Perak [1], the fourth largest of Malaysia's thirteen states after Sarawak, Sabah and Pahang, is situated on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula. Its capital is the town of Ipoh (population: half a million).

There are several tourist destinations of moderate interest within the state, but the main tourist destination would probably be Pangkor Island, about 85km from Ipoh, and Ipoh itself because of its great food.

Map of Perak in Malaysia

Regions

Cities and Towns

• Ipoh - the capital city of the Perak state, known for its great food, tin mines and limestone mountains and caves.
• Teluk Intan - a town famous for its pagoda-style leaning tower and unique steamed Chinese rice rolls (Chu-cheong-fun). It is home to a derelict palace that used to house the Raja Dihilir of Perak. Rumours abound about the palace being haunted, especially since it is in the vicinity of Muslim and Chinese cemeteries and is located right next to a Christian burial ground. Trespassing the palace grounds is prohibited and it is unknown whether ghost hunters have successfully been there.
• Taiping - a quiet pensioner's paradise with century-old trees lining its roads. Attractions include a large park around the famous Taiping lake and the nearby Taiping Zoo.
• Kuala Kangsar - the official royal town of Perak, it is home to the Raja Muda and Sultan of Perak (as of 2006).
• Pasir Salak - a small but historic town in Perak which houses a museum detailing the struggle against colonialists in Perak.
• Lumut - a town by the sea home to the famous Outward Bound School. It is close to the town of Sitiawan, famous for its fresh and cheap seafood and Chinese-Foochow cuisine and also Teluk Batik, a beach on the coast of the Malacca Strait. Ferries to Pangkor Island depart from Lumut.

Other destinations

• Pangkor - a popular West Coast island
• Kellie's Castle, Batu Gajah - Known as the 'Taj Mahal' of Perak, the castle, located a short drive from Ipoh, was built by the Scottish planter William Kellie Smith as a sign of love for his wife. The construction of the castle was never completed and it has since been shrouded in mystery and romantic stories of love and tragedy.

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There are many limestone hills in the central part of the state (such as between Ipoh and Kuala Kangsar), and most of them also contain caves. Many of these hills have Chinese temples (called tong) or Hindu temples on their sides, sometimes extending into the caves. Drive through the state and look at this beautiful scenery, and visit one or more of the tong. If you're staying in Ipoh, you can take a medium-distance bus to a tong.

If you have occasion to travel to the East Coast from Perak, make sure to take the East-West Highway from Grik to Tanah Merah, Kelantan. The scenery of mountains topped by virgin jungle is gorgeous.

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there's another place famous for its fresh seafood,in Tanjung Tualang.. an hour drive from Ipoh town.. price is considerably reasonable... and a must try drink; ice blended Sarsi with wheatgrass! goes very well with seafood during a sunny day espacially =)

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