Former tin mining town soldiers on in a different age

1 Marble and Granite factories are now the main businesses in Keramat Pulai.2 A signboard for Simpang Pulai located 8km from Ipoh and near the gateway of North-South Expressway.3 Chan showing a relic left by the Chinese monks at the Guan Yin temple in the area.4 A stall selling food doing brisk business at Simpang Pulai New Village.5 Coffeeshops can be found on almost every corner in the village.— Photos: RONNIE CHIN/The Star

SITUATED near one of the busiest roads in Ipoh, the Simpang Pulai New Village is home to many former tin mining workers who used to ply their trade at sites near the village.

Back when the mining industry was booming, before World War 2, most of them stayed at Keramat Pulai — an area one passes on the way to Cameron Highlands now.