Chinatown Terengganu
Kampung China, Kuala Terengganu Overview
Located in Kuala Terengganu is a 16th century old Chinatown which is believed to be one of the oldest Chinese settlements in Malaysia. The Chinatown brims with ancestral shop houses, clan townhouses, temples, delicious food and vibrant street art.
Apart from the buildings, one can also go around exploring the Chinese temples, small food courts, kopitiams or local coffee shops and other small outlets. Buying souvenirs, especially those related to turtles is a common activity here.
The whole of Chinatown has several lane ways filled with murals and unique street art, which is a photographer's paradise. It is a gold mine for shopping enthusiasts and foodies. Those visiting Chinatown must surely try out or pack for home the butter buns and kopitiam. Also, those looking for perfect photography opportunities must not forget to capture the traditional architecture of Negeri Sembilan and the art murals along the alleys.
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Chinatown Attractions
Ho Ann Kiong Temple: The Ho Ann Kiong Temple is the oldest temple and the oldest structure in the Chinatown area. It was built in 1801. The temple holds the statue of Mazu, the Goddess of Sea.
Tien Hou Kong: Another ancient temple in the tourist belt of Chinatown is Tien Hou Kong, built in 1896.
Low Tiey Water Well: A popular and distinguishing attraction in Chinatown is Low Tiey water well, a landmark that dates back to the 19th century and exists even today, supplying clean water for the residents in the area.
Turtle Alley: Chinatown is famous for its beautiful back alleys, one of which is the Turtle Alley. It is named so because it portrays a lot of information about turtles, with the turtle themed wall and floor mosaics.
Tuake Wee Seng Hee Cultural Lane: Another thematic Lane in Chinatown, the Tuake Wee Seng Hee Cultural Lane is old-styled with a colonial era telephone booth and a classic red cast iron post box which is used even today. The walls of the lane are filled with a collection of old signs from shops in Chinatown and Han Dynasty-era poems. This is one of the most popular photography spots in Chinatown.
Food: Chinatown is popular for the various local delicacies such as roti paong, Durian cake, Pulut 'Dipa' and the white keropok lekor, which is made out of Wolf Herring or ikan parang.
Tien Hou Kong: Another ancient temple in the tourist belt of Chinatown is Tien Hou Kong, built in 1896.
Low Tiey Water Well: A popular and distinguishing attraction in Chinatown is Low Tiey water well, a landmark that dates back to the 19th century and exists even today, supplying clean water for the residents in the area.
Turtle Alley: Chinatown is famous for its beautiful back alleys, one of which is the Turtle Alley. It is named so because it portrays a lot of information about turtles, with the turtle themed wall and floor mosaics.
Tuake Wee Seng Hee Cultural Lane: Another thematic Lane in Chinatown, the Tuake Wee Seng Hee Cultural Lane is old-styled with a colonial era telephone booth and a classic red cast iron post box which is used even today. The walls of the lane are filled with a collection of old signs from shops in Chinatown and Han Dynasty-era poems. This is one of the most popular photography spots in Chinatown.
Food: Chinatown is popular for the various local delicacies such as roti paong, Durian cake, Pulut 'Dipa' and the white keropok lekor, which is made out of Wolf Herring or ikan parang.
The Vibrant Culture of Terengganu Chinatown
The culture of Chinatown is a blend of Chinese and Malay cultures. Chinese New Year is celebrated elaborately every year. The blend of Malay and Chinese cultures have given rise to small Peranakan community locally known as Mek and Awang.
The traditional costume of the Terengganuese Peranakan women is a special type of Kebaya called Kebaya potong kot which is significant for its ornamental embroidery. The Chinese dishes found in Chinatown show influence of the local East Coast culture. The usage of budu, a fish sauce made from anchovies is typical to this influence. Other local delicacies include Ayam pachok, akok, rojak ceranang, roti paung Dan Pulut lepa.
One can go around the cafes and restaurants to enjoy the local delicacies which are mainly Chinese, Malay and Indian food. The Chinatown has several small and big shops such as butcher shops, grocery shops, kopitiams, hardware shops etc which are being operated since decades and have been passed down through generations.
The traditional costume of the Terengganuese Peranakan women is a special type of Kebaya called Kebaya potong kot which is significant for its ornamental embroidery. The Chinese dishes found in Chinatown show influence of the local East Coast culture. The usage of budu, a fish sauce made from anchovies is typical to this influence. Other local delicacies include Ayam pachok, akok, rojak ceranang, roti paung Dan Pulut lepa.
One can go around the cafes and restaurants to enjoy the local delicacies which are mainly Chinese, Malay and Indian food. The Chinatown has several small and big shops such as butcher shops, grocery shops, kopitiams, hardware shops etc which are being operated since decades and have been passed down through generations.
Stunning Architecture
Standing for about 300 years now, Chinatown has a lot of ancient shophouses dating back to the late 1800s. Older buildings include the 270 pre war Chinese shophouses, which were originally built with brick, plaster and timber but later refurbished. These shophouses built by the early Chinese settlers were built near the banks of Terengganu River because the location was ideal for trade via ships.
The architectural design of the buildings showed influences of traditional Southern Chinese architecture along with neoclassical or Art Deco. The shophouses have distinguishing façades. While the older buildings have bland designs, the neoclassical buildings have a more ornate architecture. The shophouses were not made in a singular way, but rather connected with other shophouses to form a long structure, separated by numerous back alleys. They are mostly two-storeyed.
Those families using the shophouses for commercial purposes dedicate the ground floor to business and trade and live on the top floor. One of the most significant and common detailing to all these buildings is the covered passageway in front of the buildings known as kaki lima or the five foot way.
The architectural design of the buildings showed influences of traditional Southern Chinese architecture along with neoclassical or Art Deco. The shophouses have distinguishing façades. While the older buildings have bland designs, the neoclassical buildings have a more ornate architecture. The shophouses were not made in a singular way, but rather connected with other shophouses to form a long structure, separated by numerous back alleys. They are mostly two-storeyed.
Those families using the shophouses for commercial purposes dedicate the ground floor to business and trade and live on the top floor. One of the most significant and common detailing to all these buildings is the covered passageway in front of the buildings known as kaki lima or the five foot way.
How to Reach Chinatown
One can reach Chinatown by taking a taxi or cab from anywhere in Kuala Terengganu. For public transport, one can also avail the Kuala Terengganu's Bas Bandar service which provide unique buses designed to look like a traditional Malay houses. The fee charged for de boarding at any Station along the bus's route is RM 1 flat. For Chinatown, one must get down at the Hentian Bas Majlis Bandaraya Kuala Terengganu bus stop and then walk for about 8 minutes to reach Chinatown.
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