Kota Bahru is capital of Kelantan. It has many museums especially around Jalan Hilir Kota. Some of the museums were previously palace. I have been to almost all its museum except the State Museum. All museums in Kelantan have entrance fee of RM1.

Firstly, I went to the War Museum. It is situated facing the Merdeka Square. Islamic Museum is next to it, on its left and was under renovation as told by a staff in War Museum. Al-Muhammadi Mosque is behind this Islamic Museum.

The War Museum was built in 1912, with rough exterior wall and was used as The Merchantile Bank of India Ltd. This is why it is also called Kerapu Bank, 'kerapu' referring to its rough wall. It was then used as the headquarters of the Japanese secret police, Kempetai and art gallery. Since 1992, it has been used to exhibit photographs, artifacts and history of World War II. Thus, it is also known as World War II Memorial.

This War Museum gave a good account of when and where the Japanese invaded Kelantan and then moved into other parts of Peninsula Malaysia. The Japanese first landed in Kelantan in Pantai Kuala Pak Amat before moving swiftly south-wards using bicycles through the jungle. I has a small section regarding the 'Death Railway' or what the locals called 'Forced Labour'. Many locals were tricked by the Japanese into leaving their hometown to built a railway track from Thailand to Burma.

Japanese gave Kelantan and a few northern states in Malaya to Thailand as a gratitude for allowing the Japanese to use Thailand to enter Malaya. So, Thailand ruled Kelantan from 1943 to 1945 during the Japanese occupation.

Apart from having photos of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, it has a section on events after World War II such as Malayan Union and UMNO. Upstairs, you can see some photos in Kelantan and old-fashion modern items.

Next, I went to Museum of Royal Traditions and Customs, also known as Jahar Palace. Grand Palace is situated on Jahar Palace left side. Outside the Grand Palace on its left is a treasury box called Bank Pitis.

Museum of Royal Traditions and Customs was built in 1887 during Sultan Muhammad II era as a gift to Long Kundur who was the Raja Bendahara. It was the palace of Long Kundur who became the Sultan as Sultam Muhammad III. Jahar Palace was turned into Museum of Royal Traditions and Customs in 1992.

Museum of Royal Traditions and Customs showed some cloth, apart from the customs and traditions of the royalties from asking for hand in marriage to after wedding and from pre-birth to after birth of baby. Some royal items used were shown.

In the same compund, next to the main building, is another museum for weapons. The weapons shown are mainly traditional weapons like spear, keris and swords. It also shows 2 methods of cleaning a keris, with coconut, bamboo, lime and banana leaves if not mistaken. Oh yes, this weapon museum fee is RM0.5 and must be paid at main entrance.

Then, I went looking for the Royal Museum overlooking it even when I walked passed it because my map showed it to be quite far from the important places. It though it was part of a guest house next to it.

Luckily, I walked back towards Grand Palace because some people told me it is around there. Then only did I realised that this simple building is called the Royal Museum. This Royal Museum or Stone Palace was completed in 1939. It was built during Sultan Ismail reign and was a wedding gift Sultan Yahya Petra. Sultan Yahya Petra stayed in this palace when he was still a Tengku Mahkota.

This palace was the residence of other Tengkus until 1972 before it was converted into a museum in 1991. This building has a few rooms of various colours, one colour for one Tengku. It shows the collections of these royalties and photos of the previous Sultans.

Finally, I visited the Art and Craft Museum. It is inside the Handicraft Village which has an eating area, some souvenirs shops and many models of traditional house from the states in Malaysia. However, the buildings such as Craft Museums and other halls to demonstrate the making other handicraft products are of traditional Kelantan Malay houses. Opposite this museum is Tengku Anis Bazaar. If not mistaken, the road between this bazaar and Handicraft Village is part of Cityliner's city centre station.

After travelling the east coast for 2 weeks, I decided I must go back to attend my cousin's wedding. Therefore, I did not visit Kelantan's State Museum and its Cultural Centre. Lastly, kindly help keep Kelantan clean by throwing your rubbish into proper places.