Find Me A Cheap Hotel In Kota Bharu

By Author: tilden marsh
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Kota Bharu is situated in the north-eastern part of Peninsular Malaysia, and lies near the mouth of the Kelantan River. From traditional sports such as silat (martial arts), wau (kite-flying), gasing (top-spinning) and the making of traditional handicrafts such as batik, songket, silverware and mengkuang products, all can be found here in Kota Bharu and its surroundings. All these offer a glimpse of traditional Malay culture in a truly spectacular setting. I plan my trip during off peak seasons to get the best priced accommodation in town. So, I find me a cheap hotel in Kota Bharu fairly easily.

As the Royal Town of Kelantan, there are few royal palaces in Kota Bharu. As residence (and former residence) and ceremonial venues for the royal family, the palaces have unique architecture. Some of the palaces are still occupied by the Sultan and Sultanah and are off-limits to visitors but viewable from outside. Some former royal buildings have been converted into public buildings and can be visited ...
... during their opening hours. So make it a point to check them out to experience classic Malay architecture. There are many affordably priced hotels in and around Kota Bharu. Feel free to look around before booking one. I verify the deals advertised to find me a cheap hotel in Kota Bharu as there have been fake deals.

The Istana Jahar (Royal Ceremonies Museum) is a wooden building dating back to 1887 and has several displays on marriage and birth rituals. There are wrought-iron spiral steps leading up to the second floor. Outside, there is a replica of a traditional Malay house which has an array of weapons, mostly swords, knives and daggers. At the edge of the Museum there are two other noteworthy sights. One is a tiny white stone building which was the Sultan's treasury building until World War 2. The other building has some royal links and is used for formal events. It is behind an impressive wall which only authorized people are allowed access.



The Gunung Stong State Park (GSSP) covers an area of 29,500ha of dense forest, mountainous peaks and a variety of caves, rivers and waterfalls that offer one of the top eco tourism destinations in Malaysia. The diverse flora and fauna of the GSSP include species such as the world’s largest flower, the Rafflesia as well as some unique palm trees and rare species of long sectioned bamboo plants. At 1,442m, Gunung Stong is famed for its seven tiered Jelawang waterfall. Many visit GSSP to hike the mountain (Gunung Stong) or catch stunning views of sunsets and sunrises from Gunung Ayam which is 1,504m high.

Do not forget the beaches in Kelantan, namely Pantai Cahaya Bulan, Pantai Irama (Beach of Melody) and Pantai Seri Tujuh (Beach of Seven Lagoons). The Cahaya Bulan beach is the most famous beach in Kelantan. Dotted with casuarinas and coconut palms, the beach is a hit with tourists. Pantai Irama is about 25km south of Kota Bharu and is believed to be one of the most beautiful in the east coast. Pantai Seri Tujuh lies on the border of Thailand and Kelantan, about 7km from Kota Bharu. Make sure you stop by if you love relaxing by the beach. Better still, stay a day or two. That’s what I do; I find me a cheap hotel in Malaysia so I can laze on the beach all day.

Besides Kota Bharu, another coastal city of interest is in East Malaysia. Bintulu in Sarawak is a part coastal, part riverside town. The town is geographically situated half way between Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. Bintulu is a gateway to tourist spots like the Bakun Resort, Niah Caves, Mulu National Park, Longan Bunut National Park, Lambir National Park, Sibuti Wildlife Sanctuary and the Bario Highlands. It is an ideal spot to stay for those touring East Malaysia. You should consider the Tune Hotel here as it is cheap but worth the money. I book early in the year to find me a cheap hotel in Bintulu.

Fancy a rocky and sandy beach? This unique feature happens to be the attraction of Tanjung Batu Beach (Rocky Isthmus). It is a place where people in Bintulu jog and stroll along the beach, apart from taking the usual sun-tanning sessions. It is an ideal spot for picnics. However, beware of the coastline during the monsoon season, as there have been cases of drowning. If you don't have anything planned for the evening, just watch the sunset. Depending on the weather, the sunset can be spectacular.

The only zoo in the northern part of Sarawak, Taman Tumbina is home to many animals such as crocodiles, pythons and other reptiles. Most of the visitors come for jungle trekking or hill climbing. A beautiful scenery of the South China Sea awaits those who climb to the top of the hill.

These are some of the many captivating attractions that are worth a visit during your tour here in Malaysia. Be sure to plan wisely and get the best out of your visit here.