Maziah Palace

The Historical Seat Of The Sultanate

Once the seat of the Sultanate, today Istana Maziah is used for royal celebrations and ceremonies only. And there are plans to turn into a museum in the future. The Istana sits strategically near the river, the Syahbandar Square and below the famous Bukit Puteri and this gives it accessibility to the locals and visitors alike. In front of the Istana is the Royal Arch, which was built to commemorate the installation of the present Sultan’s father, Sultan Mahmud Al Muktafi-billah Shah in 1980. The arch is made of marble and and steel and the top is a sculpture of the Royal Emblem coated in gold colours. Beyond that is the old original arch with a viewing tower at the top and marks the entrance to the Istana.

Istana Maziah, built in the late 19th Century, is one of the oldest palaces still in use in Kuala Terengganu, It was built after a fire destroyed the original palace on this site, called Istana Hijau, which was built by Sultan Omar in 1870. After the fire, Sultan Zainal Abidin III commissioned a new palace to be built in 1897, but its construction was slow due to lack of funds until it was finally ready in 1903.

The Istana Maziah complex in the days of Sultan Omar and Zainal Abidin III was linked at the back by a set of rumah tele or mini palaces that were used for the extended Royal Family. The “rumah tele” were all linked by overhead bridges as a safety measure, which saved the ladies of the house from venturing to ground level and being seen by the public.

Today, the rumah tele are no more (except for one, which now stands at the State Museum outdoor display section) but there are still some remnants left of the original palace complex now known as “Dalam Kota”. Istana Maziah had seen some renovations since it was first built and during the reign of Sultan Sulaiman until the present Sultan, it was used solely for royal ceremonies such as installations of a new Sultan and birthday investiture ceremonies. Today it lies empty with occasional royal events taking place. There are plans to turn it into a Royal Museum to be opened to the public in the future.

The architecture of Istana Maziah drew inspiration from French and European designs with local wood carvings used for its interiors and placed above the doors and windows for not only its aesthetics but also as natural ventilation. The foundation of the Istana was built from a mixture of chalk, clay, sand salts, egg whites, lime and honey and remains strong to this day.

Bukit Puteri

The Fort That Secured The Realm

A legend tells the story of a kind hearted princess who lived on the hill who was generous enough to lend her dining and cooking utensils to those who sought her help for their celebrations. Unfortunately, these utensils were never returned to her and disappointed with the attitude of the folks who lived at the foot of the hill, she left the Bukit Puteri and never returned.

The hill had already been documented in the annals of Terengganu history since the 16th Century and it was during the reign of Sultans Mansur, Muhamad and Omar in the early to late 19th Century that Bukit Puteri was better known and became significant as a stronghold to defend the sultanate during the civil war that occurred at the time.

Today, visitors will find an old relic in the shape of a bell or genta which was used to mark special occasions or when an unfortunate event happened. During the month of Ramadhan, the genta was sounded for the breaking of the fast. There is also a set of cannons (meriam beranak) left from whence there were once aplenty and a lighthouse that was used as a beacon for maritime travellers to find their way into Kuala Terengganu. From the top of the hill, you will get a panoramic view of the Terengganu River and its surroundings and the Istana Maziah beneath below.

Chinatown

300 Year Old Settlement With Trendy Cafes

Dating back to about 300 years ago, Kampung Cina where it now stands, was settled by seafaring traders from South China. Kuala Terengganu was once a busy maritime trading centre that attracted merchants from across the region and of course, China. The descendants of these traders, known as peranakans, still make their homes here although changes are taking place where the old shop houses, seeing potential as a tourist draw, are now being gradually converted into trendy restaurants, cafes and guest houses.

Kampung Cina’s main street is a stretch of quaint old shop houses¬¬ where the peranakan heritage is celebrated and preserved. Stretching from Pasar Besar Kedai Payang, the one-way narrow street of Jalan Bandar ends at the welcome dragon arch at the Seri Malaysia hotel junction. Take a leisurely stroll and discover amongst the nooks and crannies, interesting alleyways with modern street art, new cafes and old abandoned homes. You can feel the history of a glorious past and seeing how it is slowly coming up again to be a centre of tourism and commerce.

Every year, the community of Kampung Cina celeberate their heritage in a Pesta Peranakan Terengganu where there are cultural shows, photo exhibition, street art exhibition and food demos, and night markets. This is also the time where the meks or women (men are referred to as awang) proudly adorn their sarong kebayas, a dress which have cultural influences of the Malays. Most Terengganu Chinese speak fluent Malay in the Terengganu dialect and some of their food is also adapted and fused with Terengganu traditional ingredients and recipes such as budu, a shrimp paste. You will find unique peranakan recipes not found anywhere else in the country such as steamed kerepok lekor with its own unique chili sauce, ceranang (a kind of salad eaten with peanut sauce) and rojak betik, a young papaya salad, julienned with sliced carrots, and eaten with a sweet and sour fish dressing and keropok. You will find that some of the recipes of the Peranakans here are not found in other peranakan communities in the country.

Crystal Mosque

Shining Jewel On The River 

Created out of steel and glass, Terengganu’s Crystal Mosque is unlike any other. Having distinct traits of Moorish and Gothic elements and being strategically located above the water and facing the river mouth, it commands a majesty of place where any maritime traveller’s first impression when making his way into Kuala Terengganu would be of awe and admiration.

Islamic Civilization Park

The Islamic World’s Famous Monuments

One of the most popular attractions in Kuala Terengganu is the Taman Tamadun Islam or TTI (Islamic Civilization Park) situated on Pulau Wan Man not far from the estuary of the Terengganu River. TTI is an Edutainment Park spread across ten hectares filled with replicas or monuments of 22 exquisite and most famous mosques around the world. From the Taj Mahal, the Grand Mosque of Mecca to the Grand Mosque in Niger, replicas of the Islamic world’s famous mosques and monuments are displayed. Visitors can also enjoy the audio visual and interactive features of the park which aim to educate visitors on the various aspects of Islamic history and civilization around the world.

TTI has a convention centre that can cater to weddings and banquets. The Crystal Mosque is part of TTI and is open for prayers. Not far from it is a guest house for visitors who’d want accommodation during their visit to Terengganu.

Another service provided by TTI is a river cruise that brings tourists on a tour of the Terengganu River. You will be able to see kampongs and boat yards, which basically gives a glimpse of how the locals live along the river. Night cruises are also available where dinner is served on board.

Soon, new attractions will be added. These include an amphibian bus, that goes on both land and water, and a Light and Sound spectacle. Look out for the announcements of when they are available to the public.

TTI also contains souvenir shops, restaurants, a recreational lake, a commercial area and a convention centre.

STATE MUSEUM

Window To Our Glorious Past

With bragging rights as the largest of its kind in Malaysia and Southeast Asia, it too can be considered be one of the most beautiful buildings in terms of architecture. Based on old Terengganu palaces, with its distinctive peleleh or sloping roof, the many design elements derived from the past make this building an attraction in itself.

The Museum has a floor area of over 75,000 square metres spread over four interconnected buildings. The whole museum compound covers an area of 27 hectares that also includes outdoor displays of old maritime vessels and old palace buildings, such as the rumah tele and reconstructed old homes depicting traditional Malay architecture.

The famous Terengganu inscription stone or Batu Bersurat is displayed here. It was by discovered by Syed Hussein Ghulam Al Bukhari in 1902 at Kampung Buloh, Hulu Terengganu,. The ‘Batu Bersurat’, stone depicts jawi writing, which is considered the earliest evidence of the coming of Islam to the Peninsula, vene predating the founding of the the Malacca Sultanate.

The museum houses a diverse range of century old artifacts and artworks which include textiles, historical artifacts, crafts, royal regalia, Islamic arts and contemporary arts, and weapons. The story of old and new Terengganu also includes modern day exploration of petroleum. An interesting facet of the museum is its huge outdoor display area that doubles up as a peaceful and quiet landscaped garden in which visitors can stroll at their leisure. 

Here you will see the maritime history such as Terengganu’s sea faring trade, marine galleries and real century old homes and palaces, such as rumah tele, one of which King Mongkut of Thailand had once stayed on his visit to the State in 1908.

PASAR BESAR KEDAI PAYANG

100-Year Old Pulse Of The City

Explore the many alleys and amongst the labyrinth of exotic looking herbs and food products, you will find our signature food condiment in the form of fermented shrimp paste called “budu”. Those who are less culinary adventurous, stay away; but one thing’s for sure, budu is what makes Terengganu folks “tick”! 

Smell, taste and feel the essence of Terengganu at Kedai Payang. There’s a saying, if you can’t find what you want at the shops, you’ll find it at Kedai Payang. It has been with us for more than a hundred years, it is a part of Kuala Terengganu’s cultural icon and identity.

Launching of Visit Beautiful Terengganu 2017

31 Dec 2016 – 3 Jan 2017 

A joyous celebration kicking off Visit Beautiful Terengganu 2017 promotional campaigns with events in Pulau Duyong, Dataran Shahbandar, Pulau Warisan and Hujung Tanjung Seberang Takir.

Kemeriahan sambutan bermulanya kempen Visit Beautiful Terengganu 2017 dengan pelbagai acara di Pulau Duyong, Dataran Shahbandar, Pulau Warisan dan North Breakwater.

PM Lulus RM78 Juta Bangunkan Semula Pasar Payang

May 23, 2016 

 Perdana Menteri, Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak hari ini meluluskan peruntukan berjumlah RM78 juta bagi kos pembangunan semula Kompleks Pasar Besar Kedai Payang. 

 Projek itu merangkumi pembinaan Pasar Payang 2, meroboh dan membina baru Pasar Payang 1, satu set escalator di Pasar Payang 1, menara jam, tempat letak kereta, skybridge serta membina kemudahan surau yang baharu. 

Najib berkata, projek dibawah peruntukan Kementerian Kesejahteraan Bandar, Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan itu dijangka siap tahun 2018 dan ia diharap memberi lebih keselesaan kepada peniaga, pembeli serta pelancong. 

“Dengan terlaksananya projek ini, maka para peniaga dapat berniaga dengan keadaan lebih selesa. “Saya juga yakin industri pelancongan juga akan lebih maju,” beliau berkata demikian ketika ditemui semasa lawatannya ke Pasar Besar Kedai Payang hari ini. 

Pada program santai itu, lebih 10,000 penduduk sekitar Kuala Terengganu serta peniaga di Pasar Payang menyambut kedatangan beliau yang tiba pada pukul 9.15 pagi tadi bersama Menteri Besar, Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman dan Ahli-Ahli Mesyuarat Kerajaan Negeri serta ketua-ketua jabatan.

Selain bersarapan pagi bersama peniaga pasar tersebut, Najib turut bertemu dengan pengayuh beca dan pengusaha bot penambang serta meninjau aktiviti perniagaan di pasar berkenaan.

Pesta ‘Ngambat Ikan’ Masuk Kalendar Pelancongan Terengganu

May 15, 2016

Menjadi kelaziman bagi penduduk Kampung Pengkalan Merbau, Setiu mengadakan aktiviti mengerau ikan sungai atau dikenali masyarakat Terengganu sebagai ‘mengambat’ ikan setiap kali tiba musim kemarau. 

Tradisi turun temurun sejak 100 tahun lalu, masih kekal ke hari ini apabila lebih 50 penduduk bersama-sama kakitangan kerajaan dan swasta turun ke Sungai Nerus untuk mengambat ikan. 

Untuk memulakan aktiviti itu, mereka turun seawal jam 7.30 pagi bagi memasang pukat merentangi sungai untuk dijadikan sebagai kawasan kepungan ikan. 

Kemudiannya sebilangan penduduk mengunakan buluh memukul air dari menghalau ikan masuk ke dalam kawasan kepungan itu. Apabila ikan masuk ke dalam perangkap, sekumpulan lagi penduduk menangkap ikan beramai-ramai. 

Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pelancongan dan Kebudayaan Negeri, Dato’ Mohd Jidin Shafee, berkata pesta sebegini berpotensi ditonjolkan sebagai produk pelancongan baru di Setiu, selain sebagai promosi awal Tahun Melawat Terengganu (TMT) 2017. 

Katanya, sedikit penambahan kepada aktiviti itu, termasuk berakit menyusuri sungai dan pertandingan memasak ikan air tawar pastinya lebih menarik untuk orang ramai dan pelancong luar.

“Juga mengadakan kerjasama dengan pelbagai agensi pelancongan agar memasukkan aktiviti mengambat dalam pakej masing-masing. 

“Langkah itu pastinya mampu mencapai sasaran 5 juta pelancong ke Terengganu pada tahun ini, berbanding 4.5 juta pelancong pada tahun lalu,” katanya 

Beliau berkata demikian selepas Program Mengambat Ikan di Sungai Nerus, anjuran Tourism Terengganu di kampung itu, hari ini. Hadir sama, Speaker DUN, Dato’ Mohd Zubir Embong; ADUN Langkap, Dato’ Sabri Mohd Nor dan ADUN Batu Rakit, Bazlan Abd Rahman. 

Sabri berkata, aktiviti mengambat ikan, bagaikan rutin mingguan bagi penduduk kampung setiap kali tiba musim kemarau. Katanya, penduduk setia menghidupkan aktiviti itu kerana tidak mahu tradisi diamalkan nenek moyang dibiarkan tanpa pewaris. 

“Ketika dahulu, penduduk bergotong royong bermula dengan mencari ranting kayu dan memasak, sebelum bersama-sama menikmati hidangan hasil tangkapan di tepi sungai. 

“Suasana seperti itu, masih kekal diamalkan. Kami membawa semua peralatan seperti dapur, tong gas, periuk dan kuali untuk masak pelbagai lauk,” katanya. 

 Fatihah Aminuddin, 25, dari Batu Rakit berkata dia teruja kerana dapat bersama-sama penduduk Pengkalan Merbau mengerau ikan sungai, lain masa mahu turut serta jika ada peluang. 

“Di kampung saya, hanya ada parit, jadi tidak pernah tengok dan alami aktiviti seumpama itu, sangat puas hati walaupun hasil tangkapan kurang memuaskan sebaik selesai mengerau ambil kesempatan menjamu selera hasil tangkapan bersama penduduk,” katanya.

Terengganu Lancar Bulan Candat Sotong

May 13, 2016 

Bulan Candat Sotong Terengganu 2016 kembali lagi dan di lancarkan petang semalam di D’ Benteng Taman Tamadun Islam (TTI) oleh Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pelancongan dan Kebudayaan Negeri, Dato’ Mohd Jidin Shafee. 

Menurutnya, program itu memberi makluman kepada orang ramai mengenai musim mencandat di Terengganu iaitu antara April hingga Jun setiap tahun. 

“Ia sebagai kesinambungan momentum promosi yang telah dibuat pada tahun sebelum ini bagi menarik lebih ramai pengunjung ke Terengganu dengan merasai sendiri keseronokan mencandat sotong,” katanya. 

Mohd Jidin berkata, kerajaan turut mengadakan kerjasama dengan Persatuan Pengusaha Agensi Kembara dan Agensi Pelancongan Malaysia (MATTA), Persatuan Hotel Malaysia (MAH) dan Persatuan Hotel Bajet Malaysia (MBHA) bagi memajukan industri pelancongan Terengganu.

“Dengan kerjasama ini kita mampu menawarkan pakej mencadat yang inovatif, kreatif dan ‘value for money’ kepada pengunjung domestik dan antarabangsa. 

“Diharapkan kempen ini dapat mempromosikan Tahun Melawat Terengganu 2017 serta bertepatan dengan salah satu daripada prinsip iaitu membantu meningkatkan kesejahteraan rakyat melalui penjanaan pendapatan dalam industri pelancongan” ujarnya.