As the second largest state in Malaysia, Perak’s wonders mesmerizes across a spectrum of interests. The state was once a bountiful source of tin for the British Empire in the 1800’s. Today remnants of colonial past still linger in the bygone architecture of Ipoh.
Amidst these man-made structures, nature’s own artistry takes shape in the form of limestone hills and caves, many of which has since been transformed into unique temples. The river and waterfalls of Gopeng have since attracted adventure seekers.
A trip to Perak is incomplete without a taste of the original Ipoh White Coffee and Bean Sprout Chicken – a combination that will savour any foodie’s appetite and nourish travellers for their next adventure!
The cave temples in Perak are truly a remarkable blend of human architecture built within nature’s resources. They are quite vast and open into many separate chambers. Some of the notable cave temples are Perak Tong Cave Temple, Sam Poh Tong Temple, Kek Long Tong Cave Temple, and Ling Sen Tong Temple.
Dating over 130 million years, the Royal Belum State Park is one of the oldest rainforest in the world, older than the Amazon rainforest in South America. It is a thriving ecosystem for many threatened species, including the Malayan Tiger, Malayan Tapir, and Asian Elephant. It is also home to its native indigenous tribe.
Kuala Kangsar is the royal town of Perak where traditional artisans are still keeping their artistry alive. Some run workshops so visitors can learn about their legacy, with the usual suspects like the legendary keris maker, a gold thread embroiderer and labu sayong (an old-fashioned water pitcher) potter
If you’re looking for a city escapade, Perak has a lot to offer. From white water rafting in the roaring rapids and waterfall abseiling at Gopeng, to experiencing the curious wonders of the Sky Mirror and Blue Tears at Bagan Datuk, there’s a little bit of everything for everyone.
Taiping is the 3rd most sustainable city in the world, but locals take pride in it having the first museum, first railway, and first English newspaper, among others. With tranquil lake garden, zoo and night safari, a day trip is very much possible. For something different, try glamping at Maxwell Hill or riding an ATV. Not far from this town, Kuala Sepetang gives visitors a glimpse of the fishing village and mangrove forests.
Unbeknownst to many, Malaysia too has its very own leaning tower. Standing tall, proud, and a little slanted, the Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan is a clock tower and national monument at Teluk Intan. Nature lovers and birdwatchers would want to hop on a boat to Bangau Island, a thriving habitat for migratory birds.
Appetites are guaranteed to be nourished in Perak. The state has earned its reputation as a food haven and boast several delicacies that cannot be found elsewhere in Malaysia. Must-haves include the salt-baked chicken, bean sprout chicken rice, and chee cheong fun (steamed rice noodle rolls), complemented with a cup of Ipoh White Coffee.
Be it a relaxing in a hammock by the beach, or getting on a jet ski, Pangkor Island has a lot happening for it. Wildlife like hornbills and monkeys are easy to spot on the island. To see a different Pangkor, wander through the peaceful villages and see how the locals carry out their daily lives.
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