Kek Lok Si All Lighted Up

Kek Lok Si

Tingkat Lembah Ria 1

11500 Ayer Itam

Pulau Pinang

I'm sure many of you already visited Kek Lok Si temple. It is after all one of the must-visit attraction in Penang the tourist island. But did you know that once a year during certain weeks around Chinese New Year, the whole place will be lighted up and visitors will flock there to take photos?

  Just Google 'Kek Lok Si Display of Lights' to find out the next date and plan your visit! I visited on a weekend (I think) and while there were many people, it wasn't packed. You can still take photos (and pray) without someone else shoving you.

  Go in the early evening so you will have time to explore the ground before sunset. The Guanyin statue is located on the hill above the pagoda, you can get there using the cable car for a minimal fee. I didn't have enough time to visit the hillside.

There is a charge of RM2 (I think) imposed to access the area with bell and 10,000 Buddhas pagoda. Make sure you climb up the pagoda and check out the scenery. I was there for sunset and it was breathtaking! My acrophobia acted out a bit while walking around the outer corridor on the top floor >.<" 

  But the view was serious cantik, I went live on IG: @whitelambchop to share with my followers

Getting here is probably easiest using public bus. You can drive but be prepared to brave some traffic congestion.

Chinatown, Kuala Terengganu

The Chinatown or Kampung Cina in Kuala Terengganu starts near the Seri Malaysia Hotel 

It is an area filled with restaurants and coffee shops, colourful temple, pretty little alleys with cute themes and street arts.

You can walk around Chinatown in the morning to take photos of the many wall arts and come at night to see the lights and enjoy the food. 

Note: To Muslim visitors, there are some non-halal restaurants in the area so check the menu and ask if you're unsure :)

Kompleks Muzium Negeri Terengganu

Terengganu State Museum Complex

Bukit Losong,

20566 Kuala Terengganu

Terengganu

(+609) 622 1444

Operating Hours

Saturday to Thursday : 0900 - 1700

Friday : 0900 - 1200, 1500 - 1700

Closed on first and second day of Eid Fitr & Eid Adha

Entrance Fee(s)

Local

Adult : RM5

Children : RM2

Foreigner

Adult : RM15

Children : RM10

Note: I'm not too happy about the different pricing for locals vs foreigners but I like that the ticket is actually a postcard! Not the prettiest design but it's better than typical paper ticket stubs that will get thrown away.

As the name suggested, the museum is situated in a complex. It's big and you'll have to walk quite a bit to explore the whole place. The main building and its many galleries is big enough to tire you so come early, bring water and wear comfortable shoes.

Lockers are available near the entrance should you want to keep your valuables.

There is no correct way to explore the museum and the whole complex. Exhibits are all over the place and you might as well stop and see what ever you passed. There is a tram station near parking area but it wasn't operating on my visit. There is also an outdoor exhibition nearby, just opposite the Herb Garden. 

Vehicles

After seeing the cars and plane, I walked past the pretty garden and up the magnificent stairs of the main building to find the ticket booth. 

There are several galleries and halls in the main building. Some of the halls will showcase different exhibition at different time. During my visit, it was a ceramic exhibition. The long-term galleries are:

• Textile Gallery
• Royal Gallery
• Islamic Gallery
• Craft Gallery
• Petronas Gallery
• History Gallery

then there are other galleries that are situated away from the main building like the Seafaring & Trade Gallery and the Fisheries and Marine Park Gallery. They should really install some drinks vending machines over at those galleries.

Batu Bersurat Terengganu

Guess what?

Art Gallery (I think this is temporary exhibition) below Islamic Gallery

Tram looking all pretty but unused

Signage to Tengku Long's Palace, different type of traditional houses, galleries and jetty

Technically, you can take a boat to get here. But the jetty looked... abandoned. 

One of the traditional houses in the complex

Outdoor exhibition near the Fisheries & Marine Park Gallery

Real life boat

Real life boat 2

I was curious but scared to actually step on the boat. Not too confident with maintenance. Plus the boats were on land and I can't swim on land. There was no sign forbidding entry so if you're interested, board at your own risk!

Overall, I like the Terengganu State Museum. It is one of the better curated ones in Malaysia but it certainly could use a little more TLC. The complex already have all the infrastructures, the museum itself is a gorgeous architectural wonder, all they have to do is to take care of it.

Natural History (?) Gallery closed for maintenance

My best friend in the Seafaring Gallery

View from jetty

To properly enjoy the museum complex, I suggest you come bright and early and plan to stay for half a day. Bring drinking water (a must!) or a picnic if you wish. Just make sure you dispose your trash properly.

Lukisan Dinding Muhibah, Padang Bank

How to find these wall arts?

Get yourself to Padang Bank/Padang Merdeka. Face the field with the Tambatan Diraja at your back, look to your right. The wall arts are at the building next to Ridell Hotel. 

It is supposed to be lighted at night but I'm not sure why it wasn't when I last visited. I recommend touring this area in the late evening and then you can catch sunset by the riverside. Gorgeousness!

Prambanan Loro Jonggrang Complex

| Instagram @whitelambchops |

If Borobudur is a Buddhist temple, Candi Prambanan is a Hindu temple. Personally, I think Prambanan is better managed that Borobudur. The complex has more facilities and therefore, you will easily spend a whole day here.

Opening Hours

0730 - 1730 daily

Admission Fee : IDR 252000 per adult (foreigner)

Tour Guide : IDR 100000 for 1 hour (optional)

Tour guide- optional but highly recommended!

We hired a tour guide from the counter next to ticket counter. Our tour guide spoke fluent English and was knowledgable (I quizzed him and he did NOT make things up).

Smaller candi that are waiting to be rebuilt

One of the apit and vahana temples

The Shiva temple is the tallest among the Trimurti temples. The other two are Vishnu and Brahma temples. Right across the Trimurti temples are the vahana (the deity's "vehicle") temples - Nandi (bull) for Shiva, Garuda for Vishnu & Hamsa (swan) for Brahma.

   The chambers in Shiva temple houses statues (of):

Shiva Mahadeva 

Agastya

Ganesha

Durga Mahisasuramardini

A vahana temple houses statue of either bull, garuda or swan

Aside from being the venue of the Ramayana Ballet show, there are a few other smaller temples and sanctuaries nearby. You can get a shuttle or hire bicycles from here to see the other temples.

Playground

Museum

Fee for audio visual show

Audio Visual Room

If you are in Jogja, please spend at least a day here and another day in Borobudur. Don't rush and try to pack them in one day.