Pasar Payang - A Must Visit Location For Tourists

KUALA TERENGGANU, Sept 15 (Bernama) -- A trip to Terengganu, especially during the holiday season, wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the state’s iconic shopping destination — Pasar Payang.

This bustling market is a one-stop centre where a wide variety of traditional and modern products are sold, including food, clothing, and jewellery. Its vibrant atmosphere makes Pasar Payang a must-visit location for tourists exploring the Land of the Turtle.

A Bernama survey at Pasar Payang 1 and Pasar Payang 2, located in the heart of Kuala Terengganu, found that thousands of visitors from various states began flocking to the shops as early as 8 am.

Batik and silk trader Siti Nuramalina Mohd Zubir, 37, said she opens her stall earlier during the school holiday season to accommodate customers who prefer to shop in the morning.

According to her, some of the most popular items among visitors are men’s shirts, batik trousers, and kaftan tops — known locally as “baju kelwar” or “bat shirts.”

“Last Saturday, many tourists and visitors from outside the state started coming to shop here. The best-selling baju kelawar (bat shirt) is priced between RM15 and RM45 per piece, depending on the fabric quality and design.

“Just yesterday, a customer from Johor bought 30 pieces of baju kelawar as gifts for friends and family. Alhamdulillah, I managed to sell about 100 pieces in total yesterday. The holiday season is truly the best time to increase sales. On regular days, business is slower as we mainly depend on local customers,” she said.

Nuramalina, who inherited the family business, emphasised that she never exploits the festive season by hiking prices for foreign tourists, contrary to allegations sometimes made against traders in Terengganu.

Instead, she said she often offers discounts for bulk purchases as a gesture of appreciation.

“My family has been running this business in the market for over 40 years. For us, every customer — whether a tourist or a local — is special and deserves to be treated equally,” she added.

“The prices of the goods we sell are the same for everyone — locals and foreigners alike. If you’re good at bargaining, you might even get a bigger discount,” said Nuramalina, who is assisted in her business by her husband.

Meanwhile, kitchenware trader Wan Saidah Wan Abdul Ghani, 35, said her sales typically double during the school holiday season, reaching more than RM800 a day compared to RM300–RM400 on regular weekdays.

She said most of her customers are women who buy pots either to add to their collection or for daily household use.

“The school holiday season is something we traders look forward to because it gives us a chance to earn extra income. The rental for a shop at the new Pasar Payang 1 is quite high, about RM400 per month, so we need to boost our sales to cover rent and electricity costs,” said Wan Saidah, who sells more than 20 types of kitchenware.

Meanwhile, tourist Rosnaini Minhat, 45, from Kuala Lumpur, said Pasar Payang is always on her itinerary whenever she visits Kuala Terengganu.

Apart from crackers, meat floss, and kaftan clothing, she never misses the chance to buy jewellery whenever visiting Terengganu, as the prices are lower than in the capital.

“My family and I come to Terengganu at least once a year, and Pasar Payang is always our favourite stop. Everything is here — food, clothes, household items, souvenirs, and so much more.

“The price of gold here is also cheaper compared to shops in Kuala Lumpur, perhaps because of the lower labour costs. The gold here also has a more beautiful, lustrous shine. I usually end up buying quite a lot of jewellery in Terengganu,” he said.

-- BERNAMA