Kelantan - Cradle of Malay Culture

A kaleidoscope of colourful traditions and the warmth, hospitality and old world charm of the Kelantanese people will envelop you in this northern state. With a population which continues to take pleasure in enjoying the simple things in life, age-old customs of their forefathers are held dear and still feature strongly in their daily lives. Kelantan’s rich heritage and traditions complemented by beautiful beaches and idyllic rural villages will be among the highlights of your visit to this state.

Geography
Kelantan, which translates as the "Land of Lightning," is located in the north-east of Peninsular Malaysia. Bordered by Thailand to the north, Terengganu to the south-east, Perak to the west, and Pahang to the south, much of its east coast faces the South China Sea.

Mostly a rural state in Kelantan you will be surrounded by an abundance of paddy fields, quaint fishing villages and beaches lined with gently swaying casuarinas trees. You will find that even its capital, Kota Bharu. by far the most developed location in the state, exudes an old-world charm with a mixture of old and new architecture throughout the town. Kota Bharu has the charms of an old-fashioned city with modern infrastructure conveniences. An interesting way of exploring the town would be to use its famous ornate and colourful trishaws.

History & Culture
Kelantan boasts of a historical past going as far back as 8000 B.C which includes links with the ancient Imperial Court of China and as a regional centre of Islamic learning.

In the 18th century, the provinces that now form the state of Kelantan came under the powerful warrior, Long Yunus, whose descendents presently make-up the royal house of Kelantan. The state came under Thai and British influence before becoming part of the Federation of Malaya in 1957.

The current population of Kelantan is approximately 1.5 million. The vast majority of the people in Kota Bharu are Kelantanese Malay Muslims, and the balance other races such as Chinese, Indian and Thai. Being near the Thai border Thai influence is strong in many areas of the state, including the local cuisine. The Kelantanese dialect is also a unique mix of Bahasa Malaysia and Thai.

Getting There & About
An excellent network of roads in Peninsular Malaysia allows you to drive comfortably to Kelantan from most major towns. Travelling from Kuala Lumpur using the Karak Highway eastwards takes you through Pahang and Terengganu in a matter of hours. If you prefer a more relaxed journey, hop into a comfortable express bus or take a train to Wakaf Bharu or Tumpat stations. There are also daily flights from KL to the capital city.

Heritage Discovery
Museums
For some insight into the origins of Kelantan’s unique cultural heritage, your best points of reference would be the various Museums located near Padang Merdeka (Independence Square) many of which are within walking distance of each other. The Museums are open daily except on Fridays.

Bank Kerapu (War Memorial Museum)
Originally constructed in 1911 by the Mercantile Bank, the Bank Kerapu building was taken over by the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank after World War II. During World War II the Japanese Secret Police, Kempetai, used it as headquarters. Today the Museum holds a collection of documents, photographs and other military memorabilia from the Japanese Occupation.

Syura Hall (Islamic Museum)
This Islamic Museum traces the history of Islam in the State. This mosque-like building, which was once known as Serambi Mekah or the ‘Annex of Mecca’, is where the documented history of Islam in Kelantan can be found. On display here are artefacts and inscriptions relating to the involvement of Kelantan Rulers in spreading Islam. Islamic art, handicrafts as well as rare photographs of personal belongings of the Prophet Muhammed.

Museum Negeri (The State Museum)
The State Museum located along Jalan Hospital also houses the State Art Gallery. Once used as the Land Office from colonial times till the turn of the 20th Century, renovations were carried out to convert it into a Museum. Today the Museum documents the arts, crafts and musical traditions of Kelantan. There are interesting displays of early ceramics from trade between Kelantan and China more than 200 years ago. Artefacts from local geological sites also provide evidence of a pre-historic civilisation that may have existed in the Kelantan region.

Istana Jahar (Museum of Royal Traditions and Custums)
This palace was built in 1887 during Sultan Ahmad’s reign from 1886-1889 for one of his descendants, Long Kundur, who eventually succeeded him to the throne. The palace is a work of art that highlights carved and intricate wooden panels and frameworks alongside iron staircases — the craft of gifted Kelantanese craftsmen.

Istana Batu (The Royal Museum)
Currently a repository of Kelantan royal family regalia, Istana Batu was built in 1939 as a wedding gift for HRH Sultan Yahya Petra. It was the royal residence until 1961, and subsequently turned into a museum in 1991. Replicas of crown jewels, costumes worn by royalty and other paraphernalia, and rare, precious photographs give you an insight into the social activities and personal lives of Kelantan royalty.

Arts & Cultural Exploration

Kampung Kraftangan (Handicraft Village and Craft Museum)
Set within a village setting the Handicraft Village complex encompasses the Craft Museum, craft shops and a tourism office. It displays Kelantan’s exquisite range of handicrafts ranging from silverware, ‘songket’, batik and wood carvings with live demonstrations and shows held in the courtyard. The experience will give you an insight into the traditional practices in the state including making silver articles, batik printing, and songket weaving among others.

Culture Centre (Gelanggang Seni)
This is the hub of all of Kelantan’s cultural activities, where you will see huge tops(gasing) twirl effortlessly, giant gaily-coloured kites(waus) frolic in the air, energetic wayang kulit performances (shadow play), silat a form of malay martial arts and listen to the rhythmic thump of the rebana ubi (drums). Here is also where you can enjoy the unique Kelantanese ‘Dikir Barat’ performance, a lively group performance in the local dialect, accompanied by elaborate hand movements and local musical instruments. The Cultural Centre is only open from February to September every year.

Fishing Villages
A visit to Kelantan would not be complete without visiting its fishing villages. Two of the most well known ones are at Sabak Beach and Kuala Besar, both about 14 to 15 km from Kota Bharu. The brightly coloured fishing boats of Kelantanese fishermen, are unique with varied hand-painted designs and multitude of dazzling colours. To fully appreciate the experience make your way to the villages late in the afternoon when the boats arrive with the day’s catch to witness the feisty haggling that ensues between the fishermen and their customers. You can also watch the village folk at work mending their nets or setting out fish to dry at other times of the day.

Kelantanese Cottage Industries
In the outskirts of Kota Bharu, along the beach and villages are the sites of thriving cottage industries which give you the opportunity to see Kelantanese culture in the making.

The famous richly woven Kelantanese Songket (Malaysian brocade) - silk and other materials laced with gold and silver thread - once solely reserved for royalty is now used by many it during ceremonies and weddings. The Songket Weaving factories along the way to Pantai Cahaya Bulan is where you can see for yourself the intricate weaving process of and even purchase some for yourself!

The giant kites called ‘Wau’ are a distinctive symbol of the state. The fine art of making the kites is traditionally handed down from father to son. Designs are varied, ranging from the peacock kite (wau merak), bird kite (wau jalabudi), moon kite (wau bulan) and cat kite (wau kucing). You can see the expert craftsmen at work along Pantai Cahaya Bulan, Kampung Kijang and Kampung Redang.

The famed Kelantanese filigree silverware can be found at Kampung Marak and Kampung Badak, en-route to Pantai Cahaya Bulan. Kelantanese Woodcarving, which mostly favours floral inspired designs, considered among the best in Malaysia, can be found at Pakatan Jurukir Tradisional in Pengkalan Chepa among others. Kelantanese batik, block printed by hand or using modern methods can also be seen at factories around Kampung Puteh, Kubor Kuda and Kampung Badang.

Homestays
One of the best way of experiencing the life of a typical Kelantanese resident would be the Kelantanese homestay programme which gives you the opportunity to stay with families of fishermen, farmers, silversmiths and other artisans. Some of the locations you could try are at Kampung Pantai Suri (Tumpat), Kampung Blok Ulu Kussial (Tanah Merah), Kampung Renok Baru (Gua Musang) and Kampung Bukit Jering (Jeli).

Buddhist Temples
While Islam is undoubtedly the main religion practiced by the people of Kelantan there is freedom of worship in the state. With its proximity to Thailand, practice of Buddhism is strong here and the state features several impressive temples worth a visit. Wat Phothivihan, Wat Machimmaram and Wat Laikatong are three temples located in Tumpat, where you will find the largest reclining Buddha in South-East Asia (40m), second largest Sitting Buddha in South-east Asia (30m high), and the standing Buddha (43m) respectively.

Coasts & Beaches

Pantai Cahaya Bulan
Located at the northeast stretch of the state’s coastline, Pantai Cahaya Bulan is an ideal getaway. With shores shaded by swaying casuarinas and coconut palms, it is a must for picnic lovers and campers. Only about 10 km from Kota Bharu, the road leading to this beach is flanked by various cottage industries. Chalets are available for rental for longer stays.

Pantai Irama
Pantai Irama or the Beach of Melody is one of the most pristine beaches along the coast of Kelantan. Located 25 km south of Kota Bharu in the district of Bachok, the clean stretch is a welcome sight for the tired soul.

Pantai Bisikan Bayu
Pantai Bisikan Bayu or ‘Beach of the Whispering Breeze’ lives up to its name, where gentle breezes rustle the casuarina needles producing hushed whispering sounds. Located about 50 km from Kota Bharu, it is near Semerak in Pasir Puteh. It is considered an excellent spot for wind surfing.

Pantai Seri Tujuh
Located near the border with Thailand, the beach is sheltered by a long lagoon. It is the venue for the annual International Kite Festival. The beach is equipped with a variety of food and drink stalls as well as public amenities.

Pantai Dasar Sabak
Pantai Dasar Sabak is graced by a quaint fishing village and many other rural hamlets that will charm you.

Cool Retreats
Gunung Stong
One of Kelantan’s highest peaks at 1,433 metres is Gunung Stong. Tackling this mountain is a challenge not to be missed by adventurers and mountain climbers. Also pay a visit to the nearby Gua Ikan or Fish Cave which derived its name from a solitary rock shaped like a fish. Explore the cave and its surroundings and you may just stumble upon treasures believed to have been stashed away there during the Japanese Occupation. The mountain is also the site of another one of Kelantan’s treasures, the seven-tiered Jelawang Waterfalls. At a height of 303metres it is considered one of the highest in South-east Asia.

Eco-Adventures
Gua Musang
At Gua Musang you will see limestone caves, a cave temple and the Lata Bringin Waterfalls, the 120 m highest waterfalls in the country. It is also just a 2-hour drive from Taman Negara (The National Park). In Gua Musang you can also visit a goldmine, a deer park, an ethno-botanical garden and aboriginal settlements. One of the best ways of taking in the natural sights is by rafting/cruising down the Nenggiri River.

Waterfalls
The cascading rejuvenating waterfalls of Jeram Pasu and Jeram Lenang, about 12 metres high, offer the ideal location for picnics and swimming. The Lata Beringin is another spectacular falls with a 120m drop within lush green surroundings.

Kuala Koh
Kuala Koh, the new entry point to Taman Negara on its northern border, has lush rainforest and pristine rivers lined with giant trees. It is ideal for activities such as jungle-trekking, bird watching, river rafting, fishing and mountain climbing. A natural marvel here is the Ara Circle, where you can walk under the roots of the giant Ara tree. Chalets and dormitories are available for those who crave a night surrounded by wilderness.

Culinary Delights
A truly Kelantanese experience must include the food. The local Ayam Percik is barbequed. chicken marinated in a special rich spiced coconut sauce. Another mouth-watering Kelantanese dish is Nasi Dagang, glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk. The rice, which is white or pinkish in colour, is usually served with fish or chicken curry, cucumber pickles and coconut sambal. You can also have it with beef or seafood curry. Then there is the Nasi Kerabu, bluish or yellowish rice normally served with coconut milk, flaked fish, desiccated coconut and a variety of herbs, spices and sauces. Traditional Kelantanese pastries have interesting names such as Sekaya, Serabai and Cik Mek Molek. These and many more local delicacies can be found at restaurants and food stalls all over Kelantan.

Food stalls and restaurant abound in Kota Bharu and other larger towns, while hawkers selling snacks can be found along every road. Visitors to Kota Bharu should also try the food stalls at Padang Bas in the town centre, which serves traditional fare till late night.

Entertainment & Shopping
Shopping
Shopping in Kelantan, look out for their magnificent handicrafts, silk and/or batik kaftans, woven mats, household items and trinkets.

Central Market / Siti Khadijah Market
This market is made up of stalls selling all sorts of vegetables, seafood and meats. An interesting feature of the market is the traders who are mainly women, something you would be hard-pressed to find elsewhere in Malaysia.

Buluh Kubu Bazaar
Buluh Kubu Bazaar (Bamboo Fort Bazaar) is three-storey shopping complex known as the centre for Kelantan’s batik. You can also find bargains like silver ornaments, mats woven with Mengkuang leaves and other knick-knacks.

Wakaf Che Yeh
Wakaf Che Yeh along Jalan Kuala Krai in Kota Bharu is a huge 24-hour market, which is more active at night when traders set up numerous stalls selling unusual local food, exotic tropical fruits, cheap clothes, second hand goods as well as fresh produce.

Border Towns
Rantau Panjang and Pengkalan Kubor are popular border duty-free shopping zones. Kitchen and house accessories and electrical equipments are the popular items on offer.

Jalan Temeggong
Along Jalan Temenggong beautifully decorated shops offer jewellery, textiles, brassware and other goods.

Nightlife
A relatively conservative society, Kelantanese nightlife is for the most part confined to wholesome entertainment.

Tourist Information Centre
Kelantan Tourist Information Centre
Jalan Sultan Ibrahim
15050 Kota Bharu, Kelantan
Tel 609-748 5534 / 7483543
Fax 609-748 6652
E-mail : pmn@kelantan.gov.my