Landmarks in
Kuala Kangsar, Perak
Victoria Bridge:
Kuala Kangsar
Within the small town of Karai lies a hidden gem from the British colonial
period. Built in 1900 during the tin mining boom, Victoria Bridge stands as one
of Malaysia’s oldest railway bridges and a lasting piece of colonial
engineering.
Named after Queen Victoria, it once linked tin-rich areas like Enggor and Batu Gajah to the rest of the Federated Malay States. Constructed of steel trusses and brick piers, the bridge reflected the industrial design of its era and played a vital role in expanding Perak’s railway network.
From the parking area, the bridge immediately commands attention (ATTRACTIONS IN GEORGE TOWN PENANG). Elevated high above the Perak River, it reveals itself as an ancient railway track now turned pedestrian walkway. Walking along, one must watch the gaps between planks while motorbikes occasionally pass by.
The bridge connects Karai on one end to Enggor on the other. There is little to see beyond—but much to admire in its colonial engineering and surrounding calm.Though train services stopped in 2002, Victoria Bridge remains an enduring reminder of Kuala Kangsar’s past, representing the town’s link to Malaysia’s railway and industrial heritage.
Oldest Rubber
Tree in Malaysia: Kuala Kangsar
Standing with quiet pride in Kuala Kangsar, and withstanding heavy rain and
scorching sun, is the oldest rubber tree in Malaysia. Located along Jalan Raja,
near the District Office in Kuala Kangsar, it was planted in 1877 during the
British colonial period from seedlings brought by Henry Nicholas Ridley and
Hugh Low from Kew Gardens, London.
It is just a
single tree, yet one that holds immense historical value for those interested
in Malaysia’s rubber industry, which later became one of the nation’s most
important exports. One of nine seedlings originally planted in the area, it is
a living link to the colonial agricultural history that shaped Malaysia’s
economy.
There isn’t much to see apart from the fenced-off tree and the small sign explaining its background, but it stands as a heritage landmark. A reminder of Malaysia’s early development. Worth a five-minute stop to observe this relic that has survived more than a century.
Ipoh, Perak
About 45
minutes from Kuala Kangsar is Ipoh, a city surrounded by limestone hills that
come into view as the drive gets closer. The route itself reflects why Ipoh is
known for its hilly landscape. Traffic is mostly manageable, except during peak
hours on certain roads.
Located in the Kinta Valley, Ipoh grew rapidly during the tin mining boom in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when many Chinese immigrants settled in the area to work in and manage the tin mines. Its hill areas and heritage sites reflect the city’s colonial past and its role in Perak’s early economic development.
Within the hills and cave areas, a few Chinese temples were established around the same time, built by the communities who settled in Ipoh during the tin mining boom.
Temples in
Ipoh, Perak
Sam Poh Tong
Temple: Ipoh
Stepping into Sam Poh Tong Temple brings a sense of calm and quiet reflection.
Founded in the 1890s by Buddhist monks who settled in the limestone caves of
the region, it is one of the oldest and most well-known Chinese cave temples in
Ipoh, located along Jalan Tokong, near the Gunung Rapat area.
Built literally inside a limestone cave, the temple includes prayer halls and shrines where incense can be lit or a silent moment observed. At the back, an open courtyard sits against the backdrop of Ipoh’s hills, featuring a pond with turtles and a fountain.
Sam Poh Tong is not only a place of worship but also part of the cultural heritage of Chinese immigrants who settled in the Kinta Valley during the tin mining boom. Its location within the hills ties it directly to Ipoh’s historical landscape, where caves provided shelter and space for early settlers to establish religious sites. The naturally cool environment inside the cave adds to the temple’s serene comfort.
Ling Sen Tong
Temple: Ipoh
Within a 10-minute walk from Sam Poh Tong Temple is Ling Sen Tong Temple. What
immediately lures attention are the colorful statues outside, depicting various
deities, mythical creatures, and scenes from Chinese folklore. They are
beautiful and do bring a smile to the face.
Inside Ling Sen
Tong Temple, there are prayer halls and altars dedicated to Chinese deities,
with incense burners and offerings arranged for worship. The interior walls
feature paintings and carvings depicting traditional Chinese folklore and
religious scenes.
This Chinese temple is another example of the early Chinese settlers in the Kinta Valley during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, who established it as a place of worship.
Around a 20-minute drive from Sam Poh Tong and Ling Sen Tong Temples is Perak Cave Temple. Though not to compare with other temples in Ipoh, Perak Cave Temple is a masterpiece of creativity, with murals and carvings depicting Buddhist teachings that make the interior simply meaningful.
The temple
includes multiple prayer halls, Buddha statues, and altars, as well as a
spacious main cave chamber with high ceilings and natural rock formations. Built
in the early 20th century by Chinese settlers during the tin mining boom, Perak
Cave Temple is one of the largest and most prominent cave temples in Ipoh. The
surroundings, deities, and the gong all contribute to a sense of spirituality.
Not to be missed, though truly challenging, is taking the steps upward to reach the hilltop. Pin-drop silence during off-peak seasons and the view of Ipoh, Kinta Valley, and the surrounding limestone hills is stunning.
Kallumalai
Arulmigu Subramaniyar Temple (Kallumalai Sri Subramaniyar Temple): Ipoh
About a 20-minute drive from Perak Cave Temple, located on Jalan
Raja Musa Aziz, is the Kallumalai Arulmigu Subramaniyar Temple, also known in
English as Kallumalai Sri Subramaniyar Temple or Kallumalai Murugan Temple.
Kallumalai Arulmigu Subramaniyar Temple traces its origins to a cave temple at Gunung Cheroh, built in 1889 by the local Indian-Tamil community. It was relocated to its current site around 1930 and reconstructed with a grand seven-tiered gopuram adorned with over 500 colourful figurines.
Paying homage
to Lord Murugan, Kallumalai Murugan Temple hosts important festivals such as
Thaipusam and chariot-procession kavadi rituals. Its history reflects the
growth and cultural establishment of early Indian immigrants in the Kinta
Valley during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Inside, the temple features a spacious hall with intricately designed pillars leading to the main shrine, where Lord Murugan is enshrined.