Tourism Kelantan

About Kelantan

:: VISIT KELANTAN

The Year to be remembered offering culture, people and food. Beauty - and the East.
The Government and people of Kelantan take this opportunity wishing all of you.
There are endless, colorful programess specially prepared for our year throughout 2010.Be here at the right time and at the right place. There a lot to explore & experience the beauty of Kelantanese cultures.


:: WELCOME TO KELANTAN
KELANTAN IS LOCATED at the north-east coast of Peninsular Malaysia facing the south China Sea and covers a land area of 14,922 sq km. Its state capital, Kota Bharu, is a bustling town well connected to other major towns in Malaysia serves as the center for Kelantan's administrative and business activities. Kelantan is famed for its unique cultural diversity, white sandy beaches, waterfalls and lush tropical jungle.


The Kelantan Tourist Information Centre and State Government are keen to promote eco-tourism while maintaining the delicate ecological balance in nature. Investors have the opportunity to set-up international class hotel and beach resort, restaurant, souvenir shop, sight seeing and tour operations meet the growing needs of increasing tourist's arrival.

:: PLACE OF INTEREST

The best place to appreciate Kelantanese culture and crafts is the capital city, Kota Bharu. A bustling town famed for its ornately decorated trishaws, Kota Bharu offers numerous attractions for the visitor.

:: GELANGGANG SENI (CULTURAL CENTRE)
Located on Jalan Mahmud close to the Perdana Hotel, the cultural centre is a veritable showcase of the living heritage of Kelantan. Demonstrations of popular folk arts and pastimes are held daily. Wayang Kulit (shadow puppetry) shows, Silat (the Malay art of self defence) performances, Gasing (Top spinning) displays, Wau (Kite flying) and Rebana (Giant Drum) playing can all be seen at the centre. Evenings see cultural performances featuring traditional Malay music and Wayang Kulit.

*
The cultural centre is open three times a week from March to October each year. Performance times are 3.30pm to 5.50pm on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday and 9.00pm to midnight on Wednesday and Saturday.

:: HISTORICAL ZONE
The main cultural and historical zone of Kota Bharu is situated along Jalan Hilir Kota and Jalan Sultan where many museums and heritage buildings are located. Some museums charge a nominal fee for admission.

:: ROYAL MUSEUM / ISTANA BATU
The Istana Batu (Brick/Stone Palace) was constructed in 1939 during the reign of Sultan Ismail. It houses the Royal Museum and was previously used as the venue for royal weddings and as a guest house for visiting royalty.

*
The Royal Museum now serves as a repository for the history of the Kelantan royal family and displays regalia, pictures, silverware, furniture and palace items of former Sultans. Opening times 8.30am to 4.45pm daily - except Fridays.

:: WORLD WAR TWO MEMORIAL / BANK KERAPU
Originally constructed in 1911, Bank Kerapu is now a repository for documents, pictures and military paraphernalia of the Japanese Occupation from 1941 to 1945. During the war, the building served as the headquarters of the Japanese Kempetai, the feared secret police.

:: HANDICRAFT VILLAGE & CRAFT MUSEUM
While the Craft Museum houses many fine examples of Kelantanese craftsmanship, the adjacent Handicraft Village provides visitors the chance to see just how these crafts are made. Demonstrations of traditional embroidery, songket weaving, batik printing, silver work and wood carving are carried out by skilled artisans. Their products are also in sale at the centre.

:: STATE MOSQUE
Construction of this mosque was completed during the reign of Sultan Ismail IV after almost a decade of work. Also known as the Al-Muhammadi Mosque or the 'Brick Mosque', it is the centre for Islamic missionary activities in the state.

:: ISTANA BALAI BESAR
Built by Sultan Muhammad II in 1840, the Istana Balai Besar was formerly the residence of past Sultans. However, it is now used solely as a venue for official state functions. The palace boasts a large audience hall, a throne room and a fine collection of royal regalia.

:: ISTANA JAHAR
Built in 1887 by Sultan Mohamad II for his grandson, Long Kundur, the Istana Jahar has been transformed into a museum featuring Kelantan's cultural heritage. Photographs and a great variety of artefacts bear testimony to the rich Kelantanese cultural legacy. The building itself is laced with intricate wood carvings, serving as an example of the fine craftsmanship of local artisans.

:: ISLAMIC MUSEUM
The Islamic Museum traces the history of Islam in Kelantan. Exhibits include Islamic Arts and Crafts and photographs of some of the personal belongings of Prophet Muhammad and Islamic historical sites. The museum reflects not only the importance of Islam in Kelantan but also the position of the state as a centre of Islamic learning.

:: STATE MUSEUM
The State Museum located along Jalan Hospital incorporates the State Art Gallery. The building itself was utilised as the land office from colonial times until 1990 when major renovations were carried out to convert it into a museum. The museum documents the arts, crafts and musical traditions of Kelantan. Ceramic displays testify to the early trade with China and artifacts from local archaeological sites provide evidence of the existence of the pre-historic age in Kelantan.

:: OTHER PLACES
Other interesting sites in Kota Bharu include Merdeka (Independence) Square, State Government offices and raft houses along the river banks.
The Sutan Ismail Petra Arch is a beautiful landmark in Kota Bharu. Neraby, Padang Merdeka or Merdeka Square is a historical landmark. Situated within is a World War I memorial that pays tribute to fallen war heroes. It is also the site where the body of Tok Janggut, one of the country's most famous nationalists, was hung. Originally named Padang Bank, it was renamed Padang Merdeka (Independence Square) after the country's independence in 1957.

:: FOOD IN KELANTAN
Kelantan Darul Naim is not only known with its variety of cultural but also famous with its unique food. For centuries, the originality of the taste made by the ancestors is not changed. For those who come to visit here must try these traditional food. You will not forget the taste and for sure you will dream to have it again.

:: NASI KERABU
It comes in three colors which are black, yellow and white. It is eaten with raw vegetables as well as special 'sambal ikan'. It is taken as breakfast and also for dinner.

:: NASI DAGANG
If you are in Kelantan, don't forget to try and enjoy eating 'Nasi Dagang'. It is based on red glutinous rice and it is served with fish curry and raw pickles.

:: NASI BERLAUK
This is the most Kelantanese favorite food. Simple and tasty. It is served with white rice and fish curry it is traditionally cooked.

:: NASI TUMPANG
This special dish is a combination of various rice and curry which is arranged layer in a triangular banana leaf wrapper.

:: LAKSAM
This type of food is based on rice powder and is served with white coconut milk curry. This tradititional recipe is from fish and coconut milk. When serving, it is added with leaves eaten raw or 'ulam'.

:: SOLOK LADA
The unique of this type of food is where the filling is placed inside the chilly. The filling is made from flesh coconut, fish fillet and coconut milk. This tasty food is suitable to take with nasi kerabu which is also Kelantan traditional food.

:: SAMBAL DAGING
The meat is cut into small pieces and cooked using special spice until it is truly dried. It is delicious to take by itself or served with rice.

:: GULAI DARAT
This original spice curry is prepared using meat as its main ingredient.

:: BUDU
This food is based on fish and it is made into sauce. It is taken with grilled fish or meat.

:: AYAM PERCIK
Grilled chicken with coconut milk sauce is traditionally cooked using original ingredients as heritage. It is served as a special dish for the family members or special guests.

:: JALA MAS
This is a very popular cake or 'kuih' in Kelantan. It is based on eggs and sugar and it is known as a Royal Cake. It can only be found in this state.

:: LOMPAT TIKAM
It can be prepared for daily dish or served during special occasion. This tasty food is not only attracted the locals but as well as the outsiders.

:: TEPUNG PELITA
This food is based on flour, coconut milk and sugar. It has two layers. The first layer is coconut milk and for the second layer is flour and sugar. It is put into banana leaf which has been made as its cup.

:: KETUPAT SOTONG
This tasty food is made by putting glutinous rice into the cuttlefish and it is cooked with brown sugar or known as 'gula melaka' as its sauce. It is eaten as well as other traditional 'kuih'.

:: DODOL
It has varieties of colour and taste. It also has different name from one another based on the ingredients used. It is easy to get this food in Kelantan.

:: LEMPOK
The ingredients are durian flesh and sugar. It takes a few hours to make sure the food is well cooked.

:: PULUT MANIS
This sweet dish is served as dessert. The ingredient is glutinous rice which is cooked with brown sugar.

:: PULUT BAKAR
The shape is round and it is wrapped in banana leaf. The taste is delicious and it has sweet aroma.

:: PULUT PANGGANG
The shape is oblong and it is wrapped in banana leaf. The cooked glutinous rice is salt less but the filling which is coconut flesh and fish fillet make this 'kuih' the most favorite one.

:: TAIK ITEK
Although it is quite sweet but it is delicious to eat. The ingredients are eggs, coconut milk and sugar. It has varieties of shape according to the chef.

:: BUAH TANJONG
It is sweet as well as its name. This food also known as a Royal Kelantan food.

:: PUTERI MANDI
This sweet 'kuih' is made from rice powder and taken with sweet flesh coconut.

:: AKOK
It is known as 'Akok Kelantan' because of its sweet aroma. The ingredients are eggs and 'gula melaka'.