Perak, also known by its honorific Darul Ridzuan or "Abode of Grace" , is one of the thirteen states of Malaysia, and the fourth-largest one. It borders Kedah at the north; Thailand's Yala and Narathiwat provinces to the northeast; Penang to the northwest; Kelantan and Pahang to the east; Selangor to the south, and the Straits of Malacca to the west.The state's administrative capital of Ipoh was known historically for tin-mining activities until the price of the metal dropped, severely affecting the state's economy. The royal capital, however, remains at Kuala Kangsar, where the palace of the Sultan of Perak is located.
Tourism
The Lost World of Tambun theme park is surrounded by a 400-million-year-old limestone mountain, and includes a 175-room hotel.Kuala Kangsar, just 48 km north of Ipoh on the Perak River, is the royal town. It is dominated by three buildings: Istana Iskandariah, Istana Kenangan and the Ubudiah Mosque. The Istana Iskandariah, located on a hill overlooking the river, is the palace of the Sultan of Perak. Istana Kenangan, which was constructed as a temporary residence during the Iskandariah's construction is known for its architecture. The Ubudiah Mosque is an impressive structure topped with a constellation of bright golden domes.
Perak State Museum is located in Taiping, and is the oldest museum in Malaysia.
Kellie's Castle is located in Batu Gajah. It was built in 1915 and was never completed as the owner William Kellie Smith died in Lisbon, with his widow selling the property and returning to Scotland. The castle is perched on top of a hill in what used to be a rubber estate. The castle was once believed to be haunted, with many secret rooms and a hidden tunnel. Today, it is opened as a tourist attraction.
The Gua Tempurung cave is located between Gopeng and Kampar. During peak season, it is packed with locals and tourists.
Accessible from Lumut, the Pangkor Island holds a mix of fishing settlements and white beaches decked with rich vegetation. The warm waters are used for swimming and diving.[citation needed] Resorts are available for accommodation on the island. Pangkor's two popular beach areas are Pasir Bogak and Teluk Nipah which offer activities such as scuba-diving, snorkelling, wind-surfing and fishing. Teluk Ketapang (Turtle Bay) still receives turtles on their egg-laying pilgrimages.
A white water rafting location in Perak is at My Gopeng Resort (Gopeng). White-water rafting (Grade 3), waterfall abseiling, rafflesia's flower trekking, jungle trekking and others adventures are part of the joy of visiting Perak.
Beside rafting, many admire Gaharu from Gaharu Tea Valley Gopeng a kind of Agarwood which can be processed as tea. Rumor has it that whoever captures a picture with the tall King Wood will bring in a windfall. Hong Kong director Raymond Wong Bak-Ming believed had a close relationship with the farm owner.
The Belum-Temengor Forest Reserve is one of the largest untouched forest reserves in the peninsula,with exotic mammals such as elephants, rhinoceroses, tapirs and tigers. Guided tours are available for visitors.[140]
The Sungai Klah Hot Spring Park has a free-flowing hot springs swimming pool and therapeutic park at the foothill of the Titiwangsa Range, 200 feet above sea level. Visitors can view the oil palm plantations and durian orchards, and also experience hot springs egg boiling.
Founded in 1844, Bukit Larut (Maxwell Hill) is the wettest place in Malaysia, with an annual rainfall of over 500 cm. The hill has views on a clear day where the peninsular coastline and the Straits of Malacca are visible, sometimes stretching as far as Penang to the north and Pangkor Island to the south.
The Taiping Lake Gardens was built on top of an abandoned tin mine, and opened in 1880, the first public garden in Malaya. Spread over 64 hectares, the lake system has ten lakes and ponds, a lotus pool, bridges, tracks for jogging and reflexology, a roller-skating rink, paddleboat rides, and a playground, all surrounded by tropical plants, flowers, trees and wildlife.
Transportation
The railway service is undergoing major upgrading with the advent of electrified trains running on double tracks from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh. Ipoh railway station is in the city centre. Built in the Moorish style, this white structure, nicknamed the Taj Mahal of Ipoh, was completed in 1935 to replace the original railway platform shed built in 1917. The Ipoh railway station is said to be the "second-most beautiful railway station in Malaysia" after the Kuala Lumpur railway station.It is located on Jalan Panglima Bukit Gantang Wahab
