Bukit Puteri, Kuala Terengganu

View from Bukit Puteri, Kuala Terengganu (20 February 2011)


Bukit Puteri (GPS: 5.33633, 103.137) is the hill at the mouth of the Terengganu River, in Kuala Terengganu. It stands at a height of 200 meters, and was used in the early days as a natural defence for the kingdom of Terengganu.

The name Bukit Puteri, which means Princess Hill, has a legend attached to it. There is a belief that a princess named Puteri Bunian once lived on the hill. The princess abandoned the her hill residence after the local people borrowed her cutlery and never returned them.

There is a fort on top of Bukit Puteri. It was built in 1830 during a period of power struggle between two members of the Terengganu royal family, wrestling for the throne of the sultanate. On one side was Tengku Mansur, who was holding the title of Sultan Mansur Shah I, while on the other side was Tengku Umar, who was the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.

Tengku Umar had the fort built on Bukit Puteri to defend his position. However, the troops of Sultan Mansur Shah captured the fort, forcing Tengku Umar to flee to Besut. With the demise of Sultan Mansur Shah, the throne passed to Sultan Muhammad I. However, Sultan Muhammad I failed to defend Bukit Puteri from the forces of Tengku Umar, who finally was able to recapture the hill.

The stairs going up Bukit Puteri (20 February 2011)

Visiting Bukit Puteri

Today the public can get a good view of Kuala Terengganu from the top of Bukit Puteri. The fort and cannons of Tengku Umar have been restored and is a historical site there. The stairs going up Bukit Puteri is located next to the Kuala Terengganu Tourist Information Centre. There is an entrance fee of RM1.00.

Sights on Bukit Puteri

Bukit Puteri is on Map of Kuala Terengganu

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