Taiping is considered as one of the most important cities in the state of Perak, Malaysia. Before Ipoh, it served as the state capital of Perak and houses the very first museum in Malaysia, the Perak Museum.
Taiping might be a lesser known city of Malaysia, but it is rich with history and cultural wonders. Known as the wettest city in the country, it has a high-yielding collection of flora and plants making it a peaceful and quiet destination to break from the hectic life of the city.
Here are the list of 8 fun and exciting things to do while in Taiping.
Hike to The Top of Maxwell Hill
Maxwell Hill
Among the most famous destinations in the city is the Maxwell Hill or Bukit Larut as what locals call it. This oldest hill resort in Malaysia is located 1250 meters above sea level with a cool temperature that is about 10 to 25 degrees. You’ll be able to get a fascinating view of the city from the top of the hill.
With its beautiful gardens and bungalows, the place is perfect for sightseeing and relaxation. It is also a great place for birdwatching.
To get to Maxwell Hill, you need to hike for up to five hours which is good if you want to exercise and lose some calories. If hiking is not your thing, you can also hire a vehicle to bring you to the top for about 30 minutes, but no private vehicles are allowed.
Horseback Riding At Taiping Equine Park
Taiping Equine Park. Credit
For horse riding enthusiasts, one of the very first places to explore in the city is the Taiping Equine Park. Also located in Jalan Bukit Larut, this park is very popular with locals and tourists who want to ride horses. Both children and adults are welcome to take a ride. They also offer horse riding lessons for those who want to learn.
Besides being a horse riding park, it also serves as a rehabilitation center for their rescued and adopted horses.
ATV Ride
Adventure Park Larut. Credit
If you prefer riding in a motorized vehicle than a horse, you might consider getting an exciting ATV trip at Adventure Park Larut. While riding an ATV, you can experience off-road trail rides and get close contact with nature. Aside from adults, kids are also welcome to try ATV rides as the park also provides kid versions of this vehicle.
They offer different packages for various types of riding capabilities.
Visit Taiping Zoo & Night Safari
Deer at the Taiping Zoo and Night Safari
If you want to try something different out of a normal day visit to a zoo, you can do it in Taiping Zoo. The 34 acres zoo is among the zoological parks in the country that houses more than 1300 animals of different species including reptiles, mammals, and amphibians. An experienced guide can be hired to get your way inside the zoo during the night where you can view various nocturnal animals.
If you happen to be traveling with your kids, the Night Safari is a must-visit.
Lake Garden Boat Ride
The peace in the lake gardens
Your trip in Taiping is not complete if you haven’t visited the Taiping Lake Garden. It is considered as the first public garden and one of the most beautiful parks in Malaysia. You can hop in a 30 minutes boat ride and have fun pedaling around the lake. The garden is also perfect for other relaxing activities such as a picnic.
The lakes are also surrounded by huge trees which are suitable for walking and jogging.
Visit Aun Tong Coffee Mill
Aun Tong Coffee Mill
Known as the oldest coffee mill in Perak, Aun Tong Coffee Mill is a favorite destination for locals and tourists who love coffee. Visiting the mill will give you an opportunity to see how the factory processes their coffee that has not changed since 1933. They roast their coffee beans using wood fired oven. They also have a small shop where you’ll get to taste various sorts of coffee. If you want, you can purchase their products to bring back home.
Aun Tong Coffee Mill is indeed a must-visit place for coffee lovers while in the city.
Visit Mangrove Forest Reserve
Mangrove forest in Kuala Sepetang, Malaysia
About 18 kilometers away from the city, one of the most popular destinations near Taiping is the Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve in the town of Kuala Sepetang. It has a rich and diverse wildlife and is known as one of the best-managed mangrove ecosystems in the world. For nature lovers, exploring this place is worth the time. You can also enjoy different types of activities including fishing, bird watching and fireflies sighting at night.
Dolphins Sighting
Dolphin at Kuala Sepetang. Credit
Aside from exploring the Mangrove Forest Reserve, one of the reasons why tourists take their time to visit Kuala Sepetang is to sight dolphins. Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins are usually spotted in the waters of the forest reserve. If you are fortunate enough to spot them, you could even get a close-up view of these dolphins as they come closer to your boat.
Make sure to bring your camera to take photos of this amazing view.
Food Hunting
char kuey teow
mee rebus
Most of us travel anywhere just to look for good food. That’s one of the reasons why people are going to Taiping because the city is famous for food. Among the notable eating locations in the city is the Larut Matang Hawker Center. With more than 50 stalls, this food court has countless amount of delicious local food to chose from. Among their best sellers include fried oysters, mee rebus, char kuey teow, and more.
Larut Matang Hawker Center is close at night so make sure to pay your visit the place during the day.
Other famous restaurants in the city also include Nagaria Steak House, Restoran Kakak, and more.
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