Kelantan Kelantan
The Cradle of Malay Culture The Cradle of Malay Culture
The most rustic of the three states in the region, Kelantan truly lives up to its name as the ‘Cradle of Malay Culture’. The state’s landscape is a charming blend of quaint villages, small towns and riverine settlements. Amidst the houses built on stilts and covered with thatched roofs, one can revel in the time-honoured Malay heritage and culture. The capital city of Kelantan is Kota Bharu. Kelantan’s hinterland is a dramatic mix of mountains, caves and pristine jungles. Scale the imposing Mount Stong or trek into the Kuala Koh National Park. Experience the rustic charm of Kelantan.
Map of Kelantan
Places of Interest
SITI KHADIJAH MARKET
Kota Bharu
One of the most photographed and widely-recognised spots in the country, the Siti Khadijah Market is a visual feast where one can find a plethora of edible goods. Try out local snacks and pickles to fresh vegetables and spices. Kelantan
is known for its assortment of desserts and visitors with a sweet tooth will not be disappointed!
DUTY FREE SHOPPING
Pengkalan Kubor and Rantau Panjang
Avid shoppers can visit the towns of Pengkalan Kubor and Rantau Panjang. Both towns are situated near the Thai border and are known as a shopping paradise for the varied goods and affordable prices. Visitors will find a range of souvenir items, accessories, fabrics, traditional attires to gadgets and home equipment.
KOTA BHARU TOURISM ZONE
Kota Bharu
Kota Bharu Tourism Zone contains the city’s major tourist attractions. Among them are Masjid Muhammadi (Muhammadi Mosque) Istana
Jahar (Museum of Royal Traditions and Customs), Istana Batu (Royal Museum), Kampung Kraftangan (Handicraft Village), Padang Merdeka, Gerbang Sultan Ismail Petra (Petra Arch) and Buluh Kubu Bazaar.
GUNUNG STONG
Kuala Krai
Situated in the Stong State Park, Gunung Stong is one of the country’s most popular spots for eco-adventure. Its magnificent seven-tiered Jelawang Waterfall is reputedly the highest in Southeast Asia. The park is home to a variety of animals and as well as exotic and endemic plant species.
KUALA KOH NATIONAL PARK
Gua Musang
Pristine and unspoilt, Kuala Koh National Park is the northern gateway to Taman Negara. Watch wild animals from the Bumbun or observation hides, or walk along the jungle trails and canopy walkway for a closer look at the thriving jungle flora and fauna. This eco-adventure destination beckons with other delightful activities such as birdwatching, canoeing, camping and visits to an indigenous settlement.
WAKAF CHE YEH NIGHT MARKET
This is the largest market in the state, situated about 4km from Kota Bharu, and quite close to the Thai border. Functioning as a wet and wholesale market during the day, it comes alive at night with an assortment of local products ranging from fabrics and clothes to food and local fruits. Whether just wandering around and taking in the local colour or haggling with local traders, a visit here is entertaining.
BUDDHIST TEMPLES
Kelantan has numerous ornate Buddhist temples. The most well-known is Wat Photivihan in Kampung Jambu. This temple houses the largest Reclining Buddha in Southeast Asia. It measures 40 metres in length and 9 metres in width. Wat Machimmaram in Kampung Bunuhan is famed for its Sitting Buddha. It is said to be the second largest of-its-kind in Southeast Asia. Wat Mai Suwankhiri or the Dragonboat Temple is another famous landmark in the state, featuring replicas of a huge dragonboat guarded by two magnificent dragons.
FLOATING MARKET PULAU SURI
Tumpat
Floating markets may be synonymous with some other countries, but Malaysia, particularly the state of Kelantan, has its own version of floating markets. A relatively new attraction, the floating market preserves the Malay culture where merchants since the era of the Melaka Sultanate traded their wares on boats and sampan. Traders sell a variety of local produce such as coconut jelly, palm sugar and honey along with food items from their decorated boats.
KAMPUNG LAUT (COTTAGE INDUSTRY)
Tumpat
Serunding or meat floss is a traditional dry snack made of beef, chicken and fish. It can be eaten with rice or on its own and can be stored for a long time. This village is well-known for its cottage industries from which meat floss is made and supplied to various restaurants and shops.
CAVING IN GUA IKAN AND GUA GELAP
Dabong
There are a numerous caves in Kelantan, especially in the district of Gua Musang. Dabong is the gateway to most of these places. This town is about 160km to the west of Kota Bharu. The most well- known cave is Gua Ikan. Literally meaning ‘Fish Cave’, this formation was named after a fish-shaped rock. Another popular spot for spelunking is Gua Gelap, which literally means ‘Dark Cave’. It truly lives up to its name, with small crevices on the cave walls being the only source of natural light. Aside from Dabong, Gua Musang too has a number of caves that are worth exploring. Among the popular caves here are Gua Cha, Gua Pintu and Gua Sidang.
GELANGGANG SENI (CULTURAL CENTRE)
Kota Bharu
Known as the one-stop centre for Kelantan’s folk art, Gelanggang Seni is a place to watch, learn and immerse yourself in a variety of traditional art forms. Watch Silat, the Malay martial arts, or see how musical instruments such as Rebana Ubi (a giant drum) are played. From spinning top, to kite-flying, Wayang Kulit (shadow puppetry) and Mak Yong (a traditional musical theatre), a visit to Gelanggang Seni gives you a great insight into arts.
PAK SAFIE AND SON’S WAU GALLERY
Kota Bharu
‘Wau’ or giant kite is an iconic attraction of Malaysia, so much so that it is featured in the logo of Malaysia Airlines, the national carrier. Wau-flying is one of the oldest traditional games in the Malay culture. At this gallery, visitors can view a collection of giant kites from wau bulan, wau kucing, wau merak, wau jala budi, wau puyuh to wau seri bulan. Watch how the skilled artisans create the magnificent kite using traditional methods passed through the generations.
PAK DAIN’S SHADOW PLAY GALLERY
Tumpat
Kelantan is synonymous with cultural performances and traditional pastimes. Among them is wayang kulit or shadow puppetry, which is an ancient form of storytelling. In the past, the village would gather in the evenings to watch the puppet master or Tok Dalang as he narrates the stories using prose, poetry and songs. This gallery has a collection of shadow puppets, raw materials as well as articles and information associated with this interesting art. Visitors can watch how the puppets are made or try their hand at making them.
SULUK TOK SELEHOR
Tumpat
Suluk refers to a place of isolation and seclusion to bring oneself closer to God. Suluk Tok Selehor is a subterranean hut in the Kok Pasir cemetery that resembles a Muslim grave. It was built as a place for prayer and contemplation by Tok Selehor or Abdul Rahman Bin Othman, a pious man who lived in the 19th century. He lived his life by teaching religion to children in a madrasah (school). Tok Selehor feared that he would become arrogant and wanted the grave-like structure to serve as a reminder that all of us will one day return to our Creator. The Suluk remains to this very day while the madrasah has been upgraded and converted into a mosque. Suluk Tok Selehor is one of the state’s places of interest for Islamic tourism.
HANDICRAFT VILLAGE & CRAFT MUSEUM (KAMPUNG KRAFTANGAN)
Kota Bharu
This is a good place to begin your tour of Kota Bharu. Set within a beautiful courtyard, the complex houses a Craft Museum, souvenir shops, tourism offices and a restaurant. Visitors can drop by at the tourism offices here for more information on the state’s attractions. View an impressive collection of the state’s crafts at the Craft Museum, from embroidered fabrics, songket, batik, silver to pandanus mats. Visitors can learn about the history and the processes of making these unique handicrafts.
COTTAGE INDUSTRIES & CRAFTS
Kelantan is famed for its arts and crafts. Although many craft items are now produced on a big scale by factories, cottage industries continue to thrive and handmade crafts are very much in demand. One of the best places to see cottage industries is the stretch of road that leads to Pantai Cahaya Bulan. Here, batik fabric in various shades can be seen drying out in the sun, while roadside stalls offer prettily-decorated giant kites, bags and many interesting souvenirs.
AL-MUHAMMADI MOSQUE
Kota Bharu
Graceful arches and golden-coloured domes make this mosque an impressive sight even from afar. Also known
as the State Mosque, this remarkable place of worship
was named after the late Sultan Muhammad IV who contributed greatly to the state. Visitors are advised to dress appropriately.
THERE’S MUCH MORE IN KELANTAN
Kelantan’s attractions are diverse and interesting. Kota Bharu, the capital city, has a number of attractions that can be visited on foot. Some of these places are situated close to one another. Just outside of Kota Bharu, more rustic villages and countrysides begin to unfurl. The state has a number of waterfalls and jungle-clad hills:
Kota Bharu
- Padang Merdeka
- Islamic Museum
- Min House Camp
- Langgar Mosque
- River Cruise from Kota Bharu to Kampung Laut
- Pantai Cahaya Bulan
- Pantai Sabak Fishing Village
- Gerbang Sultan Ismail Petra (Petra Arch)
- Menara Tinjau Tambatan DiRaja (Observation Tower)
- Balai Kartun Rossem
- Kelantan Golf & Country Club
- Indera Petra Splash Water Park
- Pasar Tani Pelancongan@ Pengkalan Datu
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Gua Musang
- Gua Musang
- Gunung Rabong
- Gunung Chamah
- Ethnobotany Camp
- Gua Cha
- Nenggiri Water Rafting
- Xi Zian Guan Temple
- The Aborigines Museum
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Kuala Krai
- Lata Rek
- Lata Beringin
- Mambong Pottery
- Sg. Nal’s Suspension Bridge Dabong
- Jelawang Waterfall
- Lata Kertas
- Taman Negeri Gunung Stong
- Trans Jelawang (Gunung Stong, Baha, Ayam, Kob, Menyelit, Che Tahir, Beirut, Tera, Saji)
- Kenerong Tubing
- Sg. Batu Waterfall
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Bachok
- Melawi Beach
- Irama Beach
- Nik Rashiddin (ANR) Academy
- Singhorra (Singgora) Roof Tiles
- Wat Phothikyan (Standing Buddha)
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Pasir Puteh
- Pantai Bisikan Bayu
- Jeram Linang Waterfall
- Jeram Pasu Waterfall
- Zahhra Arabian Park
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Tumpat
- Tok Janggut’s Tomb
- Sri Tujuh Beach
- Getting Beach
- Kite Museum
- Pak Yusoff’s Shadow Play Gallery
- Budu Cap Ketereh Factory
Tanah Merah - Guillemard Bridge
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Jeli
- Gunung Reng
- Lake Pergau
- The Aborigines Museum
- Gunung Basor
- Gunung Noring Timur Machang
- Tok Bok Hot Spring
- Bukit Bakar Waterfall
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Lojing
- Lojing Highland
- Rafflesia Conservation Centre
- Ber Hot Spring
- Gunung Yong Yap
- Gunung Tok Nenek
- Gunung Bubu
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Pasir Mas
- Beijing Mosque
- Brunei Darussalam Mosque
- Afia Deer Farm
ESSENTIAL Information
SHOPPING
A bewildering range of handicrafts in various colours, shapes and sizes fill the shelves at Kelantan’s souvenir shops. Take your pick from the intricate handicrafts, silverware, fashionable batik sarongs, pareos and trendy bags to the richly-embroidered songket fabric and many more. In many places, visitors can also watch how the crafts are made. Some items such as giant kites can be custom- made to suit your liking.
Among the popular shopping spots in Kelantan are:
- Siti Aishah Bazaar (Kota Bharu)
- Tok Guru Bazaar (Kota Bharu)
- Tengku Anis Bazaar (Kota Bharu)
- Tuan Padang Bazaar (Kota Bharu)
- Siti Khadijah Market (Kota Bharu)
- Wakaf Che Yeh Night Market (Kota Bharu)
- Nordin Batik & Craft Sdn Bhd (Kota Bharu)
- Cik Bidah Songket (Kota Bharu)
- Cik Minah Songket & Batik (Kota Bharu)
- KB Permai Silverware (Kota Bharu)
- DY Silver Crafts (Kota Bharu)
- Ayu Fashion (Tumpat)
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Duty-free shopping zones:
- Rantau Panjang (Pasir Mas)
- Pengkalan Kubor (Tumpat)
- Bukit Bunga (Tanah Merah)
DINING
There is a delightful assortment of local fare and most eateries are open until late at night to cater to the adventurous foodies. Rice, the staple food, is creatively cooked in many ways with the infusion of different herbs and spices. Local dishes are spicy and pungent and some dishes have Thai influences. The state is also known for its variety of sumptuous desserts. Alternatively, visitors can opt for Western food served at major restaurants and hotels. Fast food outlets are available at major towns. Try these authentic local favourites:
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Ayam Percik
Crispy, barbecued chicken that has been marinated in spices and coconut gravy.
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Nasi Kerabu
A rice-based dish served with coconut milk, fish flakes, desiccated coconut, spices and sauces.
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Nasi Dagang
A combination of rice and glutinous rice, nasi dagang is often accompanied by spicy tuna fish curry and pickled vegetables.
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Budu
This is a fermented anchovies sauce with a hint of lime juice, chilly and onions. According to locals, budu adds that extra zing and taste to an otherwise regular meal.
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Serunding (meat floss)
A local savoury snack where thinly sliced meat is cooked until it is light and fluffy. It can be eaten as a snack or served with rice and bread.
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Desserts
Take your pick from the wide array of desserts easily available in Kelantan. The use of palm sugar, eggs and coconut milk give the desserts a fragrant aroma and rich taste. Popular desserts include akok, dodol, jala mas, nekbat, lompat tikam and tahi itek.
TRANSPORTATION
Getting There
By Air
Malaysia Airlines operates daily direct flights to the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan. The flights depart from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), which is located in Sepang. Alternatively, visitors can board the Firefly airlines which operates from the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang, Selangor. The budget carriers Air Asia and Malindo Air operate daily flights to Kelantan from KLIA2. Scoot Airlines also flies from Singapore to Kelantan.
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Self-Drive
There is a good network of roads linking major towns in the country to Kelantan. Kota Bharu is situated about 474km from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital city. Visitors can drive along the East West Highway. The journey from Kuala Lumpur to Kelantan takes about five hours.
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Getting Around
Getting around Kelantan is fairly easy as there are buses, taxis, trishaws and airport taxis. The local bus station is situated near to Kampung Kraftangan or the Handicraft Village. The buses here provide access to various places within Kota Bharu. To go outside of Kota Bharu town, visitors can take the buses that operate from the Jalan Bandar Bus Station. Outstation buses are available at the Lembah Sireh Bus Terminal. Buses here connect Kota Bharu to Kuala Lumpur as well as other towns in Malaysia. Taxis can be hailed from any part of the town, but determine the fare first.
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By Bus
There are scheduled air-conditioned express buses from Kuala Lumpur linking most towns in Kelantan. Main destinations include Kota Bharu, Gua Musang, Rantau Panjang, Pengkalan Kubor and Tumpat. Visitors can board the bus at Terminal Bersepadu Selatan, Bandar Tasik Selatan (TBS-BTS). The journey takes about six to seven hours. Tickets must be purchased in advance during school holidays and festive seasons.
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By Rail
Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) or Malayan Railway provides daily rail services to Kelantan. Since there is no direct train from Kuala Lumpur, visitor can board the ETS train from the KL Sentral Station to Gemas, then take Express Timuran from Gemas. Visitors from Johor can board the Express Timuran from JB Sentral.
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| For more information, contact: | |
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Tourism Malaysia Regional Office East Coast:
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+609 567 7112 / 7115 / 7116 |
| Tourism Malaysia Tourist Information Centre (Kota Bharu) | +606 0129674212 |