
Town in Perak, Malaysia
Photo: zzclef Egard89 at en.wikipedia, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Kuala Kangsar is the royal town of Perak. It is the main town in the administrative district of Kuala Kangsar. It sits at the downstream of Kangsar River where it joins the Perak River.
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Masjid Ubudiah
The beautiful Ubudiah mosque was designed by Arthur Benison Hubback, a government architect who is notably credited for the design of the Ipoh railway station and the Kuala Lumpur railway station. Construction began in 1910 but it was abandoned during World War I. It was also delayed when the then crown prince's elephant walked over and cracked the imported Italian marble floor. The mosque was finally completed in 1919.
Galeri Sultan Azlan Shah
This is a gallery where records and artifacts of the present Sultan, who was also the 9th King of Malaysia, Chief Justice, and an avid hockey player who is also the Vice President of International Hockey federation is kept and exhibited.
Perak Royal Museum
This used to be a royal palace. The museum is closed for renovation and the building cannot be accessed. It is still worth to look at the house from outside though.
The Sultan's Palace, Istana Iskandariah is another legacy of British architect serving in the then Malaya. It is a massive marble structure with a series of towers, topped by golden onion domes set among trees and rolling lawns.
One of the premier schools in Malaysia. It is now a full boarding school. It was founded by 4 sultans from the Negeri-negeri Melayu Bersekutu in 1905, as result of their desire to spearhead the future of Malays. They were Sultan Idris (Perak), Sultan Sulaiman (Selangor), Sultan Ahmad (Pahang) dan Yang Dipertuan Besar Mohd Shah (Negeri Sembilan). During the Japanese Occupation in World War II, the school was turned into administration offices and a hospital for the Japanese Imperial Army, who interrogated and subsequently beheaded anyone found to be a traitor. A school once again in the 1950s, it attracted a celebrated crowd - Anthony Burgess taught here. Many buildings date back to as far as 1909, such as the attractive red-roofed Big School. Another prominent feature is said to be the Big Tree, a raintree in front of the East Wing which is considered to be as old as the school itself. Known as Eton of the East, it has produced a good number of Malay leaders and politicians.
Jambatan Sultan Abdul Jalil Shah
Connects the town of Kuala Kangsar to Sayong where village craftsmen produce the Labu Sayong.
Right in the middle of the town, which serves as the round-about for traffic management.
Traditional water pitcher (containers) for storing drinking water are a cottage industry in Kampong Sayong. Interestingly, these water containers provide natural referigeration and the water stored are cold when kept overnight in the container. See how they are made by driving to the village.
A historical and interesting place to visit in this small Royal town. Not many railway stations this old exist in Malaysia these days. The station lies between Pandang Rengas and Sungai Siput.
The first rubber tree was planted in 1877 near the Kuala Kangsar District Office. There were nine trees planted and this was the only one which survived. The rubber seeds were brought from Kew Garden in London to Singapore, then over to the mainland to Kuala Kangsar by H.N. Ridley. He was the man responsible for turning Kuala Kangsar into the first rubber industry district in Malaysia. Soon rubber became an important source of income for the country.
Have a family picnic at this waterfall which is in the Ulu Kenas Forest Reserve. Facilities available are basic, and only on weekends the stalls selling food items and snacks are opened. Bring your own food to enjoy your jungle waterfall picnic.
Medan Selera Sungai Perak
Plenty of stalls and restaurants can be found right next to the jetty.
Take a ferry ride across Perak River in the passenger ferry boats plying very frequently between the town and Kampong Sayong Tebing. You get a 10-minute ride on the ferry to experience the local lifestyle. It's worth it!
Huge room with a/c, bathroom and hot water.
Good Indian restaurant.
--Possibly closed down. No information online about this place-- The first sports cafe in town. The cafe provided 3 table of British pool to play while enjoying light beverages and ice-cream.Located at Bandar Baru Fasa 2 which is beside the Bus Terminal and Taxi Terminal. Ample car park in open space with the neighbourhood of banking such as Maybank, Agro Bank, CIMB and Bank Simpanan Nasional.
Opened around 2015. All room décors can be bought at the reception. Spotless, although a little small rooms with aircon and TV. No breakfast. Free WiFi.
Offers decent accommodation at reasonable rates.
This is a princely hotel along the Sungai Perak River and has a restaurant that serves breakfast.
By bus
There are numerous intercity buses running to Kuala Kangsar. There are very frequent local bus connections between Ipoh and Kuala Kangsar.
By car
The main gateway to the town is via the North-South Expressway from Kuala Lumpur to the Thai border. From Kuala Lumpur, head northwards towards Ipoh.
By train
Keretapi Tanah Melayu operates daily services from Kuala Lumpur and Penang (Butterworth).
Walking to the various attractions is recommended for those who are fit, but driving around enables the visitor to explore the outskirts.
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