KUALA TERENGGANU CITY, MALAYSIA - Places of Interest 3

VISITING KUALA TERENGGANU - IBAI LAGOON - Part 1 of 3 - The Floating Mosque

Perhaps, the most relaxing place in the city of Kuala Terengganu is this human created lagoon. It is located just about 5 kilometers to the south of the City. Public transports such as buses and taxis are available for a two way trip.

the beautiful scenery of the Floating Mosque

The icon for this lagoon is Masjid Tengku Tengah Zaharah or well known as the Floating Mosque. Built on a human created lake, the mosque is one of the popular destination for tourists, especially among the Muslim tourists. Non Muslim tourists are also welcome to visit this unique Moorish design building ala Taj Mahal concepts.

It was designed by a renowned local architect, Dato' Raja Baharin of the state's royal blood. He is also well known for other design for the state's landmarks and important buildings.

Apart from the lake, the Mosque is surrounded with a large beautiful garden with ample parking lots plenty of buses and hundreds of cars. 

the pedestrian walk around the lake of the mosque

There is a cafe and a restaurant serving local foods, beverages and cuisines for visitors. But, the pricing is a bit higher than normal restaurant. You may visit the cheaper section of the stalls or restaurants located less than 100 meters from the mosque beside the traffic light.

It is a famous camping area for local visitors in the weekend. The area will be crowded with visitors in the afternoon even on normal working days. It is just a beautiful place where people come and have some rest, relax and try to release the stress or tensions.

If you visit the City, please do not hesitate to drop by at this beautiful place.

KUALA TERENGGANU CITY, MALAYSIA - Places Of Interest 2

VISITING KUALA TERENGGANU - PASAR PAYANG

Your first location is Pasar Payang/Central Market, the city's biggest wet and dry market. If this is your first destination of the day, you must go to this market as early as 8.00 am. You should be able to have a parking lot for your car at this time. You must have a checklist for your shopping here.

Choose your parking location. You can choose whether to have an underground parking lots under the Bazar Warisan which is just opposite of the Market, or parking lots beside the road itself or the one with 5 storey parking lots which attached to the Market. All are charging fee for MYR0.60 per hour parking.

Bazar Warisan with underground parking lots

I presume you might need at least 2 hours to be spent here. The Market also have food courts for visitors to have meals here. You may try some local treats, foods, beverages and cuisines for your breakfast. The prices are reasonable.

some local foods and cuisine

 Next, go to the dry and wet portion to see fresh vegetables and fruits for sale.

 Then, visit the textiles section for a view to local silk production as well as the local copper wares.

I presume to this extent, visitors already completed 2 hours inside the Market. You may extend your visiting time for another couple of hours to visit Bazaar Warisan or try to climb the steps of Bukit Puteri, which is just next to the Bazaar. View the entire city panorama from this Hill.

KUALA TERENGGANU CITY, MALAYSIA - Places of Interest 1

the flag of the Terengganu state, Malaysia

VISITING KUALA TERENGGANU CITY

This so called Kuala Terengganu is a very young city. It was started as a Malay fishing village hundred of years ago, before promoted as the state's capital in place of the small town Kuala Berang.

Kuala Terengganu (Jawi: كوالا ترڠڬانو; Chinese: 瓜拉登嘉楼; colloquially abbreviated as KT) is the largest city as well as the state and royal capital of Terengganu state, Malaysia. On the 1st January 2008, Kuala Terengganu was awarded city status. 

The city has a population of 406,317 and is also the seat of a district of the same name. Kuala Terengganu is located about 500 kilometers northeast of Kuala Lumpur on a promontory surrounded on three sides by the South China Sea. The name means the "river mouth of Terengganu", referring to the broad expanse of the Terengganu River estuary which empties into the ocean at this point. Kuala Terengganu is also the name of the parliamentary constituency in which the city is situated. The inhabitants of the city speak a distinct Terengganese dialect of Malay.

Now, for a start we must plan our trip, because the city has many places of interest...most of them are within the vicinity of the city itself.

Places of interest include Chinatown, Pasar Payang (Central Market), the Sultan's Palaces, the State Museum, Pulau Duyong and the latest attraction is Masjid Kristal and the Islamic Civilization Park in Pulau Wan Man. 

Kuala Terengganu has many places of interest such as the famous Pasar Payang and its newly constructed Bazaar Warisan plus plenty of recreational parks within the city such as Taman (Garden/Park) Shahbandar, Taman Warisan,  Dataran (Square) Maziah, Batu Buruk Recreational Park, Ibai Lagoon and its Floating Mosque + Ibai Golf Club, Pantai (Beach) Pandak, Chendering, Balik Bukit Recreational Park, Pulau Duyung (the host of the Monsoon Cup and the host of local Malay's wooden vessel heritage).

In addition thereof, there is an exotic island located within the city's municipality known as Redang Island. This island together with its archipelago had been a very popular destination for holidays and vacations throughout the world.

Kuala Terengganu also famous with its local foods, treats and cuisines such as keropok lekor Losong, traditional dishes nasi dagang Terengganu, ketupat sotong Terengganu, laksa and laksam Terengganu and plenty of local favorites which I can't describe herein in this post.

The real adventure will begin in the following blogs. Please stay together, with me...

Redang Island of Terengganu, Malaysia

What Can I Say About This Island?



Flawless? May be.

Why?

Never heard visitors say something bad about it. Many of them promised to come back. And they did it with someone else or with bigger group for second trip.

Its beaches?

Wow, can't easily find it any where else. It is white, sandy and almost horizontal. Very small wave with crystal clear water. Not dangerous at all to those who can't swim. Even a baby can play with its sand and water.

Can play beach soccer, volleyball or netball even at night.

Can go for snorkeling or scuba diving at the Marine Park for one whole day.

Back to Resort for shower and barbecue for dinner. Can go out for fishing or hitching cuttlefish if you are lucky.

Back to the beach in the early morning and spotted giant leather back turtle if you are much more luckier. You might have a sleepless night then.

There are variety of chalets, resorts and hotels for your accommodation here rating from 3 stars up to 5 stars. I prefer 3 star resort which is isolated from big hotels having discos, karaokes and many visitors. Why? Oh well my dear, you can have those entertainment at your hometown with much better stuff. You come here to enjoy the nature....not the joint. So, try to search for a resort having its own beach, not sharing with other chalets or hotels. Try Mutiara Beach Resort then. They have beautiful beach for their own guests only. I have been there many times before with my family. Just click the resort's name in your PC, you will find it. It is suitable for medium budget travellers.

Redang Mutiara Beach Resort

Redang Mutiara with its own beach

what a view

small garden welcomes you

But if you are a rich visitor, you can go to Berjaya Redang Resort and Spa by air. Just fly for a few minutes from Kuala Terengganu and landing on the Island safely. I would like to go there one day if I have extra money to spend. The following pictures are the real appearance of Berjaya Redang Resort. I am impressed.

Can go there with shuttle if you are scared of traveling by boat or ferry.

              Oh! I wish to swim in this Berjaya's swimming pool

View of Berjaya Resort from the sea.

                                                                     What a privacy

or a joint ventures?

             
                                                       the beach of passionate

 and ample rooms for affordable guests

 

Welcome to Redang Island, the jewel of Terengganu.