Perak is a laidback state that has a lot to offer in terms of tourist attractions. Some are well-known while others are hidden gems to discover. Visit these 9 hidden attractions the next time you plan a road trip to Perak!
- Victoria Bridge
Victoria bridge is one of the oldest bridges in Malaysia that was built around 1897 to 1900. It’s a single railway bridge that crosses the Perak River and has many old histories from the British era. Now, it has been recognized as a state heritage, so those of you who want to come to Kuala Kangsar should stop here and try to walk along this bridge.
For those who have a phobia of heights, it’s a bit scary to walk on a track that is 12m above the water level of the river, but for those who are brave, this experience is really fun. For those who like to take pictures, this is the port for you to come and take pictures, especially at dusk. The scenery here is really beautiful.
Address: Kampung Kapor, 31050 Enggor, Perak.
Contact: +6013-393 7997
- Pasir Salak Historical Complex
This area is said to be where the English resident, JWW Birch, was killed by the Perak people. Due to this event, the Sultan of Perak was exiled to the island of Seychelles. Here is a memorial stone commemorating this historical incident. There’s a Kutai house, which is a Perak traditional house and a diorama that tells the history of the incident.
Address: 36800 Kampung Gajah, Perak.
Contact: +605-631 1462
- Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge No.5
If only the last tin dredge could talk, do you wonder what secrets it would reveal? This surviving tin dredge, known as Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge No.5 (TT5), proudly remains a huge industrial relic since Malaysia became the world’s largest tin producer. Explore this historic floating tin dredge and relive the glory days of Malaysian tin mining.
The Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge is definitely a unique relic from the heyday of the tin mining industry in Malaysia. Tanjung Tualang Ship No. 5 (TT5) in Perak, is making a statement about its own position as the last tin dredge in Malaysia.
Weighing about 4,500 tons and supported by pontoons 75m long, it’s a strong tin dredge that has lived through the ages. Built in 1983 by FW Payne & Son, which was the leading design engineering company in dredges at the time, Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge No. 5 has been represented as a symbol of prosperity in Perak.
Built for Southern Malayan Tin Dredging Ltd, TT5 operated for 44 years until 1982 during which time the Malaysian tin industry experienced a rapid decline due to a combination of depleted tin reserves, low tin prices and high operating costs. Falling on hard times, other dredges around the area were soon obliterated, so a glimmer of hope could be found through the persistence of heritage-loving individuals fighting for its preservation.
Now, still standing the test of time, the TT5 invites you to step inside the modest museum for a brief overview of its tin mining history. Then, a guide will show you the way inside the tin mining dredge to learn how this gigantic system works.
The first to start is a large bucket used to dig up tin-bearing soil. Then the excavated soil passes through a swinging barrel which then passes through a series of jigs and sails to transport the tin, before removing the waste at the end. Take the time to climb the stairs to get a closer look at the large buckets used to dig up the tin-bearing soil.
Given that it was manufactured in Great Britain in the late 1930s, shipped and assembled in Perak, it’s interesting to see it in such excellent condition. The Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge Guide also does a thorough job of explaining in detail how it works and how it revolutionized tin mining. This is definitely an attraction worth visiting to learn about tin mining and how it shaped Ipoh’s history.
Address: 9th KM, Jln Tanjung Tualang, 31000 Batu Gajah.
Contact: +6014-904 3255
- Pulau Banding
Pulau Banding is located in Gerik, Perak. There’s a conservation centre here that focuses on educating the public regarding the Belum Rainforest Reserve. This tiny island also has a jetty from where you are taken into Belum Rainforest. The Belum Forest Reserve got its name from the sound of the large locusts that live in this forest called “beluum” so the name remains until now.
This 290,000-hectare forest has a variety of valuable treasures such as natural vegetation and endangered wildlife. Visitors who want to come to the Belum Forest Reserve have the opportunity to see for themselves the largest flower in the world, the Rafflesia, a waterfall in the Ruoh river, an indigenous village and fishing in Banding Lake, which has various species of freshwater fish.
Address: Plot 471, Timur-Barat Hwy, Pulau Banding, 33200 Gerik, Perak.
Contact: +605-791 5843
- Gaharu Tea Valley
In this 300-acre area, you will see how 200,000 agarwood trees, each worth thousands of ringgit, are planted and cared for. Most of these trees are grown for export to Arab countries, China, Taiwan and Korea. Interestingly, your focus here is not for perfume, but tea.
Even though there are products such as lip balm and lotion at the Valley Tea Factory, most of the plantation’s agarwood products are made into tea or soup. A box of gaharu tea with 25 sachets costs about RM 60 and above.
Address: Jalan Sungai Itek, 31600 Gopeng, Perak.
Contact: +605-351 1999
- Japanese Carbide Chimney
Another historical attraction that you must see is the Japanese Carbide Factory located in Malim Nawar. During World War 2, Japan used this factory to produce weapons and military equipment. Today, all that remains of the factory is an 18m high brick chimney and a small caretaker’s house.
Address: 31700 Malim Nawar, Perak.
- Pulau Sembilan
Witness the ‘Blue Tears’ phenomenon on Sembilan Island, where the sea water glows with a neon blue color when there is water movement. The blue light near this beach comes from a type of phytoplankton that provides an amazing scene at night, instantly making it one of the must-visit places in Perak. If you want to see this phenomenon, you need to buy a guided tour package from a local agency first.
Address: Sitiawan, Perak.
- Kong Heng Square
To immerse yourself in the true ‘essence’ of the hipster city of Ipoh, you can track down Kong Heng Square which is located between buildings with colonial and modern architecture in Ipoh Old Town. The combination of two eras makes this location so unique and perfect for selling artworks and handicrafts because of the creative aura that radiates.
In addition to creative products, you can also find many interesting cafes or food stalls. It only consists of 3 lots, but it’s packed with kiosks and stalls that will tempt anyone’s soul to stop and have a look.
Address: 75a, Jalan Bandar Timah, 30000 Ipoh, Perak.
- Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve
Kuala Sepetang or its old name Port Weld, is a fishing village located 12km from Taiping town. However, unlike other fishing villages that only have fishing piers, it has some interesting natural attractions to visit. Although it is famous for its charcoal factory, salted fish factory and fireflies, the main attraction of this place is actually the Larut Matang Mangrove Swamp Forest which is over 100 years old.
The mangrove forest here is not only a shelter for various animal species, but also a source of income for fishermen and charcoal factory operators. Besides seeing it from the boat (you need to buy a package from the tour operator here) you can also enter this forest area and walk through the boardwalk. If you want to sleep or camp, no problem. Phone and book with the Larut Matang District Forest Office.
Address: Kampung Kuala Sepetang, 34650 Kuala Sepetang, Perak.
Contact: +6012-514 5023
Written by Kartini Kannan
