malaysia TERENGGANU tourism

One of Malaysia’s pre-eminent East Coast states, Terengganu is known for a picturesque 225km stretch of white sand beaches and the paradise islands just off its mainland shores.

Sekayu Waterfall is a great place for a picnic. You’ll find this site near Kuala Berang after a delightful drive through some lush jungle hills. Campgrounds and chalets are also available.

The beach at Rantau Abang is nice, but most tourists flock to see the leatherback turtles that wade ashore to lay eggs. Best time to go is March through November.

If you’ve an aversion to sea travel, mainland Terengganu has some great beaches at Tanjung Jara and Pasir Pajang.

But if it’s wonderful islands you are looking for the Terengganu islands are the ones to visit. Known for their white sands and relaxed atmospheres, some of Terengganu’s islands are more commercialized and serviced than others. The most popular are the Perhentians (Kuala Besut jetty), Kapas, Redang, and Lang Tengah (Merang jetty), and Tenggol (Dungun jetty). The white sands of Terengganu (mainland and island) are famous, but you’ll also feel a sense of ‘slow living’ throughout the State. Find yourself a beach chair, set it into the sands, and let your troubles melt away.

The pristine settings above the waterline of Terengganu are only half its beauty; open your eyes to the undersea worlds. The reefs are teeming with life, easily accessed by snorkellers, while divers can reach some truly amazing dive sites.

Not just a hopping off point for air travelers, capital city Kuala Terengganu has some attractions that make it worth staying before heading to the beach or an island. Chinatown and its shop houses attract many tourists, while Central Market at the end of Jalan Bandar bustles with vendors selling all sorts of wares and sundries.

malaysian food & culture

     

The traditional culinary style has been greatly influenced by the long-ago traders from neighboring countries. Malay food is often described as spicy and flavorful...
Chinese Food Steamed seafood dumplings with shark's fin, steamed soft noodles with shrimps, steamed crabsticks stuffed with fish paste, deep-fried dumplings with salted eggs and red bean paste...
Indian Food Spices are the heart and soul of Indian cooking...
Hawker FoodHawkers selling food, fruits or drinks in push-carts or mobile stalls are a common sight around the country, especially on Penang Island...
Nyonya Food Nyonya food, also referred to as Straits Chinese food or Lauk Embok Embok, is an interesting amalgamation of Chinese and Malay dishes...
Breakfast The nasi lemak, which is rice cooked in coconut milk and flavored with cloves and pandan leaves, is an all time favorite...

Who are Malaysians? 

The Malay are Malaysia's largest ethnic group, accounting for over half the population and the national language. With the oldest indigenous peoples they form a group called bumiputera, which translates as "sons" or "princes of the soil." Almost all Malays are Muslims, though Islam here is less extreme than in the Middle East. Traditional Malay culture centers around the kampung, or village, though today one is just as likely to find Malays in the cities.  

  

The Chinese traded with Malaysia for centuries, then settled in number during the 19th century when word of riches in the Nanyang, or "South Seas," spread across China. Though perhaps a stereotype, the Chinese are regarded as Malaysia's businessmen, having succeeded in many industries. When they first arrived, however, Chinese often worked the most grueling jobs like tin mining and railway construction. Most Chinese are Tao Buddhist and retain strong ties to their ancestral homeland. They form about 35 percent of the population. 

  

Indians had been visiting Malaysia for over 2,000 years, but did not settle en masse until the 19th century. Most came from South India, fleeing a poor economy. Arriving in Malaysia, many worked as rubber tappers, while others built the infrastructure or worked as administrators and small businessmen. Today ten percent of Malaysia is Indian. Their culture -- with it's exquisite Hindu temples, cuisine, and colorful garments -- is visible throughout the land.   

  

The oldest inhabitants of Malaysia are its tribal peoples. They account for about 5 percent of the total population, and represent a majority in Sarawak and Sabah. Though Malaysia's tribal people prefer to be categorized by their individual tribes, peninsular Malaysia blankets them under the term Orang Asli, or "Original People." In Sarawak, the dominant tribal groups are the Dayak, who typically live in longhouses and are either Iban (Sea Dayak) or Bidayuh (land Dayak). In Sabah, most tribes fall under the term Kadazan. All of Malaysia's tribal people generally share a strong spiritual tie to the rain forest.