Malaysia Info Guide
for Locals & Visitors

As you leave the busy hub of Selangor and head north towards Perak, the character of the land changes from an urban profile to a scenic undulating landscape. Here and there you will spot pleasant farmland and rustic plantations set against a background of green jungle and rugged limestone hills.

Covering some of 21,000sq km, Perak lies between Kedah in the north and Selangor in the south. The Main Range cuts across the state of Perak and offers a dramatic juxtaposition to the flat plains of the western coastline. Often referred to as a Land of Grace, for its laid back, timeless beauty, Perak is divided into nine districts and its major towns include Ipoh, Kuala Kangsar, Taiping, Teluk Intan and Lumut. Ipoh is the administrative centre and state capital while Kuala Kangsar is the royal town.

Each district has its characteristic beauty and history, and tourist attractions include old style Anglo Malay and Chinese mansions, colonial buildings, ancient limestone caves, temples and cool hill areas like the Maxwell Hill station. The astute visitor will notice that the way of life is a little different here as compared to the Central region.

There is a quiet urbanity as the locals go about their lives. The food is rated as some of the best in the region and visitors from other states often stop over at the restaurants and food centres in the state.

Perak has a western coastline facing the Straits of Melaka and not far off its coast are a number of offshore islands. The nearest is Pangkor island, off the coastal town of Lumut, Pangkor's unique island lifestyle offers visitors a variety of experiences and some outstanding beaches.