About

IPOH

~ HISTORY ~

Ipoh is the capital of Perak.. It is located in the Kinta District, 205 kilometers north of Kuala Lumpur and 170 kilometers south of George Town, Penang. Ipoh is the fourth largest city in Malaysia with an estimated 2009 population of about 702,464.

Ipoh developed from the Malay villages of Kampung Ipoh and Kampung Paloh among the banks of the Kinta River.
The tin rush of the 1880′s caused the town to boom. By this time, Ipoh consisted of about 340 houses and about 4,000 people.

On 1st June 1892 a fire broke out and destroyed over half the town. The damage was estimated at $ 100,000 Straits Dollars.

The Great Fire of Ipoh gave planners the opportunity to lay out the streets in a more orderly grid pattern, and the town was rebuilt in time for the second tin rush. Vast numbers of people, especially Chinese miners, descended upon Ipoh, transforming it into a business and social centre and become known as the “CITY OF MILLIONAIRES”.

When Kuala Lumpur was chosen as the capital of the newly formed Federated Malay States (FMS) In 1896, the residents of Ipoh expressed their great displeasure over the decision. However, Ipoh continued to flourish.

Between 1905 and 1914, Yau Tet Shin Expanded the town across the Kinta River. By 1908, he had built 216 houses in this New Town of Ipoh, including a theatre and food market.

By 1914, the town was beginning to take on its current appearance. Ipoh’s population was also increasing from 23,978 in the year 1911 to 27,500 in the year 1914.

Ipoh’s geographic location in the rich tin-bearing valley of the Kinta River made it a natural centre of economic growth. Throughout the 1920′s and 1930′s the town continued to grow rapidly, largely as a result of tin mining and rubber production in the surrounding region.

Ipoh was invaded by the Japanese on 15 December 1941. During the Japanese Occupation, Ipoh was made the capital of Perak, in place of taiping. In March 1942, St. Micheal’s Institution became headquarters of the Japanese administration. After liberation in 1945, Ipoh remained as the capital of Perak.

Ipoh gained Municipal status on 31st May 1962 and was granted City Status on the 27th of May 1988.

~ GEOGRAPHY ~

Perak, which means silver in Malay, is believed to have derived its name from the silvery tin ore that was once found in vast quantities here at the turn of the last century, boosting the economy of the state and attracting world attention. Located along the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Perak, the second largest state in Peninsular Malaysia, stretches from the shoreline to the central mountainous spine of the Peninsular.

The state, which covers approximately 21,000 sq km, borders Kedah and Thailand to the north, Penang to the northwest, Kelantan and Pahang to the east and Selangor to the sourth. Along the west coast it faces the Straits of Melaka.

Perak is divided into nine districts and its major towns include lpoh, Kuala Kangsar, Taiping, Teluk Intan and Lumut. Ipoh is the state capital while Kuala Kangsar is the royal town of Perak .

Ipoh, a large town that lies almost halfway between the capital city of Kuala Lumpur and the state of Penang in the north is a favorite stopping off point for road and rail travelers.

~ TOPOGRAPHY ~

Ipoh is located within the state of Perak. Which is in the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The city is located in the middle of the Kinta Valley, on the bank of the Kinta River and the confluence of smaller rivers, namely Sungai Pinji and Sungai Pari.

The city is surrounded by limestone hills, which can be found around suburban areas to the northeast, east and southeast of the city.

The Kledang mountain range stretches from the north to the west of the city. This range runs parallel to the Bintang Mountain Range. With the Perak River flowing on its left bank and the Kinta River to its right. This range is interrupted to the north of Ipoh by a tributary of the Perak River called the Pelus River, which is sourced from the Titiwangsa Mountain Range. Which runs to the east of Ipoh.

~ PRESENT ~

Today, Ipoh has developed significantly. Captivating the hearts of tourist with its intriguing cave temples, thriving virgin rainforest, historic buildings and delicious varieties of local cuisine.

~ INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT IPOH ~

Ever wonder where the name Ipoh comes from?

Ipoh is derived from “upas” or “ipoh tree” which grew abundantly along Kinta River in those days. Some said Ipoh Trees existed in vicinity of Cowan Street.

The sap of this plant is poisonous and was used by the Orang Asli to coat the tip of the darts of their blowpipes. It proves to be lethal should it comes in contact with wound.
Currently there are 2 Ipoh Trees left in the entire Ipoh City.

Here are some photo of the Landmarks in Ipoh.