Masjid Kristal (Crystal Mosque)

Kuala Terengganu is the state capital of Terengganu, on the east coast of peninsular Malaysia.

Get in

By plane

Kuala Terengganu's Sultan Mahmud Airport (TGG) has around half a dozen flights per day to Kuala Lumpur (1 hour) on Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia. Fares to Kuala Terengganu varies with Malaysia Airlines, offering as low as RM136 (full service) and AirAsia with as low as RM60. Firefly links Kuala Terengganu directly with Subang Airport in Kuala Lumpur.

By bus

The long distance bus station has buses to all main Malaysian cities outside Terengganu : Kuala Lumpur (7 hours), Penang (7-8 hours), Johor Bahru (9 hours), Kota Bharu (3 hours), Malacca, Kuantan.

Transnasional [1] also runs buses direct to Singapore (10 hours, S$36/15.10 to/from Singapore).

The local bus station has buses to most places in the city and in Terengganu : Merang (for Redang), Kuala Besut (for the Perhentians), Dungun, etc.

From Kuala Besut the bus timetable is erratic: approximate timetable is 07:00, 08:30, 10:30, 13:00, 14:00 and 16:30. The bus stop in Kuala Besut is located in the village near the market square (around 1 km from the jetty). The yellow bus (SP Bumi) can actually be picked up along the main road from the jetty. Turn left at the end of the jetty and walk to the end of the main road, bus will stop on the corner just before the bridge. Service is limited on Friday, usually one in the morning and another at lunch time. The bus cost is 10.80 MYR and take 2:20 hours to go from/to Kuala Terengganu.

By ferry

In season (March-October), there are two ferries a day from the central Shahbandar Jetty direct to Redang Island (75 min). These are operated by and intended primarily for guests of the Berjaya Redang Resort, but they'll take non-guests on board (for a price) if there's space.

Most travellers to Redang, however, will go via the main jetty at Merang, 45 min north of town.

Get around

• The only way you can get to the town from airport is by taxis

• The local municipality provides buses that roam around the town up to Kuala Ibai , Taman Tamadun Islam and a few other attraction areas.

• The market jetty has ferries to Seberang Takir (70 c) and Pulau Duyung (70 c).

• The Seri Malaysia jetty has a ferry to Pulau Duyung (1RM).

See

Masjid Tengku Tengah Zaharah (Masjid Terapung)

• Terengganu State Museum. Where you can see locals in a very nice building and can have a walk in a park where there are local boats.

• Pulau Duyung, in the middle of the estuary, has some interesting shipyards and an old wooden mansion (kota lama). This is also a fishing village.

• Seberang Takir, across from the market jetty, has some interesting cottage industries ranging from keropok lekor to batik.

• K Terengganu Chinatown, look for beautiful rows of old Chinese buildings where you can try local Terengganu and Chinese tasty cuisines in the small, cheap but cozy restaurants scattered around.

• Taman Tamadun Islam (Islamic Civilization Park). Is the recently-completed Islamic-themed recreational park located near the state museum. Models of famous mosques around the world are built here in smaller size. The famous Masjid Kristal is also here. The entrance fee is RM10. 

• Masjid Terapung, translated as 'the floating mosque', is located around 10 km from the city centre on Jalan Batu Buruk. This beautiful, simple white mosque built on the created lake flowing from the Ibai river attracts locals, especially in the late afternoon and weekends, for family activities.

• Istana Maziah , or Maziah Palace is a well known palace, standing strong at the foot of Bukit Puteri. One of few palaces owned by the Terengganu Royal Family, this beautiful palace is now used for royal occasions such as Royal Raya Open House or the installation of a new king.

Do

• Go to the Pasar Payang (Big Bazaar) and the covered open-air market across the street and buy some delicious fresh fruits.

• Ride a special bus called Cas Ligas bus, beautifully designed mirroring a moving traditional house

• Take a short small boat trip from Kuala Terengganu jetty to the fishing village of Seberang Takir, which will cost you RM1. The jetty is located beside the floating restaurant in front of Terengganu Tourism office at Pasar Besar Payang.

• Catch some local foods in one of the Night Markets. You can find one near Dataran Shahbandar on Friday nights which is one of the biggest in the city.

Buy

• Silk or cotton batik sarongs.

• "Songket".

Eat

• Keropok lekor, a kind of fish sausage served with chili sauce, is a must-try. You can ask the receptionist for the nicest keropok lekor.

• Many traditionally prepared Malay cakes (kuih) are sold in Kuala Terengganu - among other places, in the Pasar.

• Laksa Terengganu

• Nasi Dagang , most famous dish in Terengganu itself, often served as breakfast or lunch at small stall and restaurants. This dish of delicious sweet but spicy sauce with glutinous rice originated from here.

Drink

You can find locally popular fruit juice in a big mug known as "air buah gelas besar". Many choices of fresh fruit juice are available. You can find it in Seberang Takir (about 5 km from KT on the road heading to Kuala Terengganu airport). It operates from ~ 17:00 to midnight.

You can also buy a variety of different fresh fruit juices, coconut water, etc. from vendors outside the Pasar Besar in Kuala Terengganu.

There are reportedly no more than 10 bars in the city. Kris n Cheng, near the waterfront, has pleasant owners and is good for darts, drinks and light singing.

Locals are mostly made up of Muslims, but you can find alcohol supplies in the most chinese restaurants around Chinatown. Do not drink publicly as this will often offend locals. You can drink at restaurants or back at your hotel room.

Sleep

In Kuala Terengganu, you will find all types of hotels from top range to small Chinese basic places.

• Felda Residence Kuala Terengganu [2] offers guests luxurious accommodations with a resort ambience. 101 rooms furnished with cable television and WiFi access are available. Personal butler and limousine service also available. Address: Jalan Hiliran, 21400 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu darul Iman, Malaysia. Telephone No.: 609-632-1111. Fax: 609-632-1122.

• In Pulau Duyung: Awi Yellow House (or "Rumah kuning"). Visitors stay in a wooden bungalow on the river (stilt house) and have a shared kitchen. The place is very quiet, friendly and you live with flowers, boats, etc. There is a night market near the bridge every Friday.
• Ri-Yaz Heritage Resort & Spa, Pulau Duyung, ☏ +60 9-627-7888. Check-in: 1500, check-out: 12:00. A beautiful resort-style hotel. Chalet rooms and suites. RM 288++. 
• Hotel PT, 3 Jalan Jail. 30 minutes from the bus station. 30 RM for a fan room with shared bathroom. Dorms available. It seems like a perfect backpacker place, but there are no backpackers here. 20-80? RM. 

• Sumai Suite Hotel, Lot 4479 Jalan Persinggahan, ☏ +60 9-631 0099. All rooms furnished with air-conditioner, cable TV, mini-bar and refrigerator and coffee/tea maker. Some of their amenities include an outdoor swimming pool, high-speed Internet access and airport transfer. Rates on official website start at MYR 320.00. 

• Primula Beach Hotel, Jalan Persinggahan, ☏ +60 9 622 2100. Although facing the South China Sea, this hotel is not far from the city centre. All rooms have air-conditioner, cable TV and refrigerator/mini-bar. Some of the hotel's amenities are swimming pool, spa & massage centre and high-speed Internet access. Rates start at MYR 210.00. 

Go next

• Redang Island - one of the most beautiful islands in Malaysia and a scuba diver's paradise

Routes through Kuala Terengganu

Kota Bharu ←

N  S

→ Marang → Kuantan