Kuala Kangsar

Kuala Kangsar is the royal town of Perak. It is the main town in the administrative district of Kuala Kangsar. It sits at the downstream of Kangsar River where it joins the Perak River.

Understand

Istana Kenangan

It was here that the first rubber tree was planted in the then Malaya, by the English botanist Henry Nicholas Ridley. This rubber tree still stands in the compound of the Kuala Kangsar City Hall (Majlis Perbandaran Kuala Kangsar).

Get in

Kuala Kangsar is approximately 25 km (16 mi) northwest of Ipoh, Perak's capital, 98 km (61 mi) southeast of George Town, Penang, and about 235 km from Kuala Lumpur.

By bus

There are numerous intercity buses running to Kuala Kangsar. There are very frequent local bus connections between Ipoh and Kuala Kangsar. From Ipoh's main local bus station (south of the railway station), just hop on the local bus and pay later.

By car

The main gateway to the town is via the North-South Expressway from Kuala Lumpur to the Thai border. From Kuala Lumpur, head northwards towards Ipoh. Kuala Kangsar is approximately 30 km to the north of Ipoh. The old Federal Route One is an alternative for those who want a leisurely drive to Kuala Kangsar.

By train

Keretapi Tanah Melayu operates daily services from Kuala Lumpur and Penang (Butterworth).

Get around

Walking to the various attractions is recommended for those who are fit, but driving around enables the visitor to explore the outskirts.

See

Masjid Ubudiah

• 1 Ubudiah Mosque (Masjid Ubudiah). The beautiful Ubudiah mosque was designed by Arthur Benison Hubback, a government architect who is notably credited for the design of the Ipoh railway station and the Kuala Lumpur railway station. Construction began in 1910 but it was abandoned during World War I. It was also delayed when the then crown prince's elephant walked over and cracked the imported Italian marble floor. The mosque was finally completed in 1919. (updated Jul 2017)
• 2 Sultan Azlan Shah Gallery (Galeri Sultan Azlan Shah), galeri Sultan Azlan Shah, Bukit Chandan (drive straight from the clock tower, the building is just before the Ubudiah Mosque), ☏ +60 57775362, gsas@perak.gov.my. Sa-Th 10:00-17:00; F 10:00-12:15,14:45-17:00; Su off. This is a gallery where records and artifacts of the present Sultan, who was also the 9th King of Malaysia , Chief Justice, and an avid hockey player who is also the Vice President of International Hockey federation is kept and exhibited. Adult RM 4; senior citizen, university or college, secondary school RM 2; children RM 1. (updated Aug 2017)
• 3 Istana Kenangan (Perak Royal Museum), Istana Lama Bukit Chandan, ☏ +60 5776 5500. This used to be a royal palace. The museum is closed for renovation and the building cannot be accessed. It is still worth to look at the house from outside though. (updated Jul 2017)
• 4 Istana Iskandariah. The Sultan's Palace, Istana Iskandariah is another legacy of British architect serving in the then Malaya. It is a massive marble structure with a series of towers, topped by golden onion domes set among trees and rolling lawns. (updated Jul 2017)
• 5 Malay College Kuala Kangsar. One of the premier schools in Malaysia. It is now a full boarding school. It was founded by 4 sultans from the Negeri-negeri Melayu Bersekutu in 1905, as result of their desire to spearhead the future of Malays. They were Sultan Idris (Perak), Sultan Sulaiman (Selangor), Sultan Ahmad (Pahang) dan Yang Dipertuan Besar Mohd Shah (Negeri Sembilan). During the Japanese Occupation in World War II, the school was turned into administration offices and a hospital for the Japanese Imperial Army, who interrogated and subsequently beheaded anyone found to be a traitor. A school once again in the 1950s, it attracted a celebrated crowd - Anthony Burgess taught here. Many buildings date back to as far as 1909, such as the attractive red-roofed Big School. Another prominent feature is said to be the Big Tree, a raintree in front of the East Wing which is considered to be as old as the school itself. Known as Eton of the East, it has produced a good number of Malay leaders and politicians. (updated Jul 2017)
• 6 Sultan Abdul Jalil Shah Bridge (Jambatan Sultan Abdul Jalil Shah). Connects the town of Kuala Kangsar to Sayong where village craftsmen produce the Labu Sayong. (updated Jul 2017)
• 7 Kuala Kangsar Clock Tower. Right in the middle of the town, which serves as the round-about for traffic management. (updated Jul 2017)
• 8 Labu Sayong. Traditional water pitcher (containers) for storing drinking water are a cottage industry in Kampong Sayong. Interestingly, these water containers provide natural referigeration and the water stored are cold when kept overnight in the container. See how they are made by driving to the village. (updated Jul 2017)
• 9 Kuala Kangsar Railway Station. A historical and interesting place to visit in this small Royal town. Not many railway stations this old exist in Malaysia these days. The station lies between Pandang Rengas and Sungai Siput. (updated Jul 2017)
• 10 Oldest rubber tree in Malaysia. The first rubber tree was planted in 1877 near the Kuala Kangsar District Office. There were nine trees planted and this was the only one which survived. The rubber seeds were brought from Kew Garden in London to Singapore, then over to the mainland to Kuala Kangsar by H.N. Ridley. He was the man responsible for turning Kuala Kangsar into the first rubber industry district in Malaysia. Soon rubber became an important source of income for the country. (updated Aug 2017)

Do

Perak River at Kuala Kangsar

• 1 Ulu Kenas Waterfall. Have a family picnic at this waterfall which is in the Ulu Kenas Forest Reserve. Facilities available are basic, and only on weekends the stalls selling food items and snacks are opened. Bring your own food to enjoy your jungle waterfall picnic. (updated Aug 2017)
• 2 Try the local speciality: Laksa (Medan Selera Sungai Perak). Plenty of stalls and restaurants can be found right next to the jetty. (updated Jul 2017)
• 3 Ferry ride. Take a ferry ride across Perak River in the passenger ferry boats plying very frequently between the town and Kampong Sayong Tebing. You get a 10-minute ride on the ferry to experience the local lifestyle. It's worth it! RM0.20. (updated Aug 2017)

Buy

• A variety of souvenirs from Labu Sayong, handicrafts, mengkuang mats, keris, traditional fish traps, parangs (long knives) and foodstuffs at and around Jalan Tebing, Kuala Kangsar.

Eat

Specialties of Kuala Kangsar

• Laksa while available in many parts of Malaysia, with slight variations, one unique feature of the Kuala Kangsar Laksa is the Laksa (the vermicelli, or "meehoon") itself. Almost all the Laksa vendors here serve their "laksa vermicelli" freshly made. Thus, the texture is more savouring compared to the dried vermicelli which are first soaked prior to being served.
• Masak Lemak Ikan Patin a delicious Malay dish, served with rice. The Ikan Patin (a river fish of the cat fish family) is cooked in coconut milk with herbs, spices and condimums with the formidable "cili api" (Thai pepper). Small eateries along the Tebing of the town serves this dish. Find the jetty for the passenger boat to Sayong and these eateries can never be missed.

Restaurants

• 1 Jannah. Good Indian restaurant. (updated Aug 2017)

Drink

Cendol Kuala Kangsar, which in the local dialect is pronounced as "cendoi."

• The Cuesport Cafe. Tu-Su. --Possibly closed down. No information online about this place-- The first sports cafe in town. The cafe provided 3 table of British pool to play while enjoying light beverages and ice-cream.Located at Bandar Baru Fasa 2 which is beside the Bus Terminal and Taxi Terminal. Ample car park in open space with the neighbourhood of banking such as Maybank, Agro Bank, CIMB and Bank Simpanan Nasional. (updated Aug 2017)

Sleep

• 1 The Shop, 1, Jalan Seri Delima 2, ☏ +60 5 777 3288, theshophotel@gmail.com. Opened around 2015. All room décors can be bought at the reception. Spotless, although a little small rooms with aircon and TV. No breakfast. Free WiFi. RM100 (double), RM140 (family). (updated Jul 2017)
• MRO Homestay, 226 Tmn Kuala Kangsar, ☏ +60 143449100. Huge room with a/c, bathroom and hot water. RM150. 
• Resort Safari Sungai Perak, Jalan Daeng Selili, ☏ +60 5 777 2020, fax: +60 5 777 2029. Offers decent accommodation at reasonable rates. 
• 2 Hotel Casuarina @ Kuala Kangsar, Jalan Bukit Kerajaan, ☏ +60 5-770 2021. This is a princely hotel along the Sungai Perak River and has a restaurant that serves breakfast. RM 158. (updated Feb 2021)

Go next

• Ipoh
• Cameron Highlands
• Pangkor
• Taiping