Situated about 80 km north of Pangkor, the town of Kuala Kangsar is notably
one of the more interesting venues to visit in the "Silver State" of Malaysia.
It is a neat and attractive town with green parks and beautiful flora. It hardly
sees tourists. The city is a good day trip when you stay in or around Pangkor
Island.
Kuala Kangsars' history
Kuala Kangsar was founded by Sultan Muzafar. It was after a period of
confusion and civil war in Perak. This happened in the 1740's. The Sultan had a
dispute with his brother and decided to move up Sungai Perak and rule the inner
districts of Perak from Kuala Kangsar.
He build a palace and a fort. Various ministers were appointed
to help him in his royal duties. As time went by, KK (as it also known) became an
important meeting point and the "royal residence" for Malay rules.
Ode to Kuala Kangsar, I can't think of a better way of
telling the story...
What to visit?
Today, the surviving monuments from the past provide visitors a snapshot of
Kangsar royal and religious importance and its magnificent architecture.
One fine example is Istana Kenangan. It is the old palace of Sultan Iskander
Shah (1918-1938) who was the 30th Sultan of Perak.
Also known as Istana Lembah (and occasionally Istana Tepas), the
palace now houses the Royal Museum of Perak. The museum shows the State's royal
and traditional regalia, photographs and family trees of the royal family. The
palace was build in 1926 and renovated in 1960. It is the only palace in
Malaysia build without nails and woven bamboo walls.
The carpenter, Haj Suffian from Seberang Perai, designed it
based on the shape of a sword. The walls are made of woven sliced bamboo in
diamond shaped pattern called kelari. The roofs are in the shape of the "five
ridges" of a traditional Malay house.
Istana Iskandariah is the official residence of the Sultan of
Perak. It is build in 1930 and located at Bukit Chandan. The residence overlooks
the Perak river. The architecture is based on Moorish style drawing on
influences from Indian Mogul Muslim palaces. It is said that the famous kris
Tamang Sari, used by the legendary Malaccan warrior, Hang Tuah, is kept at this
palace.
Kuala Kangsar Mosque
Just fifteen minutes away is the Ubudiah Mosque. The golden
domes are a well known landmark in Malaysia. It is said to be one of the most
beautiful Mosques in Malaysia. The Mosque was build by the government architect
AB Hubback. You will find Moorish as Mogul style elements back in the design.
The foundation stone was laid in 1913 but the completion of the
Mosque was delayed by the outbreak of World War I. The marble used in the Mosque
came out of Italy. However, in 1917 the Mosque was officially opened.
In the compound stands the Royal Mausoleum. This houses the
graves of the Perak royalty and their family members. Ubiah Mosque was state
Mosque until completion of the Sultan Idris Shah II Mosque in Ipoh.
On a short distance from Ubiah Mosque is Sultan Azlan Shah
Gallery. This is another former palace which was called Istana Hulu or Istana
Kota. It was build in 1903 during the reign of the 30th Sultan of Perak. Today
the Gallery features many faces by the now Sultan of Perak: books, souvenirs,
etc.
The Double Lion Hotel in Kuala Kangsar, reasonable priced hotel with
good breads and coffee available
In Kangsar you may like to visit the legendary First
Rubber Tree. It started the start of colonial Malaysia's most important
industry. The sole survivor of the original nine trees that were planted during
Sir Hugh Low's residency in 1877, is located at a compound next to the District
Office.
