Terengganu Hotels

Terengganu which overlooks the South China Sea on the east coast of Malaysia is another charming holiday destination. Its long coastline is endowed with truly magical beaches of white sand and washed by clear, warm waters. It is small wonder, that this east coast paradise is renowned for activities such as beach-combing, sea sports, fishing and boat-making. Its numerous islands offer ideal getaway spots for sun-worshippers and diving enthusiasts or simply for pure relaxation. Among the islands that are certain to enrapture its visitors are the marine parks of Redang, Kapas, Perhentian and Tenggol. Redang in particular offers excellent dive sites and its superb coral reefs abound with an amazing diversity of marine life.Between May and September each year, at Rantau Abang, 60 km south of Kuala Terengganu, visitors gather to watch giant Leatherback turtles clamber ashore to lay eggs. Some of the turtles weigh as much as 375 kg and measure 2.5 m in length. It is a rare treat to take in the sight of the creatures laboriously digging holes in the sand to lay eggs, covering them again and heading back into the sea. This spot is acknowledged to be one of the six in the world where this rare phenomenon unfolds. Despite the offshore oil and gas activities, life in Terengganu is still less hurried compared to some other Malaysian states. This is apparent in the quaint villages as well as the towns. Kuala Terengganu is the capital town and places of interest include the State Museum, Central Market and Istana Maziah. 6 km away from the town at Chendering, is the Sutera Semai Centre, the country's first silk weaving venture which offers interesting insights into the whole process of silk-weaving. It is also the site of the Malaysian Handicraft Centre. Near the mouth of the Terengganu River at Pulau Duyong, you can see skilful boat builders constructing colourfully decorated vessels purely from memory. At Rusila, just outside Kuala Terengganu, visitors can watch local artisans weaving exquisite handicrafts such as baskets and mats as well as beach and fishing activities.On the extreme west of the state, Tasik Kenyir, South East Asia's largest man-made lake is a major tourist attraction. The huge lake with its hundreds of islands, numerous caves, waterfalls and luxuriant tropical jungle is a paradise for a wide range of outdoor activities like fishing, swimming, canoeing, trekking, cave exploration and camping. For golfing buffs, there is a fabulous golf resort with a panaromic sweep of the lake. The Sekayu Recreational Park, west of Kuala Terengganu, is a popular picnic spot famous for its series of seven cascades making up the Sekayu waterfalls and its orchards. Terengganu is one of the Malaysian state which is endowed with a wealth of charming and refreshing natural landscapes. She has beaches, exotic islands, lush virgin tropical jungle, quaint fishing villages, dazzling waterfalls and many, many more. Her miles and miles of white, sandy beaches and crystal clear water stretches throughout its 225 km coastline, extending from Besut in the north to Kemaman in the South. Her islands are among the most picturesque and fascinating in the country. From its myriad of colourful pastimes which include batik printing and songket weaving to the rapturous celebration of its many generations of cultural and traditional heritage, Terengganu is indeed a very blessed state.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 capital state, 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. The present Sultanate of Terengganu had its origins in 1726. Sultan Zainal Abidin I, from the family of the Pahang Bendahara, was the first ruler. His successor, Mansur Syah, played a vital role in checking the influence of Bugis outsiders in the region.In the subsequent years, the Siamese started to impose its sovereignty over Terengganu with the Sultans sending tributes ( in the form of bunga emas) to Siam until 1909. In July 1909, the Anglo-Thai Treaty of Bangkok saw the British wielding its power over Terengganu. However, Sultan Zainal Abidin III rejected this treaty; a friendship treaty was later ratified and this paved the way for the appointment of an agent of the British Consul-General. Terengganu was finally persuaded to accept a British adviser, J.L. Humphreys, in 1919.The Japanese Occupation (1941-1945) resulted in Terengganu being handed back to Siam. In September 1945, Terengganu was placed under the British Military Administration.In 1945, together with Penang and Malacca, and 9 other Malay states, Terengganu joined the Malayan Union. In 1948, it joined the Federation of Malaya, which later achieved independence on 31 August 1957. 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