Siti Khadijah Market, Four-story octagonal market in Kota Bharu, Malaysia.
Siti Khadijah Market is an octagonal four-story building in Kota Bharu that functions as the city's main trading hub. The ground floor displays fresh produce, seafood, and meats, while the upper levels house dry goods, textiles, and crafted items.
The market opened in 1985 as Buluh Kubu Market and was renamed in 1997 by Kelantan's chief minister. This change reflected a decision to honor the historical merchant and gave the marketplace its lasting identity.
Women lead most trading activities here, honoring the legacy of Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, a renowned merchant and wife of Prophet Muhammad. This tradition of female vendors continues to shape the daily rhythm and character of the marketplace.
The market operates daily from early morning when fresh items are most abundant and vendors are setting up their stalls. It is best to arrive early to see the full selection and experience the liveliest part of the day.
Visitors can discover budu, a fermented fish sauce that is a local specialty rarely found elsewhere, along with traditional Kelantanese cakes and crafts. Handwoven songket fabric and ornamental daggers showcase the region's distinctive artistic traditions.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
