Kelantan Introduction

Kelantan
Introduction
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Kelantan Travel Guides
OverviewSightseeingActivitiesTransportEvents and Festivals Travel TipsKelantan Overview
Welcome to Kelantan, one of Malaysia most iconic travel destinations and home to an amazing array of sights, activities and events. Even first time visitors to Kelantan will quickly be enthralled by how fun and fascinating Kelantan really can be. For those looking a glimpse of the real Malaysia, or just a fun night out, Kelantan mixes old world charm with a modern and vibrant night life. Click the general information links below for further information.

The most north-eastern of Malaysian states, Kelantan shares a border with Thailand and is characterised by rice fields, small fishing villages and palm-fringed beaches. The region’s charm can be attributed to its remote location and unspoilt culture, its rustic beauty and the opportunities it afford tourists, such as bird watching, river rafting, cruises and jungle trekking.

The Kelantan coastline is largely undeveloped and idyllic beaches stretch for miles: visitors will often find that they share a beach with local fishermen rather than other tourists. Much of the interior of the state is covered by tropical forest running from the Thai border to the south-eastern corner of the state, where the forest becomes a part of Taman Negara National Park. The national park is a delight for nature lovers and attracts bird watchers from around the region.
Visit this website for photographs and further information about Kelantan Taman Negara National Park.
Kelantan’s capital Kota Bharu is found in the very northern part of the state, near the Thai border. Although it’s the administrative centre of Kelantan, it maintains a quaint atmosphere similar to that found throughout this part of Malaysia. The capital features most of the cultural and historic attractions that you’ll find in the region, including museums, galleries, the palace and unique markets.

Visitors will find excellent variety in things to see and do throughout the state. For example, it’s possible to visit small factories to observe the age-old art of batik production and to watch artisans create traditional wood carvings and exquisite local products such as silverware. You can join in contests as diverse as kite-flying, bird-singing, top-spinning and puppetry, each offering insight into traditional Malay culture in this spectacular setting.
Visit this website for further information about Batik in Malaysia.
Accommodation in Kelantan is concentrated in Kota Bharu. The mid-range options here cater mostly for business visitors and can be characterless. Kota Bharu’s luxury choices are very comfortable but are mostly situated on the outskirts of town. Outside of the state capital, hotels can be scarce and it is best to book in advance.
History
It has been determined by recent discoveries in caves in Kelantan that humans settled in this area in prehistoric times. Historical records document the region was influenced by the Chinese of the Funan Kingdom, whose people lived along the Mekong River. The records of the Chinese who were in contact with Kelantan referred to the area as Ho Lo Tan and indicated that it was an important kingdom in this part of Southeast Asia.
Early in the Chinese era, Kelantan’s farming methods were influenced by those of the Funan Kingdom, as were local weaving methods and even entertainment in the form of shadow puppetry, known as wayang kulit. Following the Chinese period, Kelantan was dominated by the Sriwijaya Empire of Sumatra, and then later by the Siamese. By the 15th century, the Melaka sultanate dominated, and later the Johor and Terengganu sultanates ruled.

By 1820 Kelantan had become one of the Malay peninsula’s most prosperous states and benefited from the strong ties it maintained with Siam – ties which continued throughout the 19th century. Control of the peninsula passed to the British when the Anglo-Siamese treaty was signed in 1909.

Kelantan became more well-known in the 20th century, as its capital Kota Bharu became the landing site for aircraft of the Japanese Imperial Army during WWII. It took 45 days for Japanese forces to conquer the Malay states, as they travelled by bicycle, moving in a southerly direction to Singapore, defeating Britain’s armed forces along the way. The British finally surrendered at the peninsula’s southern tip. In 1948, Kelantan became part of the Federation of Malaya.
After Malaysia achieved independence in 1957, Kelantan became an enclave of Islamic conservatism. However, it eventually joined in the country’s trend to a more moderate and inclusive society. The state has opened up to outsiders as its commercial base has grown from relying on traditional agricultural crops such as rice, rubber and tobacco, and fishing, to an seeing an increase in income realised from the influx of visitors.
Weather
Visitors to Kelantan enjoy pleasant weather throughout most of the year. The climate is tropical, with occasional showers providing a refreshing break from the heat. During the rainy season, heavier rainfall is typical, occurring from November to January. Temperatures range from 21 to 32°C throughout the year, with no significant seasonal variation. The average rainfall per year is 80 to 100 inches.
After the rainy season, days are typically warm and dry from late January through April. March to October is the best time to visit, as the rainfall and humidity levels are at their lowest and temperatures pleasant. From November to February, winds blowing in from China bring the monsoonal rains to Kelantan. This is a time when rivers overflow, towns and roads can be flooded, bridges closed or washed away.