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Have you ever wondered about the architecture in Malay homes that is usually differentiated by state, culture and perhaps also by occupation? Those living in coastal areas tend to build their homes on poles and this can be seen especially on the east coast, as it is prone to monsoon flooding. Where else, those on the west coast are sometimes based on culture, such as Melaka House or even Minangkabau House (in Negeri Sembilan state).
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Siti Khadijah Market (Pasar besar Siti Khadijah), as its name implies, is a local wet market. Its name after Prophet Muhammad's wife, whom is known for her entrepreneurial skill, as this market is mostly run by women. Apart from the usual fresh goodies like seafood, vegetables and wide variety of fruits, you can also find ready-to eat food like 'ayam percik', nasi ulam and a variety of noodle soups, all unique in flavors and taste of Kelantan, serves freshly for you. Not to forget to taste the local desserts like 'kuih muih' (cake sort of), tempeh and a glass of hot milk tea, which is the staple drink for Kelantanese.
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Istana Jahar (Jahar Palace) is built by Sultan Muhamad 11 in 1887 for his grandson Long Kundur. It has luxurious woodcarvings that showcase the excellent craftsmanship of the Kelantanese. Apart from that, photographs, artifacts and traditional handicraft reflect on the Kelantan rich and sophisticated heritage. The palace is now converted to a museum, to share the uniqueness and beauty to the world. There are also a Malay Weapon Gallery which house many unique weapons such as keris and pisau.
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Handicraft Village and Craft Museum, also known as 'Balai Getam Guri' in local language, is a place to showcase local handicraft industry in Kelantan, and it's supported by the state government. It's a fine craft museum, houses many Kelantanese craftsmanship, including traditional embroidery, batik, silverware and matting. Interestingly, curious visitor has the opportunity to witness and learn the process of making those craft, where demonstration of traditional embroidery, songket weaving and batik drawing are done skilfully by the artists. Souvenirs are available for sales as well.
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Istana Balai Besar (The Grand Place) is a single story palace built by Sultan Muhammad II over 170 years ago, as the official residence of past sultans. It is believed that bullfights used to be held in the palace for official Royal ceremonies until mid-1900. The palace is now used for official state functions and is not open to public. Another palace built by Sultan Muhammad II is the Jahar Palace (Istana Jahar). It was built for his grandson, and it was built up from wood, furnished with unique wood carvings.
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Bank Kerapu was built by Mercantile Bank in 1912, on a land that apparently belongs to Nik Yusof, a renowned local chieftain. It is also believed to be the first stone. In 1941, during the Pacific War (1941-1945), Japanese troop landed near Kota Bahru. During the occupation, Bank Kerapu was used by the Japanese as their 'Kempen Tai', which is a secret police station for war coordination. Upon the fall of Japan and the return of British, Bank Kerapu continued to function as bank until 1992, when it was turn into a war memorial by the Kelantan Museum Corporation. It houses more than 1,000 exhibits relating to the war and a mixture of Japanese tool used during the occupation, including Japanese bicycle. Photographs, articles and artifacts in this memorial can bring you back to 1912 using your imagination.
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Merdeka Square also called Padang Merdeka, is an open public area in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. Also known as the Independence Field, it was the site where the independence of Malaya was declared on 31 August, 1957. The site of Merdeka Square was a reclaimed land. It was originally the site of a floating market in the 19th century. When Sultan Muhammad II built the Grand Palace of Kota Bharu in 1844, the area was reclaimed. It was then called Padang Kelupang. For a short period at the turn of the 20th century, it was also known as Padang Pitis, and sometimes as Padang Bank, in reference to the Bank Pitis which was built by Sultan Muhammad III. At the centre of Merdeka Square is a Kota Bharu Cenotaph, built by the British following World War I. It continued to be used as the war monument. At the other end of the square is now a tall flagpole with the Kelantan flag.
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Bank Pitis is a small, rather adorable historic building in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. It houses the state treasury of Kelantan. The name "bank pitis" means "money bank", in reference to the currency used in the old days. Bank Pitis was built during the reign of Sultan Muhammad III (1889-1890). It was also used by Sultan Muhammad IV as a bank. Bank Pitis is next to the entrance to the Istana Balai Besar, and across from the Kelantan Royal Regal Museum.
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The museum building was constructed in 1939 during the reign of Sultan Ismail ibni Sultan Muhammad IV as a wedding gift for his nephew Sultan Yahya Petra. Sultan Yahya Petra lived in the building until 1960 and moved to Kota Lama Palace once he ascended the throne. After he moved out, the building was renovated and became the official residence of Tengku Salwani binti Sultan Yahya Petra until 1969. The building eventually became the palace for Sultan Ismail Petra until 1972. Later, it was donated to Kelantan State Government. On 25 July 1991, the building was converted into a museum and officiated by Sultan Ismail Petra.
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Masjid Jamek Muhammadi at the centre of Kota Bharu is the State Mosque of Kelantan. It is of of the most prominent landmarks in town. It was built in 1867, during the reign of Sultan Muhammad II (1830-1886). Originally known as the Grand Mosque of Kota Bharu (Masjid Besar Kota Bharu), it was a wooden structure. Renovations carried out in 1922 turned it into the present concrete complex. The newly rebuilt mosque was officially opened by the Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Ismail Petra, on 31 July, 1931. It was from then on called Masjid Jamek Muhammadi. Between then and now, several renovations have been carried out on the mosque, with expansions to enable it to take up to 2,400 worshippers in one prayer session. From the 1860's to the 1960's, Masjid Jamek Muhammadi was also the centre for religious education, with many famous Islamic scholars having taught there.
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Nestled in the heart of Kota Bharu, Al-Quran Rehal Park stands as a serene oasis that invites tourists to immerse themselves in nature while embracing the spiritual essence of the Quran. This beautiful park is meticulously designed to reflect the cultural heritage of Malaysia, making it a favored spot for both locals and visitors alike. As you stroll through the park, you'll encounter lush greenery, beautifully landscaped gardens, and tranquil water features that create a peaceful ambiance, perfect for relaxation and contemplation.