Colourful shophouses
A long row of traditional shophouses.
Rozi Salleh — CC BY 2.0 · WorldTravleerAndPhotoTaker — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Marufish from Alor Setar, Malaysia — CC BY-SA 2.0
A small historic quarter along Jalan Bandar, once called Chinese Village Street, near the mouth of the Terengganu River in the heart of the city. It is one of the oldest Chinese settlements in Southeast Asia, mentioned in records from the early eighteenth century, and the trading hub that shaped modern Kuala Terengganu. A long row of colourful traditional shophouses lines both sides of the street, with old Chinese temples, shops and coffee houses among them. Narrow lanes branch off, decorated with murals, the best known being Turtle Alley, which celebrates Terengganu's famous sea turtles with sculptures and wall paintings and opens onto the river at its end. Wandering is free and always possible; the quarter is small, an hour or two on foot. It is nicest in the morning or late afternoon, when it is cooler and the shops are busy, and some lanes are lit in the evening. Note that many of the Chinese restaurants and coffee shops here are not halal, so look for a clear sign or choose the Malay restaurants nearby. The quarter is close to Bukit Puteri and the central market, so they all fit into one walk around the old town.
A long row of traditional shophouses.
Sculptures and murals of sea turtles.
Wall art among the old houses.
Jalan Bandar, city centre near the mouth of the Terengganu River
Bukit Puteri and Istana MaziahA small hill with a big history in the heart of Kuala Terengganu, only about twe9 minutes walk
Kuala Terengganu DrawbridgeThe first drawbridge in Malaysia and Southeast Asia, crossing the mouth of the T20 minutes walk
Crystal Mosque (Masjid Kristal)Terengganu's most famous and most photographed landmark: a mosque of steel, glas21 minutes walkYes, as a walk among the colourful houses, the murals and Turtle Alley. For food, look for a halal sign, as many of the quarter's shops are Chinese and not halal.