Kelantan is located in the north-eastern corner of the peninsula. Kelantan, which is said to translate as the "Land of Lightning" (see alternate theories below), is an agrarian state with green paddy fields, rustic fishing villages and casuarina-lined beaches. Kelantan is home to some of the most ancient archaeological discoveries in Malaysia, including several prehistoric aboriginal settlements. Due to Kelantan's relative isolation and largely rural lifestyle, Kelantanese culture differs somewhat from Malay culture in the rest of the peninsula; this is reflected in the cuisine, arts, and the unique Kelantanese Malay language, which is unintelligible even for some speakers of standard Malay.
The best things to visit and do in Kota Bharu and nearby:
- Muzium Kraftangan (Handicrafts Museum) - attached gift shop selling handicrafts.
- Muzium Negeri (State Museum)
- Memorial Peperangan Dunia Ke II (World War II Memorial) - very small but worth a quick visit for history buffs.
- Muzium D'Raja (Royal Museum) - which contains photos of the current and previous Sultans and such-like.
- Muzium Islam (Museum of Islam)
- Muzium Adat Istiadat DiRaja Kelantan (Museum of Royal Kelantanese Traditions) - which contains interesting artifacts and exhibits for those interested in cultural history.
- Enjoy the amazing view of Fireflies Garden along the river with Malay Traditional Boat (Long Tail Boat) in Kubang Kerian.
- Go to the day and night markets. Have Nasi Kerabu for lunch at the day market and Ayam Percik at the night market, or get whatever else strikes your fancy.
- Walk around the downtown area Wakaf Che yeh, Pasar Siti Khadijah
- Bicycle around Pengkalan Chepa area (airport), see old WW2 British pillboxes near beach at Pantai Sabak. For history buffs only but no beach anymore due to erosion.
- PCB Beach has batik shops, one of which is Citra Batik about 500m from the beach. Also eat fried seafood at PCB Beach
- Irama Beach eat fried seafood with coconut water.
- Beautiful beaches at Bachok - Pantai Perkasa, Pantai Sungai Dua, Pantai Kandis.
- Visit the stingless bee garden & gallery (Trigona), learn about the bees, harvest the honey by yourself in Min House Camp, Kubang Kerian