Taiping - City of everlasting peace

In Perak, Taiping is probably my favorite city. Taiping was founded in the middle of the 19th century. At the time Taiping had a blossoming tin industry. When in 1885 the railway between the fast growing city and Port Weld was finished, Taiping became much more assessable . It was the first railway in the Malaysian peninsula.

However, by the end of the 19th century the administrative center of Perak slowly moved up to Ipoh. Taiping's importance was briefly resumed during the Japanese occupation. It became then the headquarter of the Japanese military administration of Malacca and Sumatra. During those day, many schools were turned into army bases.

Nowadays Taiping is a relaxed town with a few though very nice tourist attractions:

• Taiping Zoo
• Lake Gardens
• River trekking
• Maxwell Hill (Bukit Larut)
• Charcoal Factory and river cruise in Kuala Sepetang
• Perak Museum
• Accommodation in Taiping

Taiping is worth to spend a few days and explore the town and surrounding:

Taiping Zoo

The Taiping Zoo is the only zoo in north Malaysia. It is a well set up zoo with most animals living in an environment as natural as possible.

Lake gardens

The magnificent Lake Gardens are the place to be in early morning when people practice tai chi, have a morning walk/jog or simple come back in the later afternoon to enjoy a cool and pleasant stay.

River Trekking

Behind the Taiping zoo, there's a nice afternoon piece of jungle to explore. You can do a river trekking from behind the zoo to the famous Burmese Pool, a popular picnic place for locals and a good swim. More about the river trekking here.

Maxwell Hill

Maxwell Hill or Bukit Larut was founded in the 1880's by the then William Edward Maxwell was appointed Assistant Resident of Perak. Legend goes ghosts and wandering spirits wander around. It's a great place to spend a day in the coolness of the Taiping hills

Charcoal Factory, Mangrove Forest and River Cruise Kuala Sepetang

Kuala Sepetang is 15 km west of Taiping city center. You will need your own transport to go here. It's worth the effort. Visit Mr. Chuah's Charcoal Factory, have a lunch in the town center and take a boat to explore the mangrove forest. You can ask in the restaurants if fishermen have a boat available or go to the forestry, just before you arrive in Kuala Sepetang on the right side for a 2 hour boat ride.

• Charcoal Factory
• River Cruise

Mr. Chuah's charcoal Factory

Perak Museum

The Perak Museum near the Lake Gardens dates back to 1883 but it wasn't finished until 1903. You will find 4 main halls: zoological, herbarium, parts of the pre-history and economy and ethnology artifacts. Only the herbarium section has changed. The rest is still intact and extended with more items over the years.

 The museum is daily open from 9.30-12.00 hr and from 14.30-17.00 hr except on Fridays when the museum in the afternoon opens at 14.45 until 17.00hr. There is no admission.

Accommodation and food in Taiping

There are several good hotels in Taiping. Cheapest of them all is the old traders Peking Hotel with very basic (and run down) rooms for about RM 40. A much better option is the Legend Inn in Taiping, which is conveniently located in the city center.

Food is plentiful in town. Close to the Legend Inn you will find the biggest food court with Malay, Chinese and Indian dishes, all cheap, all excellent. Try kuay tow soup, nasi lemak or mee rebus. Local specialty is cold red bean soup.

In other parts of the city center you will find equal excellent restaurants and food courts.

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More about the road from Penang to Taiping via Kulim and Selama, Kuala Kangsar, Ipoh and Pangkor island.

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