The Sights of Kuala Terengganu

Kuala Terengganu

Kuala Terengganu or abbreviated as K.T. is the royal capital of the state of Terengganu. The capital is located east-coast of Peninsular Malaysia, about 500 kilometres northeast of Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Terengganu is called “Bandaraya Warisan Pesisir Air” or translated as Coastal Heritage City. The “city” status was awarded in 2008.

There are many incredible attractions available in Kuala Terengganu, if you just open your eyes to see them. Sometimes you can find them at the most narrow lanes possible or in the most eye-glinting building in the district. Have you ever been to Kuala Terengganu?

Pasar Payang

Pasar Payang

Pasar Besar Kedai Payang or best known as Pasar Payang to the locals is the Central Market of Kuala Terengganu. This place is huge and if you’re one that can easily lose your bearing, you might even get lost in here – like some of my friends could attest to.

Located by the Terengganu River, there are a variety of things sold at this two-storey building. You can find many types of traditional handicrafts at the second floor, from batik, silk, songket, brocade, brassware and many more. When you’re at the ground floor, you can find fresh produce, dried food and fruits. I love all of them except the part where they sell turtle eggs for consumption. Please don’t eat turtle eggs guys. Love and save our turtles before they go extinct.

Chinatown

Chinatown Kuala Terengganu

Walking under the entrance to Chinatown with dragon crowning at the top or finding red lanterns lighted up above you, there will be no doubt where you are at. It is especially nice to come here at night but, if you’re here in the day, you’ll be able to enjoy the colors of the Laneway Arts.

What’s Laneway Arts?

Lorong Kenangan Payang
I’m walking away..

Mural at Lorong Kenangan Payang

The narrow lanes along Chinatown is transformed into lanes with murals drawn on the walls and other artistic things around it. You can walk along the Chinatown Green Lane or the Turtle Alley (this alley is created to pay homage to Terengganu’s mascot) or you can walk under colorful umbrellas at Lorong Kenangan Payang. There’s Lorong Haji Awang Besar with many wau bulan on top of you or the Eco Lane where batik is brought to life on the walls and also on top of you. Bottom line is, look up and you’ll be dazzled by the beautiful arts and crafts along these laneways.

KitaReka Cafe

But one of the things that attracted my attention when I was in Chinatown KT was this cafe called KitaReka. I didn’t get to try out the drinks in this cafe but even the makeshift seat outside the cafe was already interesting enough to grab my attention. If you ever drop by this place, try the drinks and update me if they’re as good as I think they would be, alright?

Kuala Terengganu State Museum

State Museum Kuala Terengganu

Located 3 kilometres south of Kuala Terengganu towards district of Losong, the Kuala Terengganu State Museum is acclaimed as the largest museum in Malaysia and one of the largest in South East Asia. The locals calls this Museum Losong, big possibility because of it’s location. The building consists of several complexes with many work of arts, although mostly it features Terengganu’s architecture and design.

The main feature that tourists would like to see for themselves is located just after the main entrance of the museum, none other than the Inscribed Stone or known in Malay as Batu Bersurat. It is a granite stele carrying classical Malay inscription in Jawi that was found in Terengganu more than 700 hundred years ago, proving that Islam influence has been in Terengganu and Tanah Melayu (Malaysia) for far longer than that.

I always love going to museums or art galleries when I travel. I can get lost in all the information for hours on end. You will definitely get lost (and a good lost too) in this State Museum if you ever make your way here.

State Museum Kuala Terengganu

Islamic Civilisation Park

Islamic Civilisation Park

Opened in 2008, the main attractions at the Islamic Civilisation Park or known locally as Taman Tamadun Islam are these 5 interactive monuments :

  1. Malaysia’s National Mosque
  2. Dome of the Rock of Palestine
  3. Sacred Mosque of Saudi Arabia (Masjidil Haram)
  4. Al-Hambra Citadel of Spain
  5. Taj Mahal of India

The park is quite big but you can still visit the monuments and other replicas on foot. However, because of the open concept, it could get slightly hot in the afternoon so do bring umbrellas or wear a hat. If you’re not into walking, you can also cycle around the park. There are bicycles ready for rent at the entrance.

The interactive monuments are really interesting. It really transports you to the real thing, even to the smallest details of carvings on the door or wall paintings.

Crystal Mosque

Crystal Mosque Kuala Terengganu

Worshippers in Crystal Mosque

The Crystal Mosque or Masjid Kristal is located next to the Islamic Civilisation Park, about 10 minutes slow walk, on the island of Wan Man. You cannot miss this majestic architecture and beautiful place of worship or its glinting reflection on the water surface. The mosque is built with a contemporary style with some Moorish and Gothic elements injected into it.

Crystal Mosque is made of steel, glass and crystal. We were told that the crystal is placed at the top of the biggest dome, which gives the brightest twinkle when hit by the sun. But at night, the place is liven up and colored with mesmerizing display of lights that changes the colors of it’s domes and minarets to pink, green, yellow and blue. A heaven for photography enthusiasts. It is a sight to behold.

Best part about the mosque?

Built to be the country’s first “intelligent” mosque, the Crystal Mosque is equipped with built-in IT infrastructure and wifi connection for easy internet access, especially when worshippers need to read the electronic Quran.

Who says places of worship can’t be smart too?

Crystal Mosque Kuala Terengganu

——
TISJF This event was made possible by Tourism Terengganu and the media coordinator, Gaya Travel Magazine in conjunction with the Terengganu International Squid Jigging Festival 2015.

Written by 

LizzaBella is a part-time traveler, amateur photographer and videographer and writer. Connect with LizzaBella through her social medias today!

41 thoughts on “The Sights of Kuala Terengganu

  1. I was there at the Chinatown a year ago…i think i didnt get to explore the rest of the town much. Should go back for more!

    1. Terengganu is definitely a state worth going back again and again. Not just for the beaches but for everything else as well.

  2. I’ve visited KT once previously when I was studying and went to the museum as well as the crystal mosque. The architecture of the mosque is really pretty! Love KT keropok lekor too. haha

    1. Haha KT keropok lekor are delicious! I hope those weren’t the only places you visited. You should follow the heritage trail in KT too.

  3. Visited Kuala Terengganu few times last year. Like the crystal mosque very much. Enjoyed chatting with people there. They kinda surprised Chinese so keen with the mosque architecture. 🙂

    1. The Crystal Mosque is beautiful. Did you go in to see the architecture from inside? The people there are friendly and helpful to tourists/visitors too.

  4. I haven’t been to KT for quite a while.. have almost forgotten how it is like there..probably time for another visit soon

    1. Maybe you can go to Terengganu again soon. It has changed to a more beautiful state.

  5. Aliza sara says:

    Used to stay in Terengganu, didnt know that they have changed so much! I think its about time i pay Terengganu a visit.

  6. Beautiful! Sad to admit I haven’t really explored this part of our beloved land yet. I should do a trip there!

    1. Maybe 2016 can be a ‘visit Terengganu year’ for you. I’m sure you would enjoy it.

  7. Terengganu is so beautiful now. My last visit is 10 years ago. Times to being my Little Angels there.

    1. 10 years ago? There has been so many significant changes since then. You should bring your angels and enjoy the new Terengganu.

  8. beautiful sights everywhere, i love to see our local surroundings too which is interesting

  9. Wow interesting! I didn’t know Kuala Terrengganu is so beautiful now.

  10. wahhh… saya jujurnya x sampai lg masjid Ganu
    mesti kena kesana satu hari nanti

    1. Masjid Kristal adalah sangat cantik. Tentunya masjid2 lain di Malaysia ada keunikan mereka tersendiri juga. Hopefully you akan dapat ke Terengganu dan lihat sendiri kecantikan dan keindahan Masjid Kristal tu.

  11. Betty Liew says:

    Thank you for sharing this article as I planning go Terengganu but I did know where to visit when at Terengganu

    1. There are definitely so many other places in Terengganu worth the visit. You can check out my posts tagged ‘Terengganu’ and see other beautiful and worth-the-visit places in Terengganu.

  12. looks like a nice scenic place. I’ve been there once i think, when i was a kid, when the family suddenly decided to head east for the weekend.

    1. That must be fun – an impromptu trip to another state. Hope you can do that with your wife and kids now and go to Terengganu for an impromptu trip. Your family would definitely enjoy it.

  13. Looks like i am missing a lot by not traveling in malaysia. the place has changed and improved so much.

    1. Well, sometimes we don’t really see the treasures in our own country in comparison to other countries. I like to balance travelling overseas as well as in the country.

  14. OMG. Didn’t know terengganu got the beautiful umbrella scene too. Last time empire damansara had it but they took it down because it was too much maintenance

    1. Oh yes they do. And the murals along that lane is beautiful too. All the lanes have murals and its own ‘concept’. There’s also love locks lane with colorful locks. So cute!

  15. Never been to Kuala Terengganu yet, nice list for my reference, will bookmark this 🙂

    1. No problem. There are so many other places in Terengganu that are worth the visit. Do check out ‘Terengganu’ at my drop list menu for other places to visit in Terengganu.

  16. KT changes a lot! Very pretty and well maintained with beautiful wall mural! Nice!
    Cheers, SiennyLovesDrawing

  17. WOW… the KT I once visit before has been transformed pretty well! Hopefully I get to visit their Laneway Arts one day! 😀

    1. Hope you will get to visit KT one of these days and enjoy the arts there. I’m sure an artistic person like you would value such things. 🙂

  18. Wow, Terengganu already changed! Tourism also improved..so GREAT! I love to come there!

    1. Indeed, it has changed a lot and many local and international tourists/visitors enjoys the beautiful arts, architecture and friendliness of the state. Hope you’ll be able to go to Terengganu someday too.

  19. Love the sights and the pictures capture them all too well. Cheers to the share will definitely be keeping the locations in mind 🙂

    1. Thank you. I love taking photos in Terengganu. There are so many beautiful places and colors here.

  20. havent been to kuala terengganu. this surely give great ideas on what to do there

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