Perak : Places Of Interest Teluk Intan
The district of Hilir Perak is where the mighty Perak River merges with the Straits of Malacca. Teluk Intan, the administrative centre has its own version of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
The pagoda-like structure of Teluk Intan’s Leaning Tower has a leftward slant. Standing 25.5 metres tall the tower was built in 1885 by a Chinese contractor, Leong Choon Chong, and was originally used as a covered water tank to provide potable water for the town. Today, the wooden structure stands as an architectural oddity that attracts visitors to Teluk Intan.
On the main road to Teluk Intan stands a huge boulder, a memorial to those who gave their lives in World War I. The inscription reads “At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them”.
The area is also famed for its seafood, especially prawns. The skills of the local boat builders bear testimony to thefact that the sea plays an important role in the lives of the people of Hilir Perak. Hilir Perak is flat and fertile. A major part of its agriculture consists of oil palm, coconut, rubber and rice.
SUNGKAI DEER FARM About 82km from Ipoh and 40km from Teluk Intan at Sungkai is the Sungkai Deer Farm, where more than 100 deer roam freely on a breeding and conservation site.
PASIR SALAK HISTORICAL COMPLEX Situated 70km from Ipoh, Pasir Salak is of special importance in the historical development of Malaysia as an independent and sovereign nation in that it was here that the original flames of Malay nationalism began. The assassination of the then British Resident of Perak, J.W.W. Birch, sparked off a war between the British colonial administration and the Malays. The Historical Complex pays tribute to warriors such as Dato’ Maharaja Lela, Dato’ Sagor and Si Puntum, with special memorials erected in their honour.
Other interesting sights at the complex include Mr. Birch’s memorial monument, the burial site of Si Puntum, the Historical Tunnel which houses dioramas that depict chronological flash points in the history of Perak and Malaysia, the sight of Dato’ Maharaja Lela’s fortress, the Lela Tentaka cannons used against the British army, two beautiful examples of traditional Rumah Kutai, an interesting souvenir shop, as well as an information centre.
KUALA WOH JUNGLE PARK
The Kuala Woh Jungle Park about 13km from Tapah on the way to Cameron Highlands, has natural hot springs and three large waterfalls-Lata Iskandar, Lata Kuala Woh and Lata Kinjang which are popular picnic sites. Pretty Malaysian butterflies can be found on the jungle trails. One of these trails leads to an Orang Asli settlement.
LATA ISKANDAR WATERFALLS These waterfalls are located on the way up to the scenic Cameron Highlands via the Tapah Road. It is a popular stopover point. The surrounding jungle has a large variety of insect and plant life. Traditional pottery is made at the nearby Kampung Kerayung.
TERRAPIN BREEDING CENTRE At Bota Kanan, about 40km southwest of Ipoh, is the River Terrapin Breeding Centre a breeding farm for “Tuntung” (river terrapins or Bataqur baska). The breeding centre was established in 1967 by the Perak Department of Wildlife and National Parks for the conservation of the species. The hatchery has since released tens of thousands of hatchlings into the Perak River. From November to March, visitors can observe migrating river terrapins swimming upstream to lay their eggs. There is accommodation available for those who wish to stay over.
TEMENGGOR LAKE About 45km from Grik in north-east Perak near the mid point of the East- West Highway, is a lake measuring about 15,200 hectares. Temenggor Lake is a favourite anglers’ playground. It is rich in different species of fish including the Kelah, Tenggalan and Baung. There are jungle treks and camping and picnicking facilities.
BANDING ISLAND A quiet getaway for outdoor activities. Accommodation is available at Banding Island Resort . Besides the resort there is a rest house with comfortable accommodation.
LENGGONG & KOTA TAMPAN Archeological Site Still in a state of exploration, near the town of Lenggong are Gua Badak (Rhinocerous Cave), Gua Harimau (Tiger Cave), Tasik Raban (Raban Lake) and Lata Kekabu (Kekabu Waterfalls). Prehistoric wall paintings have been discovered in the Rhinoceros Cave and the Tiger Cave. Some 5km from Lenggong is the Kota Tampan Archaeological Site.
KUALA GULA BIRD SANCTUARY Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary For avid bird watchers, the Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary is a must. Over 160 species of birds have been recorded within the sanctuary. The rare Milky Stork has made the sanctuary its home. From September to December each year, there is a massive influx of migratory birds. Kuala Gula is also home to a variety of land and sea mammals such as the smooth otter, the dusky leaf monkey, the long tailed macaque and the ridge-backed dolphin. Boating trips can be arranged either from Kampung Gula or Kuala Kurau.
Perak : Places Of Interest Teluk Intan
