Kuala Koh covers an area of 1,034 sq km and forms the northern section of Taman Negara. Its thriving rain-forest has been evolving for millions of years, forming one of the planet's most complex ecosystems. The park not only shelters wildlife such as the Malayan Tiger, Asian Elephant, Gaur, Hornbill Rhinoceros and close to 300 bird species, but also the rare . Raffesia, the world's largest flower. Its rivers teem with numerous varieties of fish such as the prized Kelah or the Red Malaysian Mahseer.

• Walk across the 300m long canopy walkway and gaze at the . breathtaking scenery at its highest platform, which is built 60m above the ground.
• Stay overnight at the Bumbun observation hide and try spotting wildlife at the nearby salt-lick.
• Go kayaking, bamboo rafting or tubing along the Sinar Rapids
• Make a trip to Batek indigenous tribe settlements along the river and watch fire-making.as well as blowpipe demonstrations.
• Visit the Interpretive Centre and learn more about the Kelantan National Park
  

NOTE:

• You are required to report at the Park Administrative Office before you begin your activities.
• While nature guides are not compulsory, it is highly recommended that you hire one.
• You can either bring your own camping and fishing equipment or hire them from the Park Administrative Office.
  

Facilities in the park include chalets and a dormitory, campsite, restaurant (closed during the Muslim fasting month), meeting room, prayer room as well as a car park.

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The rugged landscape of Kelantan’s interiors offers many exciting adventures for anyone who loves the great outdoors. From limestone hills to rushing rapids, from thick tropical jungles to cool cavernous caves, Kelantan is a pleasure to experience.

The best way to enter the interiors of Kelantan and, at the same time, get a first-hand look at the typical village life, is to take the KTM train – once romantically known as the Jungle Train in the spirit of adventure and exploration – right through the state.

One of the stops along the way is in the quaint village of Dabong, about 155 kilometers from Kota Bharu, the state capital. Dabong lies in the area dedicated as Mount Stong State Park (formerly called Jelawang Jungle) and is situated on the fringes of Malaysia’s massive Titiwangsa range. The mountainous backdrop there is made up of a chain of majestic peaks, waiting to be conquered – Gunung Ayam, Gunung Stong, Gunung Tera, Gunung Saji, Gunung Koh, Gunung Baha, Gunung Beirut, Gunung Che Tahir. (Gunung is the local word for mountain).

One of the main attractions at the state park is Gunung Stong (1,422 meters), a dome-shaped granite complex more than 100 million years old. Here, the seven-tiered Stong Waterfalls, reputed to be the highest in Southeast Asia, drops from a height of about 990 metres. Reaching the peak of the falls takes two hours of trekking for about one kilometer on steep inclines of between 60 to 90 degrees.

The Mt.Stong State Park, gazeted as state park on October 2005 is listed among the top five unique ecotourism destinations in Malaysia. It covers an area of 21,950 hectares of land dotted with high peaks, dense forest, a variety of caves, rivers and waterfalls. Its thick jungle is home to elephants, tigers, bears, gibbons, hornbills and a range of other exotic wildlife, as well as a variety of flora and fauna including the world’s largest flower, the rafflesia of the kerii meyer species, and the endemic long-sectioned bamboo, a type of purple herb (didymocarpus calcareous) and a unique palm species (licuala stongesis).



With the assistance of a qualified and knowledgeable trekking guide, the journey uphill is made more meaningful as he points out species of wildlife sighted along the way. In good weather conditions, an experienced guide can take travelers along the scenic route of the waterfalls from the foot of Gunung Stong at least halfway before continuing inland for the rest of the hike up. This route showcases the waterfall cascading down from great heights along the solid granite rock structure, a breath-taking sight to behold.

At the peak of Stong Waterfalls is Baha’s Camp – and much-appreciated rest for tired legs. Weary travellers often make Baha’s Camp their pit stop for the night before continuing up Gunung Stong the following day. It has eight wooden huts and two camping grounds that can accommodate between 200 and 300 people at one time. From here, one can sit at the edge of smooth, large rocks and watch the crystal-clear waters of Stong river rush down over the steep edge of the mountain. In the mornings, a thick fog floats in the air creating the dreamy effect of walking on clouds. By noon, the fog clears to reveal a magical view of the lush green valley below. When night descends, snuggle up by the campfire as the mysterious legends and folklores about the origins of Gunung Stong are unraveled.



From Baha’s Camp, it only takes a minute to walk over to the Kolam Tuan Puteri (Princess Pool) where one can enjoy a refreshing dip by the falls. About 25 minutes trek from Baha’s Camp is Telaga Tujuh (Seven Well), a series of smaller waterfalls that empty into mini pools.

Other places worth visiting and easily accessible from Baha’s Camp are:

1. The Y Waterfalls, also known as the Last Waterfalls, where separate waterfalls from two mountains, Gunung Stong and Gunung Ayam, meet. Legends abound that it is the proverbial fountain of youth as those who drink from it are said to retain a youthful appearance ( 30 minutes away from Baha's Camp)
2. Sungai Rantai @ Check Point One (1) to Mt.Stong & Mt.Ayam :- can be reach after 60-90 minutes walked.
3. Beta Balak @ Check Point Two (2) to Mt.Stong & Mt.Ayam :- suitable for bird watching & camping. 60-90 minutes away from Sungai Rantai.
4. Bogor Caves @ Check Point Three (3) to Mt.Stong :- a cave-like formation by two huge boulders and a suitable resting point for the night on the way to the peak of Gunung Stong. River & nature pool just next to the cave. 30-45 minutes from Benta Balak.
5. Sungai Baha @ Check Point Three (3) to Mt.Ayam :- suitable for resting point (lunch) before climb up to Mt.Ayam peak. 60-90 minutes from Benta Balak.
6. The summit of Gunung Stong (Mt.Stong), which can be reached within two (2) hours of trekking from Bogor Caves.
7. Gunung Ayam (Mt.Ayam), the highest peak in the area, standing at 1,504 metres needs about six hours of trekking to reach its peak. It is the ideal spot to watch both sunset and sunrise. A campsite is available for overnight stays.
   

Kelantan, cloaked in dense jungles, high peaks, mysterious caves, swirling rapids and shrouded in mystery and folklore, hides the promise of romantic and thrilling adventures that will test your endurance, push your physical and mental limits, and simply take your breath away. It is an off-the-beaten destination that few travelers venture to but one that will definitely make you return for more.

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Batik Printing is indigenous to Kelantan. In the past, basic cotton materials were printed using the stamp block method. Now much more sophisticated methods are used on a variety of materials, both for attire and as wall hangings.

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Although Jeram Lenang (also written Jeram Linang) is a relatively short waterfall, many visitors are drawn to its cooling waters on weekends and public holidays. Cascading from a height of only 12m, Jeram Lenang is much favored by the locals.

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Kelantan's Central Market is a riot of color. It is one of the most vibrant sites in the country where traders display brilliantly colored fresh garden produce.It is mainly dominated and ruled by the womenfolk. It may surprise you that a majority of stalls are run by women. From the early hours of the morning till sundown, these market queens sit across-legged upon their raised wooden platforms, guarding their merchandise.



Perhaps this is a throwback to the fact that Kelantan was once ruled by a princess, Cik Siti Wan Kembang, a female sovereign. Kelantanese women remain fiercely entrepreneurial and have been known to be hard bargainers.

The sights, sounds, and colours are uniquely Kelantanese--women traders display garden produce, food stands grill delectable barbecued chicken and craftsmen offer traditional wares like Kelantanese silver rose bowls.



All around the square, or rather octagon, the energy is electric, effervescent colors swirl, as the fruits and vegetables blush in brilliant hues of bright yellow, deep burgundy, rich mauve, strating scarlet, clam olive and stunning lime green.

Baskets dance in the crowd, weaving through the throng of sarong clad women with spinach kissed snadals, filling with fresh turnips, cabbages, tomatoes and chilies.



The queens dip their merchandise in refreshing bowls of water whilst others wave about their contraption of plastic bag attached to lidi stick, keeping away bugs Piquant scents waft on the moist air, a mixture of tangy spices, sweet meat floss, chewy 'dodol', a traditional glutinous rice flour cake made with palm sugar, coconut milk and pandan leaves, as well as the luscious fried fish paste snack 'keropok lekor'.

A paradise for browsing and shopping, this market offers a myriad of local handicraft including batik, leather goods, clothing and household items.

The market is probably the most photographed site in the country and it is especially lively in the mornings.

The most popular Buddhist temple in Kelantan would be the Wat Pothvihan near Cabang Empat, Tumpat which houses the 40m long reclining Buddha (one of the largest of its kind in the world). Normally we called this as Sleeping Buddha Temple. It is larger than the one Sleeping Buddha in Penang and say to be the longest sleeping Buddha in South East Asia.

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Also known as Bamboo Fort Bazaar. It is located next to the Istana Balai Besar and Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah. Here bargain-hunters will have a great time at the Bazaar Buluh Kubu.

With three floors of merchandise to browse through, this bazaar is packed with many items, especially batik fabric and handicrafts. It is stocked with just about everything imaginable and at bargain prices as well. The sheer variety of locally made souvenirs, knick-knacks, batik, gold and silver songket, fine silverware and imported Thai goods leave you in awe.



A wide choice of clothes, T-shirt, sarongs and hats are also offered at reasonable prices. There are also hats, keychains and keris available. These items are perfect as souvenirs. The bustling bazaar, with lots of traditional food items to savour, makes this place fun and interesting to be at. It is especially busy during the afternoons and evenings.

No visit to Kelantan would be complete without a trip to a fishing village dubbed "the soul of Malaysia's East Coast". Two of the most well-known villages are the Sabak Beach (approx. 14 km from Kota Bharu) and Kuala Besar (15 km from Kota Bharu).

If you wish to fully capture the moment, you should arrive no later than 2:30 pm when the boats laden with the day's catch are first spotted on the horizon. As they come ashore. their intricately carved prows are a riot of colours. Then the bargaining begins between wholesalers and the fishermen - a noisy but interesting ritual.

You will also be able to witness other related activities such as fish-curing and the mending of nets. Buses No. 8 and 9 depart every half hour from the old market terminal to Sabak Beach.

Bus No. 28 leaves from the New Central Market to Kuala Besar every half hour.

One interesting 'must visit' place for tourists in Kelantan is the Cultural Centre (Gelanggang Seni) which is located along Jalan Sultan Mahmud (opposite Perdana Hotel). This place of interest display Kelantan's cultural heritage whereby visitors will be introduced to traditional cultural dances and dance-dramas, kite flying competitions, top spinning and wayang kulit (shadow puppetry) since Kelantan is a centre for Malay culture, crafts and religion.



The best time to visit Cultural Centre would be during the evening since performances of wayang kulit and cultural dances such as Main Puteri can be seen at these times which also feature Kelantan's famous musical instruments such as the large drums called Rebana Ubi. Other attractions include the gasing (giant top) competitions and the displays of the colorful wau (giant kites).



Tags: Cultural Centre, Gelanggang Seni, Place of Interest, Kelantan Travel Guide