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Kuala Nerus a sustainable town, full of attractions

Kuala Nerus a sustainable town, full of attractions

Tuesday, 31/05/2022

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Kuala Nerus, Terengganu’s eighth district with an area covering 40,000 hectares and a population totalling 157,900, has its own attractions.

The district used to be referred to as North Kuala Terengganu in government’s administrative affairs until it became Kuala Nerus.

The area was developed based on 2014 – 2025 Special Area Plan endorsed by the Department of Urban and Rural Planning, and the concept adopted was modern, green city, with infrastructure setup that is conducive to sports and recreational activities including water sports.

The presence of a lake garden has drawn the public to frequent the area and engage in recreational activities. It has also led organizers to hold cycling or running events during weekends there.

Kuala Nerus has all the features to become a model modern city, one with sustainable administrative centre. It offers facilities that are environmentally friendly and can be tailored to suit sports and recreational activities.

Education zone

The district is more popularly known as an education zone, a primary tourism location, a host for sports and recreational events, and a home to attractive and unique eateries.

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) is one of several institutions of higher learning (IHE) in the district. The university has a population of over 10,000, comprising students and staff. This community plus those from other IHE’s help to enliven Gong Badak and nearby areas.

UMT’s Nature Research Station (Bidong Island) and Sea Turtle Research Unit, or SEATRU (Chagar Hutang), and Redang Island are also located in Kuala Nerus.

Action sports location

Sultan Mahmud Airport located in the district will greet visitors who travel to Terengganu by air. For this reason, Kuala Nerus is an important district, for it provides the first impression of the state and its atmosphere to the visitors.

Bukit Maras is a hill that has become the preferred location for climbing, with four peaks with heights between 270 – 329 metres at sea level. Also in the district is Bukit Jong, another hill used as a location for recreational hill climbing event, with a height of 349 metre, making it the tallest hill in the district.

Bidong Island is an interesting place for trekking, where visitors can climb up the hill and enjoy a breath-taking view of the island and the surrounding sea.

Lingai – Bukit Sudu in the district is equipped with a trek for extreme cycling, while Pancur Kuin is equipped with a trek specially built for motocross sports.

Popular resort island, beautiful beaches

Redang Island is one of the most popular resort islands that has become tourists’ attraction, be they local or foreign.

There are also several beautiful and clean beaches, among them Seberang Takir beach, Teluk Ketapang beach, Tok Jembal beach, Pengkalan Maras beach, and Batu Rakit beach.

From November to March, paddy fields with ready-to-harvest paddy along Kampung Maras, Pecah Rotan, and Darat Batu Rakit offer beautiful green scenery.

Eateries offering traditional food on the menu, such as Warung Belago Angin, Selera Tok Mi Teluk Ketapang, Pok Nong Sotong Celup Tepung, and Warung Seri Geylang are popular places to satisfy hunger. Also popular are Dapo Pata at Tok Jembal and Air Buah Pok Hassan at Bukit Tok Beng.

Kerepok lekor, or fish sausage, and kerepok keeping, or fish crackers, are readily available in Kuala Nerus for visitors to take home as souvenirs.

A host of hotels, private accommodations, and homestays are ever ready to welcome visitors for overnight stays. Gong Badak Sports Complex is a fully equipped sports complex that has a drag racing circuit, suitable for a variety of sports events both at the national and international levels.

 

Original Malay version by Mohd Izham Mohd A Wahid, published in Berita Harian, 15 May 2022, under Perspektif section.

English translation by Corporate Communications Office, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu