Terengganu: Where Nature Embraces Heritage
Terengganu is one of the three east coast states on Peninsular Malaysia with a land area of 12,995 sq km and 244 km of picturesque coastline Kuala Terengganu, its capital, is situated on the banks of Terengganu River with a population of around 927, 000 consisting of 95% Malays and the rest comprises of Chinese, Indians and other ethnic groups. Government offices and banks begin their working days from Sunday till Thursdays while the weekend falls on Fridays and Saturdays.
The state is also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Iman which means Abode of Faith. There are many versions on how the name Terengganu was obtained.
Some imply that a group of hunters from a neighbouring state went to a place called “Taring Anu”. Some believe that a group of travelers saw a bright rainbow (ganu). The inscribed Stone (Batu Bersurat) found by Sayed Hussein Ghulam Al-Bukhari in 1902 at Kuala Berang, inscripted the word Terenkanu in Jawi.
The pace of life in Kuala Terengganu is unhurried and unaffected by the hustle and bustle of other big cities such as Kuala Lumpur. Places of interest include China Town, Central Market (Pasar Payang), the Sultan’s Palace, the State Museum, Pulau Duyong and the latest attraction is Crystal Mosque in Pulau Wan Man. Kuala Terengganu also famous for its Keropok Lekor and traditional dishes such as Nasi Dagang.