Kota Bharu itself offers many museums (http://www.kelantan.muzium.net/temp/ Malay-language only) near Independence Square Padang Merdeka. Several of the museums and the nearby Istana Balai Besar the downtown Royal Palace were built in a unique kind of elegant architecture that is well worth seeing. Arguably the most amazing building, however, is the central market Pasar Besar. It is an octagonal building in the centre of town and houses a very colourful and active market every day. Nearby is a plain square which turns into the local food market in the evenings Pasar Malam = Night Market.
Some visitors particularly those interested in the history and cultural heritage of Kelantan may also find the Muzium Negeri Kelantan Kelantan State Museum on Jalan Hospital 15000 of interest.
The following museums in Kota Bharu are all open from 8:30am-4:45pm every day except Fridays when they are closed:
Muzium Kraftangan
Handicrafts Museum [with attached gift shop selling handicrafts]Muzium Negeri
State Museum [see above]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 IslamMuzium Adat Istiadat DiRaja Kelantan
Museum of Royal Kelantanese Traditions [which contains interesting artifacts and exhibits for those interested in cultural history]Great temples to visit in the nearby towns to Kota Bharu Town: near Tumpat there is Wat Pothivihan huge reclining Buddha, Wat Mai Suwan Khiri dragon Boat & standing Buddha, Wat Chonprachumthat at Kg. Dalam, Wat Machimarran Varran sitting Buddha, and Wat Serova Buddhist Temples Goddess of Mercy - Kuan Yin. At Bachok, there is a 100 foot high standing Buddha at Wat Phothikyan just opened to public in June 2009 and a Kuan Yin temple facing the South China Sea nearby.
Cultural Show at Culture Centre 3 times a week @Saturday 3.00pm-4.45pm & 8.00pm-11.30pm, @Monday 3.00pm-4.45pm, @Wednesday 3.00pm-4.45pm & 8.80-12.00pm.
River cruise along Sungai Galas down to Dabong 2hours.
Explore the caves at Gua Ikan,Dabong.
Stong Waterfall, reputed to be the highest in Southeast Asia, drops from a height of about 990 metres.
Mount Stong State Park. One of the main attractions at the state park is Gunung [email protected] 1,422 meters, a dome-shaped granite complex more than 500 million years old.
Nenggiri Rafting Adventure - The selected leg of the journey covers approximatedly about 50 km, departing from Kuala Betis / Gua Cha and ends up at Kampung Star.
