History of ipoh

Ipoh's status as state capital date from World War II, when the Japanese established Ipoh as the administrative center for Perak, using the grand colonial building of St Michael's Institution as their headquarters. In the 1950s, Ipoh established a reputation as being a hedonistic hotspot for entertainment and night life with the proliferation of cabarets, nightclubs and theatre halls.

With the collapse of tin prices in the 1970s, the city went into decline. Various attempts at revitalizing the city has seen the establishment of Greentown Business Center, Medan Ipoh and a theme park, The Lost World of Tambun. The city has also been the shooting location for local and international films such as "Indochine" and "Anna and the King". It also has a vibrant independent music industry, producing many local popular bands.

Tourist Attractions in ipoh

Perak Museum
The Perak Museum was build in 1926 by a rich and successful tin miner called Foo Choong Kit. Back then, he built it for his own private domain. The rumor goes that it once there were forty people living in this house. The house did not stay long with the family. In 1950 it was sold to the Perak Government. which utilized these premises to house the administrative centre of its Department of Works. In 1992 this building became the Perak Museum.

The museum contains artifacts from the early history of Perak and follows up to the present with plenty of photos and memorabilia of the British administrators and rulers who played key roles in Perak.

D.R. Seenivasagam Park
The fresh atmosphere and variety of flora are the main attractions of this popular recreational park in Ipoh. Located in the heart of Ipoh City. The garden is made up of several recreational fields, an artificial lake that contains various types of fishes and a nursery for potted plants.Children can enjoy several recreational and amusement facilities such as the roller-skating rink, a playground, a mini-train course and a children's traffic playground. There are also beautiful arches, modular framework, shelters, pedestrian paths and the Ipoh tree which gave the city its name. The latest addition is the newly landscaped Japanese Garden featuring a typical Japanese Carps pond. Named after a prominent and well natured politician, D R Seenivasagam, this park is ideal for brisk walks and family outings. Many families come here to relax amidst the profusion of greenery and to bid farewell to the setting sun.

Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple
Another sight worth seeing is the Sam Po Tong temple. This is a Chinese temple built within a gigantic limestone cave. Sam Pa temple has a sister: Perak Tong. Perak Tong has a steep, tall staircase in the interior of the cave. The staircase rises up to the top of its hill. There's fine views of Ipoh and its surroundings.

Perak Tong Cave Temple
Perak Tong has a steep, tall staircase in the interior of the cave. The staircase rises up to the top of its hill. There's fine views of Ipoh and its surroundings.

Birch Memorial Tower
The clock tower is quite hidden and for good reasons. J.W.W. Birch was an unpopular character. He was the first British Resident. He showed little sensitivity towards local customs and religion. The feeling was mutual and eventually he was assassinated. His actual grave is to be found at the Pasir Salak historical complex where the Malaysian government build a memorial monument. It's about 30 km from Lumut and Pangkor

For whatever Birch was to the Malays, the British made him a hero. On all four sides of the Clock Tower there are colorful murals depicting various 18th Century professions. There, they also erected a bronze bust of their Mr. Birch although this has been removed. The Clock Tower is quite a fine monument despite the history of the man to whom it was dedicated.

Ipoh Town Hall
One of Ipoh's architectural wonders is definitely the Town Hall. It boasts the neo-classical architecture, which was popular in the early 1900s. The Town Hall exhibits a mix between renaissance and roman architectural features. Construction began in 1913, and was finally completed in 1917.

This building has also served as a Post Office, and was once the District Police headquarters in 1948.

Justice Muhamad Ideres Muhamad set aside the conviction against Nithiabala, 51, the seven-day jail sentence and the RM2,000 fine which was imposed by a magistrate's court here.