Kuala Kangsar

Introduction

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.

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 Hutlu 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.

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.

Getting there

Check our busses schedule how to get to to Kuala Kangsar

If you have your own transport, take the road out of Lumut and follow directions Ipoh on State road number 5. Otherwise, contact us for a reliable taxi for your trip to the royal city

If you need more information for your daytrips, please click here

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