Kuala Kangsar

A historical beacon filled with quaint landmarks, the 150-year old town of Kuala Kangsar is an intriguing mixture of heritage, culture and old world charm.  Just 30 minutes away from Ipoh, the state’s oldest district is also the royal town of Perak where Istana Iskandariah, the Sultan’s palace resides.

History buffs can begin their heritage trail by taking a nostalgic walk up Bukit Chandan.  Breathe in the clean fresh air and enjoy the scenic views of Sungai Perak while exploring historical buildings such as the Malay College and  Clifford School (both over 100 years old), the breathtaking Masjid Ubudiah, the royal palace Istana Iskandariah and the picturesque Galeri Sultan Azlan Shah.   Also not to be missed is the oldest rubber tree in Jalan Raja Chulan, which is also one of the two oldest rubber trees in Malaysia.  It originated from nine seedlings brought from Brazil by an English botanist in 1877 and is still thriving.

Beyond its rich historical legacy, Kuala Kangsar also showcases the finest crafts in the form of Labu Sayong (gourd-shaped pottery).  Take a short boat ride to Kampung Sayong and immerse yourselves in the traditional art of making labu sayong that keeps water cool even in hot weather.  Those interested in traditional weaponry making should pay a visit to the keris and parang maker at Bukit Chandan.  The friendly and skilful artisans of Kuala Kangsar will be all too happy to share the art behind their craft with visitors.

For the hungry traveller, Kuala Kangsar offers a gamut of delicious local cuisines.  Get a taste of Kuala Kangsar’s famous laksa (spicy noodle soup) and cendol (sweet dessert broth) at Medan Selera Sungai Perak by the riverside.  The laksa, which has great texture, is made of special flour and is accompanied by the delicious watery fish and shrimp gravy.  For a dose of Hainanese goodness, try the pau (steamed Chinese bun with a choice of beef, chicken and kaya fillings) at Yat Lai Restaurant at Jalan Kangsar.  Word has it that these paus are served to the Perak royal family, so if it’s good for the royals, it should be good for you, too. 

So, whatever your interest may be, Kuala Kangsar effortlessly mesmerises; casting a spell of history and unadulterated charm to all that graces its path. 

Places of Interest

Istana Iskandariah 

Istana Iskandariah is the royal palace of the Perak Sultanate and the official residence of the Sultan of Perak since its completion in 1933. It is located in the royal town of Kuala Kangsar, in the state of Perak Malaysia.

All the Sultans of Perak have been installed in the palace since its completion. The palace is named after Sultan Iskandar Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Idris Rahmatullah Shah (1918 - 1938) who initiated its construction.

The design of the palace is based on the architecture of West Asia, which is famous for its pointed arches and onion-shaped domes. The building is rectangular in shape and faces the sunrise and the river. The roof is designed with one main dome in the centre and four subsidiary domes, one on each of the palace.

Pavillion Square Tower

Located close to the Kuala Kangsar Town Council field, it is considered by some to be one of the most beautiful old buildings of this Royal town. It has a unique design and reflects some of the elegance of early Malay architecture with a special charm totally in its own.

Built in 1930 under the reign of Sultan Iskandar Shah, this structure has occasionally been referred to as the "Pagoda of Malaysia". It was originally used as a recreational and entertainment venue for the wives of court officials and other important people, especially for ceremonies and special celebrations. Having undergone some renovation, it is now part of a public park.

The square is located near the Kuala Kangsar Town Council field.

Malay College Kuala Kangsar 

Malay College Kuala Kangsar is well known as one of the best boarding schools in the history of Malaysia. The concept of having an exclusive Malay college for the children of Malay elites was first suggested by Sultan Idris Murshidul A’zam Shah (1849-1916). 

With the help and encouragement from his three other counterparts, the Sultan of Pahang, the Sultan of Selangor and the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, this concept became a reality.

The construction of this prestigious college began in 1905 after a lot of persuading and convincing of the British by the Sultans. To start off, Sultan Idris Murshidul A’zam Shah donated 30 acres of his land for the college grounds. Thus, the first Malay Residential College began in 1909, with an enrolment of 50 pupils. William Hargreaves, a headmaster from the Penang Free School, was its first headmaster.

On the grounds of MCKK stands the first swimming pool in Perak,  was built in 1924. Sometimes called the "Eton of the East", MCKK is proud to have produced distinguished scholars, politicians, corporate leaders and statemen that served the nation.

These include the country’s second Prime Minister, the late Tun Abdul Razak, the former Deputy Prime Minister, Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the former Inspector General of Police, Tan Sri Haniff Omar, Minister in Prime Minister's Dept., Dato' Abang Abu Bakar, former Menteri Besar of Perak, Tan Sri Dato' Seri Ramli Ngah Talib, Tan Sri Zain Azraai and the late father of the Sultan of Brunei. The roll call of its alumni will occupy the major portion of the Who’s Who in the country.

Perak Royal Museum

Previously known as Istana Kenangan, Istana Tepas and Istana Lembah. The Perak Royal Museum was built as a royal residence in 1926. It is an amazing architecture which was built without a single nail.  

The museum rests majestically on Bukit Chandan, a hilly landscape also known as Changkat Negara. Its 'Saracenic Moorish' architectural facets creates a spellbinding sight for onlookers and visitors to the place. 

Prior to the construction, the Sultan resided at Istana Kenangan which has been transformed into Muzium DiRaja (Royal Museum). The museum now showcases Perak's Royal regalia as well as pictures and history of the Royal family.

The Royal Museum is located up on Chandan Hill along Jalan Istana.

Masjid Ubudiah

The stunning Ubudiah Mosque with its golden domes and minarets has a well-deserved reputation as one of the most beautiful mosques in the country. It has graced many a magazine cover, and is a source of pride to the locals as well as a symbol of their faith.

It is located at Bukit Chandan Recreational Park in the royal town of Kuala Kangsar. It was built during the reign of Sultan Idris Mursyidul Azam Shah I (1887-1916), the 28th Perak ruler. There were problems during its construction, which started in 1913. Once, two elephants belonging to Sultan Idris and Raja Chulan ran over the expensive imported Italian marble tiles. 

The outbreak of the First World War caused a delay in replacing the marble, and the mosque was completed only in 1917, when it was officially opened by Sultan Abdul Jalil Karamtullah Shah. The burial site for Perak's royal family is also found near the mosque.

Sultan Azlan Shah Gallery

Sultan Azlan Shah Gallery was built and conserved from the ancient castle called Istana Ulu or Istana Kota. It was built in the year 1898 and was completed on 1903.  

The castle is originally designed by the Deputy Colonial Engineer and Survey General of the Straits Settlements, Maurice Alexander Cameron. The former palace, which was first occupied by Sultan Idris 1 in 1903, was restored in 2003 and named after the present Sultan whose personal belongings, documents, mementos, family photo-graphs, trophies and state regalia, among others, are on display for public viewing.

Kuala Kangsar Clock Tower

Right in the middle of the town is Kuala Kangsar Clock Tower.The clock was erected in 1939 from funds contributed from The Perak Government and members of the public of Kuala Kangsar in memory the coronation of His Majesty King George VI. Incidentally,it is now serves as the round-about for traffic management. 

The Handicraft Development Corporation of Malaysia (Perak Branch)

The Handicraft Development Corporation of Malaysia (Perak Branch) is the most comprehensive one stop centre for tourists looking for traditional handicrafts. The centre is responsible for speeding up the growth and development of the handicraft industry for the state.

Its traditional crafts go under the name Kraftangan and is synonymous with quality and value-for-money. The centre specialises in the manufacturing of ceramic products.

Here, one can see traditional potteries like the 'labu sayong' (water gourds made from semi-porous blackened burnt clay). 'Labu' is an earthenware pitcher used traditionally by the local Malay community to store drinking water. It is believed that the storage not only keeps contents cool but is also claimed that the water cures certain ailments.

Other products are terracotta and glazed pots, that are converted into flowerpots, potpourri vases, lamp bases and wall decorations. You can be rest assured that the handicrafts sold here are of exceptional quality but reasonably priced.

The Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation is a government agency which preserves and conserves traditional crafts and encourages the younger generation to pursue age-old skills handed down by their forefathers and it also helps craftsmen become self-reliant entrepreneurs. It brands items such as pottery, batik, songket, tekat, woodcarving, brassware and silverware under the Kraftangan label. 

Business hours:

Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.

Close on Sundays and public holidays