Pasar Payang

"Pasar Payang, (Photo courtesy virtualtourist.com) or the Central Market of Kuala Terengganu, is a must-visit especially for first-time visitors to this turtle state. Located just a few minutes walk north along the pier from the inter-city bus station, Pasar Payang serves as both a wet market as well as trade centre for the local community. There is a festive air as you approach the entrance of the market, with makeshift stalls lining the path, showcasing trinkets of all kinds. In their loudest voice, these peddlers will impress you with the alleged magical powers of the amulets, the potency of their traditional medicines, or the quality of their precious stones.

On the ground floor, trading stalls are covered with fresh fish, meats and vegetables of all colour, many manned by kindly-faced old ladies, ever smiling, inviting you to their wares. This is where you'll find the unfamiliar and sometimes the bizarre. Instead of lettuce and tomatoes, here you'll find a whole range of traditional greens – pegaga, ulam raja, petai – normally eaten raw and seldom found at conventional urban grocers. Each of these vegetables is said to possess medicinal properties which can keep check almost every ailment there is. Peria is good for kidney ailments, pegaga for high blood pressure. You can get fresh produce of local delicacies such as the 'keropok lekor', made of grounded fish and flour, and 'serunding', the spicy flavoursome meat floss.

Terengganu is also known for its thriving batik industry. Some of the best batik and songket in Malaysia is hand made in Terengganu and a vast choice of this traditional textile can be purchased on the first floor of the Pasar Payang. A wide range of colourful handkerchiefs, batik shirts, scarves and kaftans are on display for you to choose from. Feast your eyes on a wide array of souvenirs. Silk garments, rattan baskets, brassware items and farmers’ hats are also popular items on sale here. Be sure to bargain for the best price when you're buying.

Drop by Pasar Payang the next time you happen to be in Kuala Terengganu and you will undoubtedly have a delightful experience shopping in local fares at reasonable prices here at Pasar Payang"

(Courtesy virtualmalaysia)