The quiet charm of Taiping
Rain trees, mirrored lakes and streets full of history. A passing stop in Perak becomes a reason to stay.
Taiping was supposed to be an overnight stop. On a road trip between Kuala Lumpur and Penang, David Bowden booked a room, looked up a few places to eat and arrived with a modest plan. By the following morning, that plan needed another night. This is a town whose attractions reveal themselves at walking pace.
Begin at the water
The Lake Gardens set the tone. At dusk, walkers, runners and cyclists share the paths beneath enormous rain trees. Branches reach towards the lakes, some supported by carefully arranged structures. The mountain backdrop and reflections make an ordinary evening walk feel unusually generous.
Bowden returned at sunrise, when the water was still and Bukit Larut stood behind the gardens. That second visit is part of the appeal: the same place becomes another experience with a change of light. The gardens are an everyday gathering place as much as a sight to photograph.
A town with stories underfoot
Beyond the lakes, the original feature follows the town’s tin-mining past through its streets and buildings. All Saints’ Church, the Perak Museum and the old clock tower offer different ways into that history. The museum’s railway carriage recalls the connection between Taiping and Port Weld, the coastal outlet for its tin.
There is room for smaller discoveries too: a woodcarver at work, cendol at Ansari and charcoal-roasted coffee at Antong Coffee Factory. Meals and pauses are woven between the landmarks. Taiping’s pleasure comes from this manageable scale, with enough to keep you looking and little pressure to rush. An extra night begins to feel like the most sensible part of the itinerary.
The Quiet Charm of Taiping
Original story by David Bowden. The Expat, September 2026, pages 40–42.
This digital preview is adapted from the original magazine feature. Text has been shortened and rewritten; photography and artwork come from the print edition.
