Chukai
Encyclopedia
Chukai, also known by the name of Kemaman Town (est. pop. (2009): over 160,000) is the administrative seat of Kemaman District
, in the state of Terengganu
, Malaysia.
The name "Chukai" (proper spelling of the Malay word: cukai) means 'taxes' in Malay
. The town is so named due to its position near the estuary
of the Kemaman River
, whereby taxes and levies were imposed on riverine traffic, especially during the British colonial period. Chukai is the biggest town in southern Terengganu, and its position between the state capitals of Kuantan
and Kuala Terengganu
as well as proximity to the oil town of Kerteh
has turned Chukai into a major commercial hub for the region. Nearby Kemaman Port
serves both as a fishing port and supply base for oil platforms off the Terengganu coast.
and near the town centre is famous for its fine coffee
s.
Other attractions in the vicinity include:
Many beaches are within a short driving distance from Chukai. They remain idyllic, undisturbed by the fast growing pace of development in Terengganu.
Club Med Cherating Beach is about a 15 minutes drive south away from the town centre, towards Kuantan, Pahang. Another world class resort nearby is the Awana Kijal Golf, Beach and Spa Resort, about 25 minutes drive north from the town centre, towards Kuala Terengganu, the state capital.
Kemaman
Kemaman is a district in Terengganu, Malaysia. It is situated on the coast of the South China Sea. Kemaman district is bordered by Dungun to the north and the state of Pahang to the south....
, in the state of Terengganu
Terengganu
Terengganu is a sultanate and constitutive state of federal Malaysia. The state is also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Iman...
, Malaysia.
The name "Chukai" (proper spelling of the Malay word: cukai) means 'taxes' in Malay
Malay language
Malay is a major language of the Austronesian family. It is the official language of Malaysia , Indonesia , Brunei and Singapore...
. The town is so named due to its position near the estuary
Estuary
An estuary is a partly enclosed coastal body of water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea....
of the Kemaman River
Kemaman River
Kemaman River is a river in Terengganu state Malaysia....
, whereby taxes and levies were imposed on riverine traffic, especially during the British colonial period. Chukai is the biggest town in southern Terengganu, and its position between the state capitals of Kuantan
Kuantan
Kuantan is the state capital of Pahang, the 3rd largest state in Malaysia. It is situated near the mouth of the Kuantan River and faces the South China Sea. If one measures the distance along the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, it is located roughly halfway between Singapore and Kota Bharu...
and Kuala Terengganu
Kuala Terengganu
-Transport:The city is connected to other towns via a good network of roads and also some ferries that ply the Terengganu River. The Sultan Mahmud Bridge, a bridge over the Terengganu River, provides a road link to both banks of the river...
as well as proximity to the oil town of Kerteh
Kerteh
Kerteh is a town in the district of Kemaman in southern Terengganu, Malaysia, about 30 km or 20 minutes' drive north of Chukai. Kerteh is the base of operations for Petronas in Terengganu, overseeing the oil platform operations off the state's coast as well as petrochemicals production and...
has turned Chukai into a major commercial hub for the region. Nearby Kemaman Port
Kemaman Port
Kemaman Port is a major seaport located on the east coast of Malaysia in the state of Terengganu. Chukai is a major town located near the port and which serves as the district capital of Kemaman.There are other significant activities carried out in the port...
serves both as a fishing port and supply base for oil platforms off the Terengganu coast.
Attractions
The Hai Peng Coffee Shop, located just off the main Kuantan-Kuala Terengganu routeMalaysia Federal Route 3
Federal Route 3 is a main federal road on the east coast of Peninsula Malaysia. The roads connects Rantau Panjang in Kelantan until Johor Bahru in Johor...
and near the town centre is famous for its fine coffee
Coffee
Coffee is a brewed beverage with a dark,init brooo acidic flavor prepared from the roasted seeds of the coffee plant, colloquially called coffee beans. The beans are found in coffee cherries, which grow on trees cultivated in over 70 countries, primarily in equatorial Latin America, Southeast Asia,...
s.
Other attractions in the vicinity include:
- The Ma’ Daerah Turtle Sanctuary Centre (near KertehKertehKerteh is a town in the district of Kemaman in southern Terengganu, Malaysia, about 30 km or 20 minutes' drive north of Chukai. Kerteh is the base of operations for Petronas in Terengganu, overseeing the oil platform operations off the state's coast as well as petrochemicals production and...
) - FireflyFireflyLampyridae is a family of insects in the beetle order Coleoptera. They are winged beetles, and commonly called fireflies or lightning bugs for their conspicuous crepuscular use of bioluminescence to attract mates or prey. Fireflies produce a "cold light", with no infrared or ultraviolet frequencies...
watching along Sungai Kak Yah (Kak Yah River) in Kampung Ibok - The fishing village of Kuala Kemaman
- Boating and kayakingKayakingKayaking is the use of a kayak for moving across water. Kayaking and canoeing are also known as paddling. Kayaking is distinguished from canoeing by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle...
along the Chukai River at the Bakau Tinggi Recreational Area
Many beaches are within a short driving distance from Chukai. They remain idyllic, undisturbed by the fast growing pace of development in Terengganu.
Club Med Cherating Beach is about a 15 minutes drive south away from the town centre, towards Kuantan, Pahang. Another world class resort nearby is the Awana Kijal Golf, Beach and Spa Resort, about 25 minutes drive north from the town centre, towards Kuala Terengganu, the state capital.