Jerteh is a township located in the district of Besut, state of Terengganu, Malaysia. It is located slightly more northern than the other districts with Kelantan at its border. As such, it is much easier to access Jerteh from Kelantan rather than from within Terengganu. This town is one of the more developed places in this district even in comparison to the Besut district capital, Kampung Raja. Malays are the major residents followed by Chinese and Siamese being other ethnicities that lived in Besut.

The town residents, as well as its fellow district residents, identify themselves to be more Kelantanese than Terengganuan. This is exhibited in the ways they speak – they do not speak using the Terengganuan Malay accent like most people in Terengganu does, but they speak Kelantanese Malay. One of the folklores commonly told by the people here is that Besut once belonged to Kelantan, however the Sultan has handed the district to Terengganu over a loss suffered in a cockfight competition.

How to Get There

By Plane

Jerteh can be accessed by by boarding flights to Kelantan. There are flights to Kota Bharu provided by Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia. From the airport, guests may hail up a taxi or public transportation to Jerteh.

By Car

People driving from Kuala Lumpur may drive through the Kuala Lumpur-Gua Musang Highway and exiting at Central Spine Route 8 before continuing the journey towards Jerteh. The journey could take up around six hours.

By Bus

The express bus terminal is located at Jalan Kota Bharu – Kuala Terengganu, Jerteh. Take the trip directly to Jerteh from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) terminal using express bus services such as Queen Express or Perdana Express.

Tourist Attractions

Bukit Keluang Beach

Bukit Keluang Beach is located nearby Kuala Besut and three kilometres from the Air Tawar beach which is also famous. It was once used as a hiding place for the pirates but now has been deveoped for tourism purposes, which has attracted the local boy scouts to organize their camps here. The structure of the beach is unique in which it has rocky trails and small caves. There is a walking platform that can be utilized by the visitors to venture through each caves and beaches nearby to experience their natural beauty. There is a resort nearby for a quick stay for visitors after the long walk.

Lata Tembakah

Another interesting place for sightseeing when visitors are in Jerteh is the Lata Tembakah located thirty minutes away from the Jerteh town. It is a natural reserve of lush rainforest and mesmerizing waterfalls. Adventurous visitors can go for jungle trekking to experience and enjoy the beauty of the rainforest, while the waterfall nearby is ideal for families and friends coming for a picnic and good time together. The waterfall is a 7-tier thunderous waterfall with its water flowing through the forests. Nonetheless at the bottom, water levels are safe for kids to play, hence it is a one less thing for parents to worry about. There are also facilities provided for the visitors such as ample parking spaces, wooden walkways, jungle treks, gazebos and camp grounds.

Ulul Albab Mosque

This beautifully constructed wooden mosque is located in Seberang Jerteh, Jerteh. The mosque is officiated in 2012 by the Sultan of Terengganu, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin to replace the earlier mosque located on the same site which was in old condition. Erection works took two years to finish with a cost up till RM12.3 million. At one time during Friday prayers or festive seasons such as Eid, it can accommodate up till 1, 500 congregants. The design is done by Wan Mustafa Wan Su, a Besut native. The mosque incorporated a lot of Terengganuan songket elements and used up chengal, nyatuh and bala woods for 90 percent of its construction.

Hotels

Emma Guest House

A decent hotel situated in Jalan Haji Wan Latif. A clean and minimalistic hotel with basic facilities such as desk, cable television, shower and LAN internet.