Terengganu is one of the prettiest states in Malaysia. One thing that I really love about Terengganu is the route from Kemaman to Kuala Terengganu. I wish government could see this and gazette the route as scenic route (Route 3). When driving down this road, you could find mangrove and then followed by many white sandy beaches and crystal clear blue ocean. Today, the route is wider and cars that use this road are becoming lesser due to completion of East Coast Highway.
Now, let me be your driver and I’ll show you what’s up with this route. We will stop at few stops along the way.
- Kuantan
Kuantan is a considerably big and busy city. Around the city there are many attractions notably Teluk Chempedak and Tanjung Lumpur. Teluk Chempedak is about 30 minutes drive from Kuantan.
Tanjung Lumpur is another attraction that will attract foodies. This town offers seafood at a quite reasonable price. After eating, you can walk along the river bank and see the lights and do some people watching.
2. Beserah
When you start driving from Kuantan, you will notice small towns along the road. Usual road users will not stop but for explorer like us, we should stop and explore. Beserah is just a small town but interestingly, it has something worth exploring. One of them is Gua Beserah. The cave is small but the forest walk is nice. There is also a mini waterfall that people could have picnic.
Not far from the cave is Beserah and Balok Beach. Not that scenic but yet peaceful.
3. Cherating
I do not need to tell you anything here. Everyone knows about Cherating. The beach is so famous. You could also do surfing and hike along the rocky terrains.
4. Kemaman
About 20 minutes from Cherating, you will arrive in Cukai. A port town. At this town, you need to turn right and explore a road towards Pantai Teluk Mak Nik or Monica Bay). You will find a stall that sells local seafood cuisine for cheap and yummy too.
5. Cukai-Kijal-Kemasik-Dungun
A long this path, you will see many beaches that worth stopping for. Don’t miss out. If you are a geologist, you will see some outcrops too.
6. Dungun
Once you reach Dungun, you will reach a quite huge town. Dungun is also a developing town. Now, you gonna have to drive to the beach road, Jalan Pantai Sura and stop at a fried seafood stalls. It was good and cheap. You will also find youngsters flocking this area as it is close to a college (UITM Dungun).
7. Marang
The road going from Dungun to Marang is quite quiet. You will not see many cars using this road. Marang also offers many attractions like Rantau Abang where it has turtle sanctuary (I did not stop there) and also Kapas Island if you have more time.
However, I would like to highlght a swampy area or salt water marsh along the Marang road near Sekolah Kebangsaan Kuala Abang.
8. Kuala Terengganu
And then you will reach Kuala Terengganu. The capital city of Terengganu. It is a huge city with many attractions. You may need at least 2 days to explore the city.
Here is a Guide to visit Kuala Terengganu
When you visit Kuala Terengganu you should go to Taman Tamadun Islam (Islam Heritage Park). Check it out here: Taman Tamadun Islam
If I visit Kuala Terengganu again, I will spend more time in the city and put it in details over where you should go and what you should do here.
9. Batu Bersurat, Kuala Berang
This place is a little off track. If you want to go to Kenyir Lake, you should stop at this memorial area.
This memorial is important for Malaysia History as this Batu Bersurat is the evidence of Islam arrival in Terengganu. Batu Bersurat is a granitic rock and carved in Jawi.
Enough with the babbling, check it out here: Batu Bersurat
10.Kenyir Lake
And finally, you will reach Kenyir Lake. If you arrive late like me, you won’t be able to do anything and just enjoy the view. If you arrive early, there are many activities you could do on the lake.
I will return to Kenyir Lake and just enjoy the activities some one fine day.
Bonus : Perhentian Islands
If you have more time, or if Perhentian Islands is your ultimate goal, continue driving from Kuala Terengganu to Kuala Besut.
More trips to come!
Dear Ikhwan Mahmood,
I guess I’m the first person to respond to to this post. First,thank you for writing this and you do express yourself well. I wish you had provided much more useful info. The pics here are really well shot. They are so clear and beautiful. The one at the marsh reminds me of the English moors in Emily Bronte’s novel Wuthering Heights.
I’m making an 8-day road/food trip to the east coast,staying at Kuantan (this trip is also to revisit Beserah beach out of nostalgia. The first time I saw a black and white pic of the beach in my school geography book was when I was 10 and I told myself I would see the real beach one day. As a 10 year old kid it was very far away as I was living in a Malay kampung at Permatang Pauh,Province Wellesley. I visited for the first time 26 years later and now after 28 years I’m going to see it for the second time) for 2 nights/KB for 2 nights and KT for 3 nights since there’s so much to see/eat in KT.
Considering the fact that I’m a senior citizen and am driving alone I’m a little worried. I hope you will get back to me so that I could tell you more and perhaps you could allay my worries. Thank you.
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