Inscribed Stone of Terengganu

The Batu Bersurat, Terengganu or Inscribed Stone of Terengganu constitutes the earliest evidence of Jawi writing (writing based on Arabic alphabets) in the Malaya Muslim world of Southeast Asia. The Stone is a testimony to the spread of Islam offering an insight to the life of the people of the era as well as depicting the growing Islamic culture subsumed under a set of religious laws.

The origin of the Batu Bersurat is from Hulu Terengganu, Terengganu Darul Iman. I had my first opportunity to visit the district of Hulu Terengganu in 2008 and I took the opportunity to visit the site of this inscribed stone.

At the time, I was traveling with my compact camera Casio EX Z750.


During my visit here, I had managed to had a long chat with the keeper of this historical place and being told that the inscribed stone placed here is not the real / original inscribed stone. The original inscribed stone had been transferred to Terengganu National Museum in Kuala Terengganu to ensure that it will get better protection and maintain safely.


The site had been well managed and maintained. It is not a 'hot' tourist destination that attract crowds and such as I think Hulu Terengganu is a small town that is kinda outskirt from other tourism spots here in Terengganu. The nearest most popular tourism place here in Hulu Terengganu is the Kenyir Dam.


If you are around Hulu Terengganu, you might not want to miss the opportunity to visit this historical and significant site. And if you got extra time while you are in Kuala Terengganu, you can drive here to Hulu Terengganu which approximately will take 40 to 50 minutes drive from Kuala Terengganu.

After the 2008 trip, I had re-visited Hulu Terengganu more that twice. It is such a quiet and peaceful town and I love the food here especially the Nasi Dagang & King of River Fish, the Kelah Masak Gulai.