Kuala Terengganu
Fresh-caught fish and floating markets on the South China SeaA coastal city on Malaysia's east coast with Chinese temples, traditional fishing villages, and the floating Crystal Mosque. Local markets sell silk and batik crafts.
Kuala Terengganu, the royal capital of Terengganu state, sits where the Terengganu River meets the South China Sea. You'll find the Terengganu State Museum complex with its traditional Malay architecture, the Crystal Mosque made of steel and glass panels, and Pasar Payang market filled with fresh produce. This city serves as the main departure point for ferries to Redang and Perhentian Islands. Wooden houses on stilts line the riverbanks, boat builders work in open-air workshops, and century-old Chinese shops cluster near Jalan Bandar. Local food stalls sell keropok lekor fried fish snacks and nasi dagang rice steamed in coconut milk with tuna curry.
Terengganu State Museum and Islamic History Park
Explore the Terengganu State Museum, a 27-hectare complex near Kampung Losong modeled after traditional Malay houses. Nine indoor galleries hold items like royal ceremonial weapons, 19th-century fishing tools, and handwoven textiles with metallic thread patterns. Walk a short distance to reach the Islamic History Park, where you'll see miniature versions of famous mosques including Saudi Arabia's Masjid al-Haram and Uzbekistan's Bibi-Khanym Mosque. The Crystal Mosque stands here, its glass domes and steel framework creating mirror-like reflections on the river during late afternoons. Entry to the museum costs 5 MYR and requires shoulders/knees covered.
Pasar Payang Market and Street Food
Start your day at Pasar Payang, a two-level concrete market building by the river. Ground floor stalls pile high with mackerel, squid, rambutans, and turmeric root, while the upper floor sells hand-dyed batik clothing and brass coffee sets. Try nasi dagang from food stalls on the market's east side – steamed rice comes wrapped in banana leaves with a side of spicy fish curry. Near the main entrance, vendors fry keropok lekor made from sago flour and mackerel paste, served with chili sauce. For drinks, look for stalls blending watermelon, pineapple, and lime into sweet-tart juices with shaved ice.
Kampung Cina Shophouses and Seberang Takir Village
Kampung Cina's two-story shophouses along Jalan Bandar display carved wooden shutters and pastel-colored façades. Browse shops selling dried herbs, antique coins, and steamed rice cakes wrapped in banana leaves. The green-roofed Ho Ann Kiong Temple, built in 1801, remains active with incense coils burning near its entrance. Take a 10-minute boat ride across the river to Seberang Takir, where you can watch workers dip fabric into indigo dye vats or shape fish paste into keropok lekor tubes. From the village waterfront, you get clear views of the Terengganu Drawbridge's twin towers and suspended walkways.
Batu Buruk Beach and Island Access
Batu Buruk Beach stretches 2 kilometers east of downtown, with casuarina trees providing shade over picnic tables. Though the water isn’t safe for swimming due to strong waves, you can rent horses for beach rides or buy grilled fish skewers from mobile carts. Shahbandar Jetty operates daily ferries to Redang Island (90 minutes) and Perhentian Island (2 hours) from March through October. These islands have coral reefs near their shores where snorkelers often spot parrotfish and blacktip sharks. For a quicker trip, take a 20-minute boat ride to Kapas Island, known for its quiet coves and hiking paths through coastal forests.
Wooden Boat Workshops and Textile Crafts
On Pulau Duyong island, three generations of boat builders construct vessels using meranti wood and hand tools. Watch carpenters fit planks without nails at Duyong Boatyard, where some workers still measure angles using their palms. The island's 180-year-old Kota Lama house, once a royal meeting hall, now displays antique furniture and brassware. Back in the city, visit batik studios on Jalan Tok Lam to see artists draw wax patterns on cotton before dipping fabrics into dye baths. Nearby, weavers create songket textiles by adding gold threads to intricate designs on wooden looms.
Getting Around and Travel Tips
Sultan Mahmud Airport has 6 daily flights to Kuala Lumpur (55 minutes). Buses from Kuala Lumpur's TBS station arrive at the city terminal near Pasar Payang after a 7-hour journey. Use ride-hailing apps to reach attractions beyond walking distance – most central areas can be covered on foot. March to October brings dry weather suitable for beach visits and museum tours. When visiting mosques like the floating Masjid Tengku Tengah Zaharah, wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees. Carry cash for market purchases and street food stalls.
![Kuala Lumpur is the national capital and most populous city in Malaysia. The city covers an area of 243 km2 and has an estimated population of 1.6 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, covering similar area as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.5 million people as of 2012. It is among the fastest growing metropolitan regions in South-East Asia, in terms of population and economy.
Kuala Lumpur is the seat of the Parliament of Malaysia. The city was once home to the executive and judicial branches of the federal government, but they were moved to Putrajaya in early 1999. Some sections of the judiciary still remain in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. The official residence of the Malaysian King, the Istana Negara, is also situated in Kuala Lumpur. Rated as an alpha world city, Kuala Lumpur is the cultural, financial and economic centre of Malaysia due to its position as the capital as well as being a key city. Kuala Lumpur was ranked 48th among global cities by Foreign Policy's 2010 Global Cities Index and was ranked 67th among global cities for economic and social innovation by the 2thinknow Innovation Cities Index in 2010.
Since the 1990s, the city has played host to many international sporting, political and cultural events including the 1998 Commonwealth Games and the Formula One Grand Prix. In addition, Kuala Lumpur is home to the tallest twin buildings in the world, the Petronas Twin Towers, which have become an iconic symbol of Malaysia's futuristic development [Wikipedia.org] | Johor Bahru in Malaysia](https://humbo.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/place-photo/5ffa2ff19ed1ddb22d235d13/6xc_BMxB-z_thumb.jpeg)
