The wettest town in Peninsular Malaysia, Taiping, with an average annual rainfall of 4000mm. Taiping gained another name - Rain Town. Taiping is the second largest town in Perak state after Ipoh city.
Taiping, the heritage town boasts 40 'first' in Malaysia. To name a few:
First hill resort in Malaysia, Maxwell Hill, since 1844.
First swimming pool in Malaysia, Coronation Swimming Pool, since 1870.
First lake gardens in Malaysia, Taiping Lake Gardens, since 1880.
Other than Taiping Zoo and Night Safari, visitors can explore those old buildings since colonial era. The old market, Malay mosque, St. Louis Church, clock tower and state museum are only a handful of landmarks to visit.
Weather
The weather in Taiping same as Ipoh but as a rain town, it welcomed us with enjoyable rain at mid of the day. In the hot month of April, we only experienced this in Taiping.
How to go to Taiping from Ipoh
We rented a car in Ipoh, headed north by Lebuhraya Utara - Selatan highway. (North South Highway)
Where to stay in Taiping
We stayed at Flemington Hotel. Been attracted by its nice view as the hotel faces to Taiping Lake Gardens. With few email exchanged with hotel, we had a discounted rate for RM188 per night. Premier room with lake view.
Flemington Hotel
1, Jalan Samanea Saman,
34000 Taiping, Perak
Tel: +6 05 820 7777
Email: info@flemingtonhotel.com
Roof top swimming pool and bar.
Roof top swimming pool.
First day arrived there already at dinner time, met relative then we headed to a spot that for local diners. Yee Seng Makanan Laut / Yee Seng Seafood packed with diners. Uncle (our relative) really know where to find nice food. Matang is a small fishing village with 20 minutes driving from Taiping town. To hunt for fresh seafood, here is the right place.
We left the decision to local, uncle ordered signature dishes curry prawn and steamed Silver Pomfret (蒸斗底白鲳). Followed by Malaysia highly clicked dishes Fu Yong egg / fried egg with Char Siew and prawn (芙蓉煎蛋) and stir fried pea sprout (炒豆苗).
**Char Siew: Cantonese way of roasted meat.
This plate fulled of prawns, felt pressure for 5 of us to finish it. The prawns were tender and springy, really fresh.
Price of this Silver Pomfret will be rocket high during festive season in Malaysia (Chinese New Year). It is a must have fish during Chinese New Year.
Fish was fresh and tender, we liked it.
Fu Yong egg
Stir fried pea sprout, they mixed with bean sprout.
Very kampung feel. Simple, rustic restaurant with fish village feel.
Their open kitchen.
Fresh Ingredients
Yee Seng Makanan Laut / Yee Seng Seafood (宜成海鲜小食馆)
No. 15, Jalan Cina, Matang, 34750 Taiping, Perak
Tel: +6 05 847 0407
Mobile: +6 012 569 5969
This meal cost us RM122 for 5 pax. Very enjoyable and affordable.
Next day morning we settled breakfast at hotel (buffet breakfast was inclusive). Noon time, we headed to AEON Mall Taiping. It is a new mall, sufficient shops for us to spend some time there.
As the weather was hot, we avoided the sun and settled our lunch inside the mall.
AEON Mall Taiping
Lot 8576 & 8577,
Jalan Kamunting, 34000 Taiping, Perak
Business Time:
Lot 8576 & 8577,
Jalan Kamunting, 34000 Taiping, Perak
Business Time:
(Sun - Thu) 10.00am - 10.00pm
(Fri - Sat) 10.00am - 10.30pm
Photo Courtesy: gowhere.my
Photo Courtesy: gowhere.my
Have not tried Nando's in Singapore, Nando's was exist in this mall. In Ringgit, should be cheaper compare to Singapore. Let's gave it a try.
Nando's is originating from South Africa, specializes in chicken dishes with different flavors.
This is quarter chicken with Peri chips and spicy rice side dishes.
Our orders. Left: Espetada Carnival, Right: Quarter Chicken
With 5 types of herbs and chili sources.
Ordered Espetada Carnival, I viewed it as very instagrammable dish.
Espetada carnival with coleslaw. (grilled chicken and capsicum)
Nando's Peri-Peri Flame-Grilled Chicken
Lot G-18, Ground Floor, AEON Mall Taiping
Jalan Kamunting, 34600 Taiping, Perak
Tel: +6 05 801 2387
Open 7 days a week, 10 am - 10 pm
Generally the food was nice, good atmosphere, no regret.
This meal cost us RM61 for 2 pax. Ordered 2 main courses and 1 Peri soup.
Due to the late lunch, we skipped the dinner. However, could not last till late night.
Went out to Hotel nearby food court - Pusat Makanan Taman Tasik / Lake Garden Food Court.
Very crowded food court on Saturday night, walked to restaurant beside it, well, got place, let's made order.
No chance to try this as all tables were occupied.
Settled down at this restaurant beside the food court.
Fried mantis shrimp (虾姑). Good taste.
Fried white pomfret (白鲳). Very crispy, we liked it.
With the spicy and sour source, very appetizing food.
With the spicy and sour source, very appetizing food.
End up with a restaurant that we just have no plan to visit. Well, the taste was good. Worth to try.
Restoran U Kee / U Kee Restaurant (海星海鲜饭店)
Beside Pusat Makanan Taman Tasik
Jalan Maharajalela, 34000 Taiping, Perak
Next morning, went to Taiping Lake Garden for exercise, it just located opposite the hotel. (Photos to be shared at bottom of this post.)
Settled the breakfast, packed our stuffs, checked out, already noon time. Aunt brought us to this highly recommended aircon restaurant - Restoran Mr BBQ (鏞记). Weather was hot there, have to go to restaurant with air condition. Haha.
Settled the breakfast, packed our stuffs, checked out, already noon time. Aunt brought us to this highly recommended aircon restaurant - Restoran Mr BBQ (鏞记). Weather was hot there, have to go to restaurant with air condition. Haha.
Salad Prawn 沙律炸虾
Another instagrammable dish.
Taste good and the fruits helped to minimize the oiliness.
Yam Basket 佛钵飘香 (芋头圈)
The ring made by yam paste and fried till coated with crispy skin.
Submerged with source, yummy.
Home made tou fu. Silky tou fu.
Fish Maw Soup 鱼膘汤
Photo Courtesy: Mr BBQ Facebook
Restoran Mr BBQ 鏞记海鲜酒家
16 & 17
Jalan Maharajalela (Ground Floor), 34000 Taiping, Perak
Tel: +6 05 807 9998
Before heading back to Ipoh, we went to another mall in Taiping - Taiping Mall.
Did some shopping then went to local market for some snacks.
Taiping Mall
Jalan Tupai, 34000 Taiping, Perak
Photo Courtesy: gotaiping.com
This local market just located beside of Taiping Mall, named Plaza Perbandaran at Jalan Chung Thye Phin. Variety of snacks can be found here, recalled my delighting childhood memories.
Migu 面龟
Taste like Chinese bao without filling. Very tasty with spread of butter.
Nyonya Kuihs
Apom
Indian invented crepe made by simplest ingredients - egg, sugar, flour, coconut milk.
The multi cultural society in Malaysia created this unique phenomenon - Chinese aunt selling Indian invented crepe.
Crispy version of ban chang kuih.
Malaysian crepe with crushed peanut and sugar filling.
Nyonya kuihs and Chinese fried doughnut.
Bread wrap with chicken / pork floss or jerky.
Mom told me that there is a old coffee brand in Taiping which Mom had their coffee since childhood. As a coffee lover, this is must have for me. After researched, this Antong Coffee Mill was founded in 1933. In the olden day, they roasted the coffee beans in wood fired oven. Till now, they still retain the equipment and facilities. Current owner has transformed the mill to production and tourist spot. Visitors can walk through their old coffee mill and buy their products before leaving.
Antong Coffee Mill
8A, Assam Kumbang, 34000 Taiping, Perak
Tel: +6 05 807 5189 / 05 807 3526
The Beauty of Taiping
Taiping Lake Garden is the first public garden established during the colonial era. It is a popular spot for couple go for their wedding shoot. Simply take a photo there also can be a nice picture. We liked it.
With the Taiping Museum and Taiping Zoo located at the same area, this can be a spot that for tourist to spend a day there.
Exercise time, yeh!
Raintown
Raintown
Taiping Town View
