PERAK DARUL RIDZUAN

          Hye and Assalamualaikum everyone, how are you ? I hope you are in a good healthy. Okay, today I want to share with  everyone about my country that is Perak DarulRidzuan.

          First of all, I will tell you about my place which name is Taiping or it is famous with name Raintown Taiping. Taiping is the beautiful town situated in the state of Perak in Malaysia. Formerly known as KlianPauh, it was renamed Taiping to commemorate the end of the Larut War in 1874. With the signing of the Pangkor Treaty on the 20^th of January 1874, Taiping emerged to be the major  town in Perak. Taiping comes from the Chinese word Tai-Peng which means ETERNAL PEACE. And indeed with the decision of the British government to make Taiping into their administration center, the once slow-paced town has been transformed into a busy and development town compared to others in that era.

          Together with progress comes a string of historical firsts that has made Taiping into one of the oldest town in Malaysia. Today, more than 100 years later, Taiping unfolds the history of the making of this modern nation. Taiping was once a thriving mining town and used to be the capital of Perak. Its disused mining pools have been cleverly turned into the beautiful and famous Taiping Lakes Garden.

          Taiping receives the most rainfall making it the wettest town in Peninsular Malaysia. The average annual rainfall is about 4,000mm in Taiping, while the peninsula’s average is 2,000mm-2,500mm. How to get there ? Taiping is 88km from Penang, 80km from Ipoh and 320 km from Kuala Lumpur. It is about an hour’s drive from Ipoh via the highway. Penang is just one hour drive up north. There are frequent bus services from all major towns in Peninsular Malaysia and even from Singapore. But, if you prefer, you can get there by train.

There are places you should check out when you visit Taiping

1.Lake Gardens

Lake Garden TAIPING

          The town’s Lake Gardens is a popular tourist attraction. Located near Bukit Larut (Maxwell Hill),Taiping’s Lake Gardens was originally a minning ground. It was later established as a public garden in 1880.

Photo credit : internet

         

          The Lake Gardens takes up 64 acres of space and was the first public garden in Malaysia. Its consists of 10 man-made lakes and pond such asAlamanda Pond, Island Pond, South Lake, Swan Lake and more.

Photo credit : internet

2.Maxwell Hill

Bukit Larut (Maxwell Hill)

          Maxwell Hill or Bukit Larut was founded in 1884 by William George Maxwell,who was the British Assistant Resident in Perak. Maxwell Hill is a hill resort, though it is not quite as developed when compared to Genting Highlands and Cameron Highlands, but most people still enjoy the colonial atmosphere with the nice little English gardens and old-world bungalows.

View on the top of Maxwell Hill

          To go up the hill, you will have to hire a Land Rover, becausea private vehicles are not allowed. You can also walk up the hill, and you will find many people doing this as a form of exercise. But, keep in mind that the trek up the 13km hill may take up to 5 hours.

3.Taiping Zoo and Night Safari

Zoo Taiping and Night Safari

          The Taiping Zoo was established in 1961, and it is known as one of the oldest Zoos in Malaysia. Covering up to 34 acres in space, the zoo features up to 180 species of amphibians, mammals and reptiles. The zoo is also famous for its Night Safari, which is a first of its kind in Malaysia.

          The Night Safari allows you to view variety of nocturnal animals in their natural looking setting while some of the other animals are also available for viewing, if they are awake, that is. For this, you can choose to walk or take a guided tour on the tram.

4.Taiping War Cemetery/Memorial

Taiping War Cemetery sign

          Located in Bukit Larut, the Taiping War Cemetery/Memorial was erected and maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. There are more than 850 World War ll casualties commemorated here including another 500 who remain unidentified till this day.

Photo credit : internet

          The cemetery is divided into two parts. Christian graves are located on the south-eastern side of the road and non-Christian graves are located on the opposite side.

Photo credit : internet

5.Port Weld/Kuala Sepetang-Seafood Restaurant

Photo credit : internet

          Port Weld or Kuala Sepetang is a coastal town,about 20 minutes from Taiping. The town was originally name after a former Governor, Frederick Weld. Port Weld is a well-known fishing village and many people love visiting here to feast on fresh food.

6.Perak Museum

Perak Museum

          The Perak Museum is located in Taiping and it is the first and oldest museum in Malaysia. Founded in 1883, by Sir Hugh Low. To date, there are over 8,474 accumulated collections in the museum,consisting of cultural collections,nature collections and miscellaneous collecting, including archaeological items. There is a guided tour for those who are interested.

Photo credit : internet

7.Burmese Pool

Burmese Pool

Photo credit : internet

          The Burmese Pool in Taiping is a large rock pool along a stream at the foothills of Bukit Larut (Maxwell Hill).  Locals, as well as tourists, enjoy visiting this place to relax by the rock pool, which is mostly shallow. The water is fed by a small waterfall.

Photo credit : internet

NUR AIN AYUNI BT RAMIZ.