Terengganu's population, which stands at approximately 1 million people, consists of 90% Malays, with the rest being made up of Chinese and Indians. The pace of life in Kuala Terengganu, its state capital, and all the towns and villages in Terengganu is unhurried and unaffected by the hustle and bustle of a big city.

Terengganu's history goes back to as far as the 1st century and has long been an important area of Malay settlement. Throughout the time up to the present day, Terengganu has been ruled by 16 Sultans.

Economy & People

Economy
The main economic activity of the population is fishing Offshore oil installations in the South China Sea off Terengganu have helped strengthen the state's economy. Kuala Terengganu has transformed from a place "slipped past by time" into a rapidly expanding modern city, while farther down the coast, huge new oil refineries and depots have deen springing up.

People
Apart from nature, the charm of Terengganu lies in its people. They are as beautiful as their state; courteous and helpful. The people of Terengganu welcome with open arms those who wish to share the beauty of the state. They lead a moderate and graceful lifestyle in picturesque villages where religion, tradition and culture are still dominant in their daily activities. Terengganu people are gifted. They are artistically inclined and able to create traditional works of arts including the highly-skilled craft of boat building.

Shopping

Terengganu is a paradise for bargain hunters and souvenir collectors. There is ample opportunity to buy batik cloth, songket, traditional woodcarvings, local handicrafts, woven hats and baskets, clothing, intricate filigree silverware, gleaming brassware and decorative wallpieces as well as a staggering variety of dried and fresh food. Another special feature for shoppers are the fascinating bustling weekend markets found in practically every town.

Handicraft

Batik
Batik is divided into two types : block or canting (pronounced 'chanting'). In the block method tin strips, copper or brass are fashioned into design forms and attached to hand blocks. Designs of wax are imprinted on fabric using the blocks. Design colours may then be painted within the wax borders and then again covered while boiling the fabric as an end process removes all wax residues.

In the canting method, the 'canting' wax cup is used for freehand drawing of designs. The lines are therefore finer and more flowing, lending its aesthetics. Painting in design colours, sealing with wax and immersion follows the black process. But the end product is quite different. Soft, gentle and personalized, it is very pleasing to the eye.

Songket
Kain songket is the brocade of traditional Malay design. It is the clothing of royalty, of ceremony, of occasions where deep social significance is felt. Gold and silver threads, woven into virgin or dyed silk, emanate cheerful glitter or impart sombre dignity, depending upon the choice of songket and the occasion.

Basketry
Strong and pliable, rattan from the forests were once gathered for a variety of items ranging from baskets and fishing traps, to ropes and anchor cables. Bamboo, pliant but brittle and less durable, could be fashioned into fine baskets or used in the rough as picketing stakes.

Wood
Given a creative mind, skillful fingers and a piece of wood, an art form soon emerges. In the leisurely days of old, even kitchen implements were adorned with carved motifs.

Brass
From incense burners, to deep pans, to presentation trays, the brassmaker learned his trade from his father and the fathers before him. Now there are newer items to cast, new patterns and finishes too. And the skills he carries forth with him will be the heritage of generations to come.

Mat Weaving
Pandan, the dagger-like leaf, and its courser cousin the mengkuang, are standard materials for mats. Once mats were woven into huge traingular sails and the innabitants of the Peninsula roamed the seas far and wide. Pandan mats are distinguished from mengkuang through its smaller strips and finer weave.

Food

Terengganu cuisine is distinctively memorable for its fresh ingredients, inimitable spices, and unique flavours !

There are many good restaurants in Kuala Terengganu serving Malay, Chinese and Indian dishes. Western cuisine can be found at larger hotels and restaurants in many towns.

Nasi Dagang is glutinous rice, white or pinkish, cooked in coconut sambal. More recent accompanying items include chicken and seafood cooked in curry.

Transportation

Visitors will find most places in Terengganu easily accesssiblle. There is a host of transportation modes that one can choose from, when travelling to and within Terengganu, i.e. by air, road, buses and coaches, taxi.

MAS operates daily direct services from Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Terengganu as well as connecting services from other major cities and towns. For inquiries on flight reservations and confirmation, visitors are requested to call MAS at Tel. 09-6221415, 09-6222266, 09-6664204.

By Air
The Sultan Mahmud Airport is only 18 kilometres from Kuala Terengganu. Contact the Airport Information Counter at 09-6664204 for further information.

By Bus & Taxi