The town of ‘everlasting peace’

A town of many firsts: The Taiping Clock Tower, built in 1881, was the first central police station and fire station in the Malay Federated States.

THE mere mention of Taiping brings to mind constant rain and the Taiping Zoo.

While it is true that Taiping is the country’s wettest town, its rich history and heritage adds to its allure.

Previously known as Klian Pauh, the town’s history can be traced back to the early days of the tin industry when droves of Chinese settlers arrived to make their fortune.

Taiping was established in 1874 after the end of the Larut War to mark peace between warring mining groups.

Local boy Collin Aloysius Roveiro, 57, said Taiping, which means “everlasting peace” in Hokkien, was as good and peaceful as its name suggests.

Rich in history: The Hokkien Association building where tin miners from the Fujian province of South China used to seek help and congregate.

“It is a beautiful place, which is probably why Taiping is known as a retirees’ retreat.

“You can see many old people exercising at the Taiping Lake Garden where it is tranquil and the air is fresh.

“Traffic here is still under control and it is just a 20-minute drive to just about anywhere,” said the supervisor of the New Club, which manages the country’s oldest golf course.

While Roveiro takes pride in the relatively slow-paced life in Taiping, he is hopeful that more can be done to promote Taiping as a tourism heritage destination like other historical cities such as Malacca and Penang.

As one of the first tin mining towns in the country, Taiping has many firsts, such as the first railway line and station, telegraph and post office, port, prison, zoo and lake garden.

In fact, Taiping was the capital of the Federated Malay States of Perak, Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Pahang, before Kuala Lumpur took the honour.

“Taiping has a lot of heritage buildings and a rich history.

“Apart from the Lake Garden, Taiping Zoo and Night Safari, we have other places of interest such as Bukit Larut,” said Roveiro.

Bukit Larut or Maxwell Hill, located 10km from Taiping town and approximately 1,250m above sea level, was founded in 1884, and is the oldest hill resort in the country.

Giving shade: The Taiping Lake Garden is popular for its raintrees.

With its charming colonial bungalows and English gardens, and significantly less development compared to Genting Highlands and Cameron Highlands, it provides a most serene and relaxing atmosphere for holidaymakers.

Roveiro feels it would be a waste to keep Taiping’s treasures hidden from the rest of the world.

“Hopefully, the authorities can do more to promote our town like what has been done for Malacca and Penang.

“I believe we can easily attract tourists but more has to be put into promoting the town.

“When our local tourism industry is vibrant, our youngsters will not have to venture outside in search of jobs,” he said.

Agreeing with Roveiro, pet shop owner Lau Yeng Keong, 50, said Taiping had missed out on the opportunity to become a city when the town’s tin supplies dwindled and the state administrative capital was moved to Ipoh in 1937.

“Taiping is still considered very backward but it can be remedied if we could promote it as a top tourist destination.

“I think setting up a university here will also help boost the local economy and give our youngsters greater opportunity,” he said.

Iconic landmark: The 130-year-old Taiping market is the oldest wet market in the country.

Lau said many outsiders made day trips to the town to buy fresh seafood from Kuala Sepetang at the 130-year-old Taiping market.

Kuala Sepetang, used to be known as Port Weld and is the country’s first port, which is a 25 minutes’ drive from Taiping.

History tells us that the country’s first railway line was constructed in Port Weld.

Today, Kuala Sepetang is merely a fishing village but it has the best restaurants serving scrumptious seafood meals.

Meanwhile, youngsters like 19-year-old Koid Lian Jie are looking forward to more development in Taiping.

“In the past four years or so, Taiping has seen a significant change in its landscape with the opening up of new shopping centres and hotels within the town area as well as the setting up of several factories in nearby Kamunting.

“Before Taiping Mall and Aeon Taiping came along, we had to go to Ipoh or Penang to do our shopping.

“We are also seeing more cafes opening up,” said Koid, who was elated when another McDonald’s outlet opened at the Lake Garden.

Trader Noor Hafizah Abdul Rahman, 40, feels that things are just right for now.

“With the new malls that have opened up, we can get all the necessities that we need.

“At the same time, the cost of living is still affordable. There are no massive traffic jam and there is no need to fight for a parking spot.

“I want Taiping to stay like this. The pace of life is just nice. Everything is well-balanced,” she said.