Kuala Kangsar Swimming Pool

Located nearby Kuala Kangsar town next to the Rest House at Bukit Chandan. Kuala Kangsar Swimming Pool was built from the idea of Ke Bawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Sultan Perak Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah. It is aimed to be the first swimming sports recreational centre in this district and to encourage the locals to enjoy the facilities provided. Kuala Kangsar Swimming Pool began its operation on 1 October 2005 with the overall construction costs of RM 6 million. The allocation was made from the Prime Minister Office, Ministry of Housing and Local Government and Negeri Perak Finance Office. Kerajaan Tempatan dan Pejabat Kewangan Negeri Perak.

Sultan Abdul Jalil Bridge

The Sultan Abdul Jalil Bridge near Kuala Kangsar was named after the past Sultan of Perak who reigned for a short period between 1916-1918. This concrete bridge takes some load off the older Iskandar Bridge which was built by the British. Sultan Abdul Jalil Bridge was officially opened by Sultan Azlan Shah, the Sultan of Perak, in June 2002. With the opening of this bridge, the distance between Kuala Kangsar and Sayong was significantly reduced.

The Keris Memorial

This monument in the shape of a keris, a sharp-bladed Malay knife, was erected in 1963 to commemorate the installation of the 33rd Sultan of Perak, Sultan Idris Shah. It is situated on a hill near the government rest house in Kuala Kangsar. 

The importance of the keris in the lives of the early Malay community as well as those of royalty is evident even today, and can be seen as an important part of the attire and regalia of the present day Sultans, especially during presentations and ceremonies in the Royal Court.

Tekad Benang Emas

Mastered only by several villagers living just outside the palace grounds, the art of Tekad or embroidery was once taught to all girls on reaching puberty and this handiwork was passed from mothers to daughters. The goal was for the girls to create beautiful embroidery pieces to be worn or paraded for her own wedding ceremony.

Traditionally, gold thread is embroidered on velvet pieces, which are later used to make sets of splendid looking clothing's, decorative gift sets, cushion covers, wall decorations, betel nut boxes, pillowcases, hand cushions, and beddings. The craftsmen are able to create wonderful motifs from their surroundings and the patterns are normally inspired by flora around their environment.

The Labu Sayong-Pottery/ Ceramics

Pottery is the earliest craft done by man. A pot was made to fulfill the needs of everyday life and spiritual purposes. In Malaysia, early use of pottery is mainly for storage of food and water, besides ot her domestic functions such as decoration. The uniqueness of pottery is measured by its shape and pattern.

Traditionally, nature which comprises earth,water, wind and sun provides the inspiration to the pot maker while motives of flora, fauna and geometrics are the adorning attractions which change with the flow of time and era.

“One of the most famous pitchers is the Labu Sayong, which is black in colour and can be found in Sayong, in the district of Kuala Kangsar, Perak.”

The mere mention of the name Sayong evokes the image of the famous black gourd-shaped clay pitcher. The idea of creating this gourd-shaped clay pitcher originated from the use of actual matured pumpkins to store water, after the contents had been removed and the inside cleaned. In the past, Labu Sayong was widely used to store drinking water by the Malays. The amazing thing about this black clay pitcher is that it keeps the water cool and is believed to help prevent illness and stomach disorder.

The making of the Labu Sayong emphasises the elements of nature, from the use of the clay right to the technique of shaping it with the hands. The surface design is usually made up of nature-inspired motifs and harmonious geometric shapes.

Till this day, Labu Sayong is greatly admired, not only for its utility, but for its beauty and aesthetic quality.

Oldest Rubber Tree

It is located near the Kuala Kangsar District Office and is the only surviving rubber tree out of nine that were originally planted.

H.N. Ridley was the man responsible who made Kuala Kangsar the first rubber industry district and then became the important source of income for Malaysia.

Malay College Kuala Kangsar

Officially declared open in 1905, the original name of this college was the Malay Residential School and was allowed only to the children of the Royal family and those of higher ranking Malay dignitaries and officers of the Royal Court. 

The name "Maktab Melayu", or Malay College, was adopted by the school in 1909 and has remained unchanged since then.

Built in the classical architectural tradition that was so popular among the designers of the early colonial days of Malaya, the building displays grand columns, decorated pediments and other features typical of its neo-classical design. Set amidst rolling green grounds, it has the atmosphere of an Enlist village setting.

During the Second World War when the Japanese occupied colonial Malay, the Malay College was turned into an administrative office for the Japanese Imperial Army. People who were suspected to be against the Army were interrogated here and many subsequently beheaded.

Memorial Palace

This palace was wholly built by wood and is also known as Istana Lembah (Valley Palace) and sometimes as Tepas Palace. This palace is situated near Iskandariah Palace and the building was planned after the big flood that befell Perak in 1926.

The carpenter who built this palace was Haji Suffian and his sons who hailed from Seberang Perai. This palace was completed in 1931. Sultan Iskandar Shah, the 30th Sultan Perak (1918 – 1938) moved into the palace because the Negara Palace, the official palace at Changkat Negara was to be demolished and replaced by the new palace (Iskandariah Palace).

In 1933, Sultan Iskandar Shah moved into Iskandariah Palace it was completed. Lembah Istana or Tepas Istana was lived in by Perak royal family.

The name Istana Kenangan was used in the 1960's, after the palace was renovated by the effort of Yang Teramat Mulia Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, the first Prime Minister of Malaysia.

On 16 November 1966, Istana Kenangan officially became the Perak Royal Museum, until now.

Victoria Bridge

This train bridge is also known as Enggor Bridge as it is situated in Enggor, Kuala Kangsar. The bridge that spans Perak River was first built in 1897, completed and officially opened by Sultan Idris Murshidul Azam Shah in 1900. The engineer who was responsible for this bridge was G.W.Fryer, divisional Engineer and C.R. Hanson.

With the completion of this bridge, it completed the train track from Enggor to Kuala Kangsar. In 1910, this bridge was fully operational for train track from Perai to Johor Bahru.

Pavilion Tower

This building is situated at Jalan Bendahara, Kuala Kangsar. This building was built in 1920, during the reign of Sultan Iskandar Shah who ruled from 1918 – 1938. Its architect was N.E. Don B.C.D. It was used as the resting place for Sultan Iskandar Shah after polo matches.

Even though the Pavilion Tower is not in use anymore now, it has been chosen as one of the place of attraction for visitors who come to Kuala Kangsar.

Sultan Azlan Shah Gallery

Sultan Azlan Shah Gallery was officially opened by DYMM Paduka Seri Sultan Perak on 9 December 2003. Previously, the palace, called "Istana Hulu" or "Istana Kota" located at Bukit Chandan, was the first concrete palace built in Negeri Perak. It was owned by AlMarhum Sultan Idris Murshidul Azam Shah, the 28th Sultan Perak 28 (1887-1916). It was first built in 1889 and completed in 1903. In 1916, this palace was occupied by his son, AlMarhum Sultan Abdul Jalil. Two years later, it was occupied by his grandson, Sultan Yussuff Izudin Shah, the 32nd Sultan Perak (1948-1963).

In 1954, "Istana Hulu" was owned by the Ministry of Education, and in 1957, this building was turned into a school, known as Sekolah Kebangsaan Istana Kota. In 1970, Sekolah Kebangsaan Istana Kota name was changed to Sekolah Raja Perempuan Muzwin, that was the name of DYMM Raja Perempuan Perak, Raja Muzwin Binti Raja Ariff. In 1996, Sekolah Raja Perempuan Muzwin moved to a new building. The building was then proposed to be turned into Sultan Azlan Shah Gallery.

This Gallery displays the history and the popular figureheads of DYMM Sultan Perak Darul Ridzuan.

Not escaping its historical significance, the building of Sultan Azlan Shah Gallery displays the unique combination of architecture, such as its unique roof shaped as 'bumbung limas' made from ‘nyeri', the interesting pyramid-like roof structure, while the overall design is the esthetical combination of local and colonial characteristics. During the initial construction, the building materials was sourced from overseas – roof tiles from France, whilst the wall and flooring tiles were Italian – to complement the local stones and the best of 'Cengal' and 'Meranti' – the woods used for the frames.

Various memorabilia items and personal belongings of Sultan Perak are showcased in this gallery. There is also a separate building to display the state cars and patrol cars used in Sultan Azlan Shah's travels. A souvenir shop selling items relating to the Perak Sultanate is also available here.

Iskandariah Palace

Iskandariah Palace is the official residence of the Perak Sultan. A magnificent architectural wonder, the imposing complex is sited at Bukit Chandan, formerly Cangkat Negara. It's a typically Moorish design, based on the famous North Indian Mogul Muslim palaces. 

In 1984, it was extended with an annex comprising a Banquet Hall (Dewan Santapan) and Ceremonial Function Hall (Balai Rong Seri).

Ubudiah Mosque

Masjid Ubudiah is ranking high on the list of Malaysia's most beautiful mosques, Ubudiah Mosque stands proudly and majestically in Kuala Kangsar, with its golden dome and minarets creating a spellbinding sight, from near and afar.

The mosque was designed by Arthur Benison Hubback, a government architect who is notably credited for the design of the Ipoh railway station and the Kuala Lumpur railway station.

Built in 1917 during the reign of the 28th Sultan of Perak, Sultan Idris Murshidul'adzam Shah, the Masjid Ubudiah is located beside the Royal Mausoleum on Bukit Chandan. It was commissioned on the orders of the Sultan, who vowed that he would build a mosque of great beauty as thanksgiving for recovery from an illness which plagued him in those early days.

The construction of the mosque was not without difficulties. Work was interrupted several times, once when two elephants belonging to the sultan's and Raja Chulan were fighting and ran over and damaged the imported Italian marble titles.

The mosque was finally completed in late 1917 at a total cost of RM200,000- quite an astronomical figure for those days. It was officially declared open by Sultan Abdul Jalil Karamtullah Shah, successor to Sultan Idris. This imposing structure is now a symbol of great pride to all Muslims in the state of Perak Darul Ridzuan, the Land of Grace.