Kampar is a historical town known for its unique cuisine, traditional way of life, and laid-back charm. Whenever I return to Kampar, I feel lightyears away from city life. My pace slows down, my heart feels lighter, and I let the day unfold naturally.
Kampar is close to my heart. It is where I’ve lived on and off and where my wife’s hometown is. While we’ve lived in Kuala Lumpur for many years, Kampar has always felt important to us. We have often returned to this lovely town to be reminded of its less busy, gentler self.
So, we recently made some time to return to Kampar. This time, we made a special effort to explore places we had once frequented and discover new places to visit in Kampar since we left. This is a comprehensive guide to places to visit in Kampar.
Below are the places we visited, and I will post a separate article about all the unique foods we tried.
1. The Abandoned New Agacia Town
Our visit took an unexpected turn when we made this stop, as we never planned to come here first. It was all because I needed to send my brother-in-law to the Kampar bus station, which is just a short distance away from here.
The Abandoned New Agacia Town has attracted many visitors due to its colorful buildings. The design features vibrant shop lots reminiscent of Main Street in Disneyland. Although it is now abandoned, the buildings retain their vibrancy and charm, drawing visitors who take photos and admire the architecture.
However, since most stores and eateries are closed, it has lost much of its former appeal. The future of this project remains uncertain, with no solid revitalization efforts in sight.
Address: New Agacia Town Kampar, 50, Castle Avenue, Bandar Agacia, 31910 Kampar, Perak
2. Kampar Chinese Temple （金宝古庙）
Since the bus schedule wasn’t right, we left the bus station and headed back to the Kampar town center to visit the Kampar Chinese Temple, which we hadn’t been to for a very long time since childhood!
This temple is at the end of a side lane off the main trunk road across Kampar town. It is considered one of the oldest temples in Kampar.
Built in 1956, the temple serves as a place of worship and a center for socializing, especially during festive seasons like Chinese New Year. It was the place where my wife’s family gathered during Chinese New Year to worship and enjoy traditional Chinese opera shows, which were held on the empty land next to the temple building.
The temple is primarily a Buddhist temple dedicated to Guan Yin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion in Buddhism. In addition to Guan Yin, it houses other deities, including Cai Shen Ye (财神爷), the god of wealth, and Na Tuk Gong (拿督公), the local guardian spirit, among others.
Address: 102, Jln Gopeng, Kampung Masjid, 31900 Kampar, Perak. Open Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm , Saturday, 8 am to 12 noon. Close on Sunday.
3. Kampar town walkaround
Since my brother-in-law decided to take a train to Ipoh instead of the bus, we drove to the train station just a short distance from Kampar town. The station has a new building, while the old, abandoned train station, which was still in use when we lived here, is adjacent. We were glad this old building remains, bringing back sweet memories from our younger days in Kampar.
After he boarded the train, my wife and I returned to the town and walked around the Sacred Heart Church, a Catholic church that dates back to 1908. It started as a small plank chapel, and over the years, it has undergone several rebuilds.
Next, we walked down to the end of Jalan Idris, where the garden and the clock tower are located. The clock tower has been rebuilt and painted, but the garden (Taman Muhibbah) remains unchanged. It was where we used to spend time and relax, as it was only a few minutes’ walk from where we lived.
4. Murals Art at Ilham Seni
We walked back to where we stayed when young, one of the shop lots on the first row of Jalan Idris. In the past, the back lane of this area was just a dirty alley. However, it has now been transformed into an artist’s haven with numerous murals. The murals stretch across both sides of the back lane, reaching the next alley across the side road. This is one of the best street art I have seen in various towns I have visited in Malaysia, as the murals are painted on every part of the walls, including our old house! They all look new and well-maintained.
According to the signboard near the lane’s entrance, it is called Ilham Seni and was launched in September 2022. The murals were created by local artists in collaboration with the Perak Artists Association.
Address: Ilham Seni Kampar, 1, Bahagian Belakang, Jln Gopeng, Kampung Batu Berangkai, 31900 Kampar, Perak. GPS: 8553+R7 Kampar, Perak.
5. Japanese Carbide Chimney
The following day, after breakfast, we drove to the Japanese Carbide Chimney in Malim Nawar, a small village about fifteen minutes from Kampar town.
Believe it or not, my wife had lived in Kampar for twenty years before moving away to further her study and work, and she had never visited the carbide chimney! This time, we were returning to our hometown and making up for places we may have taken for granted despite they were so close and we hadn’t visited them when we were younger.
The carbide chimney is located within a residential area and stands just next to someone’s house in the village.
The chimney we see today is a remnant built in 1943 by a Japanese company. It was intended to produce carbide for explosives and other military items. It has withstood the test of time for many years as it was constructed from bricks. There was another similar chimney nearby, but it has since been destroyed.
Address: 31700 Malim Nawar, Perak. GPS: 84XF+4J Malim Nawar, Perak
6. Westlake Garden
If you open the map of Kampar, you’ll find numerous lakes in this area. One of the lakes is the Westlake Garden, which we want to visit next.
It is a beautiful lake with calm water, offering a scenic setting that is perfect for taking photos, as it reflects the blue sky, mountain ranges, and surrounding trees. The lake provides a place for people to relax and engage in exercise. There were also people trying their luck at fishing.
The lake is just a short walk from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), making it a popular spot for university students.
Address: Westlake Garden, Jln Seksyen 1/1, Bandar Barat, 31900 Kampar, Perak. Open 7am to 7pm
7. Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge No. 5
Malaysia has historically been one of the top ten tin-producing countries in the world. However, tin production has significantly declined. By the late 1990s, it accounted for less than 1% of global tin production.
The Tualang Tin Dredge No. 5 (TT5) is the last surviving dredge near Batu Gajah. Built in 1938, it ceased operations in 1982 due to the decline of the tin industry and exhausted tin mines. TT5 weighs about 4,500 tons and measures 75 meters in length and 19.5 meters in width.
We explored the dredge during our visit with knowledgeable guides who explained its operations in detail. In simple terms, the dredge operated by scooping up soil containing tin using large buckets attached to a moving chain. The tin was then processed and separated from the waste, which was ultimately returned to the ground at the end of the dredging process.
We learned about the dredge’s operation in school, but we never had the opportunity to witness it in person. Experiencing it firsthand was an eye-opener and brought back memories of my primary school days. I felt like returning to school and relearning the things I missed back then.
TT5 Maze Garden
Since the TT5 is now managed by Escape, a company that operates theme parks, our entry ticket also includes access to a maze garden next to the TT5 and the Escape theme park nearby. (We did not intend to visit the theme park, so the ticket we purchased was only for visiting the dredge and the maze.)
We crossed a few hanging bridges before reaching the maze entrance. The first section of the maze was made of bricks, leading to an open-air area with informative posters about the tin industry and attractions near Kampar. Finally, we passed through a bottle maze constructed entirely from bottles before reaching the exit. Although the maze wasn’t our primary focus, it was a nice addition to our visit to the TT5 Dredge.
Address: 9th KM, Jln Tanjung Tualang, 31000 Batu Gajah
8. Kellie’s Castle
On the third day in Kampar, we drove to Kellie’s Castle in Batu Gajah, about half an hour’s drive from Kampar town.
There was a large parking area before entering the castle. We needed to purchase entrance tickets first before entering the parking lot.
Before crossing the bridge over the river to enter the castle grounds, there is a small café, toilet facilities, and a souvenir shop in a small building.
The castle is a four-story building. The ground floor primarily serves as a dining area and a place to meet with guests, while the bedrooms are on the first floor. The second floor has additional guest bedrooms, and the top floor leads to the rooftop that offers an unobstructed 360-degree view of the surroundings.
A lift was originally constructed, but now only the lift shaft remains.
The castle was the home of William Kellie-Smith, a Scottish man who came to Malaysia to make his fortune in 1890. He decided to build a mansion in 1910 for his wife, Agnes.
It was a massive project with multiple stories, a lift, underground tunnels, and secret rooms. Unfortunately, William died of pneumonia in 1926 during a trip to Portugal, and his wife subsequently decided to return to Scotland. The construction of the castle was left unfinished and eventually abandoned.
There are many posters in the main hall on the ground floor that provide more information about Kellie’s Castle’s history, story, and architectural style.
So, why is Kellie’s Castle so famous? First, it is one of the very few castles built in Malaysia. Another reason this place is popular is that many visitors have reported experiencing paranormal activities when they visit at night. It is said that William Kellie’s spirit roams the corridors at night, guarding his grand mansion!
Lot 48436, Kompleks Pelancongan Kellie’s Castle, KM 5.5, Jalan Gopeng, 31000 Batu Gajah, Perak, Malaysia. Open daily 9.30am m to 5.30pm
9. Gopeng Museum
Since our route to Kampar from Kellie’s Castle took us through Gopeng, we stopped by the Gopeng Museum, as it is featured on many travel sites.
However, when we arrived, we found that the museum was locked and no one was around, despite the sign in front stating that it was open. We tried calling the telephone number on the sign, but no one answered. Later, a lady returned our call after we had left and informed us that they had closed because they were short of staff. As a result, we decided to move on and return to Kampar for lunch.
Address: 47-49, Jln Eu Kong, Pekan Gopeng, 31600 Gopeng, Perak
10. Lata Kinjang Waterfall
After lunch, we headed to Cenderiang, a small town about half an hour from Kampar, to visit Lata Kinjang Waterfall.
We had visited this waterfall several times when we were young but had not been back for many years. When we arrived, we noticed that things had changed. There was no entry fee required in the past, but now it is managed by the cooperation of the local indigenous people (Koperasi Orang Asli).
The facilities at the site were much better than before. The area was well maintained, and stairs have been built up to the upper level of the waterfall. We walked across a bridge to the other side, where the stairs are located, and continued up to the first hanging bridge. This viewpoint offers beautiful picture-taking opportunities both upstream and downstream.
Next, we made our way to the upper hanging bridge. For those seeking adventure, there is also a hiking trail that starts here. According to a guard we spoke to, the hike takes about 3 to 4 hours. However, we were short of time and unprepared for hiking, so we just stayed and admired the breathtaking surroundings and scenery instead of venturing into the jungle.
Near the entrance office, a few air-conditioned cabins are available for anyone who would like to stay overnight.
Address: 35300 Chenderiang, Perak, Open 9 to 6
11. Kinta Tin Mining (Gravel Pump) Museum
The final place we want to cover in Kampar is the Kinta Tin Mining Museum.
The museum was founded by tycoon Tan Sri Hew See Tong in 2012. He was a formal tin miner, and this museum showcases the mining technique and the lives of the miners who contributed significantly to the tin mining industry in Kinta Valley.
The museum has a collection of more than 1,000 artifacts, including tools and machinery, and many photographs that illustrate the history and method of tin extraction.
The outdoor area has exhibits like the gravel palms and a ‘dulang’ washing station. There are dioramas depicting different types of mining sites and the techniques involved inside the museum.
It is especially valuable for anyone who wants to understand how tin mining operates. However, the whole place lacks good maintenance, and some sculptures, especially outdoors, are broken. If I were to pick any places to visit in Kampar, it would not be at the top of the list.
Address: Lot 126026, Jalan Batu Karang, Taman Bandar Baru, 31900 Kampar, Perak, Malaysia. Open daily 9am to 5pm.
12. Other places to visit in Kampar that you might be interested in:
If you’re near Kampar, consider visiting Gopeng, another nearby town. I have written a separate article about white-water rafting on the Kampar River and visiting Gua Tempurung. While you’re there, you can stay at Adelene Villa, where they will handle all the necessary arrangements for these outdoor activities.
🎞️ Watch the video shot during our trip to Kampar
Please watch the video we made for our trip on YouTube. As below:
The above are all the interesting places to visit in Kampar. Some of these locations are in the town of Kampar and are within walking distance, while others require a drive of about 20 to 30 minutes. My top three favorites are Kellie’s Castle, the tin dredge, and the waterfall at Lata Kinjang. I would also like to visit the Gopeng Museum if it opens during my next trip.
In addition to the attractive sights, Kampar offers a unique variety of local food. I plan to write a separate article about all the delicious food we tried during our trip.