Taiping Heritage Trail
Taiping Heritage Trail consists of 40 site destinations, including [1] Taiping Zoo, [3] Raintree Walk, [6] Jubilee Jetty Perak, [11] Clock Tower, [12] Peace Hotel, [13] Peking Hotel, [15] Kota Mosque, [18] Hokkien Association, [20] Sikh Gurdwara, [21] Railway Station, [22] St George School, [27] Post Office, [32] The New Club, [34] All Saints’ Church, [35] Perak Museum and many others.
TRR SPIN RUN 2024 TAIPING
Taiping Road Runner
[ 1 ] Taiping Zoo & Night Safari
The Taiping Zoo, formerly known as “Taman Mergastua” is a beautifully designed Zoological Park. Constructed by the Taiping Town Council in 1961, the zoo was inaugurated by MYMM Sultan Idris Shah II.
A major breakthrough for the zoo was the introduction of the Night Safari, Malaysia’s first nocturnal park in June 2003 which was inaugurated by MYMM Sultan Azlan Shah Muhibbuddin Shah. It is Malaysia’s first zoo that allows visitors to observe nocturnal animals in their natural habitat.
“The Open Concept” that is practiced by the zoo offers visitors the opportunity to experience and be inspired by the beauty and wonders of nature. Read more…
[ 21 ] Taiping Railway Station
The first modern railway line in Malay Peninsula was introduced in Taiping. The original site for the railway station was at King Edward VII (I) primary school which was the first railway station in Malay States and started its operation on 1st June 1885. In 1910, the railway station was relocated and the tracks were extended to the north. The original railway station was built by the Federated Malay States Railway (FMSR).
[ 15 ] Masjid Melayu
The Masjid Melayu, literally translated as Malay Mosque, is located in the heart of Taiping town. The mosque was built in 1897 and is the oldest mosque in Taiping. The mosque was constructed in Dutch-English architectural style.
It was also a ‘madrasah’ (Islamic school) for the muslim community to enhance their knowledge and practices of islam. In the burial ground, lies prominent leaders of Taiping’s pioneers; among them; Toh Puan Halimah, Tengku Menteri Wan Mohd Isa and Dr. Burhanuddin Helmi. The late Allahyarhamah Toh Puan Halimah was the first to be laid to rest here in 1899.
[16] Kuil Amman
Kuil Amman, also known as “Arulmigu Nagamuthu Mariamman Temple”, is managed by the Taiping Hindo Devalaya Sabah. It is the main place of worship for the local Hindu populace. There is a believe that a snake once inhabited its grounds and was worshipped by a local woman name Marimuthu Ammal. In 1879, the temple was registered and held its first Annual General Meeting also in the same year. Its main activities are the annual “Pangguni Uthiraam” and “Navathiri Festival”. Tamil language classes, weddings and other religious events.
[17] Tokong Hosian
The original timber structure of the Hosian temple was built in 1890. It was later rebuilt with bricks by artisans from China in 1905. The history of the building began with a rich tycoon named Cheng Yen Xin who donated a substantial amount of money as a symbol of love and affection for his daughter Lin Ai Zhen who wished to become a female monk. Lin Ai Zhen became the first monk at this temple. The temple is still in use as a place of worship and is managed by two monks and eight guardians.
[10] Persatuan Shun Tak
The Shun Tak Association was built in 1896 by artisans from Shun Tak Disrict, now known as the Shunde District in China. The association was formed to safeguard the welfare of immigrants from this area who came to Taiping. The building serued as a community hall where social, cultural and regilious events could be conducted. In June 2015, restoration works were completed to ensure the preservation of this historic building.
[ 35 ] Perak Museum
The Perak Museum built in 1883, is the first museum in Malaysia. This unique building features Moorish designs that are combined with Neo-classical and Victorian architectural styles.
The museum houses several rare ethnograft, zoological and ceramic collections as well as an exhibit on the Orang Asli Community. Many of the collections are more than a hundred years old. In 2009 this museum gain recognition as a National Heritage Building.
[ 37 ] Bukit Larut
Bukit Larut, formerly known as Maxwell Hill, with its lush greenery, forms an imposing backdrop of Taiping. In the early 1884, the British established a hill retreat encased within the tropical rainforest with bungalows for their officers at the peak of the hill. Most of these bungalows are still preserved today.
Raising 1,035 m above sea level, Bukit Larut is the oldest and smallest hill resort in Malaysia. In those days, ladies were normally carried to the peak in sedan-chairs since it was not accessible to vehicles. The British introduced tea planting at 650 m above sea level but it was later abandoned. Today, Bukit Larut still remains as a hill resort.
[ 32 ] The New Club
The New Club was formed by members of the Taiping community who could not gain acceptance into the Perak Club. Founded by Colonel Walker and his friends, they gamely called it “The New Club” in defiance of the “old club” that is the Perak Club.
[ 14 ] Taiping Central Market
The Taiping Central Market is Malaysia’s best-preserved example of 19th century timber structure.
Comprising two sections, the wet market was built in 1884 and is located along Jalan Taming Sari (Main Road). The second, a dry market, was built in 1885 and fronts Jalan Kota. Each building is 220 feet long and 60 feet wide.
Today, the still function as markets and are maintained by the Taiping Municipal Council.
[ 20 ] Sikh Gurdwara
A Gurdwara building is the place where the Sikh community comes together for congregational worship. The early Sikh Gurdwara was built in 1881 for sikh police members and was located within the police barrack at Jalan Taming Sari, Taiping. It was the first Gurdwara building in the Malay Peninsula. The Gurdwara building was later relocated to Jalan Stesen Hulu, where it remains until today.
The construction of the original timber structure was financed by Mr. Bhai Pall Singh Dhoti and completed in 1921. Read more…
[12] Hotel Peace
Originally, this building was a dwelling house to a Chinese trader named Cheah Cheang Hooi. It was built in 1928 with ‘straits eclectic’ architectural style which were incorporated in accordance with local conditions and local climate. In addition, the building was decorated with intricate and unique features. All of these elements were built and carved in various forms of character which makes this a unique building in Taiping.
New paradigm for development
TAIPING is set to be the first in Malaysia to implement the “Machineoki” concept to create a sense of belonging among its people to develop the town together.
“We have been chosen to implement this concept because we have the Taiping Heritage Trail programme.” Read more…