Kota Bharu, on the northeast of Peninsular Malaysia, is the capital of Kelantan Darul Naim. I visited Kota Bharu with a small group of AsiaExplorers members. We explored Kota Bharu and visited sights in its surrounding areas using a rented van with driver. Although I chose February to explore Kota Bharu, a time when the west coast of Malaysia was parch, upon arriving in Kota Bahru, we saw the town was flooded. It rained heavily and continuously for long periods every day that we were there.
Early morning traffic along Jalan Sultanah Zainab in Kota Bharu. In the distance is the Sultan Yahya Bridge across the Kelantan River.
Kota Bharu is located by the banks of the Kelantan river, making it flood prone. Within Kota Bharu town are many heritage sights such as palaces and mosque. Due to Kelantan's proximity to Thailand, there are many big Thai temples close to Kota Bharu, especially in the town of Tumpat. There are about 30 Buhhist temples in Kelantan, which is something of a surprise for a state with an overwhelmingly Malay population.
On my visit - in between breaks in the rain - we visited the famous Siti Khadijah Market, walked around to view the many Kelantan palaces and museums, and took our van to visit the many famous Thai Buddhist wats, including Wat Machimmaran, with its huge sitting Buddha, and Wat Phothivihan, with the largest reclining Buddha in Malaysia. On our way into Kota Bharu, we also stopped at a couple of waterfalls, and visited Masjid Kampung Laut, the oldest mosque in Malaysia.
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