Kuala Kangsar

It was here that the first rubber tree was planted in the then Malaya, by the English botanist Henry Nicholas Ridley. This rubber tree still stands in the compound of the Kuala Kangsar City Hall (Majlis Perbandaran Kuala Kangsar).

By bus

There are numerous intercity buses running to Kuala Kangsar. There are very frequent local bus connections between Ipoh and Kuala Kangsar. From Ipoh's main local bus station (south of the railway station), just hop on the local bus and pay later.

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. Kuala Kangsar is approximately 30 km to the north of Ipoh. The old Federal Route One is an alternative for those who want a leisurely drive to Kuala Kangsar.

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.

• Ubudiah MosqueThe 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.

• Sultan Azlan Shah Gallery

  phone: +60 57775362
  address: galeri Sultan Azlan Shah, Bukit Chandan, 33000
  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.

• Istana Kenangan

  phone: +60 5776 5500
  address: Istana Lama Bukit Chandan
  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.

• Istana IskandariahThe 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.

• Malay College Kuala KangsarOne 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.

• Sultan Abdul Jalil Shah BridgeConnects the town of Kuala Kangsar to Sayong where village craftsmen produce the Labu Sayong.

• Kuala Kangsar Clock TowerRight in the middle of the town, which serves as the round-about for traffic management.

• Labu SayongTraditional 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.

• Kuala Kangsar Railway StationA 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.

• Oldest rubber tree in MalaysiaThe 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.

• Ulu Kenas WaterfallHave 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.

• Try the local speciality: LaksaPlenty of stalls and restaurants can be found right next to the jetty.

• Ferry rideTake 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!

• A variety of souvenirs from Labu Sayong, handicrafts, mengkuang mats, keris, traditional fish traps, parangs (long knives) and foodstuffs at and around Jalan Tebing, Kuala Kangsar.

Specialties of Kuala Kangsar

• Laksa while available in many parts of Malaysia, with slight variations, one unique feature of the Kuala Kangsar Laksa is the Laksa (the vermicelli, or "meehoon") itself. Almost all the Laksa vendors here serve their "laksa vermicelli" freshly made. Thus, the texture is more savouring compared to the dried vermicelli which are first soaked prior to being served.
• Masak Lemak Ikan Patin a delicious Malay dish, served with rice. The Ikan Patin ( a river fish of the cat fish family) is cooked in coconut milk with herbs, spices and condimums with the formidable "cili api" (Thai pepper). Small eateries along the Tebing of the town serves this dish. Find the jetty for the passenger boat to Sayong and these eateries can never be missed.

Restaurants

• JannahGood Indian restaurant.

Cendol Kuala Kangsar, which in the local dialect is pronounced as "cendoi."

• The Cuesport CafePossibly 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.

• The Shop

  phone: +60 5 777 3288
  address: 1, Jalan Seri Delima 2
  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.

• FJ Riverside Inn

  phone: +60 12 2150525, +60 12 2237361
  Operates self-catering accommodation facilities in Kampong Kledang, Kota Lama Kiri. Each of their bungalows (sleeps up to 8 people) are furnished with gas oven, refrigerator and air-conditioned.Bookings in advance is recommended as Kuala Kangsar is lacking in travel accommodation especially during weekends.

• MRO Homestay

  phone: +60 143449100
  address: 226 Tmn Kuala Kangsar
  Huge room with a/c, bathroom and hot water.

• Resort Safari Sungai Perak

  phone: +60 5 777 2020
  address: Jalan Daeng Selili
  Offers decent accommodation at reasonable rates.

• Rumah Rehat Kuala Kangsar (Rest House)

  phone: +60 5 776 4262
  address: Bukit Chandan
  Pleasant position just not far off from Istana Iskandariah and Masjid Ubudiah. Huge rooms with a/c, bathroom and hot water. Some rooms offer a magnificent view of the river. Friendly and helpful staff.

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