Kota Bharu the Islamic City with Dates trees and Wakaf Che Yeh

During the Jom Jejalah Koperasi Kelantan program in June 2014, the nights are free to discover the night life of Kelantan. My friends and I were taken by my cousin to see the Dates trees and to shop and eat at Wakaf Che Yeh.

In 2007, 37 Dates trees were planted at Bulatan Medan Tuan Padang, popularly known as the Big Clock Roundabout (Bulatan Jem Besar) as ornamental plants in line of its new identity as an Islamic city. Since 2011, surprisingly 10 trees started fruiting, attracting the attention of many. Ever since then, the biggest roundabout in Kota Bharu has become a tourist attraction and a favorite hangout amongst the locals especially during the weekends and at night. 

Bulatan Medan Tuan Padang / Bulatan Jem Besar

The Big Clock at this famous roundabout

I am just a visitor !!

Currently this famed site is unprotected with high walls or security guards, the local authorities welcome everyone to see the trees and dates and to eat the fallen fresh ripe dates. They forbid the visitors to thrust any sharp objects to the fruits and to climb the trees.

The Dates trees at Bulatan Medan Tuan Padang / Bulatan Jem Besar

Wakaf Che Yeh is an open air night market located about 4 kilometers from Kota Bharu city. Actually this place is a wholesale market in the early morning, a wet market in the late morning and a night market after the sunset. Due to its popularity, this small town has progressed well for the past ten years that local authority has upgraded the market area. Nowadays there are hotels, business buildings, eateries, McDonald restaurant and petrol kiosk in its quarter acre vicinity.

The businesses at Wakaf Che Yeh market are open all year round. The peak hours are weekends and school holidays when many of the stalls stay open until 2 to 3am. During the Eid Mubarak eve, they closed at sunrise for the benefits of the huge crowds who await the massive discounts on all merchandises. 

 

Perfumes & Clothes

Head Scraves

There are stretches of stalls selling clothes for gentlemen as well as ladies, head scarves, football jerseys, home accessories, car accessories, perfume, bundled shoes, CD, DVD, watches, handbags, towels, comforters etc. Don’t be deceive as all the goods are imitation especially watches and perfumes.

 

Traditional snacks

Fruits stalls

Here are a few tips from by my cousin

1. If the traffic jam is very bad, park outside the Wakaf Che Yeh archway. Make sure you also use steering lock because there are lot car thefts in these areas. If you find parking space within the vicinity, there is a fee of RM 2.00 per entry during the peak hours.
2. If you have ample time, it is best to shop at the Free Trade Zones of Rantau Panjang or Pengkalan Kubor where things are cheaper. Rantau Panjang is located about 40 kilometers from Kota Bharu city at the Kelantan-Thailand border. The shops are open from 8.00am to 6.00pm. Whereas the fenced shopping areas with only one main entrance at Pengkalan Kubor is opened from 8.30am to 5.00pm. It is situated in Tumpat district. Parking is limited and the customs are stricter. It is said the wares at the Rantau Panjang are of wider choice and cheaper than Pengkalan Kubor.
3. If you intend to buy original tudung bawal and fabrics, it is best to buy at the shop lots at Wakaf Che Yeh. Otherwise you can shop in comfort at Bazar Tok Guru, Jalan Bayam, Kota Bharu or Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah, Jalan Ping Pong, Kota Bharu.

Soft Shelled Crab Burger

We had late dinner at Restaurant Orange, Wakaf Che Yeh. I wrote the food and restaurant review in the next entry. There are more food, restaurant and recipe in my other blog – http://www,wanfoodmalaysia.wordpress.com.=