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The relaxed pace of life in Terengganu is apparent in the quiet
and quaint towns. But this does not mean that Terengganu is a bore.
There are multitudes of attractions in terengganu's capital of Kuala
Terengganu. They include the State Museum, Istana Mazuah and Central
Market.
Museum and palace
Terengganu's State Museum Complex is actually made up of a Main
Museum, a Maritime Museum, a Fisheries Museum, four wonderful
traditional houses and also some very charming botanic and herb
gardens.
The Main Museum, standing on 16 stilts, was built according to
the state's traditional architecture. There are four blocks adjoined
to represent a big family. Its 10 galleries showcase textiles,
crafts, historical, royal, nature, art petroleum, Islamic, new
generation and contemporary arts.
The Istana Maziah, or Maziah Palace, is believed to have been
built in 1897, during the reign of Sultan Zainal Abidin III. It
was actually a replacement for the Istana Hijau, burned down during
World War I.
Located next to Bukit Puteri, it is the venue for royal birthdays,
weddings, conferment of titles and receptions for local and foreign
dignitaries. It is a magnificent blend between splendid modern
and traditional architecture.
 The
200-metre high historical hill of Bukit Puteri stands next to
Istana Maziah. This hill, which means Princess's Hill, was a fortress
between 1831 and 1876 to defend the lands from enemy attacks.
Remaining items from the past are cannons, a flagpole, a large
bell and a fort. Today, visitors to this highest point in Kuala
Terengganu, can understand the strength this stronghold must have
been in the past when they see the magnificent view of the areas
surrounding it.
Central Market and Malaysian Handicraft Centre
 The
Central Market, or Pasar Payang is quaintly by the Terengganu
River. It is housed within a modern building complete with a shopping
arcade and spacious car park, offers tourists a variety of traditional
handicrafts like batik, silk, songket, brocade and brassware,
and fresh produce like fruits, vegetables, and Terengganu's keropok
lekor, a special delicacy of fish and sago mixture.
And 6 kilometres away is the town of Chendering and the Sutera
Semai Centre, the country's first silk weaving venture with interesting
insights into silk weaving. The Sutera Semai Centre is also the
site of the Malaysian Handicraft Centre.
This centre is Malaysia's pioneer silk weaving centre where one
can witness the delicate and meticulous painting of batik designs
onto the fabrics, and the deft skills in making beautiful batik
shirts, kaftans, scarves and handkerchiefs.
Songket, a piece of dyed silk thread material weaved with gold
and silver threads, was the official clothing for royalties of
the past. But now, Malay brides and grooms are allowed to wear
the intricate and mesmerising songket at weddings.
Songket cloth is also often worn during special ceremonies the
Malay's Hari Raya Aidil Fitri, that is the celebration to mark
the end of the Ramadhan or Muslim fasting month. Visitors can
now buy many beautiful batik and songket pieces as souvenirs.
Pulau Duyong
 Near
mouth of Terengganu River at Pulau Duyong, are skillful boat builders
constructing colourfully decorated vessels purely from memory.
At Rusila, just outside Kuala Terengganu, visitors can watch local
artisans weaving exquisite handicrafts like baskets mats, and
also watch them participating in fishing activities.
The surreal Masjid Tengku Tengah Zaharah just outside Kuala Terengganu
is no ordinary mosque. It is the only one of its kind in Malaysia,
as its combination of clever modern designs and rich traditional
architectural, creates an illusion of the mosque floating on water!
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