Chukai | |
Official Name: | Chukai Town |
Native Name: | Chuka (Terengganu Malay) |
Translit Lang1: | Other |
Translit Lang1 Type1: | Jawi |
Translit Lang1 Info1: | چوكاي |
Translit Lang1 Type2: | Chinese |
Translit Lang1 Info2: | Chinese: 朱盖 Zhūgài |
Settlement Type: | Town and district capital |
Pushpin Map: | Malaysia Terengganu#Malaysia#Southeast Asia |
Pushpin Mapsize: | 275px |
Coordinates: | 4.25°N 128°W |
Subdivision Type: | Country |
Subdivision Name: | Malaysia |
Subdivision Type1: | State |
Subdivision Type2: | District |
Subdivision Name2: | Kemaman |
Government Type: | Municipal council |
Governing Body: | Kemaman Municipal Council |
Established Title: | Establishment of local government |
Established Date: | 1942 |
Established Title2: | Establishment of town board |
Established Date2: | 1953 |
Established Title3: | Establishment of town council |
Established Date3: | 1973 |
Established Title4: | Establishment of district council |
Established Date4: | 1 January 1981 |
Established Title5: | Municipality status |
Established Date5: | 1 January 2002 |
Area Total Km2: | 500 |
Population As Of: | 2017 |
Population Total: | 171,539 (2nd)[1] |
Utc Offset: | +8 |
Postal Code Type: | Postcode |
Postal Code: | 24xxx |
Chukai (Terengganu Malay: Chuka: Jawi: چوكاي), also known by the name of Kemaman Town (Malay: Bandar Kemaman, Terengganu Malay: Bando Mamang), is a mukim and capital of Kemaman District, Terengganu, Malaysia.
The name "Chukai" (proper spelling of the Malay word: cukai) means 'taxes' in Malay. The town is so named due to its position near the estuary of the Kemaman River, whereby taxes and levies were imposed on riverine traffic, especially during the British colonial period. Chukai is the largest town in southern Terengganu, and its position between the state capitals of Kuantan and Kuala Terengganu as well as proximity to the oil town of Kerteh has turned Chukai into a major commercial hub for the region. The nearby Kemaman Port serves both as a fishing port and supply base for oil platforms off Terengganu's coast.
The Hai Peng Coffee Shop, located just off the main Kuantan-Kuala Terengganu route and near the town centre is famous for its fine coffees.[2]
Other attractions in the vicinity include:
Many beaches are within a short driving distance from Chukai. They remain idyllic, undisturbed by the fast-growing pace of development in Terengganu.
Club Med Cherating Beach is about a 15 minutes drive south away from the town centre, towards Kuantan, Pahang. Another world class resort nearby is the Resorts World Kijal (formerly Awana), about 25 minutes drive north from the town centre, towards Kuala Terengganu, the state capital.