Wonderful Things To Do In Taiping Malaysia

Taiping was originally a tin mining town and Taiping is also the home to a lot of firsts. These include Malaysia’s first post office and first museum. Taiping is a city in the state of Perak located on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula.

Thanks to its strategic location of Taiping under Bukit Larut’s foothills, Taiping is labeled as the wettest town in Malaysia. Taiping access to beautiful rainforests and the acclaimed Lake Gardens. Most visitors to Taiping enjoy the local food and go on food hunts visiting the good range of restaurants dotted around the town.

In this post, we will go through things to do in Taiping Malaysia. Let’s get started!

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Is Taiping Worth Visiting?

Taiping is worth the trip if only to enjoy the local food and visit the local restaurants. Visiting the beautiful Taiping Lake Gardens around the lake is a great place to chill out and relax for a while.

Where Is Taiping Malaysia?

Taiping is found in the state of Perak. And located on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula in northern Malaysia. It is located at 4.85 latitudes and 100.73 longitudes and it is 19 meters above sea level.

Things To Do In Taiping Malaysia

Taiping is located west coast of the Malay Peninsula. Taiping is popular as a foodies paradise as well as enjoying Taiping Lake Gardens. There are fun things to do in Taiping that will keep you busy for a few days.

Here is our list of things to do in Taiping Malaysia.

Visit The First-Ever Museum In Malaysia

The Perak Museum, or Muzium Perak, was the first-ever museum constructed in Malaysia back in 1883. Situated at the intersection of Jalan Taming Sari and Jalan Muzium, this sits exactly the opposite of the Taiping Prison.

You will find over 8,474 exhibits showcasing the history, geology, and zoology of Malaysia among many other aspects of their history that were long forgotten.

Several of these exhibits feature the products and culture of Perak’s indigenous tribes, including the Negrito and Senoi tribes.

Enjoy The Local Food

Popular among the locals, Ansari Cendol is found right next to Bismillah Cendol. Two stalls have been running their business for more than 70 years, which makes them Taiping’s oldest Cendol stalls.

Many people visit from different corners of Malaysia just to get a taste of cendol here. The specialty of Ansari Cendol is cendol with glutinous rice or pulut beras and red beans. They also sell an Indian rojak dish called pasembur.

Enjoy The Taiping Lake Gardens

The Lake Gardens is composed of a total of 10 ponds and lakes and is alive with different species of fauna and flora. Many people love to jog here, drive and walk around the gardens that have some picturesque beauty that will surely leave you quietly impressed.

You can rent any of the small boats from Pusat Rekreasi Dayung that are ideal for small groups or couples. The Lake Gardens is also popular among cyclists and groups of martial artists. This spot can be found in the main town near the foothills of Bukit Larut.

Use The Free Electric Shuttle Bus

After the establishment of Taiping as a Heritage Town, the Japanese government gave shuttle buses to Taiping as a gift. Not only the shuttle buses are a convenient way for visitors to go sightseeing but also the buses are eco-friendly as well.

Buses stop in a total of thirty-nine places including the Taiping Museum and Taiping Lake Gardens. Visitors may board the bus along Taiping Heritage Trail, Museum, Clock Tower, or the Zoo.

Visit Taiping Zoo

Taiping Zoo is Malaysia’s oldest zoo that is home to more than 180 species of animals, where a majority of them are nocturnal. This zoo also has active participation in conservation and breeding efforts.

The Taiping Zoo is also offering day tours and the famous Night Safari Tour. Since most of the zoo’s animals are nocturnal, this zoo comes alive when nighttime comes and is a famous spot among tourists.

Go Through 72 Bends By Jeep

A good way up to the Bukit Larut is by the numerous jeeps that ferry visitors from and to the resort. Jeep travels along the scenic route and rides take about thirty minutes. Just ensure to hang tight as there are some 72 bends that make for a thrilling ride. All unauthorized cars aren’t allowed.

For people who would instead not take the jeep up, it’s possible to hike the hill. Hiking would take about three to five hours, yet the routes are more beautiful compared to taking a jeep.

Experience Bukit Larut

The Bukit Larut is referred to as Maxwell Hill and it was established by William Edward Maxwell in the year 1884. It’s located 1250 meters above sea level and it’s the wettest place in the country of Malaysia.

It has a cool and comfortable climate of 15°C during the early morning and 10°C during the nighttime.

Maxwell Hill includes the Tea Garden House, which is the former office of a tea plantation, and Gunung Hijau Trail, which is the jungle hiking trail and has Taiping’s panoramic view.

Learn About The History Of Taiping

Taiping First Galleria is basically a private museum that was established to highlight a multitude of the firsts in Taiping.

This was previously used by the Perak Trigonometrical Survey Office in the year 1891 and was known as Taiping Municipal in the year 1930 before the renovations happened to construct the museum today.

Once you visit the place, you will be able to see a train carriage, old trishaws, and some old artifacts displaying Taiping’s rich history. First Galleria is situated in Jalan Stesen, which is just behind the Post Office.

Visit The First English Church

Saint’s Church is a National Heritage Site that was established in the year 1886. It’s Malaysia’s first church and one of the churches that still utilizes a pipe organ, which can be heard during the special masses throughout the entire year.

The All Saint’s Church retains its gothic, antique heritage with wooden structures and rafters. Church grounds also include an attached graveyard, which contains the European settler’s old toms.

It accommodates 350 people and is a famous attraction to a lot of people who enjoy historical architecture.

Visit The Oldest Prison In Malaysia

Perak Prison, which is also renowned as Taiping Gaol, is considered the first-ever prison that was established in Malaysia. It’s situated opposite Perak Muzium. Unluckily, it’s not open to tourists because it’s still operating as a detention center.

A lot of visitors like walking around the prison building outside as the structure is made with nineteenth-century architectural structures and Malaysia’s historical significance.

How To Get To Taiping Malaysia?

There is a good selection of ways to get to Taiping Malaysia. You can get to Taiping by bus, taxi or train.

Kuala Lumpur To Taiping

There are direct trains departing from Kuala Lumpur and arriving at Taiping. The journey takes over 3 hours. And costs less than 45 RM.

There is a direct bus departing from Hentian Duta and arriving at Taiping. The journey takes approximately nearly 4 hours and costs around 70 RM. There is another bus that takes just less than 6 hours and costs less than 30 RM.

A private taxi is another great way to get to Taiping but not cheap. It takes around 2h 30 mins and can cost around 470 RM.

Penang To Taiping

The way to get from Penang to Taiping is by ferry, train, and bus. The ferry leaves Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal hourly and costs 10 RM which requires a transfer to Butterworth station from Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal.

From Butterworth, there is a Bus to Kamunting which takes 1hr 30 mins for 10 RM. Once in Kamunting, there is a 4-minute journey by train to Taiping.

The best way from Penang to Taiping is by train. Get the ferry that leaves Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal hourly and costs 5 RM. After the ferry transfer to Butterworth station. From Butterworth, the train is under 1 hour and costs around 20 RM to Taiping.

Malacca To Taiping

The way to get from Melaka Sentral to Taiping is by bus which costs 35 RM and takes over 7 hours. There is a change of bus in Bersepadu Selatan.

Trains departing from Malacca and arriving at Taiping take about 6 hours for less than 100 RM. There is a change of trains in Pulau Sebang.

Wrapping Up

Finally, Taiping is a great place to visit especially if you are a history buff or a foodie. There are plenty of things to do in Taiping Malaysia from hiking to visiting Museums. All you have to do is choose the stuff you prefer and start enjoying what Taiping has to offer.

And that’s it for now! I’d love to know if this guide on things to do in Taiping Malaysia has helped you. Let me know if you have any questions and let me know if there is more to add.

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