Things to do in Kuala Terengganu
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Ping Anchorage
Ping Anchorage organises numerous tours around Terengganu, including day trips to Tasik Kenyir and river cruises on Sungai Marang and Sungai Terengganu. The latter takes in Pulau Duyung, the mangroves and stops at the tiny village of Kampung Jeram, with its exotic fruit trees and Chinese temple. Prices are per person for a group of two; prices decrease for larger groups. It's also the best place for package deals to the islands and Tasik Kenyir, and for discounted hotel rooms.
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Kuala Terengganu Chinatown
Kuala Terengganu's tiny Chinatown is a compact area centred on Jln Kampung Cina (also known as Jln Bandar). It's home to the usual array of small Chinese shops and restaurants, as well as Terengganu's oldest Chinese temple, the Ho Ann Kiong, dating from the early 1800s, though much restored since. It's a good place to sit outdoors and enjoy an evening drink and some excellent food.
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Batu Buruk Food Centre
One of the best food centres is Batu Buruk Food Centre in a pleasant outdoor location near the beach; don't leave without trying the famous ais-krim goreng (fried icecream). There's a night market along the beachfront nearby every Friday evening; it's a great place to sample delicious snacks, including kerepok, satay and a huge array of sweets.
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Billi Kopitiam
Billi’s isn’t your average kopitiam (coffee house). This smooth little spot, decked out in Chinese vintage movie posters, brews a mean cup of joe (the iced version is divine), but the chef also whips out some interesting variations on standards like nasi lemak and anything goreng (fried).
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Pulau Duyung
From the jetty near the Seri Malaysia Hotel you can take a 60-sen ferry ride to Pulau Duyung, the largest island in the estuary. Fishing boats are built here, for both local and international clients, using age-old techniques and tools, and visitors are welcome to look around.
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Bukit Puteri
Across the road from the market, look for a steep flight of steps leading up to Bukit Puteri, a 200m-high hill with good views of the city. On top are the scant remains of a mid-19th-century fort (the legacy of intersultanate warfare), some cannons and a bell.
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Istana Maziah
East of the hill is Istana Maziah, the sultan’s palace. It’s built in semi-tweedy colonial style, but renovations have given the structure a blocky, over-modernist feel. The palace is closed to the public, except for some ceremonial occasions.
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Central Market
For fish so fresh it’s still in its death flop, look for the boats docking at the central market. Besides indulging your piscatorial fix, there’s a good collection of batik and kain songket (cloth brocaded with gold and silver).
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Terapung Puteri
This busy Malay restaurant is perched on stilts, kampung-style, on the seafront next to the jetty. There’s a huge menu, with fish, prawns and crab featuring heavily, as well as local items such as kerepok and a few Western dishes.
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Restoran Golden Dragon
The Golden Dragon seems constantly packed, usually with loud (often drunk) Chinese customers. There’s beer aplenty and one of the finest Chinese seafood menus in town – anything steamed and off the fish list should serve you right.
reviewed
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Pantai Batu Buruk
On the ocean side of town, Pantai Batu Buruk is the city beach and a popular place for kite flying and picnics during the day. It is an inviting stretch of sand, but swimming can be dangerous here due to riptides and strong waves.
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Wanisma Craft & Trading
Closer to town, this is a batik-dyeing and brass workshop (the largest brass workshop in the country, supposedly) where you can watch the skilled craftsmen at work. The shop here sells their products.
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Sahara View Travel & Tours
Sahara View Travel & Tours is a much smaller operator, running city tours taking in Chinatown, a batik factory, Pulau Duyung and more. It also offers day trips and packages to Redang.
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Restoran Ocean
A very good Chinese restaurant specialising in seafood. It's a big place, with big, family-sized tables, though it seldom gets too crowded. It's also a good place to enjoy a few beers.
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Lounge Kuala Kopi
If you need a bean fix, Lounge Kuala Kopi inside the Primula Beach Resort, has an excellent range of coffees, including its unique house blend, kopi de ganu.
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Noor Arfa Craft Complex
This is a handicraft centre selling a large stock of batik shirts and dresses, kain songket, basketware and glass. Printed cotton batik pieces start at RM15 for 2 sq m.
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MD Curry House
Sometimes, you need a curry and you need it served on a banana leaf by friendly locals. The MD pretty much has you covered in all regards if you fit the above description.
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Kraftangan Malaysia
This outlet sells high-quality kain songket costing as much as RM12,000 for 2.5 sq m. There’s also a tiny ‘Songket Heritage Exhibition’ showing varying designs.
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Tian Kee
Halal Chinese restaurant, serving very good seafood. Buttered prawns, steamed fish and bean curd are the specialities of the house. It also serves beer.
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Cultural Centre Stage
Across the road from Pantai Batu Buruk, the main beach, is Cultural Centre stage; check with the tourist office to see if any shows are lined up.
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Hawker Centre
Chinatown’s outdoor hawker centre, is divided into Chinese and Malay sections and sizzles with cooking and socialising at night.
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Suterasemai Silk Gallery
Offers a collection of handwoven silk, with both hand-drawn and printed designs. Hand-painted silk shirts go for around RM250.
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Heritage One Stop Travel & Tours
Heritage One Stop Travel & Tours is another travel agency offering packages to Pulau Redang, Tasik Kenyir and elsewhere.
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Central Market
For fish so fresh it’s still in its death flop, look for the boats docking at the central market. Besides indulging your piscatorial fix, there’s a good collection of batik and kain songket (cloth brocaded with gold and silver).
reviewed
