Terengganu is the land of the lilting
Gamelan and the mesmerising "Ulek Mayang" dance--living
testimony to the state's centuries-old guardianship of Malaysia's
cultural heritage. It is a quiet state,
with many small villages, quiet roads, and secluded islands and beaches. The clear waters and
teeming marine life of Terengganu have made it an increasingly
popular destination for divers.
Location & People
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.
Exploring Terengganu
In Kuala TerengganuCentral Market
The Central Market faces the Sungai Terengganu waterfront.
Besides the usual offerings of a 'wet' market, there are
Terengganu specialities such as fish crackers, seasonal fruits,
local handicrafts and delicacies. As with most Malaysian markets,
the height of activity is in the morning.
Pantai Batu Buruk and the Cultural Centre
Pantai Batu Buruk, a popular stretch of beach in front of the
Pantai Primula Hotel, is the venue of the annual Beach Festival.
The Gelanggang Seni (Cultural Centre) is located along this
beach. Traditional games and
pastimes are displayed on Fridays, between 5pm-6:30pm.
Terengganu State Museum
Located on a hill in Jalan Cherong Lanjut, the Terengganu State
Museum contains a fine collection of nineteenth-century Chinese
wares, showing a clear Islamic influence, prehistoric tools from
the Stone Age, and ancient manuscripts of Islamic calligraphy.
Istana Maziah
The royal palace, situated near Bukit Puteri in Kuala Terengganu,
is the venue for royal birthdays and weddings, conferments of
titles, and receptions of dignitaries. Its brightly-painted
orange exterior and its architecture is a blend of the old and
the new.
Rhusila
At Rhusila, about 10 km from Kuala Terengganu, local craftsmen
and women create unusual native crafts, such as mats and baskets.
Suterasemai Centre
Kuala Ibai, 6 km from Kuala Terengganu, is Malaysia's pioneer
silk-weaving centre, offering insights into silk production, from
the spinning into yarns, to textile-weaving and batik printing.
Beautiful batik, handpainted or printed are for sale in the
centre's showroom.
Bukit Keluang/Dendong Beach Park
This quiet beach park, 140 km north of Kuala Terengganu, is ideal
for tranquil family picnics.
Turtle-Watching at Rantau Abang
The warm grainy sands of Rantau Abang are thought to be the ideal
nesting grounds for the giant Dermocheleys coriaca (leatherback
turtles). Rantau Abang is one of the few leatherback nesting
sites in the world. Turtle sanctuaries have been established in
an effort to reverse the decline of leatherback turtles. Collection
(except by licensed turtle egg collectors) or eating of turtle
eggs are forbidden. In the Rantau Abang Visitors' Centre, a
documentary on the turtle and its nesting habits is screened at
regular intervals.
The Sekayu Recreational Park
A popular picnic spot, located 56 km west of Kuala Terengganu,
features waterfalls, jungle trails, and lots of Malaysian fruits
for sale at the orchard.
Kenyir Darn
Malaysia's largest rock-filled hydro-electric dam has a catchment
area of 260,000 hectares. The area around the dam is ideal for
jungle trekking and nature walks. The lake, popular with anglers,
yields baung, toman, sebarau, kelah, lampam and kelisa.
Pulau Duyong
A five-minute boat ride from the Kuala Terengganu waterfront
takes you to the home of master boat-builders, whom you can watch
at work.
