visit Terengganu
Dungun's History
Dungun is a district in Terengganu state that is located at the South Central area. It occupies about 1,018.4 square miles bordering Kemaman district in the south while the northern area borders with Marang district. Meanwhile, Kuala Dungun is the most important town, an administrative center that houses almost all government departments. Dungun is named after the Dungun tree, which is a type of tree that grows in freshwater swamps and is believed to be opened by the community from Pagar Ruyung, Sumatera, based on two main factors: -
-
Most of the Dungun people once came from the Indonesian islands and migrated here.
-
Names of the villages in Dungun are also found in Indonesia such as Binjai Village, Bemban Village, G Wave Village, Lentang Village, Raja Wali Village, Serdang Village and so on.
Dungun is considered a fertile and affluent area that is easy to make a living whether on the beach, land or upstream. This is closely related to the natural geographic state, the fertility, the suitability of the land and the climate in this area. Following this, Dungun has also become one of the preferred locations for Indonesian leaders to migrate here. Evident found showed that in 1603 a leader named Datuk Nakhoda (Sultan Kari) from Pagar Ruyung, Sumatra had retreated to Dungun after failing in a battle against the Dutch, hence opened the Bemban Village. Likewise, around 1784, Sultan Yahya Abdul Jalil Shah from Siak sailed further to Dungun after the throne of the Sultanate of Siak Inderapura was seized by Raja Alam. The king died and was buried in Binjai Village. Meanwhile, around 1900, a warrior from Sabah known as Pak Sabah by the locals along with his family and followers also retreat to Dungun after being hunted by the British colonizers, therefore opened a village called Pak Sabah Village.
British intervention in 1921 in Terengganu state’s administration following the 1941 treaty led to the introduction of a British Consultant who acted as an advisor on all matters related to administration except religious matters and Malay custom. They have divided Terengganu state into several colonies headed by a Colonial Commissioner. The colonies were Western colony (Besut and Setiu), Eastern colony (Dungun, Paka, Kerteh, Kemasek, and Kemaman) and Central colony (Kuala Terengganu, Hulu Terengganu, and Marang). This district became more known to the world as a result of iron ore mining activities from 1930 until 1971, generating the socio-economic development of this area and contributed to 1/3 of the Terengganu state’s income. In fact, this sector was a major contributor to the growth of iron and steel companies in Japan. Today, Dungun continues to be known as a district that is rich in culture, arts, and heritage, whilst continues to gear forward towards the rapid pace of development in line with the current trends.
Chemerong Waterfall
The Chemerong Waterfall which is located in Chemerong tropical rainforest or more commonly known by the locals as Chemerong Hutan Lipur is one of the many famous waterfalls in Dungun, Terengganu. It is one of the tallest waterfall in Malaysia. On your way to this waterfall, through the village route, you can already witness its great height from afar.
This destination is perfect for nature lovers. Chemerong Waterfall is indeed a well-preserved attraction in terms of its authenticity. If you are from the main city of Kuala Terengganu, the destination to Chemerong Waterfall will be quite far away, about 2 hours of driving depending on which route used. If you are departing either from Kuala Terengganu, Kuala Berang or Marang, you need to take the main road to Ajil - Bukit Besi and enter the junction to Hutan Lipur Chemerong. Likewise, if you are from Dungun, Chukai or Kemaman, you need to go through the main road of Jabor-Al Muktafi Billah Shah before taking the junction to Hutan Lipur Chemerong through route Pasir Raja. Whichever way, make sure to fill the fuel before reaching the destination because Hutan Lipur Chemerong is quite far from town. If traveling through route Jabor - Al Muktafi Billah Shah, the nearest fuel station will be in Al Muktafi Billah Shah town.
Meanwhile, if through route Ajil - Bukit Besi, you can refuel in Ajil town. Although located in the rural area, this destination is visited often by visitors especially during the weekends of Friday and Saturday. Upon arrival at the parking area, you can immediately hear the sound of the waterfall which indefinitely will excite you to play water activities here.
Lubuk Kain Sungai Bagan​
Sungai Bangan Waterfall is certainly well known amongst hikers. However, not many people managed to get to the peak of the waterfall considering its location that is far and high at the top of the mountain. Nevertheless, there is an area at the foot which can be visited by visitors which is better known as Sungai Bangan Lubuk Kain Waterfall. The waterfall is one of the newest recreation area in the upstream area of Terengganu, Dungun.
The extraordinary feature of this waterfall that makes it an attractive recreation area in Dungun is the clarity of its water. Virally posted in social media, some even label this attraction as the clearest river water in Terengganu state. This recreational area is located in the inland of Shukor village. The journey to this place takes about 40 minutes from Al-Muktafi Billah Shah town and 2 hours from Kuala Terengganu town.
Tasik Puteri Bukit Besi​
Tasik Puteri Recreational Park is a man-made lake created from iron ore mining and later developed by KETENGAH as an attractive recreational area. With the sight of blue and greenish lake water, coupled with the tranquility of green trees surrounding, makes the recreation park so peaceful and soothing. The lake environment is very cooling and cozy.
Visitors can enjoy not just the beauty of Tasik Puteri, but there is also a waterfall that is permitted for bathing and swimming. There is a shallow pool suitable for children and those who do not know how to swim. For excellent swimmers, you may opt for the deeper pool with blue greenish base. Tasik Puteri is actually located within the golf course of Tasik Puteri Golf Club. It is located at Bukit Besi town approximately 30 minutes’ drive from Dungun town. It is about 100km from Kuala Terengganu via East Coast Highway 2 through Jerangau-Jabor route. If you are from Kuala Terengganu, take the junction to Bukit Besi. Just 6km from this lake, there is a public university which is UiTM Bukit Besi.
