During our trip from Kuala Lumpur to Penang, we purposely diverted to Taiping to visit this historic town. This article includes the best things to do in Taiping and some lesser-known activities worth exploring. Let’s delve into the details of our itinerary.
Taiping is the second-largest city in the state of Perak, Malaysia. It was the first capital of Perak before the capital was shifted to Ipoh in 1935. Before the completion of the North-South Expressway, Taiping was the middle point of travel from Ipoh to Penang Island. After the highway was completed, travelers could bypass Taiping, making it a less visited town. However, it still has a rich history, and many of its heritage elements remain.
1. Taiping Lake Gardens
The Taiping Lake Gardens, established in 1884, was the first public garden to open in Peninsular Malaysia during the colonial era of British rule. The garden boasts a wide variety of greenery and a huge landscape. There are several lakes within the garden, and from certain angles, you can witness a perfect reflection of the trees, buildings, and Maxwell Hill as a picturesque backdrop.
One of the main attractions is the Raintree Walk. The walk at Jalan Pekeliling is covered with magnificent rain trees that line both sides of the road. Many of these trees are over 100 years old, and their long branches extend across the road to form a lush canopy.
Paddleboats can be rented at some lakes, but swimming is prohibited here. Although we saw no animals, plenty of birds were around the lake.
This spot is popular with locals for exercise, morning walks, and jogging. It’s also great for family outings.
2. Antong Coffee Mill
While visiting Taiping, we traveled to Antong Coffee Mill, Malaysia’s oldest coffee mill.
As we approached, a large coffee cup displayed the mill’s operation since 1933.
The traditional method of coffee production, including wood roasting, is clearly displayed.
In addition, there’s a showroom where you can purchase the products and enjoy a cup of coffee. The mill also features a mock-up of a small lane from the past era, where we took plenty photos.
3. Perak Museum (Muzium Perak)
We visited the Perak Museum at around noon, the oldest museum in Malaysia. The museum is in an almost 120-year-old building established in 1883 by Sir Hugh Low, the fourth British Resident of Perak.
Upon arrival, we walked around the exterior. There are several interesting exhibits, including an old anchor with a long history, a steam boiler, an old train coach, a cannon, a statue of an Englishman, and a displayed airplane.
We paid an entrance fee of RM5 per adult. Once we entered, there was an exhibit on Kris, with holders made from sarongs, which was quite interesting.
The ground floor’s Nature Gallery features a variety of animal, bird, fish, snail, and herbarium species, including various kinds of dioramas and complete skeletons of an elephant and a tiger. We also saw a variety of local animal skeletons, both real and artificial.
The Cultural Gallery showcases local arts such as silversmithing, embroidery, and cultural artifacts representing Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures. It also features woven bamboo items from Perak and mannequins, wearing typical costumes at Malay, Indian, and Chinese weddings.
We had to remove our shoes to explore the first floor. The Clay Works Gallery is on the first floor, displaying antique items such as labu, geluk, belanga, and pasu bucung, which are over 100 years old.
The Indigenous People Gallery highlights the handiwork skills of the Proto-Malay, Senoi, and Negrito tribes.
We spent an hour exploring the Perak Museum. It may not be ideal for those seeking an in-depth understanding of Malaysian history, but it’s worth a visit for casual travelers curious about Malaysian history and culture.
The museum opens every day from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (closed on the first Monday of each month). Admission is RM2.00 for adults
4. Taiping clock tower
The clock tower, which stands 20 meters high, is a prominent landmark of Taiping town. It was originally built in 1881 using wood and timber and later rebuilt with bricks in the 1890s. It is the oldest clock tower in Malaysia. The tower has a bright-colored pyramid-shaped roof, chiseled archways, and a rooster on top. However, we were not allowed to go up the tower.
Taiping Clock Tower is at the town center where Jalan Tupai and Jalan Kota intersect. The 4-story structure is easily visible from a distance and features an old-fashioned red post box.
The tower’s ground floor serves as a souvenir and information center for tourists and is accessible to everyone.
5. Telegraph Museum
Behind the Taiping post office is the Telegraph Museum, an old building dating back to 1885. It is also a heritage building that has been in operation since 1899. The entrance fee is RM4 for adults and RM2 for children between 4 and 12 years old.
The small museum consists of two stories, both illustrated with large, colorful posters depicting the history of telegraphs in Taiping, how telegraphs were used in the past, and various exhibits, including the telegraph machines used in operation.
One notable piece of furniture in the museum is an antique cupboard, which has been used since 1895 to store various telegraph-related books.
6. Taiping Zoo
Established in 1961, the Taiping Zoo is the oldest zoo in the country and the only zoo in Northern Malaysia. It is situated near the Taiping Lake Gardens at the foothills of Maxwell Hill (Bukit Larut) and covers an area of 36 acres (14 hectares).
Taiping Zoo is a pioneer of Night Safari in Malaysia. It features an open concept where animals are not confined to cages. Most animals have spacious habitats and roam freely in large environments. The zoo’s natural setting with rivers, marshes, and lakes creates a unique and beautiful atmosphere. Giant trees and natural lakes with lotus plants also enhance the zoo’s appeal.
7. Taiping War Cemetery
The Taiping War Cemetery is a significant memorial in Taiping. It was established in 1946 to be the final resting place of more than 850 Allied personnel who lost their lives during World War Two. More than 500 graves remain unidentified.
The Christian graves are on the southeastern side, marked by a Cross of Sacrifice. On the opposite side of the road, there are non-Christian graves, including those of Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist soldiers. Over there, it features a Stone of Remembrance.
8. Bukit Larut (Maxwell Hill)
Maxwell Hill, also known as Bukit Larut, was a popular hill resort located around 1250 meters above sea level. However, the road leading up to the hill has been closed for several years due to landslides and construction, and its popularity has waned.
We asked the officers in charge when we were there, but they couldn’t provide a definite date for the road reopening.
As of 2021, Jeep and accommodation services are suspended. Previously, government-owned Land Rovers would take about half an hour to drive the 10 kilometers to the summit.
9. Burmese Pool
The name of the Burmese Pool is believed to have derived from the Burmese soldiers who discovered it in the 1920s. These soldiers were brought in to replace the disbanded Malay State Guides. The soldiers initially utilized the pool for leisure and recreational activities. The primary water source for the pool is the Batu Tegoh River.
There is a small parking area at the entrance, and a small fee is required for entry.
First, we crossed the river over a bridge. Locals were swimming and enjoying the water, which was very shallow but crystal clear.
After another five minutes of walking, a signboard indicates that the Burmese Pool is on the left. It is a quiet place with clear water and untouched nature. It is a place for people who want to take a break from the hustle and bustle, picnic with family, and enjoy nature.
10. Muzeum Matang
Muzeum Matang was originally constructed as a residence for Ngah Ibrahim, a powerful and wealthy Malay tin miner who discovered tin in Bukit Gantang in the mid-19th century. His tin mine made him wealthier than the Sultan of Perak, who granted him the title of Minister of Larut. His residence was situated in the center of the fort.
The museum displays artifacts and exhibits that reflect the region’s history, including the impact of tin mining, the colonial era, and the culture of the local communities.
Si Larut was the pet elephant of Che Long, the person who first found the tin mine. Legend has it that this elephant went missing for three days. When it was found, it was covered with hard mud, which eventually confirmed that it was tin.
11. Old Taiping Railway Station
The Taiping Railway Station is the first railway station in Malaysia. It was established in 1885 as the eastern end of the country’s first railway line, the Taiping-Port Weld railway. The current station is the third one in Taiping and was built as part of the Ipoh-Padang Besar Electrification and Double-Tracking Project, completed in 2014. The original station building of 1885 still stands next to the current station and is being preserved as a heritage site.
During our last visit to Taiping two years ago, we made special arrangements with a coffee, charcoal, and traditional Chinese biscuit factory. If you want to learn more about them, please refer to the YouTube video that we made. They are all unique to Taiping in their own right. We include their contact (see below) information so you can make arrangements for visiting.
12. The Kilang Kopi Istimewa- a traditional coffee factory
The Kilang Kopi Istimewa (Specialty Coffee Factory) is a family-owned coffee mill run by a master coffee maker with over 60 years of experience. Roasting coffee, or, more appropriately, frying coffee, is a traditional skill that requires years of practice to master.
The making of Nanyang coffee involves traditional skills and experience. Modern equipment cannot replace the craft, as temperature and timing are essential. Mr. Ng has been in the coffee industry since he was 20 in 1959, accumulating over six decades of experience, making him the only “Old Master 老头手” in Malaysia.
Contact: Lot 3741,Lorong Kilang 10, Tapak Perusahaan Ringan Tupai, 34000 Taiping. Tel: +605 805 2673
13. Khim Heong Foodstuffs
Khim Heong Foodstuffs is a factory that produces traditional Chinese biscuits, such as Tambun biscuits, kaya puffs, and flaky salted egg biscuits. However, the most renowned biscuit is Beh Teh Soh.
Mr. Ong, the owner, showed us the entire process of making the famed Stove Beh Teh Soh, 缸窑马蹄酥. This factory is one of the rare factories that still makes the Beh Teh Soh with the traditional clay oven.
Making the Beh Teh Soh starts with lighting the coconut husk in the oven. After some time, the coconut husk slowly turns into coconut charcoal, which is used for baking and flavoring the biscuits.
Contact: 13, Lorong Perusahaan Pengkalan 3, Taman Perusahaan Perkhidmatan Pengkalan, 34000 Taiping, Perak. Phone: 017-555 5495
14. MY Charcoal Factory
Have you ever wondered how charcoal is made? The owner of MY Charcoal Factory, KY, explained the whole process to us.
The charcoal-making process starts with vertically arranging the local mangrove logs, which are then heated continuously for ten days with a large fire. Once the desired temperature is achieved, the heat is reduced with a smaller fire by making the front hole smaller with more clay and bricks. This process lasts for approximately another 14 days.
Finally, the workers open the hole and remove the freshly made charcoal. The process takes about 32 days.
Address: Jalan Taiping – Kuala Sepetang, Kuala Sepetang, 34650 Kuala Sepetang, Perak. Opening hours: 10 am to 5 pm daily. Phone: 012-428 6098
15. Other places to visit in Taiping
You can visit a few other places we did not cover due to our brief stay.
- The Taiping Police Station, located at Jalan Taming Sari, is a historic structure dating back to 1881.
- The Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve is Malaysia’s biggest mangrove forest reserve, encompassing more than 40,000 hectares. Amenities include raised wooden walkways for tourists and lodging options like chalets and dormitories for individuals who want to spend the night.
- Taiping Prison (Penjara Taiping) was established in 1879 and is Malaysia’s oldest modern prison complex. The main building’s original architectural style was preserved. Taiping Prison continues functioning as a medium-security prison under the Malaysian Prison Department’s administration. Although tourists are not permitted to enter, we were able to capture a photo while passing by.
🎞️ Watch the video shot during our trip
Please watch the video we made for our trip on YouTube. As below:
