My Hometown - Perak

1. Taiping Lake Gardens

    Built on top of an abandoned tin mine, the gardens were opened in 1880, earning them a place in the history books as the first public garden  in Malaya. Huge ancient rain trees ("angsana") line the lake, their branches stretching from one end of the road into the water across, making the perfect backdrop for couples taking their wedding photos.

    Spread over 64 hectares, the lake has ten scenic lakes and ponds, a Lotus Pool, charming bridges, tracks for jogging ang relexology, all surrounded by tropical plants, flowers, trees and wildlife. For kids, a roller-skating rink, paddle boat rides, and a playground ensure that the outdoors appeal more than the latest video game. Heritage structures surround the lush greenery, including the Old Residency, formerly the home of the Secretary to the Resident, the Raja's House and army officers' residences. The nearby Maxwell Hill (Bukit larut) also makes an ideal place for jungle trackking and camping.

2. Kellie's Castle

    Kellie's Castle is located near Batu Gajah, and is about 20 minutes' drive from Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia. The unfinished, ruined mansion, was built by a Scottish planter named William Kellie Smith. According to differing accounts, it was either a gift for his wife or a home for his son. Descendants of the Tamil labourers brought over to Malaysia to work on the mansion still live nearby even now. Kellie's Castle is now popular local tourist attraction and was used as a setting in the 1999 film Anna and the King and 2000 film Skyline Cruisers.

3. Gua Tempurung

   Gua Tempurung is a cave in Gopeng, Perak, Malaysia. It is popular among spelunkers, or caving enthusiasts. More than 3km long, it is one of the longest caves in Peninsular Malaysia. Part of it has been developed as a how cave with electric lighting and walkways and there are a range of tours of different lengths and difficulty. A fine river cave, the river passage runs about 1.6 km through the hill. There are three very large chambers and some spectacular stalactites and stalactites and stalagmites. There are plans to develop the surrounding area. By the end of 2006, a go-cart centre and a horse riding area had opened.

4. Zoo Taiping Night Safari

    The Taiping Night Safari is a first of its kind in Malaysia. Bathed in lighting similar to moonlight, the beauty and splendour of nature is enhanced. In an effort to maintain the experience of a natural environment, the Taiping Night Safari attempts to display nocturnal animals in natural looking setting. This provides the opportunity for visitors to appreciate and value the treasures of nature while enjoying oneself.

    The Taiping Night Safari is a unique tourism product where animals which are active at night are displayed using special lighting similar moonlight. Visitors will be able to experience this environment similar to wildlife habitats where the sounds made by numerous creatures can be heard. To fully appreciate this experience , visitors are required to minimize all sounds, even speech so that the sounds of the night creatures can be heard. Reduced noise will also help maintain the peaceful atmosphere of the Night Safari. Torchlights and flash cameras are not allowed to be used in the Night Safari as this will disturb the animals on display.

5. Kuala Kangsar

    Kuala Kangsar today has spread across the gentle undulating lands along the bank to accommodate the growing community but its core and historical part of town still sits quietly on the high grounds by the bend of the river. A familiar structure of a royal town, the royal place is usually the centre of the town where subjects would later build their homes around, close to the palace. Presumably, many of the subjects that served the courts and the Sultan would have had to be nearby in any event for emergencies etc.

6. Pulau Pangkor

    Pulau Pangkor is an island off the coast of Perak in north-west Peninsular Malaysia, reached by ferry either from the old jetty or from Marina Island jetty both located in Lumut. For the locals the island is famous for the beaches such as Teluk Nipah, Coral Bay, Teluk Belanda and Pasir Bogak. The most famous local product of the island is ikan bilis(anchovies) and other dried fish products that are irrestiable to the locals.

7. Menara Condong, Teluk Intan

    It is located in the centre of the town of Teluk Intan, Perak. The tower is slanted leftward, similar to the Tower Pisa. It is 25.5 metres tall and from the outside, looks like a 8 storey building, though inside it is actually divided into 3 storeys. The tower is located in the center of a square surrounded by Jalan Pasr, Jalan Selat, Jalan Bandar and Jalan Ah Cheong.

8. Air Terjun Ulu Kenas

    It is located in Kuala Kangsar, Perak. Fasilities available include parking, toilet, resting huts, information center, chalet, stall, hall, prayer hall and hanging bridge, 15km from Kuala Kangsar Town through Kuala Kangsar-Manong and 45km from Ipoh City. Ulu Kenas Amenity Forest is located in the Bubu Forest Reserve which is a hill dipterocarp forest.

9. Sungai Klah Hot Springs

    Sungai Klah Hot Springs is nestled in the serene and lush forest patches, surrounded by hills and Lost World of Tambun clear cold mountain streams and rivers. All 6.5 hectares enjoy the scenic view of well-tended oil palm plantation and durian orchard admist a haven of tranquility.

    Its unique concept of a specially designed free flowing Hot Springs Swimming Pool and Therapeutic Park at hte foothill of the Titiwangsa Range 200 feet above sea level is indeed creatively engineered to attract visitors who appreciate the wonders of nature. Families visiting the park can try out the family baths and enjoy the privacy of this special treat. Another popular family activity not to miss out on is the hot springs egg-boiling experience.

  

10. Bukit Merah Laketown Watepark

      Surrounded by lush greenery and fronting one of Malaysia's largest 7,000 acre freshwater lake, the resort is only a 3 hours' drive from Kuala Lumpur and easily reached off the Bukit Merah toll exit along the North-South Expressway.

    The 11-acre Bukit Merah Laketown Waterpark offers many exciting attractions, as the 1st and onlyn Giant Wet Bubble and Boomerang fun-slide in Malaysia, the 1st "Sandy Beachfront" Wave Pool, as well as Water Flume Rides and Body Speed Slides. There's also specially designed children's attractions such as the Kids Adventure River and Perak Mining Pool plus other fun facilities that promise you and your family a thrilling time. Other attractions include the Chairlift that offers you a panoramic view of the lake and the whole resort, a souvenir shop, Surf Shack and a fast food outlet, Bubbles Family Restaurant.