Larut Matang - Taiping

PLACES OF INTEREST Nature and Adventure

Batu Kurau Famous for its Durian orchard, a popular Malaysian fruit, the types found here are renowned for its quality and taste unsurpassed anywhere in Malaysia.

British Resident's Residence (1877) Built in 1877, it was the residence of Sir Hugh Low, Perak's second Resident. It was built in Taiping due to the town's role at that era as the British Administrative Center. The residence proceeds to be the formal residence of other successive Residents of Perak. It also made Taiping to be the first town to have a formal residence for a British Resident.Presently only the house posts marks the site of the residence. A rest house was built behind the historical site. It is located at Jalan Pekeliling.

Bukit Gantang Besides its durian orchards, Bukit Gantang is also renowned for its legendary dato' panglima Bukit Gantang. A powerful figure in the larut matang area before the resurgence of mentri larut and the expansion of its influence over the district.

Bukit Larut / Maxwell Hill Malaysia's oldest hill resort is located on Bukit Larut (formerly called Maxwell Hill), a mere 10 minutes drive from Taiping. Situated at an altitude of 1034 metres, it is accessilbe only by four-wheel drive vehicles. The road up twists and turns through tropical virgin jungle, and fresh green fragrance and cool air greeting you as you ascend. At the summit you are treated to a spectacular view of the Larut Resthouse or at the bungalows located at the top of the hill.

Burmese Pool The first swimming pool to be built in malaysia in 1870 has a unique attribute due to its source of water for the pool. The water is brought in from the Bukit Larut. Its fresh and cooling chlorine-free water has been the attraction of the pool all these years.

Chinese Tombs A chinese cemetery was originally located on this hillock. Two remaining tombstones, dating from circa 1869 and belonging to members of the chung lineage of the hakka ethnic group are still found at the foot of the hill facing the esplanade. Located at the esplanade road, Taiping.

Coronation park the first amusement park in the fms opened in the 1920s when run run shaw of shaw brothers fame came from hong kong with two reels of silent movies to entertain the miners. It was renamed coronation park after the coronation of king george v. Located at theatre road, taiping.

Fort carnavon the fort was built by the perak prison convicts for the use of the perak armed police in 1881, under the supervision of col. Walker. The brick magazine was completed in 1885 and two years later, a guardroom and gun-shed were erected. The fort was named after the earl of carnarvon, secretary of state for the colonies (1874-1878). Located at the main road, taiping.

General hospital founded in 1880 as yeng wah (chinese pauper) hospital by the mining community in the face of the outbreak of beri-beri, it was taken over by the government and relocated to this site in 1881. A large cluster of buildings survives from the 1880s. Located along the main road, taiping.

Guan hin chan, 19 cross street no. 4 this well preserved building was the premise of a cigar factory started by burmese chinese. In the 1930s, it employed burmese women to roll cigars from moulmein tobacco. During the japanese occupation, the occupying forces used it to store tin ore.

Jebong forest reserve this forest reserve at kuala sepetang showcases the picturesque mangrove swamp which harbours a unique variety of birds and animals. Just follow the wooden walkway available throughout the forest. But if you want to explore further into the forest, make sure you obtain a permit from the perak forestry department.

Kapitan chung keng kooi's townhouse a prominent tin-miner and leader of the taiping hakka community, chung keng kooi (1829-1901) was also a kapitan china of perak and sat on the perak state council. His eldest son chung ah yong, who resided here, was a member of the taiping sanitary board and "all the important racing clubs". He employed a european trainer for his prize-winning race horses and maintained his stables at 12,000 dollars a year. Located at barrack road, taiping.

King Edward VII School The central school, which started in 1883, was the first english school in the malay States. It was renamed the King Edward VII School when the present building was opened in 1905. The angsana or 'flame of the forest' trees were planted in 1910 and enhanced the school grounds as one of the most picturesque in the country. The school excelled in sports, especially football, rugby, hockey and athletics. During the japanese occupation, the school was the base of the garrison commander who converted the classrooms into torture chambers and dug up the playgrounds to grow food. Located at station road in Taiping town.

Kota Mosque Built in 1897, Masjid Kota is the oldest brick mosque in Taiping with an intriguing six-sided facade. It was originally a Hanafi sect mosque, which was patronised by the Indian Muslim community of Kota. In the early 20th century, it was handed over to the Malay community and called Masjid Melayu (Malay Mosque). Within the old burial ground is the mausoleum of a learned scholar called Sheikh Makhbuli.

Kota Ngah Ibrahim Historical Complex Situated in matang, it was built in 1854 over 2 acres as the formal residence of ngah ibrahim. Over the years it has served as various establishments such as larut administration centre, as a court for the prosecution of dato' maharaja lela and dato' sagor for the killing of j.w.w. Birch, as the residence for captain speedy the then assistant resident, the first teacher's training college, the first national school, matang primary school, japanese headquarters and presently as th Kota Ngah Ibrahim Historical Complex.

Lady Treacher Girls' School The first girls' school in the Malay States was established by the Perak Government in 1889. The Methodists later took over the school and renamed it after the British Resident's wife. Soon after the present school building was completed in November 1941, the Japanese Occupation army requisitioned it for their barracks.

Long Jaafar Old Fort Formerly the stronghold of Long Jaafar, the explorer of tin ore in Larut, to this dayruins of the old fort is still visible. There is also the mausoleum of Long Jaafar within the compound.

Malay States Guides Barracks Built in the 1880s, this was the headquarters of the Perak Armed Police, later called the Malay States Guides. Today, it is the most intact, historically important military complex of its kind in Malaysia. The statue of Colonel Walker originally stood above the porch of the Regimental Quarter-Guard House, which faces the Esplanade. Located along the Main Road, Taiping.

Matang Mangrove Forest A photographer's dream this virtually virgin mangrove swamp is a beautiful natural splendour any photographer would naturally relish the opportunity to capture moments on film. Just looking around and immersing oneself with the glory of God's gift is enough to intrigue most professionals. Covering over an area nearly 5000 hectares, this natural recreational site presents one with the opportunity to be alone with nature. Besides the Kuala Sepetang mangrove swamp, there is also a natural centuries-old site on an island covering over 100 acres fronting the Port Weld. Tel : 05-807 2768 Fax : 05-806 7763

Ngah Ibrahim Fort This fort was built in 1857 by ngah ibrahim. The son of long jaafar, ngah ibrahim was appointed a majorchief - orang kaya menteri by the sultan of Perak in 1863. Ngah ibrahim was given authority to administer the whole of larut and the chinese tin miner who were working there. The chinese tin miner were divided into two main clans-the hai san and ghee hin. Frighting often broke out between the two clans. Ngah ibrahim supported the hai san. When the hai san was defeated, the ghee hin attacked Ngah Ibrahim Fort and later house occupied it. The ngah ibrahim's large house were badly damaged. The british intervened in Perak in 1874 and peace was restored but ngah ibrahim was returned to matang and the fort has remained a historic ruin.

Ng Boo Bee Fountain The cast iron fountain, made in the "Penang Foundry", originally stood in the Taiping Market. Ng Boo Bee, leader of the Taiping Hokkien community, a prominent tin-miner, and philanthropist and a member of the Taiping Sanitary Board donated it.

Old Kota Mosque The oldest mosque in Taiping, with an intriguing six-sided facade, was built in brick in 1897. It was originally a Hanafi mosque used by the Indian Muslim community of Kota. In the early 20th century it was given over to the Malay community and called the 'Malay mosque' (Masjid Melayu). Within the old burial ground is the mausoleum of a learned man called Sheikh Makhbuli.Located at Mosque Road, Taiping.

Old Police Station The police station, initially built of timber in 1881, lies at a point about equidistant from the Chinese Theatre, the wet market and other Shopping locations in Taiping town. The fortified clock tower, with chamfered slits for guns, was probably erected some years later. The police station doubled as a fire station where the first fire brigade in the Federated Malay States was formed. The brigade made up of members of the Perak Armed Police and later the Malay States Guides.

Old Saints Church The first Anglican church in the Malay States, opened in 1886. The timber building was designed by G.A Lefroy and the site donated by W.V. Drummond, a planter from Shanghai. In 1898, the graveyard was already "much besprinkled with the tombstones of many a young man stricken down in the heyday of youth, or British official who, after spending the best years of his life in the service of the State, has failed to gain his pension, and now lies buried here..."Located along the Main Road, Taiping. Peking hotel built in 1929, it was formerly the rubber dealer's association. During the japanese occupation, it was the notorious headquarters of the kampeitei (japanese military police). Located at 2 jalan idris, taiping. Perak museum (1883) the perak museum, built in 1883 and completed three years later, is the oldest museum in the peninsular malaysia. Extensions to the building were subsequently made in 1900. The objective behind its set up was to establish a repository of malaysia's rich cultural heritage. It is also an excellent place to begin an in-depth study of the state of perak and its past achievements. in the early days, the museum gave greater emphasis to the natural sciences, especially flora and fauna that had economic significance. It was only much later that the museum began to document the material culture and the life of the people of malaysia such as collection of ancient weapons, aboriginal implements, ornaments and archeological treasures. At present, there are three large collections featuring anthropology, zoology and local history with a total of over 3000 artifacts. Located about 2 km from taiping town and 1 km from the taiping lake gardens. Port weld (kuala sepetang) once the busiest port in the region, the facilities provided are mainly for exporting of processed tin ores. Opened in 1877 as the gateway for cargo ships, port weld is now called kuala sepetang. No longer a main port, it is mainly for fishing boats. Post and telegraph office the first post office in the fms, built in 1884, to replace an earlier timber building. The post from taiping was carried by a relay of runners (dak) and ponies. Located at station road, taiping. Prison (1885) built in 1885, the taiping prison still being used to this date marks the first prison in malaysia. The need of such establishment arises due to the rising rate of crimes during that era. The fighting between chinese gangs at the mines led to existence of the present taiping prison which has remain virtually unchanged except for some sight alterations to suit the needs of today's security system. Pulau tiga handicraft centre pulau tiga, literally means three islands, is located in the central part of perak. The area has traditionally been noted for its local people's handicraft skills and products. In recognition of these skills, the centre was established to further develop better quality handicraft products, as well as to display and to market them. Among the products available at the centre are porcelain and clay ware, gold thread embroidery, intricate weaveworks and the ultimate 'labu' (traditional clay water pitchers). The embossed designs of labu sayong produced here are among the best and attractive in the region.