Kelantan which means 'The Land of Lightning', faces the South China Sea on the east, shares a common border with Thailand in the north-east, Perak in the north-west, Pahang in the extreme west and Terengganu in the south-east. The state is noted as the cradle of Malay culture.Primarily an agricultural state with padi, rubber and palm oil as the main economic activity, life-stock breeding and fishing are equally important. Kelantan is also renowned for its traditional cottage industries chiefly gold and silver brocade weaving, brassware and batik printing.
The people of Kelantan, peace loving and friendly by nature, are rich in tradition and have such exciting pastimes as kite flying, top spinning, shadow play theatres and bird singing competitions, to name a few of the more popular sports. Due to its closeness to Thailand and having been under Thai domination intermittently until 1909, a lot of Thai influence can be seen in the customs and traditions.
Kelantan is perfect for the traveller who wants a laid back holidy. Let us begin our tour of the state from the state capital of Kota Bharu (New Fort). Situated on the north bank of the flood-prone Sungai Kelantan (Kelantan River), it is the centre of the fertile rice basin and home of the traditional Malay arts and crafts and traditional pastimes. Kota Bharu can be reach by air, rail, road and sea. The recent opening of the scenic East-West Highway has greatly reduce the travelling time from the West Coast to the East Coast.
If one should travel by road in Kelantan one will not be surprised to see yet other women at work, cooking sweet corn by the roadside, tilling rice and tobacco fields, ballering fish on the beaches, weaving silk and painting batik in traditional style.
Kota Bharu is also the home of the Kelantan Royal family. Situated between Jalan Hilir Kota and Jalan Hulu Kota and protected by a high wooden wall whose gates are elaborately carved, is the Istana Balai Besar (The Throne Room), the Audience Hall and the Royal Palace. It is also houses the State Lagislative Assembly Hall. Built in 1844, the palace presently serves as the venue for the important royal funtions and ceremonies.
This is actually a World War 1 memorial to the unknown heroes and is located between the Masjid Muhammadi and the Balai Besar. Originally known as Padang Bank (Bank Field), it took on its new name Dataran Merdeka (Merdeka Square) when the country achieved its independence from British Colonial in 1957.
THE INTERESTING PLACESIn close proximity to the Balai Besar is yet another imposing palace built in 1887 by Sultan Mahmud II. The palace displays carved wooden panels and intricate wooden framework. It was recently renovated and converted as the Royal Custom Museum and houses many valuable historical and cultural artefacts. In the same vicinity is the Muzium Di Raja (Royal Museum). It is housed in massive blue-white concrete building and is commonly referred to as the Istana Bata (The Brick Palace). This museum displays a variety of royal arts and artefacts as well as historical paraphernalia.
Adjacent to the mosque is the State Religious Building which also doubles as an Muzium Islam (Islamic Museum). Built in 1924, this building sprouts a unique Pattani (Southern Thai), style roof.
Along Jalan Tengku Chik we pass the three-storied 'Bazzar Buluh Kubu' where most of the shops sell Kelantanese batik and songket.
We then enter the famous Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah (Siti Khadijah Central Market) one of the most colourful markets in Malaysia to this day. It is an unusual place because on will see row upon row of women, dressed in batik, adorning gold jewellery, their heads carefully veiled in Muslim style, chewing betel-nut and haggling over prices of the great variety of wares, from colourful fruits and vegetables, pink lotus shoots, feathery ferntips, scarlet chillis to prickly durians, the 'King' of Malaysian fruits.
If you want to savour a truly Malaysian dining atmosphere, this is it. Go upstairs and we will be bewitched by the numerous food stalls selling Kelantan style dishes, rice and meat curries rice (nasi dagang) and tuna (nasi kerabu), rice with vegetables and herbs (nasi campur/nasi sayur). Yet other stalls sell spices, dry goods and local biscuits and cakes.
Kelantan's boasts unique cuisine with specialities like ayam percik , nasi kerabu , and nasi dagang enjoying pride of place . Be adventurous and try the local fare . Restaurants and food stall abound , and hawkers selling snacks can be found almost anywhere.
At the junction of Jalan Padang Garong and Jalan Pengkalan Chepa , you will find Kota Bharu's Chinatown . Wan Tan Mee, curry me , fried kway teow. , etc., are readily available here .
Dining out in the open , under the stars, makes a pleasant change . Night food stalls Square situated opposite the main bus terminal are open from 7.00 pm to midnight and serve a delectable array of dishes.The Kelantan Airport of Sultan Ismail Petra Airports is situated at Pengkalan Chepa. It only caters for domestic flights. Another place of repute is in the Rantau Panjang, border with Golok Thailand, where we can obtain Thai goods at bargain prices and find the prettiest Malay women in Rantau Panjang on the Malaysia side. Here is the free-tax area. Another free-tax area is Pengkalan Kubur which is border with Tak Bai, Thailand.
Handicraft Centre (Gelanggang Seni)
The Kelantan Arts Centre is a must on every visitor's itinerary. Here one can see tantalising performances and demonstrations of top-spinning (gasing), kite-flying (wau), shadow puppet-play (wayang kulit) and silat (malay's martial arts), the traditional Malay arts of self-defence on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Also available here are the traditional art forms of Dikir Barat and Rebana Ubi. This is specifically Kelantanese music and different to anything never heard before. One can also see exhibits of Islamic architecture and witness demonstrations of ceramic manufacture, textile and silk weaving.
Along Jalan Sultanah Zainab is the Masjid Muhammadi (State Mosque). Built in 1926, it is an old building, long past the heyday. This mosque is a hive of activity on Fridays when thousands of Muslims throng the prayer halls. The streets outside are busy with hawkers peddling a variety of wares, from religious books, chanting beads, headgear of sorts and traditional medicines.
Besides the Masjid Muhammadi (State Mosque) there is the Kampong Laut Mosque which was built without a single nail.
Buddhist Wat (Buddhist Temple)
On the outskirts of Kota Bharu one can see a number of Buddhist Wat (Temples) which are reminders of ancient Thai influence in the State. One of the most famous wats is the Wat Phothivihan, situated in the village of Kampung Jambu in Tumpat which has sizeable number of Thai followers. This temple houses a 40-meter long, 11-meter high reclining Buddha which is believed to be one of the largest statues in the world. One can see swallows freely nesting in the ear lobes of the statue.
At Repek in Pasir Mas, Kelantan is the oldest and prettiest Thai temple, the Wat Uttamara. This colourful wat has fanciful flame-like upturned-roof ridges and an orange and green multi-tiered roof. Large dragons entwine the veranda columns.
BEACHES
Kelantan the northern most state on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, boasts of romantic beaches which have a poetic ring to their names. Invoked by the gentle waves lapping the golden sands, tall swaying coconut palms and lush green casuarinas whispering in the wind, the intricately v\carved prows of the fishing boats and the pervasive mood of peace and tranquillity along the beaches are too inviting for one to ignore.
Pantai Cahaya Bulan (Te Beach of Moon Lights) about 10 km form Kota Bharu with its stretches of warm golden sands and crystal blue waters admist tall palms and gracefull causuarinas encourage one to just lay on the sand and bask in the sun. One can choose to stroll along the unspoilt beaches or just swim in the cool clear waters.
Pantai Dasar Sabak became world famous when the invading Japanese soldiers landed here in December 1941 (during World War II) and made their way south by bicycles. A bunker has been erected here to mark the historical spot. It distances about 10 km from Kota Bharu is where the invading Japanese soldier landed in december 1941. It is a quaint fishing village where the traditional way of life still goes on.
At Pantai Bisikan Bayu (The beach of Whispering Breeze) the crystal clear waters are cool and inviting !. It offers a range of water sports viz, swimming, snorkeling or scuba diving. One can try ones hand at angling too.
At Pantai Irama (The Beach of Melody) about 25 km from Kota Bharu, the white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters amidst groves of wispy casuarinas are tranquil for camping, picniking or swimming.
Pantai Sri Tujuh, 15 km from Kota Bharu, is an unspoilt fishing village which one can explore at leisure. Here one can witness the fisherman going about their daily chores at leisure, mending their nests or repairing their boats. The crystal blue waters here is ideal for snorkeling or deep sea fishing.
WATERFALLS
Kelantan's emerald forest in home to a number of picturesque waterfalls. Many of them are in
the Pasir Puteh district, about 35 km from Kota Bharu .
Jeram Pasu is the popular waterfall in Kelantan.It is situated off the Kota Bharu - Pasir Puteh road at Kampung Pak Amat and can access by car. Or bus No 3 from the main terminal to Padang Pak Amat. Then take a taxi from here to the waterfalls , the trip about 8 km away. A dip in the crystal clear icy water does wonders to spirit.
Jeram Lenang is another favourite among the locals . The waterfall is only 12 metres high but nonetheless, draws the crowds. Bus No 3 will take you to Pasir Puteh, from where you can board a taxi to Jeram Lenang. But the jewel in the crown is undoubtedly Lata Beringin.At 120m, it is also one of the highest waterfalls in the country. The pool at the base provides a rejuvenating dip. The magnificent view and lush surroundings make this a popular camping spot. Lata Beringin is near the Sungai Pas Kesedar Land Scheme. It is accessible via a dirty track leading off from the Kuala Krai - Gua Musang highway.
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