Ash Raja, co-founder of Small Towns Malaysia, an award-winning video-sharing platform uncovering Malaysia’s hidden gems, shares what makes Pulau Duyong special
Photos by Ash Raja/Small Towns Malaysia
“This is where I go when I want to see a side of Terengganu that most people miss,” says Ash Raja, co-founder of Small Towns Malaysia (@smalltownsmy). He’s talking about Pulau Duyong, a river island at the mouth of the Terengganu River, just minutes from Kuala Terengganu, where wooden boats are still built by memory alone and old kampung houses face the water.
1 Kota Lama Duyong
Once home to the respected religious scholar Tok Syeikh Duyong, this old fort blends traditional Malay timber architecture with European and Egyptian influences in its carved pillars and lattice work. The compound survived a major flood in 1986 and now stands as a quiet reminder of the island’s role as a centre of learning.
2 Traditional boat making
Pulau Duyong’s boat builders work entirely from memory, a skill passed down through generations without ever needing a blueprint. Using cengal wood and traditional gelam bark for waterproofing, they still take on orders for full-sized vessels today. Watch the process up close at one of the riverside workshops and pick up a handcrafted miniature to take home.
3 Duyong Craft Centre and Art Gallery
Run by Wan Nordin Wan Abdullah, this jetty-front gallery doubles as a workshop where he hand-carves miniature replicas of traditional Terengganu vessels – pinis, payang, bedar and more – each one built entirely from memory and skill. His pieces have found their way into the homes of Malaysian political leaders, and visitors can purchase one directly from him. The space also hosts art exhibitions and workshops, and was once home to the Duyong Art Festival.
4 Wau and about
Come late afternoon, before Maghrib calls everyone home, the island’s open fields fill with wau, Malaysia’s traditional ornamental kite. It’s often a family affair, parents and kids out together, and the kites themselves are homemade, passed down and patched up rather than store-bought.
5 Breakfast on the main road
Come morning, the main road into the island is where most locals grab breakfast. Rows of stalls serve up nasi dagang, nasi lemak, roti canai and other kampung favourites, cheap and unpretentious. Just follow the smell of frying and the crowd of regulars.
6 River views over Kuala Terengganu
The island sits right at the mouth of the Terengganu River, offering unobstructed views of the city skyline across the water. It’s an easy contrast: the quiet of kampung life on one bank, the city going about its business on the other.
