Our family finally visited Taiping this year after planning for some time. Here is our Taiping trip review which we would like to share with you.
Taiping, Perak or Rain Town is a great place for a short vacation that is not too far from Kuala Lumpur. Taiping means everlasting peace in Chinese. It is a small town in Perak which happens to be one of the wettest places in Malaysia.
There are many interesting places to visit in Taiping for adults and kids alike. Read more about our adventures in Taiping below.
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What We Love About Taiping
- Small town feel
Taiping is a small town with a slower pace of life. We enjoyed taking a break from our busy bustling city life to relax.
- Hidden local gem
Many tourists often visit the more popular Ipoh or Cameron Highlands. If you have time, you can plan a Taiping 1 day trip from Ipoh or if you are on-route up North to Penang or travelling down south to KL.
- Town of many firsts in Malaysia
Many buildings in Taiping are the first in Malaysia including the Perak Museum which was the first museum that was built in Malaysia and the old Taiping railway station building which is the first railway station in Malaysia.
- Taiping Street Art
We enjoyed spotting and taking photographs of the many street art around Taiping town. We saw quite a few street art including Taiping Golf Course Mural, HMS Pluto Mural and Steam Train Mural.
- Ruins of Taiping
Don’t miss the ruins of Taiping if you are into the local architecture. Some of the old buildings that you can check out include the old court house, the abandoned Malayan Railways Office and old townhouses.
Children Friendly Activities To Do in Taiping
Taiping Lake Gardens
Opened in 1880, Taiping Lake Gardens is the first public garden in Malaysia. Built on an abandoned tin mine, there are now beautiful and scenic lakes, ponds and greenery all over the park.
One of the main reasons why we visited Taiping was to visit the Taiping Lake Gardens which we found to be one of the most beautiful Lake Gardens in Malaysia. We visited this place twice on our recent holiday to Taiping. You can go boating in the lake and kids can explore the playground with giant slides.
Our favourite section was the Raintree walk where you can cycle, jog or walk under century old rain trees which are well-preserved by the local council.
Address: Jalan Pekeliling, Taman Tasik Taiping, 34000 Taiping, Perak.
Opening Hours: 8am – 10pm
Entrance: Free admission
Taiping Zoo & Night Safari
Get to see wildlife at Taiping Zoo & Night Safari, which is the oldest zoo in Malaysia. With more than 1,200 animals from over 140 species, you get to see lions, tigers, giraffes, orangutans and many more.
There are feeding sessions, animal shows, guided train tours and educational programs to enjoy. Little E was excited to spot the different animals as we rode around the zoo in the train.
At the Night Safari, visitors get to be up close to the nocturnal animals in their natural setting.
Address: Jalan Pekeliling, Taman Tasik Taiping, 34000 Taiping, Perak
Opening Hours:
- Taiping Zoo: 8:30am – 6pm
- Night Safari: 8pm – 11pm
Zoo Taiping Entrance Fee:
- Adult: RM16
- Child (3 to 12 years old)/ Senior Citizen (60 and above): RM8
Night Safari Entrance Fee:
- Adult: RM20
- Child (3 to 12 years old)/ Senior Citizen (60 and above): RM10
Antong Coffee Mill
A place for visitors to understand about the process of roasting coffee beans and powder. They still use the old-fashioned way to roast coffee beans and grind them into coffee powder. Try the rich coffee soft serve ice-cream here.
You can also visit Dr. Sun Yat Sen’s old Taiping residence during his time in Malaya next to Antong Coffee Mill.
Address: 8A, Jalan Asam Kumbang, Kampung Asam Kumbang, 34000 Taiping, Perak
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 5:30pm
Entrance: Free admission
Perak Museum, Taiping
Perak Museum, Taiping is the first and oldest museum in Malaysia. The building is constructed in several phases, you can see the different architectural styles in the museum.The museum is divided into four main categories, including natural history, cultural and aboriginal and pottery.
Something interesting for boys which Little E enjoyed was the display of old antique cars, boats, a fighter plane, and trains in the Museum’s compound which visitors can enjoy for free.
Address: Jalan Taming Sari, 34000 Taiping, Perak
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm
Entrance:
- Adult Malaysian Citizen: RM2
- Senior Citizen & OKU: RM1
- Child Malaysian Citizen below 12 years old: Free
- Adult Non-Malaysian Citizen: RM5
- Child Non-Malaysian Citizen 6 to 12 years old: RM2
- Child Non-Malaysian Citizen below 6 years old: Free
Maxwell Hill (Bukit Larut)
Maxwell Hill is popular with hikers, trekkers and bird-watchers. It is a great place for natural lovers to enjoy the scenery, local wildlife and exotic plants.
Address: Hutan Lipur Kaki Bukit Larut, 34000 Taiping, Perak
Opening Hours: 7am – 8pm
Entrance: Free admission
Parking: Free
Old Taiping Railway Station
Being the oldest railway station in Malaysia, it has witnessed the transformation of transportation in Taiping. Visit this railway station and admire the beauty of the architecture.
Address: Jalan Stesen, 34000 Taiping, Perak
Entrance: Free admission
All Saints’ Church, Taiping
The first church in the Federated Malay States. This Anglican church has a unique design built using meranti panels with hardwood frames and the stained glass window that adds a touch of charm to the building.
Address: Jalan Taming Sari, Taman Tasik Taiping, 34000 Taiping, Perak
Opening Hours: 8am – 5pm
Entrance: Free admission
Burmese Pool
The Burmese pool is two large rock pools with a few smaller pools that transcend into a waterfall. The cooling water is shallow and suitable for families with children to relax and enjoy. There is a picnic spot where you enjoy some food in nature with your family. Be careful when stepping on the rocks and paths as it could be slippery and muddy.
Address: 153, Jalan 2, Taman Sentosa, 34000 Taiping, Perak
Opening Hours: 8am – 5pm
Entrance: Free admission
Parking: RM2
Wonder Farm Mushroom
It is all about the different types of mushrooms at Wonder Farm Mushroom. You can join the tour to understand the process of growing mushrooms and enjoy their complimentary black fungus / mushroom juice. Visit their store to purchase their commercial mushroom products including mushroom pao. It will be an educational trip for the kids.
Address: Lot 1626, Lorong 1, Kampung Setia, 34700 Matang, Perak
Opening Hours: 9am-12pm, 1.55pm to 4:30pm on Tuesday to Sunday. Closed on Monday.
Entrance: RM3 Per person
Telegraph Museum, Taiping
Get to know about the history of telegraph in the first telegraph museum in Malaysia.
Address: 2664, Jalan Stesen, 34000 Taiping, Perak
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm
Entrance Fee:
- Adult: RM4
- Child (4 to 12 years old) and Senior Citizen (above 60 years old): RM2
Taiping Clock Tower
Taiping Clock Tower or The Fort served as Taiping’s police station and fire station in the past.
A must visit if you are into Taiping’s architecture and local history. Don’t miss the red phone booth outside the tower for a photo opt.
Address: Jalan Kota, 34000 Taiping, Perak
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Entrance: Free admission
Taiping Heritage Trail
Explore the Taiping Heritage Trail to understand more about the history and culture of Taiping. With 40 locations, you will see various points of interest in Taiping by foot.
Spritzer EcoPark
A community project by Spritzer, where families can bond together at this ecopark. Check out the signature hole golf and 18-hole mini golf course and Cactus Rock with your kids. Children can be creative at the Kidz Zone with DIY Recycle Material projects. A tour of the at the mineral water bottling plant is available if you prebook and come in a group of 10 people or more.
Address: Lot 898, Reservoir, Off, Jalan Air Kuning, 34000 Taiping, Perak
Opening Hours: 10am – 9pm
Entrance: Free
How To Get To Taiping
- By Car
Most people opt to drive from KL to Taiping. The distance is about 265 km and takes about 3 hours to reach. If you are driving from KLIA, the distance is about 309.6km and takes 3.5 hours.
- By Taxi or Grabcar
Taxi or Grabcar is another option if you prefer not to self-drive to Taiping. Grab service is available in Taiping town.
- By Bus
Taking a bus from KL from TBS or Duta Bus Station is the cheapest option to get to Taiping which takes about 5 and a half hours. In Taiping, you can alight at The Kamunting Raya Bus Terminal, Taiping Bus Station or the Medan Simpang Taiping Bus Terminal.
- By Train
You can either opt for Electric Train Service (ETS) or the KTM Intercity diesel trains if you want to visit Taiping by public train. Both trains can be taken from KL and Ipoh.
Best Time To Visit Taiping
- Best time of the year to visit
The best time to visit will be around March to early October. Being the wettest town in Malaysia, June (the driest month) will be a perfect time to visit Taiping.
- Avoid the drought and rainy season
Expect high rainfall in Taiping from March to May and September to December.
Items To Pack When Visiting Taiping
- Hat or cap – Although Taiping is the wettest town in Malaysia, there are times where it will be sunny. Pack your hat to prevent hot weather.
- Small umbrella or raincoat – A foldable umbrella is easier to bring along during the trip and comes in handy when it rains.
- Walking shoes, sandals, airy / quick dry t-shirts that are comfortable
- Bug repellent to keep the insects away.
Taiping Accommodation Guide (Where To Stay in Taiping)
- Novotel taiping Hotel (Best 4 Star Hotel in Taiping)
Conveniently located beside Taiping mall. Our family stayed here and we had a lovely view of the Lake Gardens and Maxwell Hill from our hotel room.
- Flemington hotel (3.5 Star Hotel in Taiping)
This newly renovated Hotel is within walking distance to the Taiping Lake Gardens with a rooftop infinity swimming pool.
- Hotel Grand Baron, Taiping
This hotel in Taiping is nearby Maxwell Hill and Taiping Zoo offering comfortable stay with convenient hotel facilities for guests.
- Pearl Inn Taiping (Budget Hotel Accomodation in Taiping)
Taiping Local Food Guide (Where To Eat in Taiping)
Larut Matang Hawker Center / Food Court
Larut Matang Hawker Center has more than 100 stalls (with a halal and non-halal section) and is one of the popular covered open air food courts in Taiping. The popular food here includes the special local char kuey teow, fish ball noodles, mee rebus, ais kacang, oyster omelette, nyonya kueh and popiah.
Operating Hours: 5am – 9pm
Address: Jalan Panggung Wayang, 34000 Taiping, Perak
Restoran Kakak
Restoran Kakak is a Chinese restaurant famous for their chicken kway teow soup. The smooth kway teow served with soup, shredded chicken and fried shallot definitely satisfies your taste bud.
Don’t miss out on their Kakak Peng drink which is a mixture of barley and local milk coffee. It is definitely unique where the taste of barley adds some sweetness into the drink.
Operating Hours: 5:30am – 1pm (Closed on Monday)
Address: 111, Jalan Pasar, 34000 Taiping, Perak
Peace Hotel & Restaurant
There are several non-halal stalls at the peace hotel & restaurant, popular for their fried kway teow, lorbak and rojak. Be there early as it gets packed during lunch hour.
Operating Hours:
- 12pm – 8pm (Thursday – Tuesday)
- 9:30am – 8pm (Wednesday)
Address: 32, Jalan Iskandar, 34000 Taiping, Perak
Bismillah Cendol
You definitely want to get a bowl of cold cendol in this hot weather in Malaysia. Bismillah Cendol has different types of cendol including cendol biasa, cendol kacang, cendol pulut, and cendol kacang.
Operating Hours:
- 2:30pm – 6pm (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday)
- 11am – 6pm (Saturday & Sunday)
- Closed on Tuesday & Friday
Address: 233, Jalan Barrack, 34000 Taiping, Perak
Yut Sun Restaurant
Indulge yourself with Hainanese food at Yut Sun Restaurant including their Hainanese Chicken Chop and Hainanese Fried Noodles.
If you want something special, try out their Roti Sayur which is stir-fried vegetables served on a thick piece of toast with some gravy and fried egg on top. Another one will be Roti Babi which has minced pork and vegetable filling on top of the french toast.
Operating Hours: 8am – 5pm (Closed on Tuesday)
Address: 78-80, Jalan Pasar, 34000 Taiping, Perak
P.S.L. Goreng Pisang
If you are looking for a tea time treat, try out P.S.L. Goreng Pisang which is popular in Taiping for their goreng pisang, and other snacks including fried cempedak and nian gao with sweet potato.
Operating Hours: 12pm – 7pm
Address: 85, Jalan Pasar, 34000 Taiping, Perak
Unique Local Food And Drinks in Taiping
- Hor Kar Sai
Hor Kar Sai is Hokkien, which means tiger bites lion in English. It is a type of Nanyang coffee which uses coffee with condensed milk and blends it with Milo. You can enjoy this drink at the many local cafes and kopitiams in town.
- Nasi Kandar
Nasi kandar is of Indian Muslim origins and refers to a serving of rice with different curries, gravies and side dishes. You can pick and choose your favourite meat and vegetables to go with your rice. Have your share of this popular local food at Nasi Kandar Beratur 789 at Taiping.
What To Buy In Taiping (Souvenirs)
- Local coffee
Antong coffee is something you can buy home for yourself or a souvenir for coffee lovers friends. They have over 20 coffee products for you to choose from.
- Local biscuits from Khim Heong Biscuit Factory
Local handmade biscuits including Heong Peang and Beh Teh Saw baked using coconut husks, from Khim Heong Biscuit Factory are native products in Taiping. They are enjoyed by locals and tourists and have been operating for many years.
Is It Worth Going To Taiping?
Yes, Taiping is worth going to if you are looking for a serene place to escape the bustling city life for a few days. There are plenty of places to explore in Taiping for tourists who are into local architecture, history, culture, food, and nature.
My family and I enjoyed our short 3 day and 2 night vacation in Taiping and left feeling recharged after the trip. We hope that you are able to visit Taiping with your family soon.