Visit Tapah and Bidor, Perak

This would be interesting to visit Tapah and Bidor in Perak. Usually I do visit Bidor town as it is very near after exiting the Bidor toll (about 5 minutes drive away) and would head to Pun Chun Restaurant for Wantan noodle or their famous duck beehoon soup noodle before heading out to Cameron Highlands.

As for Tapah, well, I confess I have not really explored the town as most times I would just head on strait up to Cameron Highlands because the road to the highlands just bypass the town. But you could actually just pop in to Tapah as it was not very far from the Tapah toll.

This news is not detailed enough for an informed trip to Tapah so will dig around for more to be posted up next time.

Cleaner Tapah and Bidor by end of March 2012
By Elween Loke
Tuesday March 13, 2012

WORK to spruce up the Batang Padang district is underway and visitors can expect to see a cleaner Tapah and Bidor by the end of March.

Tapah District Council president Razali Bakar said operation units had been assigned to pick up garbage at both towns on a frequent basis as part of the Moh Singgah Tapah programme.

"Although the Lata Kinjang waterfall in Chenderiang does not come under our purview, we will still monitor its cleanliness from time to time," he said.

Razali also advised business operators, especially hotels and restaurants, to keep their premises clean and bright to ensure visitors had a comfortable and enjoyable stay.

Popular sport: A fishing competition to be held at a pond
in Kampung Tersusun Muhibbah Batu 33, Temoh is one of the
events in the Moh Singgah Tapah programme.

The programme, aimed at promoting Visit Perak Year 2012, would be held from March 23 to 25.

"There will be cultural performances like silat and traditional dances.

"We have also laid out several competitions featuring traditional games," said Razali.

He added that a fishing competition would also be held at the Kampung Tersusun Muhibbah Batu 33 pond in Temoh.

"We hope to attract at least 10,000 domestic and foreign tourists to the three-day event," he said.

"Most tourists usually stop by briefly for meals in Tapah before heading up to Cameron Highlands.

"But by doing so, they don’t get to discover other attractions in Tapah.

"This programme encourages visitors to stay in Tapah and to take time to explore the many sites and experiences we have to offer," he said. -- The Star Metro

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Lenggong Valley, Perak

Lenggong Valley in the limelight
By Sylvia Looi
Thursday September 22, 2011

PERAK'S bid to have the 50,000-year-old archaeological site of Lenggong Valley listed as an Unesco World Heritage Site looks promising with the recent visit by the organisation's valuer.

State senior executive councillor Datuk Hamidah Osman said the state government was confident of getting the site in Upper Perak into the organisation's list of cultural and natural heritage.

Vast area: A view of the Lenggong Valley where many undisturbed sites await archaeologists.

"A valuer from Unesco visited the site last Tuesday and it went very well. It will be a great boost to the state's tourism sector should Lenggong Valley be given the recognition as a World Heritage Site by Unesco," Hamidah told reporters at a press conference in Ipoh on Tuesday.

If successful, Lenggong Valley will become the fifth site in Malaysia to be listed as a world heritage site after Gunung Mulu National Park, Kinabalu Park and the cities of George Town and Malacca, which are listed as historic cities of the Straits of Malacca.

Hamidah, who is also state tourism committee chairman, said Lenggong Valley was the only paper submitted by Malaysia currently.

"The World Heritage Committee, which is made up of 21 members, will be vetting proposals submitted to it in June next year.

"Our Commissioner of Heritage, Prof Emeritus Datuk Zuraina Majid, will represent Malaysia in presenting our proposal then," she added.

Awesome site: A filepic of participants of the Perak Heritage Society's
Lenggong Valley Trail admiring the cave where the skeleton of the
famous Perak Man was found in Gua Gunung Runtoh.

Lenggong Valley is reportedly a jewel in Malaysia's archaeological crown.

Dubbed an "archaeologist's dream valley", the undisturbed site is said to have many more discoveries to be unearthed in years to come.

Excavations between 1987 and 1990 had revealed that Kota Tampan was a stone age workshop dating as early as 50,000 years ago.

It had also been discovered that there was a stone age community living around Lake Cenderoh.

Several other findings also had considerable impact on regional and world archaeology.

Old treasure: The Perak Man skeleton is
being preserved with special care.

Among them are the Perak Man, the only prehistoric skeleton in the world born with the congenital deformity Brachymesophalangia Type 2 in Gua Gunong Runtuh, Palaeolithic stone tool-making techniques in Kota Tampan, the migratory route of Homo sapiens from Asia to Australia, and the revelation that Southeast Asia was not the backwaters of civilisation as claimed by earlier archaeologists. -- The Star

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Caving in Lost World of Tambun

How about caving in lost world of Tambun? Give spelunking adventure a try!

Travel into the Lost World Valley
Story and photos by Revathi Murugappan
Saturday August 20, 2011

You have to wade through a water-filled tunnel and brave a variety of insects and slithering creatures to get to the Lost World Valley, nestled in the Lost World of Tambun theme park in Perak.

EXPLORING caves is a popular recreational activity among outdoor enthusiasts. Crawling through narrow passages, wading knee-deep in mud or guano, and looking at magnificent limestone formations inside a cave can be both gripping and rewarding.

Perak probably has more caves and limestone hills than any other state in Peninsular Malaysia – and many remain uncharted. And so, to the Lost World of Tambun (LWT) in Perak, did my buddy Brian and I go for a caving expedition.

Yes, Tambun offers more than just its famous Tambun biscuits.

Welcome to a fun-packed adventure:
Calvin Ho leading the way
in the 6th Mile Tunnel.

Since the RM60mil LWT theme park opened in 2004, it has garnered numerous awards and been drawing in the crowds. On weekends, it is packed with thrill-seekers. Lately, to cater for a wider category of tourists, more adventure activities have been added for those seeking a bit of challenge. You can take your pick from caving to hiking, rock climbing to camping.

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Wayang Kulit Shadow Play

Watching wayang kulit or shadow play may be an entertainment of yesteryears but it made an impressive comeback during a one-day workshop in Taiping.

Wayang kulit makes impressive comeback at one-day workshop in Taiping
By Raslan Haharom
Tuesday August 9, 2011

Organised by Muzium Perak recently, the workshop drew about 50 people, including 30 students who were tasked with the job of making traditional wayang kulit characters.

Fascinating story: A tourist (left) being greeted by a local woman as part of the wayang kulit characters.

On hand to brief and assist them was Abdul Majid Mohd Noh, popularly known as "Pak Majid Etong", who also owns a wayang kulit troupe called Kumpulan Wayang Kulit Seri Asun from Kubang Pasu, Jitra, Kedah.

The participants were given photocopies of traditional wayang kulit characters to be reproduced onto a manila card.

They were then required to use a small hammer and a chisel to make miniature holes, enabling light to pass through during the presentation and later to give them a coat of paint.

The delicate task took the participants about eight hours to complete.

A participant Chan Say Lynn, a Sixth Former from SM King Edward, Taiping said she wanted to gain more knowledge about the old art form.

Her classmate Mohd Basrudin Burhanuddin said he loved indulging in artistic activities and planned to participate in future workshops.

Intricate: A student busy making holes onto a wayang kulit character during the workshop.

Both Chan and Mohd Basrudin emerged second runner-up and first runner-up respectively while Aznil Haniady from SM Taman Tasik was declared the winner.

All three received their prizes from museum curator Nor Hanisah Ahmad.

Earlier, museum staff had to scout for mats to enable the audience to watch the shadow play as the turnout was more than expected.

Backed by six musicians playing traditional instruments such as gedombak (hand-held drums), geduk (drums), canang (percussion) and flute, Pak Majid enthralled the crowd with his wits and humour.

In one of the slots, a local woman greeted a "Mat Salleh" (Western) tourist with broken English and he responded in broken Malay, which left the audience especially the children in stitches.

Winning entry: Chan showing her wayang kulit character.

Two other characters also belted out evergreen Hindi songs, drawing applause from the crowd.

As the shadow play drew to an end, Pak Majid apologised over his impromptu dialogues which might have offended some in the crowd.

Later, Pak Majid told MetroPerak that wayang kulit characters were mainly made from dried cow hide as it was more durable.

Shadow play, he said, had evolved over the years to make it more relevant to today's audience.

"In the earlier days, it was mostly mystical stuff sourced from Siam but since 1989, I dwell in current issues," said Pak Majid, father of eight children.

Pak Majid said he took up the art of wayang kulit from his late father Mohd Noh Mahmud.

His shadow play troupe was set up in 1970 and performed mostly in Kedah, Perlis and Perak on invitation.

Currently, three of his children Mohd Firhan 15, Sahwan, 18, and Azman, 28, had joined his wayang kulit troupe as musicians. -- Star Metro Perak

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Teluk Intan's Leaning Clock Tower

Teluk Intan's Leaning Clock Tower is a crowd puller for this small town in Perak. You definitely want to view this famous icon if you drop by this place. Make a detour to this small town when you are making your way to Pulau Pangkor and explore the charms of this little town in Perak!

Lighting up Teluk Intan’s leaning pride
By Anthony Law
Tuesday July 19, 2011

A crowd-puller: The leaning clock tower of Teluk Intan.

THE iconic leaning tower of Teluk Intan, which is popular among visitors by day to this coastal town, has found a new niche by night – thanks to the local municipal council thatlighted up the clock tower.

This 25.5 m pagoda structure is decorated with red, blue, yellow, orange, purple and green lights that gradually change colours at intervals, making it a majestic sight in the middle of the town at dusk.

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Ipoh Heritage Walk

Walking down history lane
Saturday July 9, 2011
By Anthony Law

THE Ipoh Heritage Walk has proven to be so successful in creating awareness of the city’s tourism potential that groups from other states have flocked to Perak to learn its ways.

Tourism Malaysia and Penang Heritage Trust were among the groups impressed by the success of Ipoh Heritage Walk project since it was introduced last May. The two groups made a special trip to Ipoh recently.

Tourism Malaysia had earlier participated in a food trail to taste the best of Ipoh food, before taking part in the heritage trail proper.

Most of the walkabout takes place in Ipoh Old Town, to showcase its rich heritage and architecturally beautiful buildings.

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Ipoh Railway Station - The Old Dame

Ipoh Railway station sees more activity thanks to new train service
By Chan Li Leen
Friday May 27, 2011

ONCE in danger of becoming a white elephant, the Ipoh railway station has experienced a revival recently.

It has slowly regained its popularity with the introduction of the Electric Train Service (ETS) on Aug 12 last year, travelling between Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur.

Now, the station is abuzz with activity.

ETS chief operating officer Azizullah Kinayatullah said the train services ran 10 times daily including weekends.

In use: The exterior of the Ipoh Railway Station.

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Perak Tourism Attractions Effort

Perak Tourism Attractions Effort
Ready to push top attractions to tourists
Thursday May 26, 2011

PERAK will intensify its efforts — locally and abroad — to promote various tourist attractions in the state including the ones dubbed the ‘10 Icons of Perak’.

State Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Hamidah Osman said the icons were the Royal Belum world’s oldest rainforest, largest limestone cave in Peninsular Malaysia in Gua Tempurung, the Matang mangrove swamp forest, the Taiping Zoo and Night Safari, and the Perak Herbal Park.

Hamidah said the Orang Utan Island at Bukit Merah Laketown Resort, the Felda Residence Hotsprings in Sungai Klah, Sungkai; the royal town of Kuala Kangsar, Lumut and Pangkor Island; and Ipoh — well known for its beautiful limestone hills and diversity of food — were also in the list.

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Gopeng, Perak Tourist Attractions

MCA division giving old tin mine town a boost by promoting 20 tourist attractions
By FOONG THIM LENG
Tuesday April 12, 2011

GOPENG in Perak is fast becoming a tourist destination in the Kinta Valley with its heritage, cuisine and eco-tourism attractions developed by the locals themselves.

Serene environment: Visit an orang asli village in Ulu Geroh

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Lost World of Tambun Theme Park

New hot attractions at Lost World park
Thursday September 9, 2010

The Lost World of Tambun theme park's latest addition - the RM2mil Hot Springs & Spa - has been a hit with tour operators and Ipoh folks since its opening early this month.

Over 250 guests attended a special preview of the attraction at the theme park at Sunway City Ipoh.

The group comprising tour operators, hoteliers and corporate partners were impressed with what they saw.

New attraction: The hot springs and spa
at the Lost World of Tambun are built
around scenic and lush environment.

The theme park's general manager Calvin Ho said the hot springs, with water from natural sources, offered visitors the ultimate relaxation.

He said visitors could have a refreshing soak in the hot springs while admiring the scenic limestone hills.

"The water in the hot springs and the thermal water in the pool are not recycled. It flows freely through the pools from the Kopisan River.

"Three million litres of thermal water percolate from the ground in Tambun and into the hot springs and spa daily," he said, adding the hot water was maintained at 40 degree Celsius.

He said the thermal water contained minerals such as calcium carbonate, sodium, magnesium sulphate and iron, which were good for foot and skin problems as well as arthritis.

Ho said facilities at the new hot springs and spa include a new Infinity Pool, a Steam Cave, the Top of the World Jacuzzi Pool, the Geyser of Tambun, the Foot Spa and the Crystal Spa.

The entrance fee is RM12 per person for those only visiting the Hot Springs and Spa from 6pm to 10pm.

The admission ticket for the theme park is RM38 for adults and RM32 for children. -- Star News

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Honeymoon bliss

Honeymoon bliss
Sunday July 6, 2008
Compiled by Faridah Begum

Honeymooning domestically is just as good as doing so abroad.

Bukit Tinggi, Pahang



None can compare to the French influenced Colmar Tropicale, which is only about an hour’s drive from the capital city of Kuala Lumpur and boasts of not just a setting but the ambience is not unlike the real towns of France that it emulates. Perfect for a weekend or just a short honeymoon, it is sure to appeal to the hearts of newly-weds for a repeated honeymoon trip.

Cameron Highlands, Pahang



The highlands offer honeymooning couples a great English setting. Not having to fork out thousands to get to the outskirts of London, you can enjoy afternoon tea, cool weather and many cold evenings together with good steamboats and Continental meals at most restaurants here.

The Andaman, Langkawi, Kedah



Situated in the picturesque Datai Bay, honeymooning couples will find the tranquillity a great help in keeping the romance burning. Lots to do with the natural setting such as bird watching, sunsets and even a round of golf if either one or both are enthusiasts.

Serai di Lanjut, Pahang



If a timeless holiday is on the cards, then this place is just right. Away from the hustle and bustle of city life coupled with the slow and easy pace here, one can just stretch out on the white sandy beaches for hours on end or play a round of golf or even go river fishing.

Pulau Perhentian, Terengganu

Many couples have met on scuba diving trips and this can account for quite a percentage of marriages. It is only right and perhaps understandable if they choose to go on a scuba diving honeymoon, especially where they first met. Pulau Perhentian may be the place or even a good alternative. Known as one of the best diving posts in the country, Pulau Perhentian is actually made up of two islands, namely Pulau Perhentian Besar and Pulau Perhentian Kecil.

Pangkor Island Resort, Pangkor, Perak

Look forward to sunset cruises, traditional Malay massages and lots of time together in the beautiful resort that was voted the best in the West Coast. With a private beach exclusively for guests of the resort, you can plan many outdoor activities such as jungle trekking, archery, parasailing and cycling.

Permai Rainforest Resort, Kuching, Sarawak



If your wish is to have a taste of everything, then this is the perfect getaway for you. You get a package of the sun, sea, beach, mountains, waterfalls and modern facilities all in one place. Just 30 minutes from Kuching, you will want for nothing except more time to do all the things you want together as a couple, and more.

Tanjong Jara, Terengganu



Noted for its pristine turquoise waters and its hidden location, there are lots that a honeymooning couple can do here. For one, it boasts of a good spa, just right for a couple that has gone through the mill with the preparation of the wedding and the crush of relatives. It also provides the couple a chance to be just by themselves and enjoy their newly entwined lives together.

Pulai Springs Desaru, Johor



Designed like an ancient Malay palace, Pulai Springs is on one of the unspoilt beaches south of the East Coast in the peninsula. Like most resorts, it promises the excitement of a beach resort yet maintains a calm and serene atmosphere that is conducive for honeymooning and gives couples time to acquaint themselves further besides enjoying the array of activities available here such as golf and jungle trekking, and with an untouched forest that casts a romantic glow in the evenings.

Nexus Resort Karambunai, Sabah



Winner of many prestigious awards, this place has been described as heaven on earth with its natural setting and the numerous activities that come with it. A lagoon park fulfils one’s desires of water games and the 30ha nature park within the resort gives honeymooning couples hours of trekking together.

-- The Sunday Metro

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Ever peaceful Taiping

Ever peaceful Taiping
Sunday February 10, 2008

A visit to this lovely town brings much bliss and serenity.

Kuala Sepetang Wildlife Sanctuary

The Matang Mangrove Forest is the recipient of numerous international awards. This mangrove swamp is one of the best managed in the world and noted as an outstanding example of conservation and management of its rich biodiversity and mudflat ecosystems. It is a place no one should exclude from the itinerary when in Taiping



Taiping Prison

Taiping Prison is the first prison to be opened in 1879 and was the first purpose-built prison in Malaya. It remains in operation today.

Taiping Lake Garden

This 64ha garden has been the focal point of Taiping since 1880. Besides a lake created from a former tin mine, it also hosts a recreational park and a Japanese garden and is a stone throw from a golf course and zoo.



Natural Water Bodies

Taiping is home to many pools, rivers and streams that have kept Taiping cool and nice, even in hot weather. Among them are the Burmese Pool, which has a natural water slide; the Austin Pool that has a very deep square granite pool with a waterfall flowing into it; the Taman Suria streams which flow from Bukit Larut; the Coronation Swimming Pool located at the foothill of Bukit Larut and has very cold mountain stream water even on hot days; and the Hot Water Well in Batu 9, off Jalan Trong.

Perak State Museum

Built in 1883, it is the oldest museum in the country and is home to an impressive collection of ancient weapons, aboriginal implements and archaeological treasures, including artefacts from Perak’s rich historical culture and heritage. Admission is free.



Bukit Larut(Maxwell Hill)

It was previously the rest and recreation centre for British high-ranking officials from 1884. At 1,250m above sea level, it reminded most of them of their cool homeland. Up until 1948, the only way up was by sedan chairs. Tarred roads were later constructed. It is still one of the most natural hill resorts in the country and was renamed Bukit Larut in 1979.



Bukit Merah Laketown Resort

One of the premier theme parks in Malaysia, it also includes the Orang Utan Island, where preservation of the orang utan is carried out. The theme park is a favourite with Perak folk as well as those from other states, especially during the school holidays. It is also a popular venue for corporate companies’ team-building programmes. There is an eco-park for those who want to bask in the natural surroundings.



Taiping Zoo

Also known as Taman Mergastua Idris Shah, the zoo is on a 16ha land where in the day it is a typical zoo but transforms into a night safari after dusk. It is home to some 1,300 animals from more than 180 species,all flourishing due to its successful breeding programmes. It is the only zoo in the north of the peninsula.



Food

Taiping is famous for its cheap and delicious food and visitors must have some of these famous delicacies such as: Cendol in Jalan Barrack; Chinese fried kway teow in Taman Sri Hijau, Taman Sungai Mas; Malay fried kway teow at Restoran Doli in Jalan Tupai; Roti Canai at Bismillah Restaurant on Jalan Taming Sari; Popiah at the Prima Restaurant and the Popiah stall in the Larut Matang food court; Nasi Lemak Special/ Mahal/ Orang Kaya on Jalan Tupai; Mee Rebus at the Larut Matang Market, Prima Food Court and the Pokok Assam night market; Steamed Chicken Rice in Jalan Barrack.



Kota Ngah Ibrahim Historical Complex

It used to be the residence of Ngah Ibrahim, who was found guilty of murdering British Resident J.W.W. Birch. It served as the country’s first teachers’ training college called the Matang College and was also the headquarters of the Japanese army during the Second World War. Today, it serves as the Matang Historical Complex.
-- Sunday Metro.

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