Kota Bharu is the cultural heartland of Malaysia's Malay identity, a city in Kelantan where traditional crafts, Islamic architecture, and centuries-old customs are proudly preserved. The Central Market is an architectural landmark, and the nearby Handicraft Village showcases batik painting, songket weaving, and kite-making. The city lies close to the Thai border and to the undeveloped beaches of the Kelantan coast.