TAIPING
PERAK
The historically rich town in Perak
Taiping is a town in the state of Perak, Malaysia. It has a population of 198,112 (2000). It is the largest town in Perak after Ipoh, the state capital. It is also the first Perak’s state capital city which was then replaced by Ipoh. Its development was slowed down after the replacement, but in recent years the town has developed rapidly.
KEY FACTS
CURRENCY : MYR
LOCAL CUISINE : CHINESE, MALAY, INDIAN
SPECIALITIES : ZOO TAIPING
PEAK HOURS : 1p.m.
COMMUNICATION MEDIUM : CHINESE
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Features
Taiping is a charming old tin-mining town in Perak, northern Malaysia. While not known as a popular tourist spot, it is an idyllic place for a leisurely stopover vacation for travelers to northern Malaysia. Behind its unassuming façade, historic gems abound in Taiping including the first railway, the oldest museum, hundred-year-old rain trees, the first zoo, and the oldest prison.
Taiping is also known as the wettest town in Malaysia. Due to Malaysia’s tropical climate, it is summer all year round in Taiping. However, for easier traveling, the months of June to August may be more convenient due to the slightly warmer and drier weather. Light and cool clothing coupled with appropriate rain accessories is an absolute necessity when traveling in Taiping.
Taiping Waterfall
Anybody who has been to Taiping would not miss to notice that there is a waterfall cascading at parts of the Bintang Range where Bukit Larut (Maxwell Hills) is located. It is clearly visible even from the town area.
Kok Beng Chicken Rice
Purportedly one of the Top 10 BEST Chicken Rice in Malaysia (featured exclusively on a ntv7 and Guang Ming Daily’s joint hunt for the best in Malaysia, back in 2007), Kok Beng Chicken Rice has been gracing the grounds and gourmet scene in Taiping for a good 16 years.
Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve
The 40,000-hectare Matang Mangrove Forest was gazetted as a Permanent Forest Reserve in 1906. Today, it is recognized as the best managed sustainable mangrove ecosystem in the world. This mangrove reserve contains rich and diverse wildlife that provide nature lovers to visit and explore its wetlands and resources. Near to this reserve are silvicultural programmes of the Rhizophora, Lenggadai and Seaward berus forests carried out professionally by the Perak State Forestry Department. This is also regarded as the breeding grounds for numerous species of marine crustaceans including crabs, shrimps, lobsters, horseshoe crabs and prawns as well as fishes and shellfishes.
Taiping Lake Garden
One cannot claim to have visited Taiping without taking some time off to soak in the natural beauty of the Taiping Lake Gardens. Built on top of an abandoned tin mine, the gardens were opened in 1880, earning them a place in the history books as the first public garden in then-Malaya.
Taiping Zoo
Have you been to Taiping Zoo? If you are visiting Maxwell Hill in Taiping, make plan to visit this well kept zoo at the foot hill of this popular hill resort. Located just beside Taiping Lake Gardens, this zoo is an ideal place for animals to thrive in their natural habitats.
Charcoal Factory
Kuala Sepetang Charcoal Factory is a charcoal-making factory in Kuala Sepetang, Perak. It is located on the south side of Jalan Taiping-Kuala Sepetang (Federal Route 74), about 900 meters from heart of Kuala Sepetang. Its location is ideal, being surrounded by one of the largest tracts of mangrove forest in the country. Located between Sungai Kapal Changkok and the main road, the factory can receive freshly cut mangrove wood by boat from one end, and ship out finished charcoal by lorry on the other.
Spritzer Ecopark
With the idea of preserving the nation’s heritage for many generations to come in mind, Spritzer has brought this inception by merging fun, education, and heritage to life in the form of Spritzer EcoPark, officially open to public from 08 July 2015 onward.