LOCATION:
Some 30 minutes from Ipoh or 2 hours from Penang on the North South Highway. The beautiful town center is about 15 minutes from the highway exit. Just follow the sign board.

DESCRIPTION:
This royal enclave of Kuala Kangsar is probably one of the most beautiful towns in Malaysia. Not to mention how much the town holds historical values especially during the colonial times;  it was the site for the first conference of Federated Malay State rulers (called DURBAR) back in 1897, the first location where rubber trees were introduced to the then-Malaya (the pre-independence name for Malaysia), and some other firsts. Modern time Kuala Kangsar still holds its old world's charms - clean streets with century-old shady trees, preserved colonial buildings as well as well-landscaped gardens.

The sights are plenty to choose from. Climbing the hills of Bukit Chandan brings you to one of Malaysia's famous landmark: the Ubudiah Mosque. A little further up takes you to the sprawling complex of Iskandariah Palace, where the present-day Sultan of Perak lives, and the Perak Museum (locally known as Istana Kenangan) where the old-time Sultans used to live. The view of Perak River is breathtaking. The town probably thrives in the old day due to this wide body of water, making it a suitable location for strategic administration, especially during the British colonial period .

Then there is the Malay College Kuala Kangsar (my alma mater by the way, also known as Maktab Melayu) which boast a stupendous Greco-Roman architecture. Established in 1905 for education for the then children of many royalties, it had since been opened to Malay peasants who excelled in their education to develop their leadership skills.

MY VERDICT:
A great royal town intertwined with some colonial heritage as well as spectacular sceneries.