Never in my life had I seen so many creative, colourful canvases in one place. My eyes try to capture the thousands shades of colour, millions floral and unique designs and of course the smell. Batik produces smell, the fabric smell. It’s not unpleasant smell but the smell of new fabrics yelling, begging, and asking us to take them home!

If someone mentioned Kuala Terengganu, if you never step into Pasar Payang, forget about telling everyone you’ve been in Kuala Terengganu. It is a must for those who seek high quality batik. Each of them are produce to almost near perfection and I am glad to know that some of the designs are unique, only one in universe!

Pasar Payang is located near the small harbor that is used to transport from Kuala Terengganu. I read somewhere it is called Pasar Payang because of Terengganu traditional Payang Boat which is once upon a time it is the most popular boat used by the fishermen here. Payang is also referring to a large fishing net which is suit and pull by the paying boat.

It is Mazliaty, Syida and myself The Charlie Angels are been given a task to clear purses and wallet at Pasar Payang. The two girls are violently excited (especially Mazliaty, that is why her nick is Mazliaty Konsep Batik) to buy as much batik as they can. Their search for batik started at the first store. Well… I’m telling ya.. I am not excited as them, but I did buy something!

It is quite comfortable to shop in Pasar Payang. Don’t expect high end store ambience, but expect shopping atmosphere where the sales person don’t ‘produce expression’ if you don’t buy their product. It is relatively safe though; pick pocket or snatch thief is not really roaming around. I did asked a few locals and they said it is really rare to hear the tourist losing money to those culprits.

The comfortable surau. (shopping jangan tak ingat nak sembahyang!)

The double storey building is located beside the port that is also a getaway to the beautiful tourist islands in South China Sea. The ground floor selling from fish, meat, fruits to traditional cuisine. It is a traditional wet market but very properly organized. Not smelly, not dirty. Don’t forget to taste abundant of local fruits like durian and rambutan and buy what Terengganu is famous for, lot and lot of keropoks!

The first floor is for batiks and songkets. I can’t even name the batik, from crepe to Hendon to everything, they actually have name for each designs. The price is relatively cheap because it is direct from the source. Sellers will give discount accordingly; probably up to 50%. It is not easy to bargain after they fix the price. I try to use my charm but it’s doesn’t work in Pasar Payang. (Kena jumpa balik bomoh bagi mandrem lebih kuat lepas ni!).  The price for the high quality batik crepe digital is around RM220.00 and chiffon silk is around RM180-RM200. I am talking about the high quality version. Some of the traders said they supply batik to the high end boutique and retailers. The price is like much more cheaper here. Believe me, it is worth all your money! By the way, I bought batik scarves for less than RM10!.. (scarf – my latest accesories!). I also bought a very cheap dresses for my nieces.. it is worth all my money!

The rule to shop in Pasar Payang is like the rule of shopping of the universe, go to each of the shop before making your decision!