Ipoh….Capital City of Perak State is located 200 km north of Kuala Lumpur. The city that have a nicknamed as Bougenville City isn’t as busy as Penang or even Kuala Lumpur, but believes in me that this city will give a different side of exoticism because the location of this city is fortified with beautiful hills.
The time was 16:17. So after checking in and putting my backpack at Abby by the River Hotel, I decided to spend my first day in Ipoh by visiting the downtown.
Abby by the River Hotel is quite good in providing tourism information with a special spot in the lobby corner which provides many Ipoh tourism leaflets. After 15 minutes of reading the information, I concluded that the selling point in the downtown is an Old Town landmark which is a relic of British colonialism on 19th century.
Didn’t need long time to thinking, I immediately left the hotel to go to downtown. Along Sultan Iskandar street which is the protocol street in Ipoh, immediately the frenzied in my mind was vanished without traces. Don’t compare Ipoh with Jakarta (capital city of Indonesia), because this city is different than metropolis like Jakarta. You will feel as the owner of this city because of its silence.
1. Hugh Low Bridge.
This bridge was built to connect Sultan Iskandar street which crosses Kinta River.
Stopping for a moment on the bridge, I observed activities of some Ipoh residents who were fishing in several spots of Kinta River
2. Ipoh River Front Park
When I crossed Kinta River, I was immediately found a vast city park. It is famous park which has a name as Ipoh River Front Park.
This vast city park has a pool, a fountain and food stalls inside. Being a comfortable place for refreshing.
250 m walked down along Sultan Iskandar street, then I turned right and continued walking along shopping complex on Bijeh Timah street.
Meeting European tourist spouse and Malaysian tourist family didn’t made me feel alone in this city. My hunger became more and more at the end of this street because of this line of food stalls:
Didn’t want to lose a lot of time for just eat here, I prefer decided to chew my biscuits which I bought on Penang Sentral that afternoon while continuing to walk down the beauty of Ipoh.
3. Ipoh Mural Art
Then….turned left at the end of Bijeh Timah street, I found some mural paintings like the famous ones in Penang.
You must be observant and patient in looking for these mural because some of their locations are hidden. That afternoon I played hide and seek with Ipoh City to find its beauty.
4. HSBC Bank Building
The sun at the dusk on that time made every scene that I saw was very special. also this HSBC Bank Building. The building that built on 1931 is part of Ipoh Heritage Trail
5. Padang Ipoh
Historically, This field was used as a place for the royal officials of Ipoh to honor the Kingdom of Japan during its time.
Here, I finally found residents of Ipoh who doing their activities. From teenagers who play soccer until small families who bring their children to just play and eat together in this field.
6. Ipoh Tourist Information Centre
Hiddenly located at the end of a dead-end street (Bandar street), I insisted on visiting it to get as much information as possible to explore Ipoh next day.
7. Ipoh Town Hall
This building which built on 1916 was originally main administrative office of Ipoh. But now, it’s been used for space functions such as weddings and general events.
8. Cenotaph War Memorial
Used to commemorate them who were killed and injured in the state war and its use was inaugurated in 1927.
9. Perak State’s Police Headquarters
This is Headquarters of Perak Royal Malaysia Police. I actually didn’t dare to take photo of this building. But, because my camera shooting habbit was over finally I captured this building as fast as possible.
10. Sultan Idris Shah II Mosque
I closed my steps that afternoon by praying maghrib at Perak State’s mosque. The resident friendliness was felt when I pray. Warm smile that accompanied their handshake made me feel like I was in my own country.
Malaysia has indeed became my second home because of its cultural resemblance.
It was time to leave downtown and got close to hotel because the situation is very quiet on that night.
The silence of Ipoh made me a little struggling in finding dinner. Although I finally found a bowl of Curry Noodle for USD 1 at Daud Mat Jasak Noodle Stall where was located on Dato Onn Jaafar street in “Kampung Jawa” area.
After satisfied, I immediately decided to back into hotel to take a warm bath and rest. Get ready to explore Ipoh tomorrow.
