Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei
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© Lonely Planet 305 Terengganu Some places evoke a colour. In this case Terengganu is, far and away, blue. The rich robin’s- egg blue of big skies bending under clear, bright sunlight. The deep, royal blue of the ocean running behind ferries to tropical paradise. The turtle-dotted teal of shallow lagoons and horseshoe bays lapping the sugar sands in Pulau Perhentian (the Perhentian Islands). And the organic, vegetative green-blue of Lake Kenyir, vine-shrouded in its jungle womb. Blue is a cooling colour, and the general laid-back vibe of Terengganu makes for a cool- ing escape – something about the slow pace of life makes relaxed sighs some of the most common means of communication here. Most travellers come to the state for an island experience, and they’re in the right spot: some of the best beaches in the country can be found on Pulau Perhentian, Pulau Redang and Pulau Kapas. Divers in particular are well cared for here, but if you’re up for doing nothing at all, Terengganu will indulge your indolence. But don’t completely dismiss mainland Terengganu from your exploration. This is one of the most ethnically Malay states in the country, and you have the opportunity here to engage the Malay people at, simultaneously, their most traditional, their most evolving – note the waves of modernity replacing the traditional stilt houses of Kuala Terengganu, the capital, with air-con condos – and their most Islamic. They’re also, we’d note, at their most friendly when dealing with travellers who’ve wandered off the beach. So enjoy the sun and sand and their considerable charms, and don’t forget to engage the real Malaysia hidden behind the palms. HIGHLIGHTS Pulau Perhentian Waking up, swimming and laying on the beach – tropical zen in Pulau Perhentian ( p319 ) Pulau Duyung Watching life slip by in river time while snacking on keropok (fish paste) in Marang Tasik Marang ( p314 ) Kenyir Taking a boat up the tributaries of the rivers that feed at Tasik Kenyir ( p312 ) Ma' Daerah Turtle Sanctuary Helping turtle conservation at Ma’ Daerah Turtle Sanctuary (p316 ) TERENGGANU TERENGGANU Living la vida kampung on Pulau Duyung ( p309 ) TELEPHONE CODE: 09 POPULATION: 1.08 MILLION AREA : 12,995 SQ KM 306 Terengganu lonelyplanet.com 0 20 km TERENGGANU 0 12 miles Bachok Peringat To Kota Bharu (16km) Ketereh D11 Pulau D13 Perhentian Kecil Pulau Tok Bali Perhentian 3 Cherang Besar Ruku Pasir Puteh Kuala Besut Pulau Lang Pulau Redang Airport Machang Tengah 3 84 Pulau 4 T3 Pulau Redang Jerteh Pinang Besut East Coast Hwy 3 Penarek Pulau Bidong Laut Setiu Kuala Krai S O U T H Buloh Sungai Petuang Merang 1 C H I N A Gunung Batu Rakit Kuala S E A Lawit Terengganu (1519m) Sungai Setiu Kuala Airport Terengganu Kampung Seberang Takir Tekah Kuala Terengganu Kampung Jeram T11 Pulau Gemia Sungai Pulau Kapas Terengganu Pengkalan Kampung Marang Gawi Jenang East Coast Hwy 8 Hulu Kuala g Terengganu n Berang ga a un i M a r KELANTAN S Tasik 14 Marang 3 Kenyir Kenyir Dam Sekayu Rantau Abang Falls Turtle Information Centre Kampung Jerangau Sunga ὈὈὈὈKelnin i Du ng Sungai un 132 Gunung Dungun Mandi Angin Sungai Paka (1459m) Sungai Loh Dungun Taman Negara Kampung Paka Pasir Raja ὈὈὈὈGunung Ma' Daerah Dingwasa Turtle Sanctuary (1396m) Kerteh Sungai Tembeling 14 Kemasik Kamping Kuala Tahan Gunung Kemaman Besar 124 Sungai (790m) Kemaman Kijal ὈὈὈὈὈKenong Rimba 3 State Park Kemaman Sungai Jelai Cukai PAHANG Sungai Cherul Cherating Kuala Tembeling Gunung Sungai Tapis (1512m) Ὀ Hwy Jerantut Pahang Sungai Coast Lembing East TERENGGANU TERENGGANU 64 Beserah Kuantan lonelyplanet.com TERENGGANU •• Kuala Terengganu 307 History National Parks An Islamic state, possibly the oldest in Taman Negara ( p294 ), most of which is within Malaysia, is known to have existed in Pahang, includes a small section of western Terengganu from at least the early 14th cen- Terengganu, stretching from the Pahang border tury, although by the following century it had up towards Tasik Kenyir ( p312 ). Tasik Kenyir, become a vassal of the expansionist Melaka the largest man-made lake in Southeast Asia, sultanate. However, Terengganu managed to is surrounded by virgin rainforest. Protected retain a large degree of independence during marine parks include Pulau Perhentian, Pulau the emergence of Riau (in Indonesia) and Redang and Pulau Lang Tengah. Johor as partners in the region, and was trad- ing with Siam and China. Getting There & Away Terengganu was formally established as a Kuala Terengganu is the state’s main transport state in 1724. The first sultan was Tun Zainal hub, with bus links to most of Malaysia and Abidin, a younger brother of one of the former Singapore. The East Coast Hwy runs the length sultans of Johor. The close association with of Terengganu, heading north towards Kelantan Johor was to continue for some years; in the and the Thai border and south towards Johor mid-18th century, Sultan Mansur spent 15 years Bahru. Kuala Terengganu has an airport, with in the state. Later, Mansur turned his attention regular flights to/from KL, while Pulau Redang to Kelantan and, after some fighting and shrewd has air links to KL and Singapore. manoeuvring, had his son installed as ruler of the then-kingdom. The main legacy of Mansur’s Getting Around reign was Terengganu becoming a vassal of the Regular buses link the coastal towns, but service Siamese for the duration of the 19th century. is reduced on Fridays. Travelling into the interior Eventually, Terengganu sultan Baginda Omar is more difficult without your own wheels. Ferries managed to keep the Siamese at arm’s length leave from Kuala Besut for Pulau Perhentian, and the state flourished under his rule. from Merang for Pulau Redang and Pulau Lang In 1909 an Anglo-Siamese treaty saw power Tengah, and from Marang (and sometimes Kuala pass to the British. It was an unpopular move Terengganu) for Pulau Kapas. locally, and in 1928 a peasant uprising erupted. It was quickly put down and the British went KUALA TERENGGANU about consolidating their power in the state %09 / pop 359,700 until the Japanese invaded in WWII. Terengganu’s capital microcosms the Malaysian During the Japanese occupation, control economic explosion. It’s a Southeast Asian suc- of the state was passed back to Thailand, but cess story: fishing village finds oil, money flows this was short-lived and Terengganu became a in, modernity ensues. The strict version of Islam member of the Federation of Malaya in 1948. It practiced here rubs up against the naturally re- remained an undeveloped backwater until oil laxed approach to life most Terengganans seem and gas revenue started to flow into the state in to possess, making KT’s pros and cons manifest the 1980s. Kuala Terengganu was transformed in interesting ways. On the plus side, Islamic into a bustling city, and tourist development hospitality and Malay friendliness make this continues to grow apace. In 2004 the state a very welcoming city. The drawback: severe voted in the Parti Islam se-Malaysia (PAS), Islam and Malay conservatism means this town but since then the ruling government coalition can sometimes feel sedate. This isn’t helped by of Barisan National has reclaimed a three- new, often sterile-looking buildings created quarter majority of the state’s parliamentary with oil-generated cash. But you can still find seats. Currently, the sultan of Terengganu an old kampung (village) house seemingly hid- serves his country as the King of Malaysia. ing among the high-rises, and these glimpses, plus a seafood-heavy local cuisine and good TERENGGANU Climate transport links, make Kuala Terengganu worth Terengganu has a tropical climate, with daily a few days of exploration. temperatures ranging between 21°C and 32°C. There is intermittent rain all year, with heavier Information and more prolonged rainfall during the east- Jln Sultan Ismail is the commercial hub and coast monsoon (November to February). home to most banks, which are open 9.30am Humidity levels hover around 90%. to 3.30pm, except Friday. 308 TERENGGANU •• Kuala Terengganu lonelyplanet.com 0 600 m KUALA TERENGGANU 0 0.4 miles ACB D To Pulau Redang INFORMATION Ho Ann Kiong........................11 B3 EATING Golden Wood Internet.............1 B3 Istana Maziah.........................12 B2 Billi Kopitiam..........................21 C3 Hospital Kuala Terengganu......2 D4 Ping Anchorage...................(see 18) Food Stalls...........................(see 32) 1 Immigration Office...................3 C3 Zainal Abidin Mosque............13 B3 Hawker Centre.......................22 B3 Mr Dobi Laundry......................4 B2 Lounge Kuala Kopi...............(see 19) Tourism Information Office......5 B2 SLEEPING MD Curry House...................23 C3 Tourism Malaysia Office..........6 C3 Awi’s Yellow House...............14 A3 Night Market.........................24 D4 Hotel Mini Indah....................15 C3 Restoran Golden Dragon........25 B3 SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES Hotel Sri Tanjung...................16 C2 Terapung Puteri.....................26 B2 Bukit Puteri .............................7 B2 Hotel YT Midtown.................17 B3 Central Market.........................8 B3 Ping Anchorage Travellers’ SHOPPING Cultural Centre Stage..............9 D4 Inn.....................................18 B3 Wanisma Craft & Trading......27 D3 Heritage One Stop Travel & Primula Beach Resort.............19 D3 Tours.................................10 C3 Seri Malaysia Hotel.................20 B3 TRANSPORT Express Bus Station................28 C2 Ferry to Pulau Duyung...........29 A3 Jetty