Pengkalan Chepa is a small town in Kelantan, Malaysia, just six miles from the state capital of Kota Bharu. As one of the capital’s satellite villages, this quiet town offers convenient access to Sultan Ismail Petra Airport as well as the South China Sea and Kota Bharu’s many attractions.

Spend a morning strolling the streets of the town, looking for shops selling specialties like keropok lekor (deep-fried fish cake) and otak-otak kelantan (grilled packets of spiced ground fish wrapped in banana leaves), as well as visiting Buddhist temples and statues nearby. Pengkalan Chepa is close to the massive Masjid Muhammadi mosque in Kota Bharu and the Kelantan Islamic Museum.

Just 15 minutes north of town is the sandy beach at Pantai Nusuk. The beach at Pantai Cahaya Bulan, only five minutes further, is dotted with food stalls selling fried prawns and other bites for picnics along the shore, though the sea currents are too strong for a swim.

This part of Malaysia enjoys an equatorial climate, which is consistently hot and muggy throughout the year. That said, there are two monsoon wind seasons in Pengkalan Chepa: the milder one lasts from late May to September, while the rainier extends from October through March. Although showers are usually short-lived, they can be intense, and you’ll need a waterproof jacket and suitable footwear during the rainy season.

If you come in June, a not-to-be-missed local event is Pesta Wau, the spectacular International Kite Festival, which involves five days of traditional kite-flying, plenty of food, and Malay-style group singing. Before the wetter weather arrives, September brings the Cultural Carnival (Karnival Kebudayaan Kelantan), which features drumming and top-spinning contests.

Istana Jahar Royal Residence

Sultan Muhammad II built Istana Jahar along the Kelantan River in 1855 as a royal residence for his grandson. The elaborate building has a pentagon-shaped porch, gleaming hardwood floors, and wall panels with intricate carvings. The residence became a museum in 1981 and now features displays of regalia, weapons, and information concerning royal customs and practices. If the timing is right, you may get to see a demonstration of batik weaving or songket weaving.

Ar-Rahman Mosque

This modern, architecturally interesting mosque sits in the village of Kampung Pulau Gajah, just to the east of Pengkalan Chepa, in the middle of a picturesque meandering river. Two huge tree trunks decorate the main entrance arch, and in the middle of the prayer hall sit five solid wooden pillars that represent the five pillars of Islam. The Blue Mosque-inspired dome is adorned with stars and calligraphy.

Pantai Nusuk

This 50-acre expanse of soft white sands, located at the mouth of the Peng Datu River where it meets the South China Sea, has become a favorite place for locals to retreat on sunny afternoons. The offshore waves can be a little too choppy for safe swimming, but you can relax by the waterfront with a picnic and walk out along the spit of land that juts into the sea to peer across the river at the Senok Beach Rumah Api (lighthouse) on the other side. The sunsets here are particularly colorful, attracting photographers on the hunt for stunning shots.