Terengganu which overlooks the South China Sea on the east coast of Malaysia is another charming holiday destination. Its long coastline is endowed with truly magical beaches of white sand and washed by clear, warm waters. It is small wonder, that this east coast paradise is renowned for activities such as beach-combing, sea sports, fishing and boat-making. Its numerous islands offer ideal getaway spots for sun-worshippers and diving enthusiasts or simply for pure relaxation. Among the islands that are certain to enrapture its visitors are the marine parks of Redang, Kapas, Perhentian and Tenggol. Redang in particular offers excellent dive sites and its superb coral reefs abound with an amazing diversity of marine life.
Between May and September each year, at Rantau Abang, 60 km south of Kuala Terengganu, visitors gather to watch giant Leatherback turtles clamber ashore to lay eggs. Some of the turtles weigh as much as 375 kg and measure 2.5 m in length. It is a rare treat to take in the sight of the creatures laboriously digging holes in the sand to lay eggs, covering them again and heading back into the sea. This spot is acknowledged to be one of the six in the world where this rare phenomenon unfolds.
Despite the offshore oil and gas activities, life in Terengganu is still less hurried compared to some other Malaysian states. This is apparent in the quaint villages as well as the towns. Kuala Terengganu is the capital town and places of interest include the State Museum, Central Market and Istana Maziah. 6 km away from the town at Chendering, is the Sutera Semai Centre, the country's first silk weaving venture which offers interesting insights into the whole process of silk-weaving. It is also the site of the Malaysian Handicraft Centre. Near the mouth of the Terengganu River at Pulau Duyong, you can see skilful boat builders constructing colourfully decorated vessels purely from memory. At Rusila, just outside Kuala Terengganu, visitors can watch local artisans weaving exquisite handicrafts such as baskets and mats as well as beach and fishing activities.
On the extreme west of the state, Tasik Kenyir, South East Asia's largest man-made lake is a major tourist attraction. The huge lake with its hundreds of islands, numerous caves, waterfalls and luxuriant tropical jungle is a paradise for a wide range of outdoor activities like fishing, swimming, canoeing, trekking, cave exploration and camping. For golfing buffs, there is a fabulous golf resort with a panaromic sweep of the lake. The Sekayu Recreational Park, west of Kuala Terengganu, is a popular picnic spot famous for its series of seven cascades making up the Sekayu waterfalls and its orchards.
