Things to do in Teluk Intan- a guide to all the top attractions

Teluk Intan is a fascinating small town in Perak, about two hours of driving distance up north from Kuala Lumpur.

This article is about all the places we visited during our trip to Teluk Intan. One thing we notice is that there are lots of eateries that have already closed down in the last two years. Many cafes mentioned in some travel blogs about Teluk Intan have already closed. In a separate article, we will update you about places to get the food now.  

Meanwhile, below is a list of places to visit when you come to Teluk Intan.

1. Menara Condong Teluk Intan

The Menara Condong Teluk Intan, also known as the Teluk Intan Leaning Tower or TILT, is the major tourist attraction in Teluk Intan. It is also a landmark in the town center.

This 25-meter (82 ft) clock tower, constructed in 1885 by Leong Choon Chong and several Ceylonese contractors, holds a rich history. Initially built as a water storage and timekeeping facility, it has witnessed numerous ownership changes, including a claim by a Briton named Neol Danison and occupation by the Japanese during their rule of Malaya in 1941. In 1957, in recognition of its historical significance, the tower was declared a Malaysian National Heritage site in September 2015. It is often compared with the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy.

The tower is a three-story brick structure with a large steel water tank on the top level. However, the exterior is disguised as an 8-story Chinese pagoda but leans towards the southwest due to its soft soil foundation. The tower began to tilt four years after its construction, owing to the water’s weight in the tank and the structure’s foundation.

Watch the video we shot at Teluk Intan at the end of this article 👇👇.

2. The heritage buildings

Teluk Intan has many colonial buildings due to its historical development and cultural influences. The town’s heritage trail showcases many structures built as it developed, reflecting its history, culture, and heritage. 

Here are four major buildings that we visited. They are all next to each other on Jalan Mahkamah.

A, The former Police Station

The old Police Station in Teluk Intan is a heritage building that dates back to the late 19th century. 

Established during Sir Hugh Low’s administration in 1882, the British constructed it around the same time as the iconic Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan. Initially serving as a Customs Office, the building was opposite the town’s jetty, where goods were unloaded. Eventually, it was repurposed into a police station and was primarily used as a detention facility for offenders. Despite its cultural and historical significance, the building has been abandoned and faces the threat of demolition.

B. The Teluk Intan Post Office

The Teluk Intan Post Office is an iconic administrative building. Despite its age, the building has been meticulously maintained and is considered one of the best-preserved post offices in the country.

In the past, the Teluk Intan Post Office served as a hub for various services, including mail delivery, voter registration, and even the sale of lottery tickets. Today, the building’s old ‘Pejabat Pos’ inscription can still be seen above the awning at the entrance.

Recently, the Teluk Intan Post Office underwent major renovations to ensure it continues serving the local community. The building’s facade and interior have been updated while maintaining its historical charm and functionality. As one of the oldest buildings in Teluk Intan, the post office was built before World War I and has played an essential role in the town’s development and growth.

C. The Old Court House

Built in 1891 and completed in 1893, the Old Court House is one of this town’s earliest colonial administrative buildings. It functions as a House of Justice with court hearings and proceedings for matters under the jurisdiction of the lower Perak district.

However, due to the absence of a church building, every Sunday from 1893 to 1912, it was used by the Anglican Christians for church services until the Church of St Luke the Evangelist was completed in 1912.

After the end of World War Two, the court building was used as a temporary war criminal court to prosecute war crimes committed by the Japanese military.

After the war, the Army took over the building, which is good because they have preserve and maintain this historic building.

D. The Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank building (Now Affin Bank)

The HSBC building in Teluk Intan, Malaysia, has been an iconic town structure for over 70 years. Constructed in 1946, it was initially established as a Mercantile Bank of India Ltd branch before it merged with the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank Corporation. The historical significance of the building has been preserved over the years, as it still stands tall without any significant alterations to its exterior since its opening soon after the end of World War II. 

Two years ago, this branch was closed by Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank and has now been converted to Affin Bank.

3 Riverfront Teluk Intan

The riverfront of Teluk Intan has been recently renovated. It has a beautiful view of the Perak River and is a strategic place to watch sunset in the evening.

The adults may relax or take a leisurely stroll; some will take the boat out to the river to catch the shrimp (udang gala).

4. Hock Soon Keong Temple

Hock Soon Keong Temple, also commonly referred to as Hock Soon Temple, is a traditional Chinese temple. The temple has played a significant role in the lives of the Hokkien Chinese community residing in Teluk Intan since the British colonial period. It is dedicated to the veneration of Hock Soon Keong, the deity representing “Prosperity and Good Fortune”.

5. Madrasah Al-Ihsaniah

We met with the person in charge, and he kindly allowed us to enter the interior of the madrasah.

Madrasah Al-Ihsaniah is the first modern madrasah in Malaya. It was founded by Sheikhul Islam Mohd Salleh Bin Mohd Taib, a scholar born in Minangkabau. He pursued religious studies in Mecca and studied with prominent scholars then.

Sheikhul Islam Mohd Salleh came to the state of Perak at the request of King Mahmud, the Wealthy Imam Paduka Tuan, and settled in Kuala Kangsar. Later, he moved to Teluk Anson, where he was already well-known. With increasing support from the community, he built a madrasah called Madrasah Ihsaniah.

Initially, the original building of Madrasah Al-Ihsaniah was made of wood with a nipah roof. However, when the madrasah’s finances improved, the building was reconstructed and has stood since 1901.

6. Nagarathaar Sri Thendayuthapani Temple

Nagarathaar Sri Thendayuthapani Temple was constructed by the Chettiar community of Teluk Intan and is dedicated to Lord Murugan, also known as Lord Subramaniam or Lord Kartikeya in Hinduism.

One of the most astonishing aspects of the temple is its architectural design, which blends traditional and modern elements. The temple’s stunning facade is decorated with elaborate carvings and sculptures.

7. Sungai Kerawei Elephant Memorial

The Sungai Kerawei Elephant Memorial commemorates a significant incident in 1894. However, the memorial was forgotten as the railway line was discontinued in the 1980s. It was only in 2018 that the History Enthusiasts Society of Perak restored the signage, ensuring that the memory of the brave elephant lives on.

We followed the GPS to locate the signboard but had trouble finding it in the bush. With the help of a resident, we finally found it.

The incident that the memorial commemorates occurred back in 1894. A wild elephant went head-on against a train hurtling at 50 mph (around 100 km/h). It is said that the elephant was avenging its baby, which was hit by the train.

When the elephant attacked the train, causing it to overturn. The driver was thrown off the engine, and unfortunately, the elephant lost its life in the incident. The resulting derailment forced the railway line between Tapah Road and Teluk Anson to be closed for some time for necessary repairs.

At that time, the tusk that was discovered was the heaviest ever recorded in the history of elephant tusk discovery in the Malay Peninsula. A signboard was erected where the carcass was buried to commemorate this event. Today, the skull and two ivory tusks can be viewed at the Perak Museum in Taiping, while the thigh bone, which measures about half a meter in length and is still well preserved, is on display at the KTMB Johor Bahru Mini Museum.

8. The ruins of Raja Muda’s Palace

The Teluk Intan’s Raja Muda’s Palace ruin is a historical landmark known for associating with the Raja Muda of Perak. Though once a spacious and well-maintained structure, the palace has been uninhabited for around 20 years and is currently in disrepair. It remains the property of the Sultan of Perak.

9. The Church of St. Anthony of Padua

The Church is a Roman Catholic parish under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Penang. It has a rich history dating back to 1894 when French missionary priest Rev. Father René-Michel-Marie Fée, MEP, acquired a piece of land and built an attap roofed wooden chapel as part of the larger Parish. The chapel was dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua.

Unfortunately, the Church was destroyed in a fire in 1914. The new church building began construction in 1922, headed by Father Donat Perrissoud. Bishop Jean Marie consecrated the Church on May 6, 1923.

The Church has an architectural type of Neo-Gothic and is an active place of worship, serving the local community.

10. Batu Tenggek Teluk Intan (Lower Perak District War Memorial)

The Central Planters Association first proposed constructing a monument commemorating those who lost their lives during World War I in 1917. The monument, the only one in Malaysia, was built using a large piece of granite on a concrete structure. In 1926, Sir Theodore Fraser, the general commanding officer of Malaya, officiated the monument in a grand ceremony. The monument was erected with a passage from the famous poem by English poet Laurence Binyon, which reads, “At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.”

After World War II, 1935 to 1945, the monument was added to commemorate those who lost their lives during the war.

Watch the video we shot at Teluk Intan 👇👇.

11. Teluk Intan River Cruise

We have visited all the places we had planned except for the river cruise to Pulau Bangau. It is because we could not get more people to share the cost of the boat with us for the Teluk Intan Firefly Marvels cruise. The boat rides more than RM200 per trip.

12. Bonus: About food in Teluk Intan

We have tried some unique local delicacies in Teluk Intan, which we will cover in a separate article published after this blog. To give you a sneak peek, the Liew Kee Chee Cheong Fun is a must-try local cuisine as it is so unique that you probably won’t find it anywhere else.

Besides, you should try fresh prawns at seafood restaurants, as there are many options. Finally, don’t miss out on the fried chicken and prawn at Nasi Kandar Krishnan, freshly made in four giant woks and fried non-stop. Lastly, you must try the mee rebus at Mastan Ghani, as the recipe has been passed down to the third generation of the family.

About Teluk Intan: Teluk Intan has a fascinating and diverse history, marked by several name changes. Originally known as Teluk Mak Intan, after a prominent Mandailing trader, the town served as the seat of Perak rulers from 1528 until the royal town was relocated to Kuala Kangsar. In the late 19th century, the town was renamed Teluk Anson in honor of Major-General Sir Archibald Edward Harbord Anson,  the lieutenant governor of Penang who drafted the town’s plan. Finally, in 1982, the town was renamed Teluk Intan, a name that has remained.

There are many places you can visit in the state of Perak. Here is the link to a list of places in Perak worth visiting.