Perak - Places of Interest

Pangkor Island

Pangkor is a small island on the West coast of Malaysia largely inhabited by fishing communities scattered along its coast. This popular island offers visitors the unique opportunity to live near fisher folk and observe their lifestyle, savour seafood delicacies, or simply enjoy the sun, sea and sand at the numerous beaches along its beautiful coastline. Located nearby is the exclusive Pangkor Laut Island, noted for its world-renowned resort.

A 40 minute ferry ride from Lumur will take you the island. Then, you can rent bicycles and motorbikes to get around the place and do some sight-seeing. A large number of resorts have also sprung up to meet the boom of visitors.

Pangkor has its fair share of exotic flora and fauna. Watch out for majestic hornbills roosting on the treetops. Along the trails, you may find some rare orchids growing in abundance while monkeys swing among the trees. Butterflies will land on an outstretched palm. You’ll be surprise at just how many creatures call this little island home.

Royal Museum
Built as the royal residence in 1962, it was originally named Istana Kenangan. A unique wooden building constructed without the use of nails, the museum showcases Perak’s royal regalia as well as pictures and history of the royal family.

Previously known as Istana Kenangan, lstana Tepas and Istana lembah, Situated near the lstana lskandariah, the Sultan of Perak's official palace at Kuala Kangsar. Open daily from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm

Pasir Salak Historical Complex
Located about 70km from Ipoh. Within the complez are memorials erected in honour of Malay warriors such as Dato’ Maharaja Lela, Dato’ Sagor and Si Puntum. Other interesting sights include Mr. Birch’s memorial monument, the burial site of Si Puntum, Dato’ Maharaja Lela’s fortress and the Lela Tentaka cannons used against the British army.

The Pasir Salak Historical Complex is actually located by the banks of the Perak River, and is often a venue for river-related activities, apart from being noted for its historical displays.
Visiting hours for the complex are as follows: Monday - Thursday (10:00am-5:00pm) Friday (10:00am-noon, 2:45pm-5:00pm) Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays (10:00am-6:00pm)

Kellie’s Castle
In 1915, William Kellie Smith, an English rubber planter commissioned the construction of this mansion which was never completed. It is believed that this mysterious mansion has hidden rooms and a secret tunnel. The road which leads to the Castle follows the contours of the land in dizzying, maze-like fashion, adding to the mystery and romance of the place. It is situated in the town of Batu Gajah and is about 20 minutes' drive from Ipoh, Perak. Kellie's Castle is open from 8.30 am to 6 pm daily, and admission is RM3.

Ipoh Railway Station and City Hall
The Ipoh Railway Station was completed in 1917 and features a mixture of Moorish and Victorian architecture. It has one of the best station hotels in the country known as the Majestic Hotel. Just across the station is the Dewan Bandaraya or City hall, a huge white neo-classical building.

Ubudiah Mosque
Kuala Kangsar’s crowning glory, the mosque was cConstruction for this magnificent structure began during the reign of Sultan Idris Murshidul Adzam Shah I, the 28th Sultan of Perak. The mosque's golden dome and minarets are testaments of the beauty of the Islamic architecture. The mosque is located at Bukit Chandan, Kuala Kangsar.

Galeri Sultan Azian Shah
It was formerly known as Istana Hulu, the state’s first gifts and awards presented to the ruler of perak, Sultan Azlan Shah. A separate wing displays the Sultan’s vehicles, including those which formed the royal motorcade when His Highness reigned as the King of Malaysia.

Teluk Intan Leaning Clock Tower
The town of Teluk Intan is mainly noted for its unusual leaning clock tower. This pagoda-like structure has a leftward slant and stands at 25.5m. It was built in 1885 and was originally used as a covered water tank.

Royal Belum
Covering a vast area of 117,500ha, the Royal Belum state park ranks second after Taman Negara. A wildlife haven, it possesses and immense wealth of flora and fauna which includes large mammals such as elephants, rhinoceros, tapir and tigers.

Taiping Lake Gardens & Taiping Zoo
Taiping Lake Gardens is the oldest and among the most beautiful in the country. The large lake, lush greenery and diverse flowering plants are its major attractions. Located within the area is the Taiping Zoo which houses local and exotic wildlife species in excellent surroundings.
It's open from 8.30 am to 6.30 pm daily, but you won't see many animals in the midday heat. Admission is RM2/4 for children/adults.

Bukit larut
Visitors can enjoy the refreshing cool air and breathtaking view of the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia at the summit (1035). A former tea plantation, Bukit Larut, also affectionately known as Maxwell Hill by locals, is the country’s oldest hill resort.

Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary
The sanctuary is home to over 160 species of birds, including the rare Milky Stork and several types of migratory birds as well as a good variety of land and sea mammals.

Gua Tempurung
These ancient caves stretch over a kilometer from the south of Sungai Siput of Kuala Dipang and comprise of five domes with ceilings that resemble coconut shells with various formations of stalactites and stalagmites.

Sungai Klah Hot Spring
Relax and rejuvenate at the family baths as well as swimming and therapeutic pools which are reputed to have healing properties. Also available here are a garden, pebbled reflexology path and water reflexology courses.

Homestay
Come experience rural life in charming agricultural villages. Stay with the locals, take part in their daily activities and explore the scenic countryside. Homestays are available at villages in Bagan Datoh and Bukit Gantang.

Perak Tong and Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple
The Perak Tong Temple within one of the caves houses grottoes with statues and paintings of Buddha set into nooks as well as a 12.8 metre-high sitting Buddha. A passage leads to the cave’s 385 steps and opens onto a ledge which gives a view of the countryside. Another famous various statues of Buddha set among natural stalactites and stalagmites.

Lost World of Tambun
This exciting water theme park features a wave pool, natural hot spring, children’s area as well as tube slides and speed coasters. Visitors can also take the opportunity to see the theme park’s tigers in action at the Tiger Valley.

Bukit Merah Laketown Resort
Within this fun-filled resort are a unique Orang Utan Island cum sanctuary, hotel, water theme park, an eco-park as well as water sports and entertainment facilities.

Shopping, Dining and Entertainment
Perak is well known for a local pottery known as “labu sayong”, gold embroidery, pandanus mats and batik. They are available at roadside stalls, shopping complexes, night markets and handicraft centres. The state offers both modern as well as traditional entertainment such as cultural performances. For those with an adventurous palate, mouth-watering Chinese, Malay and Indian fare can be sampled at various local eating spots while western food outlets are located in the city and towns. Another must-try is the Pomelo, a large juicy citrus fruit synonymous with the state of Perak.