The Royal Town Of Kuala Kangsar

Masjid Ubudiah

Take A Trip Back in Time At Kuala Kangsar

A historical beacon filled with quaint landmarks, the 150-year old town of Kuala Kangsar is an intriguing mixture of heritage, culture and old world charm. Just 30 minutes away from Ipoh, the state’s oldest district is also the royal town of Perak where Istana Iskandariah, the Sultan’s palace resides.

Perak Royal Museum

History buffs can begin their heritage trail by taking a nostalgic walk up Bukit Chandan. Breathe in the clean fresh air and enjoy the scenic views of Sungai Perak while exploring historical buildings such as the Malay College and Clifford School (both over 100 years old), the breathtaking Masjid Ubudiah, the royal palace Istana Iskandariah and the picturesque Galeri Sultan Azlan Shah. Also not to be missed is the oldest rubber tree in Jalan Raja Chulan, which is also one of the two oldest rubber trees in Malaysia. It originated from nine seedlings brought from Brazil by an English botanist in 1877 and is still thriving.

Iskandariah Palace

Beyond its rich historical legacy, Kuala Kangsar also showcases the finest crafts in the form of Labu Sayong(gourd-shaped pottery). Take a short boat ride to Kampung Sayong and immerse yourselves in the traditional art of making labu sayong that keeps water cool even in hot weather. Those interested in traditional weaponry making should pay a visit to the keris and parang maker at Bukit Chandan. The friendly and skilful artisans of Kuala Kangsar will be all too happy to share the art behind their craft with visitors.

Labu Sayong

For the hungry traveller, Kuala Kangsar offers a gamut of delicious local cuisines. Get a taste of Kuala Kangsar’s famous laksa (spicy noodle soup) and cendol (sweet dessert broth) at Medan Selera Sungai Perakby the riverside. The laksa, which has great texture, is made of special flour and is accompanied by the delicious watery fish and shrimp gravy. For a dose of Hainanese goodness, try the pau (steamed Chinese bun with a choice of beef, chicken and kaya fillings) at Yat Lai Restaurant at Jalan Kangsar. Word has it that these paus are served to the Perak royal family, so if it’s good for the royals, it should be good for you, too.

Sungai Perak

So, whatever your interest may be, Kuala Kangsar effortlessly mesmerises; casting a spell of history and unadulterated charm to all that graces its path.

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Royal Belum State Park

The Green Heritage and Aborigines of Royal Belum State Park

Older than the Amazon forest, the previously inaccessible 130-million year old Royal Belum rainforest is a literal playground for some of the most exotic wildlife in the world. The 117,500 hectares of land was given the Royal status on 31 July 2003 when it came under the protection of the Perak royal family.

Rich in biodiversity, 3 out of the 20 known species of the Rafflesia flower can be found in Royal Belum. And all the 10 species of hornbills in Malaysia also reside there.

It is one of the remaining places where you can view the animals roaming freely in their natural habitat. Avid nature lovers can get their fill of wildlife sightings from the observation shelters known as bumbun stationed near the salt licks located on the north and south part of Sungai Papan.

The estimated 60 salt lick locations in Royal Belum are natural salt deposits which animals regularly lick to get their much-needed mineral sustenance. Many wildlife species including elephants, the Sambar Deer, mouse deer, tapirs, wild boars, the Sumatran Rhino, seladang, bears and tigers visit the salt licks after dark.

Your Royal Belum experience would not be complete without a stopover at the Orang Asli (aborigines) village. The gummy smiles of the Jahai people of the Negrito tribe and their ancient song of welcome done to the rhythmic beats of bamboo shoots (Sewang) will warm your heart. You can also try your hand at popping balloons with the blowpipe. For the Orang Asli, the blowpipe is the single most essential tool for hunting and self-defence.

Take a tour around the village that comprises of thatched huts, some vegetation like banana trees and very little else. Cute little girls clad in colourful sarongs peeped at visitors shyly from afar. On sale are lovely handmade products like bangles and wooden combs. Rafting is also one of water sports that you can indulge in during your stay at Royal Belum. The aborigines made it look so easy, gliding gracefully over the lake waters on their main mode of transportation surrounded by the lush verdant rainforest that is Royal Belum.

Mohhh kite!!

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Matang Mangrove Forest

Jomm Kiteee Yeopp!

Gazetted as a Permanent Forest Reserve in 1906, the Matang Mangrove Forest spreads over 40,000 hectares and is the largest mangrove forest reserve in Peninsular Malaysia. It is also recognised internationally as the best managed sustainable mangrove ecosystems in the world.

Matang is teemed the rich and diverse wildlife and habitats that live in the mangrove and mudflats. About 80% of the reserve is made up of sustainable-yield production forest, consisting mainly of the Bakau Minyak andBakau Kurap species.

It is the perfect place for anyone wanting to beef up on their knowledge of nature, with boardwalks leading you into the mangrove swamps for close observation on the forest structure and get up close and personal with the wildlife, such as the Long-tailed Macques and the many migratory birds that stop by. There are also scheduled boat rides down the river at night to see the fireflies.

Things to do:

Nature Guides and Tours: The Perak Forestry Department offers guided tours for visitors interested in an ecological tour or birdwatching session.

Charcoal Production Tour: Large baking kilns are set up in the reserve where freshly cut trees are turned into charcoal. The fires burn for up to 20 days with a temperature that reaches a scorching 220ºC to transform the green mangrove trees into charcoals. The charcoals are then left to be cooled down for 8 days.

Steam Room (Wap kayu): With the plentiful charcoal sources available, operators offer healthy steam baths rooms that use charcoal to heat the water and make steam, which naturally cleanses one’s skin.

Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary: Not far from the reserve is a large wetland swamp, where local and migratory birds make a pit stop. Species spotted at the sanctuary include the endangered Milky Stork, Egrets, Herons, Kingfishers, Bee-Eaters, Woodpeckers and more.

Fireflies River Tour: Hop on a chartered boat after the sun sets to see the abundant fireflies that flock the reserve.

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I Love Perak!

What is in Perak

Durian

The king of all Malaysian fruits, durian, is well known for its odour (which is hard to describe). Where, it may not be a pleasant smell to Westerners, but the taste is creamy and luscious.

The durian is a tall tree towering as high as 40m in the jungle rainforest or in semi-orchard. Seed trees may take 8-10 years to fruit. A grafted durian tree grows to 15 - 20m tall. The fruit is green to yellowish brown in colour, pendulous, round to oblong in shape almost roughly like a foot ball and is completely covered with strong sharp thorns which is usually opened by a large knife or a machete.

This fruit which can be split into five parts when ripe where each segment contains brown seeds covered with thick, custard like yellow pulp where you can eat it plain, mixed with rice or coconut cream and even made into ice cream.

Laksa Kuala

Laksa is the quintessential coffee shop dish. You walk into a typical coffee shop, approach the lady whose stall bears the word laksa, and ask for "laksa big" or "laksa special."

What transpires next is a minor miracle of culinary simplicity. The laksa stall comprises two enormous metal vats, one containing boiling water for cooking the noodles, and one containing gallons of bubbling laksa. The noodles are dunked in the boiling water for a few seconds, along with a handful of large, fresh beansprouts. They are then retrieved and placed in a large soup bowl, into which about half a pint of laksa gravy is poured.

Subtle fragrances of candle nut, lemon grass, sour tamarind and garlic blend together with a sharply flavoured curry-like spice mix and lashings of santan to form a liquid that seems to posses a hundred different flavours simultaneously. The taste – delightfully hot.

Petai

Parkia speciosa or better known as Petai, is a flat edible beans with bright green seeds the size and shape of plump almonds which have a rather peculiar smell.

Petai tree is a native of the Malay Peninsula, growing wild in lowland forests, often cultivated in Malay kampungs. The pods taste like garlic and leaves a very strong odour in your breath. The immature seeds young leaves and fresh parts of the flower stalks can be eaten raw. Half-ripe pods are pickled in salt. Petai are commonly cook with tumis sambal or eaten raw with belacan. Old folks believe Petai is said to be good for health, these beans contain natural sugars and fibers, which gives you almost instant energy and brainpower.

According to medical research, these beans can also prevent certain ailments and sickness like Depression, Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), Blood Pressure, constipation and even smoking.

Rendang Tok
Rendang is a dish which originated from the Minangkabau people of Indonesia. It is one of the characteristic foods of the Minangkabau culture, and it is served at ceremonial occasions and to honor guests. Being also popular in Malaysia, rendang is traditionally prepared by the Malay community during festive occasions.

The delicious rendang tok in Perak is sometimes described as being like a curry, and the name is sometimes applied to curried meat dishes in Malaysia, authentic rending however is nothing like a curry and doesn't contain curry powder.

Rendang is made from beef or occasionally chicken, mutton, water buffalo meat or vegetables like jackfruit or cassava, slowly cooked in coconut milk and spices for several hours until almost all the liquid is gone, leaving the meat coated in the spicy condiments. It is commonly eaten with rice.

Rojak Tanjung

Rojak means a mixture of many different things. It is the same as the salad you can find in Western countries. This dish has been very much appreciated by Malaysian. There are many types of rojak as well just like Rojak Tanjung in Perak; Malay rojak, Indian rojak, Penang Rojak, Fruits rojak, Rojak with cuttlefish and others.

In Malay rojak, ingredients used are yau cha kway, pieces of turnip, cucumber and pineapples are mixed with sweet gravy with peanuts. Chicken meat and chili could be added in as well. Likewise there are many different style in preparing rojak, depending on the cultural background in a particular state.

Rojak could be easily found in hawker centers and food courts. The price is reasonable. Therefore, it is a great value for your money.

Ais Kacang

The King of Desserts! Also known as ABC (Air Batu Campur), this mountain of delight is the best solution to a hot day or after a spicy meal. This famous dessert can be found at Medan Selera Stadium Perak or any hawker centres in Ipoh. Ais kacang if literally translated means iced beans but it contains more than that. It is a concoction of shaved ice, sweet corn, red beans, cendol, jelly and sago topped with evaporated milk and rose syrup. Ice cream and fruits like banana and raisins are alternative choices of toppings.

This dessert is so fulfilling and so easy to eat, there are no rules on where to dip your spoon in first, but beware of "brainfreez" if you decide to take it in all at one go! . It is a dessert that never fails to quench your thirst and also fill the tummy with all the juicy items thrown in altogether. One word sums it up - SATISFACTION!

via : peraktourism

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