If you are looking for enriching cultural things to do near Hotel Ma’Wa, a trip to Laman Warisan Kampung Laut is an absolute highlight. Situated along the banks of the Kelantan River in the Tumpat district, directly across from Kota Bharu, Kelantan, this RM20+ million cultural heritage precinct was developed by the East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) alongside the state government. Serving as a living museum and community hub for Kelantanese arts, crafts, and culinary heritage, it offers an uplifting excursion for guests enjoying a halal-friendly stay.
Exploring Masjid Kampung Laut and Cultural Zones
The spiritual centerpiece of the village is Masjid Kampung Laut. Believed to be 300 to 400 years old, it is celebrated as one of the oldest surviving mosques in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. Built entirely from durable cengal timber, the structure was assembled using interlocking mortise-and-tenon joinery (tebuk pasak) without using a single metal nail. Following the major flood of 1966 (Bah Merah) that eroded the riverbank, the mosque was relocated to Nilam Puri for over 50 years before being meticulously restored and returned to its original birthplace in 2022. Inside and around the prayer hall, you can admire the multi-tiered roofline, hand-carved panels, an ancient mimbar (pulpit), a kolah (traditional ablution pool), and the wooden beduk drum.
Surrounding the mosque, visitors can explore several distinct areas:
- Laman Warisan Seni: Watch live artisan demonstrations and shop for authentic Kelantanese crafts, such as wau sobek (intricate kite making), batik painting, wood carvings, calligraphy, and songket weaving.
- Laman Warisan Serunding: Experience the culinary heart of local meat floss production. You can purchase freshly prepared beef, chicken, and fish serunding, as well as dodol and traditional sweets like gelembung buaya.
- Riverfront Promenade: Stroll along the paved scenic boardwalk overlooking the peaceful Kelantan River.
Practical Tips, Halal Food, and Getting There
Admission to Laman Warisan Kampung Laut and the mosque grounds is completely free. The outdoor areas are open daily during the daytime around prayer times, with craft and food stalls generally operating between 9:00 AM and 5:30 PM or 6:00 PM (vendor hours may vary on Fridays and public holidays).
As a traditional Malay-Muslim enclave, all food stalls and serunding producers on-site are 100% Muslim-owned and halal. The mosque remains an active house of worship with dedicated wudhu (ablution) areas and prayer spaces for both men and women. Visitors should dress modestly covering their aurat, and women are required to wear a headscarf (tudung) when entering the prayer hall. To avoid the midday heat, consider visiting in the morning before 11:00 AM or in the late afternoon after 4:00 PM.
Getting there from Hotel Ma’Wa is simple and scenic:
- By Traditional River Boat (Bot Penambang): Walk 5 to 8 minutes from Hotel Ma’Wa to the Tambatan Diraja Jetty on the Kota Bharu waterfront. Board a bot penambang across the river for a 5-to-10-minute ride (costing around RM1.00 to RM2.00 per person each way), landing a short walk from the heritage village.
- By Car, Taxi, or Grab: Drive 12 to 15 km across the Sultan Yahya Petra Bridge via Wakaf Bharu and Palekbang (about 20 to 25 minutes). Free on-site parking is provided.
After a day of exploring local heritage and taking in the river breeze, head back to unwind at Hotel Ma’Wa. As a welcoming Muslim-friendly hotel Kota Bharu travelers rely on, we are delighted to host you and your family on your Kelantan journey.
Photo: Pok Rie / Pexels
