View source for Kota Bharu

{{About|the city in Malaysia|the federal constituency|Kota Bharu (federal constituency)|entire district|Kota Bharu District}}

{{EngvarB|date=July 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Kota Bharu
| native_name        = ''Koto Baghu'' ([[Kelantan-Pattani Malay]])
| settlement_type    = [[List of cities and towns in Malaysia by population|Town]], [[List of capitals in Malaysia|state capital]] and [[List of capitals in Malaysia#District capitals|district capital]]
| official_name      = Town of Kota Bharu<br>{{nobold|''Bandar Kota Bharu''}}
| nicknames          = The Islamic City (''Bandar Raya Islam''), The Cultural City (''Kota Budaya'')
| other_name         = 
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
| border                  = infobox
| total_width             = 280
| image_style             = border:1;
| caption_align           = center
| perrow                  = 1/3/2
| image1                   = Kelantan Royal Palace Gate - panoramio.jpg
| caption1                 = [[Sultan Ismail Petra]] arch outside the Royal Palace
| image2                   = Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah.jpg
| caption2                 = [[Siti Khadijah Market]]
| image3                   = Masjid Muhammadi, Kota Bharu, Kelantan - panoramio.jpg
| caption3                 = Muhammadi Mosque
| image4                   = Istana Jahar, Kota Bharu.jpg
| caption4                 = [[Istana Jahar|Jahar Palace]]
| image5                   = Museum Kelantan - panoramio.jpg
| caption5                 = [[Kelantan Museum]]
| image6                   = Muzium Islam (Islamic Museum), Kota Bharu, Kelantan - panoramio.jpg
| caption6                 = [[Kelantan Islamic Museum]]
}}
| image_flag         =
| image_seal         = File:The_Seal_of_Kota_Bharu_Municipal_Council.png
| image_map          = {{Infobox mapframe|frame-width=275|zoom=10}}
| map_caption        = Location of Kota Bharu in Kelantan
| pushpin_map        = Malaysia Kelantan#Malaysia#Southeast Asia#Asia
| pushpin_mapsize    = 275px
| pushpin_map_caption = {{Legend inline|#800000|outline=black}} '''Kota Bharu''' in {{Legend inline|#FEFEEF|outline=black}} '''[[Kelantan]]'''
| coordinates        = {{coord|6|8|N|102|15|E|type:city(315,000)_region:MY-03|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|Malaysia}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[States of Malaysia|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{flag|Kelantan}}
| subdivision_type2  = [[Districts of Malaysia|District]]
| subdivision_name2  = {{flagicon image|Flag of Kota Bharu, Kelantan.svg}} [[Kota Bharu District]]
| established_title  = First settled
| established_date   = 14 April 1844
| established_title1 = Establishment of the town council
| established_date1  = 1936
| established_title2 = Establishment of the town board
| established_date2  = 1971
| established_title3 = Municipality status
| established_date3  = 1 January 1978
| founder            = Sultan Muhammad II
| government_type    = [[List of local governments in Malaysia|Municipal council]]
| governing_body     = Islamic City of Kota Bharu Municipal Council
| leader_title       = [[President (government title)|President]]
| leader_name        = Mohd Anis Bin Hussein ([[incumbent]])
| leader_title1      = [[Municipality|Municipal]] [[Secretary]]
| leader_name1       = Mohd Shaifudeen Bin Md Salleh
| leader_title2      = 
| leader_name2       = 
| area_footnotes     = 
| area_total_km2     = 115
| area_water_km2     = 
| population_footnotes = {{my10}}
| population_total   = 568,900
| population_as_of   = 2022
| population_density_km2 = auto
| timezone           = [[Malaysian Standard Time|MST]]
| utc_offset         = +8
| timezone_DST       = Not observed
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal codes in Malaysia|Postcode]]
| postal_code        = 15xxx
| area_code          = +60-09-7
| website            = {{URL|https://mpkbbri.kelantan.gov.my/}}
}}

'''Kota Bharu''' ([[Kelantanese]]: ''Koto Baghu''), colloquially referred to as '''KB''', is a town in [[Malaysia]] that serves as the state capital and royal seat of [[Kelantan]]. It is situated in the northeastern part of [[Peninsular Malaysia]] and lies near the mouth of the [[Kelantan River]].

The town is home to many [[religious building]]s, various museums, the unique architecture of the old royal palaces (still occupied by the [[Sultan of Kelantan|sultan]] and [[sultana (title)|sultanah]] and off-limits to visitors but viewable from outside) and former royal buildings (which can be visited). It is served by [[Keretapi Tanah Melayu]]'s [[KTM East Coast Line|East Coast Line]] at the nearby Wakaf Bharu Terminal Station, in the town of [[Wakaf Bharu]] across the Kelantan River and [[Sultan Ismail Petra Airport]], located in [[Pengkalan Chepa]].

== Etymology ==
Kota Bharu means "new city" or "new castle/fort" in Malay. The name of the city may also be written as ''Kota Baharu'' or ''Kota Bahru''.<ref>{{cite web |title=LALUAN BAS.MY KOTA BHARU |url=https://bas.my/basmykotabahru.php |website=bas.my |publisher=[[Land Public Transport Agency (Malaysia)|Land Public Transport Agency]] |access-date=14 November 2025 |language=ms}}</ref>

==History==
Kota Bharu was founded during the late 19th century. Before the establishment, Kota Bharu was home to Kelantan's Royal Palace, then established by Sultan Muhammad II of Kelantan in 1844 as Kelantan's state capital who wanted the new state capital built in his honour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mpkbbri.gov.my/ms/pelawat/info-kota-bharu|title=Kota Bharu Municipal Council official website|access-date=20 May 2016|archive-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026013621/http://www.mpkbbri.gov.my/ms/pelawat/info-kota-bharu|url-status=dead}}</ref> Prior to this, Kota Bharu was known as Kuala Kelantan. Before Kota Bharu assumed the role, the Kelantanese capital was divided into two which were Kota Kubang Labu and Kota Pengkalan Datu.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://buluhkubu.pi1m.my/index.php/info-pi1m/penerbitan/26-info-pi1m/51-sejarah|title=Pusat Internet 1 Malaysia|access-date=20 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624041255/http://buluhkubu.pi1m.my/index.php/info-pi1m/penerbitan/26-info-pi1m/51-sejarah|archive-date=24 June 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> During the 19th century, Kelantan was a prosperous and populous state with a population of around 30,000 to 50,000 people including a thousand Chinese. Production from within the state include gold, tin ore, black pepper, areca nut, rice, rattan, bamboo, agarwood and songket. Kota Bharu acts as entrepot for goods due to its strategic location beside the Kelantan River.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=2015|title=The Historical Development of the Malay Peninsula Economic And Malay Society Economic Nature Pre-Colonial Era|url=http://journalarticle.ukm.my/8942/1/Sejarah_perkembangan_ekonomi_....pdf|journal=International Journal of the Malay World and Civilisation|access-date=20 May 2016}}</ref>

During World War II, Pantai Sabak, about {{convert|10|km|abbr=on}} from Kota Bharu, was the initial landing point of the Japanese invasion forces on 8 December 1941, beginning the [[Battle of Kota Bharu]], the first battle of the [[Japanese Invasion of Malaya|Malayan campaign]]. Japanese forces captured the city and would go on to successfully engage the British in jungle warfare and ultimately capture [[Singapore]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://army.mod.gov.my/perang_dunia_kedua.htm |title=Malaysian Armed Forces Official Website |access-date=4 February 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070120045706/http://army.mod.gov.my/perang_dunia_kedua.htm |archive-date=20 January 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Kota Bharu was declared as the "Cultural City" on 25 July 1991 by the late [[Ismail Petra of Kelantan|Sultan Ismail Petra]] on the basis of two important aspects – the history of Kota Bharu and the uniqueness of its local arts and cultures. Kota Bharu was rebranded as the "Islamic City" ({{langx|ms|Bandar Raya Islam}}) by the Kelantan State Government on 1 October 2005 through its "Developing With Islam" ({{langx|ms|Membangun Bersama Islam}}) policy.<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.academia.edu/5950739|title=The Changing Image And Identity Of Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia From Cultural City To Islamic City|journal=International Journal of Social Planning and Development|access-date=5 June 2022|last1=Harun |first1=Siti Norlizaiha }}</ref>

==Government==
{{Infobox legislature
 | name               = Islamic City of Kota Bharu Municipal Council
 | native_name        = Majlis Perbandaran Kota Bharu Bandar Raya Islam<br/>مجليس ڤربندرن كوتا بهارو بندراي اسلام
 | native_name_lang   = Malay
 | members            = 
 | legislature        = 
 | coa_pic            = File:The_Seal_of_Kota_Bharu_Municipal_Council.png
 | coa_res            = 
 | coa_alt            = 
 | session_room       = 
 | foundation         = 1 January 1978
 | house_type         = Local authority
 | body               = 
 | leader1_type       = President
 | leader1            = Rosnazli Bin Haji Amin
 | leader2_type       = Municipal Secretary
 | leader2            = Mohd Shaifudeen Md Salleh
 | meeting_place      = Jalan Hospital, 15000 Kota Bharu, Kelantan
 | website = {{URL|https://mpkbbri.kelantan.gov.my/}}
 | footnotes          = 
 | motto              = 
}}

'''Kota Bharu Municipal Council''', officially known as the '''Islamic City of Kota Bharu Municipal Council''' ({{langx|ms|Majlis Perbandaran Kota Bharu Bandar Raya Islam, MPKB-BRI}}, [[Jawi alphabet|Jawi]]: مجليس ڤربندرن كوتا بهارو بندراي اسلام) and formerly known as the '''Kota Bharu Town Council''' ({{langx|ms|Majlis Bandaran Kota Bharu}}) from 1936 until 1971 and the '''Kota Bharu Town Board''' ({{langx|ms|Lembaga Bandaran Kota Bharu}}) from 1971 until 1978, is the local authority of Kota Bharu.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mpkbbri.kelantan.gov.my/index.php/mengenai-kami/berita-2/latar-belakang|title=Background|agency=MPKB BRI Kelantan Gov My}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.malaysianbar.org.my/article/news/bar-news/news/kota-bharu-to-become-an-islamic-city|title=Kota Bharu to become an Islamic City?|date=18 August 2005|access-date=14 February 2022|agency=The Malaysian Bar}}</ref>

==Demographics==
The vast majority of Kota Bharu's population is ethnically [[Kelantanese Malay people|Kelantanese Malay]]. The language spoken in Kota Bharu is Kelantan Malay dialect. There is also a fairly large [[Malaysian Chinese|Chinese]] population.

{{Bar box
|title=Ethnicities of Kota Bharu – 2020 Census<ref>{{cite web |url=https://newss.statistics.gov.my/newss-portalx/ep/epFreeDownloadContentSearch.seam?cid=250923|title = Key Findings of Population and Housing Census of Malaysia 2020: Local Authority Area|website=DOSM E-Statistik}}</ref>
|titlebar=
|left1=Ethnic group
|right1=Percent
|float=right
|bars=
{{Bar percent|[[Bumiputera (Malaysia)|Bumiputera]]|Green|95.7}}
{{Bar percent|[[Malaysian Chinese|Chinese]]|#FFA07A|3.7}}
{{Bar percent|[[Malaysian Indian|Indians]]|#FFCBA4|0.3}}
{{Bar percent|Others|Yellow|0.3}}
| caption  = <small>Population by percentage<br />This excludes non-citizens which form 2.1% of Kota Bharu's population</small>
}}

===Religion===
Kota Bharu town's population is 93% Muslim, with the remainder consisting of Buddhists, Hindus and Christians. The predominantly urban local Chinese community mainly practices Buddhism.

Kota Bharu was declared an Islamic city on Saturday, 1 October 2005 at 10pm by the Sultan of Kelantan, DYMM Sultan Ismail Petra ibni al-Marhum Sultan Yahya Petra at the Sultan Mohammed IV Stadium. The inauguration was accompanied by a fireworks display as an inauguration gimmick and performances of poetry, dikir barat, nasyid and singing by special guests, namely Mawi, M. Nasir, Halim Yazid, Kumpulan Rabbani and Akhil Hayy. The inauguration was also witnessed by thousands of attendees who had to watch on screens installed in several places around Kota Bharu.

After the inauguration, the Kota Bharu Municipal Council (MPKB) was renamed the Islamic City of Kota Bharu Municipal Council (MPKB-BRI).

However, this declaration did not mean that the city of Kota Bharu had received the status of a city like others, but simply called Kota Bharu a city with Islamic characteristics.

==Culture==
[[File:Burung Petala Indera II.png|thumb|[[Burung Petala Indra]], as seen in Padang Bank, Kota Bharu.]]
The Kelantanese culture is highly distinctive as compared to other states of Malaysia but also with some influences from Thailand due to its geographical proximity.

===Food===
[[Nasi berlauk]], [[nasi dagang]], [[nasi lemak]] and [[nasi kerabu]] are popular elements of the local cuisine. Sweet cakes, or [[kuih]], are also popular amongst the Kelantanese. Other popular foods include [[nasi tumpang]], etok, akok, lompat tikam & netbak.

== Climate ==
Kota Bharu features a [[tropical monsoon climate]] bordering on a [[tropical rainforest climate]]. Kota Bharu does not have a true [[dry season]] although the city experiences noticeably heavier rainfall from August through January. Also, Kota Bharu experiences slightly cooler temperatures between December and February than during the rest of the year. The city sees on average about {{convert|2600|mm|in}} of precipitation annually.

{{Kota Bharu weatherbox}}

==Transportation==
===Public transportation===
[[Grab (application)|Grab Car]] services, available for 24 hours a day, are provided in Kota Bharu since April 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grab.com/my/press/business/grab-widest-network/|title=Grab Now Provides the Widest Rides Network in Malaysia with its Expansion into Four New Cities - Grab MY|date=20 April 2017|access-date=29 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019163224/https://www.grab.com/my/press/business/grab-widest-network/|archive-date=19 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Kota Bharu is serviced by [[Sultan Ismail Petra Airport]], the busiest airport in east coast of [[Peninsular Malaysia]] (IATA: '''KBR''').

The closest railway station is the [[Wakaf Bharu railway station|Wakaf Bharu station]] on the other side of the river, 6&nbsp;km from the city centre.

The under construction [[MRL East Coast Rail Link]] will have a station at Kota Bharu. The Kota Bharu station will be located near Kampung Tunjong.

Kota Bharu is served by local bus services, and intercity bus services. There are two bus terminals in the city, and buses connect to bigger towns and border towns such as [[Sungai Kolok]] and [[Gua Musang District|Gua Musang]].

===Roadways===
[[Malaysia Federal Route 8|Highway 8]] is the main highway leading Kota Bharu to the federal capital [[Kuala Lumpur]]. [[Malaysia Federal Route 3|Highway 3]] connects Kota Bharu to [[Pasir Mas]] and the [[Thailand]] border in the west, or [[Kuala Terengganu]], [[Kuantan]] or even [[Johor Bahru]] due south. Connection to [[Penang]] is possible via [[Malaysia Federal Route 4|highway 4]]. The [[Kota Bharu–Kuala Krai Expressway|Lebuhraya Rakyat]], or People's Expressway, is a planned [[Controlled-access highway|expressway]] that is to connect Kota Bharu to [[Kuala Krai]] in southern Kelantan. The project has been integrated into the [[Central Spine Road]] project (assigned as highway 34), scheduled to be complete by 2020.

== Education ==
Notable educational establishments include [[Open University Malaysia]], [[Universiti Tun Abdul Razak]], MSU College and Wadi Sofia International School. However, the most plentiful type of school are national schools,<ref name="KelantanSchools">{{cite web|url=http://jadn.co.uk/w/SecondarySchoolsInKelantan.htm#KotaBharu|title=Secondary Schools in Kelantan, Malaysia|year=2007|access-date=2007-12-10}}</ref> which include
{{see also|List of schools in Kelantan}}
* [[List of schools in Kelantan#Private schools|Private schools]]
* [[List of schools in Kelantan#Islamic religious schools|Islamic religious schools]]
* [[List of schools in Kelantan#National schools|National schools]]
* [[List of schools in Kelantan#Chinese Type Primary and Secondary School|Chinese Type Primary and Secondary School]]
* [[List of schools in Kelantan#Technical school%7CTechnical secondary schools: Sekolah Menengah Teknik (SMT)|Technical secondary schools: ''Sekolah Menengah Teknik (SMT)'']]
* [[List of schools in Kelantan#MRSM and SBP|MRSM and SBP]]

== Shopping ==
{{see also|List of shopping malls in Malaysia}}
The most famous shopping destination in Kota Bharu is [[Siti Khadijah Market]]. Most of its sellers are women. Next to Central Market is the Kota Bharu Trade Centre (KBTC) which was opened in August 2009, with [[Parkson]] as the anchor tenants for the mall.

Other shopping centres in Kota Bharu are the KB Mall, Kota Seri Mutiara, G-Orange Mall, Pantai Timur and Platinum Mall. A [[Tesco]] supermarket opened in 2008, later renamed [[Lotus's]]. In March 2010, the Mydin Mall in Bandar Baru Kubang Kerian opened. [[JUSCO|AEON]] Mall in Lembah Sireh opened in April 2016. A new [[Giant Hypermarket]] located in Bandar Baru Tunjong was opened in 2016,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1646207|title=GCH Retail to upgrade Giant hypermarkets|website=www.thesundaily.my}}</ref> as well as a [[Mydin]] store at Bandar Baru Tunjong by 2021.

==Tourism==

=== Beaches ===
Strong surf threatens all major beaches in the vicinity of Kota Bharu with substantial erosion. The community has been implementing wave breakers by piling up massive amounts of boulders in an effort to protect the coastline. Regular beach activity has become impossible as visitors frequent beaches further south. In terms of tourism, the most famous beach in Kota Bharu is Pantai Cahaya Bulan.

=== Wreck diving ===
Diving in Kota Bharu is a relatively new activity. At present, only one dive shop operates in the area. Trips out to the wreck of the ''[[IJN Awazisan Maru]]'' (known locally as the "Japanese Invasion Wreck") are among the sites offered. This Japanese transport ship was the first vessel to sink in the [[Pacific War]]. The wreck is a 30-minute boat journey from a jetty which is 10 minutes outside of Kota Bharu.

==Notable people==

;Academician & Corporate Figures
* [[Omar Abdul Rahman (academic)|Omar Abdul Rahman]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nst.com.my/node/96263?d=1|title=A giant among men|date=15 August 2015}}</ref>
* [[Nik Safiah Karim]]
;Athletes
* [[Badhri Radzi]], footballer. Currently playing for [[Kelantan FA]]
* [[Hafiz Hashim]], former national badminton player.
* [[Khairul Fahmi Che Mat]], national football goalkeeper
* [[Luqman Hakim Shamsudin]], footballer. Currently playing for [[KV Kortrijk]]
* [[Mohd Hashim Mustapha]], former footballer
* [[Roslin Hashim]], former national badminton player.
* [[Sidique Ali Merican]], former sprinter.
;Entertainers
* [[Aedy Ashraf]]
* Bienda
* [[Izzue Islam]]
* Issey Fazlisham
* Misha Omar
* [[Julia Rais]]
* [[Nelydia Senrose]]
* [[Neelofa]]
* Saharul Ridzuan
;Politics
* [[Asri Muda]]
* [[Khalid Samad]]
* [[Mohamed Nasir]]
* [[Ng Yen Yen]]
* [[Nga Kor Ming]]
* [[Nik Ahmad Kamil]]
* [[Nik Aziz Nik Mat]]
* [[Tan Seng Giaw]]
* [[Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah]]
* [[Zaid Ibrahim]]
* [[Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat]]

==International relations==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Malaysia#Kota Bharu|l1=List of twin towns and sister cities in Malaysia}}

===Sister city===
{{as of|2018}}, Kota Bharu has two [[sister city]]:
* {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Kasaoka, Okayama|Kasaoka]], Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.city.kasaoka.okayama.jp/soshiki/2/kokusaikouryuu21.html|title=友好握手都市＜コタバル市（マレーシア）／モービィロンガコミューン（スウェーデン）＞|language=ja|publisher=Kasaoka City|date=1 March 2011|access-date=21 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151221052530/http://www.city.kasaoka.okayama.jp/soshiki/2/kokusaikouryuu21.html|archive-date=21 December 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|PRC}} [[Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture|Linxia Hui]], China

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite report |last=Fleming |first=Tom |date=May 2021 |title=Malaysia: Kota Bharu Kelantan |url=https://www.britishcouncil.my/sites/default/files/malaysia_cultural_cities_profile_kota_bharu_kelantan.pdf |series=Cultural Cities Profile East Asia |location=Kuala Lumpur |publisher=[[British Council|British Council Malaysia]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630192302/https://www.britishcouncil.my/sites/default/files/malaysia_cultural_cities_profile_kota_bharu_kelantan.pdf |archive-date=30 June 2022 |access-date=8 April 2025}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Kota Bharu District}}
{{Wikivoyage}}
* {{official website|https://mpkbbri.kelantan.gov.my/}}
* {{YouTube|id=sUM0q4F886w|title=Daily life in Kota Bahru}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140312024856/http://www.tourismmalaysiausa.com/what-to-do/attractions/kelantan Kelantan] at [[Tourism Malaysia]]

{{Geographic location
| North     = [[Pengkalan Chepa]]
| Northeast = [[Pengkalan Chepa]]<br>[[Sultan Ismail Petra Airport]]
| East      = [[Bachok]]
| Southeast = [[Bachok]]<br>[[Pasir Puteh]]
| South     = [[Kubang Kerian]]<br>[[Ketereh]]
| Southwest = [[Pasir Mas]]
| West      = [[Wakaf Bharu]]
| Northwest = [[Tumpat District|Tumpat]]
| Centre    = Kota Bharu
}}
{{Districts of Kelantan}}
{{East Coast Economic Region}}
{{Local governments in Malaysia}}

[[Category:Kota Bharu| ]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1844]]
[[Category:World War II sites in British Malaya]]
[[Category:State capitals in Malaysia]]