PERAK : KUALA KANGSAR

BY HJ ZULHEIMY MAAMOR

30 JUNE 2024

Kuala Kangsar is the Royal Town of Perak, located at the downstream of Sungai Kangsar where it joins the Sungai Perak, about 235 km from Kuala Lumpur.

Kuala Kangsar is known for some of its popular attractions which include the Ubudiah Mosque, Victoria Bridge, Perak Royal Museum, Galeri Sultan Azlan Shah etc.

Sungai Perak or Perak River is the 'River of Life' for Perak state in Malaysia. It flows over 400 km  in a 15,000 km2 catchment that covers 70% of the state land. The second longest river in Peninsular Malaysia, it starts from the north-western corner of the state, flows south to Teluk Intan, where it bends westward and into Straits of Malacca. 

It was here the first rubber tree was planted in the then Malaya, by the English botanist Henry Nicholas Ridley, director of Singapore Botanic Gardens in 1877. 

The first Rubber tree planted in Malaysia 
(Photo : NST)

My first time in Kuala Kangsar was in 2003 on my way back to Kuala Lumpur from a family vacation in Taiping, Perak. We stopped to pray at the Ubudiah Mosque in Kuala Kangsar.

The Ubudiah Mosque located in the Royal town of Kuala Kangsar, beside the Royal Mausoleum on Jalan Istana at Bukit Chandan in Kuala Kangsar. It was designed by Arthur Benison Hubback who was also responsible for the design of the Ipoh Railway Station and the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station. 

2018 - KUALA KANGSAR

MASJID AZIZIAH

KG. KETIOR DALAM

KUALA KANGSAR, PERAK

5 AUGUST 2018

On 4 August 2018, the Awareness Team of Yayasan Jantung Malaysia (YJM) left our office at Jalan Semarak Kuala Lumpur heading to Kuala Kangsar, Perak for 3 health screening programs that were held in Kuala Kangsar and Teluk Intan in Perak. 

The journey from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Kangsar takes 2 hours 45 minutes with a journey of 245 km through the North-South highway.

We stopped at R&R RTC in Gopeng, Perak for lunch. R&R RTC, which opened in 2012, is not just a rest stop. The existence of AgroMall RTC Gopeng gives highway users the opportunity to shop for grocery items while resting and enjoying a variety of meals at this rest stop.

RTC Gopeng (Rural Transformation Centre) is a unique highway stop along the North-South Expressway (PLUS) in Perak. It serves a massive multi-functional hub for government services, commerce and agriculture. 

RTC Gopeng was the very first RTC established in Malaysia. It was officially launched on 18 February 2012 by then-Prime Minister Dato' Seri Najib Tun Razak. 

Situated at KM 16, Jalan Gopeng near the Simpang Pulai interchange.

Feature	Description
Agro Mall	A large market managed by FAMA selling fresh local fruits, vegetables, and "Agromas" products.
Mydin Hypermarket	A massive anchor tenant providing affordable groceries and retail shopping.
Government Hub	Historically hosted branches of the JPN (National Registration), Immigration, and various clinics.
Food & Dining	Large food courts featuring local Perak delicacies (like Nasi Kandar and White Coffee) and international chains.
Transit Hub	A major stop for express buses heading North, making it a busy interchange for travelers.
Amenities	Large surau (prayer hall), clean restrooms, petrol stations, and ample parking.

SAYONG RESORT

Kg. Sayong Lembah

Kuala Kangsar, Perak

We stayed at Sayong Resort, located by the river banks of Sungai Perak, it is refined by nature.  

Sayong Resort was founded by the Allahyarham Dato' Seri Ismail Shahudin and his wife Datin Seri Azimah Othman in 2014, inspired by their walk along the Perak River and opened its doors in May 2015. It is designed to reflect the local heritage, particularly the famous Labu Sayong pottery tradition. 

It is located withina few minutes drive to the iconic Masjid Ubudiah, Istana Kenangan and the Sultan Azlan Shah Gallery.

Allahyarham Dato' Seri Ismail Shahudin

Not far from our resort is the Sultan Abdul Jalil Shah Bridge, which connects the town of Kuala Kangsar with the village of Sayong, was officially opened by Sultan Azlan Shah in June 2002. This 330-meter bridge facilitates the daily journey of Sayong residents to Kuala Kangsar Town. Before this bridge was built, residents used miner boats to cross the Perak River.

Famous in Kuala Kangsar, the Labu Sayong (a water pitcher from earthenware clay), also known as Labu Picit is one of the famous Malay heritage craft from Kuala Kangsar. This gourd-shaped carafe is used to keep water cool. 

Whether you use it to serve refreshing water or display it as a decorative accent, this Labu Sayong is perfect addition to any room. It is a thoughtful gift for someone  or a beautiful addition to any collection. 

On 5 August 2018, we conducted a Health Screening Program at Aziziah Mosque, Kg. Ketior Dalam, Kuala Kangsar, Perak.

Masjid Aziziah Kampung Ketior Dalam, a historic mosque in Kuala Kangsar, Perak. The mosque is name after Sultan Abdul Aziz Al-Mustasim Billah Shah, the 31st Sultan of Perak ( who during the Japanese occupation in 1942, sough refuge in Kampung Ketior to escape the threats posed by the Japanese military. He resided temporarily at the local Malay School (Sekolah Melayu Kg. Ketior). 

During his stay, he provided a generous financial contribution to repair and beautify the mosque structure. The villager named the mosque after him as a gesture of gratitude of the Sultan's kindness. 

After the health screening program in Kg. In Ketior Dalam, we continue our journey to Teluk Intan, Perak for the next program.

Kuala Kangsar's attractions is worth the time, a fascinating stop on journey through the country. The best way to visit Kuala Kangsar is to briefly see a lot of sights, to get an overall picture of the city. 

Further reading:

1. She walks the world : Perak, Malaysia - A day's visit to the Royal town of Kuala Kangsar. 

2. Michael Turtle : Malaysian Royalti and British Loyalty

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, K.L

30 June 2024 : 23 Zulhijjah 1445H: 10.02 p.m