 09-6222655 / 6222653
Fax: 09-6236931

Grand Paradise
Jalan Tok Lam
Tel: 09-6228888
Fax: 09-6238899

Seaview Hotel
18A, Jalan Masjid Abidin
Tel: 09-6221911
Fax: 09-6221911

Terengganu Hotel
12, Jalan Sultan Ismail
Tel: 09-6222009
Fax: 09-6222906

K.T Travellers Inn
Jalan Sultan Zainal Abidin
Tel: 09-6223666 / 6220308
Fax: 09-6232692

Sri Indah Resort
898, Jalan Haji Busu Pantai Batu Burok
Tel: 09-62215998 / 1564
Fax: 09-6248548

Batu Burok Beach Resort
Jalan Pantai Batu Burok
Tel: 09-6221410 / 6237366
Fax: 09-6232904

Qurata Riverside
Lot 175-19, Kuala Ibai, 20400 Kuala Terengganu
Tel: 09-6175500
Fax: 09-6175511

Awi's Yellow House
3576 Kampong Duyong Besar, Kuala Terengganu
H/p: 017-8829564

Bidong view Beach Resort
Lot 1906, Kampong Mengabang Lekor Batu Rakit,
21020 Kuala Terengganu.
Tel: 09-6696711

Gem Beach Resort
Lot 2135 Mukim Batu Rakit
Tel: 09-6695910
Fax: 09-6695920

Kenangan Hotel
65, Jalan Sultan Ismail 20200 Kuala Terengganu
Tel: 09-6222688 / 342
Fax: 09-6233268

Hotel Grand Continental
Jalan sultan Zainal Abidin, 20000 Kuala Terengganu
Tel: 09-6251888
Fax: 09-6230089

Asrama Tepian Gelangang
Jalan Pasir Panjang, Kuala Terengganu
Tel: 09-6222529
Fax: 09-6240850

Ping Anchorage Travellers Homestays
77A, 1st & 2nd floor
Jalan Dato' Isaac, Kuala Terengganu
Tel: 09-6220851