3D2N: A Cultural Experience In Kelantan

Often referred to as the ‘Cradle of Malay Culture’, Kelantan truly lives up to its name with its wondrous cultural offerings. The state is made up of quaint villages, small towns and riverine settlements. What also makes Kelantan stand out amongst other states is its traditional houses that are built on stilts and covered with thatched roofs that pay homage to authentic Malay heritage. In addition, you will also find towering mountains, mysterious caves and luscious jungles that invite you on an exciting journey exploring nature around the state.

Other avenues that infuse the best of Kelantan culture, and should not be missed on a weekend here, include its cultural centres, which hold various performances that are open to the public as well as its unique floating markets that overflow with local treats, making them some of the best and most accessible ways to absorb local culture on the go.

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Appreciate Kelantan’s Cultural Arts

Start your day by checking off places that best showcase the state’s cultural arts. Drop by Kelantan’s Cultural Centre in Kota Bharu to enjoy a cultural performance by the locals in the area. Some of the performances include wayang kulit (shadow puppets), the silat dance, top-spinning, wau demonstration as well as other musical performances.

The best days to visit Kelantan’s Cultural Centre are Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. All performances are held at the staging area behind the centre.

For lunch, stop by Nasi Ulam Cikgu to try out one of Kelantan’s most famous lunch dishes, which consists of fluffy rice paired with fresh vegetables and spicy sambal (chilli paste). This restaurant can get quite packed at times, so make sure to go early to secure a table.

After a hearty meal, head over to Kampung Kraftangan, which is located right next to the restaurant. Kampung Kraftangan showcases various homemade art pieces created by the Kelantan community. Discover local handicrafts at the museum such as batik outfits and patterns, songket and different local embroidery patterns that are as intricate as they are beautiful.

The Kampung Kraftangan Museum is essentially where the state’s cultural history that has been passed down through generations is documented. There are also cultural demonstrations that take place here including the process of making songket fabric, wool manufacturing, traditional carving and silverware making. Visitors also have the opportunity to try their hand at batik painting in the batik painting room at Kampung Kraftangan.

End your first cultural exploration day by stopping by a local restaurant for a hearty meal. Try Kelantan’s famous Mee Celup, featuring springy noodles in a hot bowl of beef broth, making it the perfect treat to end your night.

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Immerse in Places That Showcase the State’s Culture

Start your day right with the famous Nasi Kerabu, a popular rice dish that is delicious, filling and guaranteed to make your day. A favourite among locals and tourists alike, Nasi Kerabu can be enjoyed with fried chicken, beef, or fish. No plate of Nasi Kerabu is complete until a hard-boiled salted egg is added to give the dish an extra salty and creamy flavour.

Next, head over to Wayang Kulit Pak Dain to enjoy a shadow puppet performance. Wayang Kulit is one of the oldest performing arts that is still performed today, and is executed with an interplay of light and shadow. The shadow puppets are made from water buffalo hide, which are carefully outlined by scratching in the details. There is a puppeteer behind the screen who skillfully carries out the performance singlehandedly.

For lunch, delight in a warm and hearty bowl of Mee Celup at any local stalls along your way. Its rich and spiced broth paired with tender pieces of meat will keep you going for the rest of the afternoon.

After a trip to Wayang Kulit Pak Dain, head down to Wat Photivihan, a Taoist temple that was completed in 1979, and is home to the largest reclining Buddha statue in Malaysia, stretching over 40 metres long. There are also other smaller statues that are placed around the large statue as well as all around the premises of the temple.

For dinner, head over to one of the local restaurants to try out Maggi Ketam. This Kelantanese dish consists of instant noodles that are prepared in a hot and spicy tom yam soup and loaded with fresh crabs.

Photo credit: @alemymaggiketam (Instagram)

DAY

Explore Kelantan’s Floating Markets

On the morning of your final day in Kelantan, visit Pengkalan Datu’s floating market, where you will find an array of local items such as food and souvenirs sold atop boats along Pengkalan Datu river. One of the most popular items sold here is fresh seafood.

There are other activities that are carried out around here as well. The locals in the area will warmly invite you to take part in activities such as the process of making a wau, top-spinning and others. You will also get a chance to climb aboard small boats that sail along the river to take in the panoramic views.

For a short lunch, grab a hearty bowl of Kelantan’s famous Nasi Air. Similar to a bowl of porridge, Nasi Air is cooked using local spices and shredded chicken, then served with a splash of soya sauce to bring the dish together.

To finish off your trip, visit the Pulau Suri floating market. Similar to Pengkalan Datu’s floating market, this one sells an abundance of local treats and snacks. The Pulau Suri floating market leans closer towards selling more of Kelantan’s speciality food and drinks. The boats at this floating market are parked in rows by the edge of the river. Head home safely after an eventful 3 days, 2 nights adventure around the state, with plenty of cultural experiences to reminisce on and share with others.