Taiping

Land Department, Taiping

If you like old stuff you’ll probably like Taiping. This town was once the capital of Perak state and at one time would have had a sizeable British community with military, government, rubber planters and tin miners in the area. They left their mark on Taiping.

Perak Museum

The Perak Museum was built in 1883 and is said to be the oldest museum in Malaysia.

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The jail across the street is even older, dating from 1879. It is still in use.

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All Saints Anglican Church must be about 120 years old and looks quaint.

Kapitan Antiques House

Talking of old stuff , the Kapitan Antiques House has some nice old things. The owner Mr.Tan prefers to collect than to sell and he is looking to add a Penny Farthing to his collection of antique bicycles and tricycles.

A pressing purchase

I purchased this old, locally-made charcoal iron as a gift for my wife. I’m sure she will be very impressed!

I'm Loco about Taiping.

2 thoughts on “Taiping”

  1. Taiping – very much a city that time forgot, or so it seems. But not really.

    For reasons I don’t understand, it attracts even fewer tourists than Ipoh. Which is really saying something!

    Excellent food, good hotels, delightful walks – I fell in love with the Taiping Lake Gardens during my first visit there in 1974, 48 years ago! and “renewed the vows” in March during my return visit for three days. If you visit, take the time (2-3 hours) to walk around it at a leisurely pace, and explore the many nooks and crannies, the charming and zanily named Zigzag bridge and the hidden ponds with their myriad flowers and bird life.

    Little if anything seems to have changed in the town in the last half century, it’s a retirement town for older Malaysian Chinese and the pace of life reflects that population. Going by the numbers of hale and hearty over 70s knocking back the Heineken and Anker beer at the night markets in the city center,(I was invited to join one group of these seniors and they easily drank me under the table), it’s a healthy, happy and enjoyable place to spend some time in.

    Yet another accolade – the coffee (I had Americanos) at the McCafe on Jl Kota near the Lake Gardens is by far the best I have ever had in that generally less than distinguished American chain of restaurants, and it’s served in ceramic cups. That’s Taiping.

    1. Hi Dann
      Thank you very much for your comments. I agree with your sentiments on Taiping. It is one of my favourite towns in Malaysia and I would happily retire there myself but there never seem to be many properties advertised. I think the Taiping folk want to keep the town to themselves and who can blame them?

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