Ipoh
Ipoh
| ||
| Coordinates: 4°36′00″N 101°4′00″E | ||
| Country | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| State | Perak | |
| Establishment | Around 1880 | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor | Datuk Haji Roshidi Hashim | |
| Area | ||
| • City | 643 km2 (248 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 21.95 m (72 ft) | |
| Population (2010) | ||
| • City | 767,794 (6th) | |
| • Density | 432/km2 (1,120/sq mi) | |
| • Metro | 1,499,000 [1] | |
| Time zone | MST (UTC+8) | |
| • Summer (DST) | Not observed (UTC) | |
| Website | http://www.mbi.gov.my | |
Ipoh /ˈiːpoʊ/ is the capital city of Perak state, Malaysia. It is approximately 200 km (125 miles) north of
Kuala Lumpur on theNorth-South Expressway.
Kuala Lumpur on theNorth-South Expressway.
Ipoh developed into one of Malaysia's main cities around the turn of the 19th century due to the booming
tin mining industry. During the British colonial era, Ipoh was Malaysia's second city for administrative
purposes. Architecturally, the city centre is characterised by Straits eclectic shop houses. There are several
impressive historical buildings from the British Colonial era such as the Railway Station, the Town Hall and the
Court House.
tin mining industry. During the British colonial era, Ipoh was Malaysia's second city for administrative
purposes. Architecturally, the city centre is characterised by Straits eclectic shop houses. There are several
impressive historical buildings from the British Colonial era such as the Railway Station, the Town Hall and the
Court House.
Contents
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History[edit]
Ipoh came into existence in the 1820s as a village at the highest navigable point of the Kinta Rive
.[citation needed] It was less prominent at that time compared to the early mining town of Gopeng,
20 km south of Ipoh. Following the great fire of 1892,[citation needed] the town was rebuilt.
.[citation needed] It was less prominent at that time compared to the early mining town of Gopeng,
20 km south of Ipoh. Following the great fire of 1892,[citation needed] the town was rebuilt.
From the turn of the early 20th century, when more British tin-mining companies were set up
in the city, Ipoh gained greater prominence.[citation needed] Influential institutions such as
The Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China Limited opened offices in Ipoh in 1902. It
provided credit to the Straits Trading Company and later the Eastern Smelting Company. More Colonial-era
firms started to set up offices in the booming town such as the stockbroker Botly and Co., A.H. Whittaker &
Co., Chartered Accounts, Evatt & Co., and Estate Visiting Agents Milne & Stevens.[citation needed]
in the city, Ipoh gained greater prominence.[citation needed] Influential institutions such as
The Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China Limited opened offices in Ipoh in 1902. It
provided credit to the Straits Trading Company and later the Eastern Smelting Company. More Colonial-era
firms started to set up offices in the booming town such as the stockbroker Botly and Co., A.H. Whittaker &
Co., Chartered Accounts, Evatt & Co., and Estate Visiting Agents Milne & Stevens.[citation needed]
Its geographic location in the rich tin-bearing valley of the Kinta River made it a natural centre of growth.
It grew rapidly as a mining town, especially in the 1920s and 1930s. A local Hakka miner, millionaire Yau
Tet-Shin started developing a large tract of the city in the early 1930s, today known as the 'New Town' section
from the eastern bank of the Kinta River to Greentown.[2]
It grew rapidly as a mining town, especially in the 1920s and 1930s. A local Hakka miner, millionaire Yau
Tet-Shin started developing a large tract of the city in the early 1930s, today known as the 'New Town' section
from the eastern bank of the Kinta River to Greentown.[2]
Ipoh was invaded by the Japanese on 15 December 1941. During the Japanese occupation of Malaya, Ipoh was
made the capital of Perak, in place of Taiping. In March 1942, the Japanese Civil Administration or Perak Shu
Seicho had been set up at the St. Michael's Institution. After the liberation of Malaya by British forces, Ipoh
remained the capital of Perak, till this day.[3]
made the capital of Perak, in place of Taiping. In March 1942, the Japanese Civil Administration or Perak Shu
Seicho had been set up at the St. Michael's Institution. After the liberation of Malaya by British forces, Ipoh
remained the capital of Perak, till this day.[3]
Two of the largest entertainment groups then, the Cathay Organisation and Shaw Brothers Company, set up
cinema chains in Ipoh.
cinema chains in Ipoh.
Geography[edit]
Topography[edit]
Ipoh is in the state of Perak, which is in the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The city is in the middle of the
Kinta Valley, on the bank of the Kinta River and the confluence of smaller rivers, 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.[4]
Kinta Valley, on the bank of the Kinta River and the confluence of smaller rivers, 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.[4]
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 thePerak River called the Pelus River, which is sourced
from the Titiwangsa mountain range, which runs to the east of Ipoh.[5]
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 thePerak River called the Pelus River, which is sourced
from the Titiwangsa mountain range, which runs to the east of Ipoh.[5]
Climate[edit]
Ipoh features a tropical rainforest climate. Temperatures show little variation throughout the year. The city's
average temperature is 27 degrees Celsius. Ipoh sees high precipitation throughout the year with more 200mm
of rain each month and averaging 2800 mm of rain per year. The wettest month is November where on average
360 mm of rain is seen. Ipoh's driest month is June which has 128 mm of rain fall on average.
average temperature is 27 degrees Celsius. Ipoh sees high precipitation throughout the year with more 200mm
of rain each month and averaging 2800 mm of rain per year. The wettest month is November where on average
360 mm of rain is seen. Ipoh's driest month is June which has 128 mm of rain fall on average.
Ipoh annual mean rainfall can be compared to other places in Malaysia in Annual Mean Rainfall Location in Malaysia 2013
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Limestone caves, mountains and lakes[edit]
Ipoh is surrounded by limestone caves and there are several cave temples. The Sam Po Tong (Chinese: 三寶洞;
Cavern of Three Precious) is a Chinese temple built within a limestone cave. Another temple is Perak Tong
(Chinese: 霹靂洞; Perak Cave); it has a steep staircase inside leading up to the top of its hill where there is a
panoramic view of Ipoh and its surroundings. The statue of Buddha in Perak Tong was the tallest and largest of
its kind in Malaysia when first commissioned.[citation needed].
Cavern of Three Precious) is a Chinese temple built within a limestone cave. Another temple is Perak Tong
(Chinese: 霹靂洞; Perak Cave); it has a steep staircase inside leading up to the top of its hill where there is a
panoramic view of Ipoh and its surroundings. The statue of Buddha in Perak Tong was the tallest and largest of
its kind in Malaysia when first commissioned.[citation needed].
Kek Lok Tong (Chinese: 極樂洞; Cavern of Utmost Happiness) is a cave temple that lies on the other side of
the same hill as Sam Poh Tong. It is accessible through the Gunung Rapat housing area. It has a clean, quiet and
cool environment and
has the best scenic cave view.
the same hill as Sam Poh Tong. It is accessible through the Gunung Rapat housing area. It has a clean, quiet and
cool environment and
has the best scenic cave view.
Limestone hills extend 20 km north of Ipoh and 20 km to the south. There are many caves in these hills; cave
emples are built in some.[6] Gua Tempurung, near Gopeng south of Ipoh, is a show cave open to
the public. It is popular among spelunkers.
More than 3 km long, it is one of the longest caves in Peninsula Malaysia. Part of it has been developed as a
show cave with electric
lighting and walkways, and there are tours of different lengths and difficulty. A fine river cave, the river passage
runs about 1.6 km through
the hill. There are five very large chambers and some stalactites and stalagmites.
emples are built in some.[6] Gua Tempurung, near Gopeng south of Ipoh, is a show cave open to
the public. It is popular among spelunkers.
More than 3 km long, it is one of the longest caves in Peninsula Malaysia. Part of it has been developed as a
show cave with electric
lighting and walkways, and there are tours of different lengths and difficulty. A fine river cave, the river passage
runs about 1.6 km through
the hill. There are five very large chambers and some stalactites and stalagmites.
Lakes in Ipoh include the one at Gunung Lang.
Cuisine[edit]
Ipoh has a vibrant food scene with a vast proliferation of hawker centres and restaurants. It is well known for
dishes such as "Sar Hor Fun" (Chinese: 沙河粉) a complete one-dish rice noodle meal with prawn, meat, fish,
vegetables and a savory sauce. Other dishes from Ipoh include "Hor Hee", flat white rice noodles served
with fish cakes and/or fish balls, "Nga Choi Kai" (Chinese: 芽菜鸡), chicken with soy sauce and
beansprouts topped with pepper, "Hakka Mee" (Chinese: 客家麵), yellow rice noodles served with mince meat
(pork) sauce and Ipoh's famous pastry
"Heong Peng" (Chinese: 香餅), literally translated to "fragrant biscuit". The city is well known in Malaysia for its
"Ipoh white coffee" where the coffee beans are roasted with palm-oil
margarine and the resulting coffee is served with condensed milk.
dishes such as "Sar Hor Fun" (Chinese: 沙河粉) a complete one-dish rice noodle meal with prawn, meat, fish,
vegetables and a savory sauce. Other dishes from Ipoh include "Hor Hee", flat white rice noodles served
with fish cakes and/or fish balls, "Nga Choi Kai" (Chinese: 芽菜鸡), chicken with soy sauce and
beansprouts topped with pepper, "Hakka Mee" (Chinese: 客家麵), yellow rice noodles served with mince meat
(pork) sauce and Ipoh's famous pastry
"Heong Peng" (Chinese: 香餅), literally translated to "fragrant biscuit". The city is well known in Malaysia for its
"Ipoh white coffee" where the coffee beans are roasted with palm-oil
margarine and the resulting coffee is served with condensed milk.
Main article: Ipoh cuisine
Cityscape[edit]
Today, "Ipoh" usually refers to the territory under administration of Ipoh City Council or Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh,
which includes the smaller towns adjacent to the city such as Pengkalan, Silibin, Chemor, Jelapang, Menglembu
and Tanjung Rambutan.
which includes the smaller towns adjacent to the city such as Pengkalan, Silibin, Chemor, Jelapang, Menglembu
and Tanjung Rambutan.
The Old Town
The Old Town is west of the Kinta River. There is a vibrant commercial district with many historical
'shop-houses' centred around Leech Street (Chinese: 烈治街; now Jalan Bandar Timah). Other notable features
include:
'shop-houses' centred around Leech Street (Chinese: 烈治街; now Jalan Bandar Timah). Other notable features
include:
- Ipoh railway station in neo-classical/Edwardian Baroque style nicknamed the "Taj Mahal of Ipoh".
- Ipoh Town Hall, an Edwardian Baroque municipal building located across the road from the Railway
- Station.
- Padang Ipoh or Ipoh Field is on Jalan S.P. Seenivasagam. The field is surrounded by historic buildings
- that feature classic colonial architecture, including the mock-Tudor style Ipoh Club, FMS Bar, HSBC
- Building and the
- St Michael's Institution secondary school.
- The Anglo-Chinese School, Ipoh, officially named SMK Methodist (ACS), is located along Lahat Road.
- Muzium Darul Ridzuan is a historical museum of Perak, in a pretty former tin-mining tycoon's mansion on
- Jalan Kuala Kangsar.
The New Town[edit]k
The so-called New Town, to the east of the Kinta River, was developed by Yau Tet Shin around 1908.[7] The New
Town houses the Perak Medical University and Ipoh City Hall building, among others. There are numerous
shops, shopping malls, and hotels.
Town houses the Perak Medical University and Ipoh City Hall building, among others. There are numerous
shops, shopping malls, and hotels.
D. R. Seenivasagam Park (Coronation Park), located in the heart of Ipoh (New Town), is known for its scenic
beauty and recreational facilities. It comprises recreational fields, an artificial lake filled with fish, a nursery
for potted plants and a children's traffic playground. The latest addition is the newly landscaped
Japanese garden featuring a Japanese carp pond.
beauty and recreational facilities. It comprises recreational fields, an artificial lake filled with fish, a nursery
for potted plants and a children's traffic playground. The latest addition is the newly landscaped
Japanese garden featuring a Japanese carp pond.
From the late 1980s Greentown, beside the New Town, was transformed from old government quarters to an
administrative and commercial centre of Ipoh, often overshadowing Old Town and New Town.[citation needed]
administrative and commercial centre of Ipoh, often overshadowing Old Town and New Town.[citation needed]
Sports[edit]
There are a few sporting venues in Ipoh. A portion of land in the Kampong Simee area has been selected by the
City Council for the Sport Center. The main sports stadium for football (soccer) and other track and field events is
the
Perak Stadium. There is an indoor sports stadium beside it, the Indera Mulia Stadium, playing host to events such
as badminton.
Ipoh is also home for the Perak Football Association.
City Council for the Sport Center. The main sports stadium for football (soccer) and other track and field events is
the
Perak Stadium. There is an indoor sports stadium beside it, the Indera Mulia Stadium, playing host to events such
as badminton.
Ipoh is also home for the Perak Football Association.
Ipoh has Malaysia's first velodrome, Velodrom Rakyat (The People's Velodrome), costing RM 3.25 million;
funds were raised in a country-wide donation drive (led by Tan Sri Darshan Singh Gill). In addition, Ipoh has an
Astroturf stadium for hockey, the Azlan Shah Stadium.
funds were raised in a country-wide donation drive (led by Tan Sri Darshan Singh Gill). In addition, Ipoh has an
Astroturf stadium for hockey, the Azlan Shah Stadium.
For golf, the courses are the Royal Perak Golf Club off Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah (Tiger Lane), the Meru
Golf Club in Jelapang, and Clearwater Sanctuary Golf Club en route to Batu Gajah.
Golf Club in Jelapang, and Clearwater Sanctuary Golf Club en route to Batu Gajah.
Other sports venues include the Kilat Club in Pasir Pinji, Ipoh Field (Padang Ipoh) in the Old Town, the
Polo Grounds, and the Iskandar Polo Club, in Ampang Baru.
Polo Grounds, and the Iskandar Polo Club, in Ampang Baru.
Governance[edit]
The Ipoh City Council governs the city. Roshidi Hashim, appointed in 2008, is the mayor of Ipoh.[8]
Ipoh is divided into two parliamentary constituencies: Ipoh Barat (Ipoh West) and Ipoh Timur (Ipoh East).
The parliamentary seat for Ipoh Timur is held by DAP Representative, Lim Kit Siang while the seat for
Ipoh Barat is held by fellow DAP leader, M. Kulasegaran.[9]
The parliamentary seat for Ipoh Timur is held by DAP Representative, Lim Kit Siang while the seat for
Ipoh Barat is held by fellow DAP leader, M. Kulasegaran.[9]
Demographics[edit]
Ipoh remains one of Malaysia's largest cities. It is the fourth largest city in Malaysia. As of 2009, it has a
population of 702,464, with a total urban area population of 1,143,778.[10] It ranks as the sixth most
populous urban centre in Malaysia. (2007)[11]
population of 702,464, with a total urban area population of 1,143,778.[10] It ranks as the sixth most
populous urban centre in Malaysia. (2007)[11]
Census statistics[edit]
| Ethnic groups in Ipoh, 2012
census
| ||
|---|---|---|
| Ethnicity | Population | Percentage |
| Chinese | 451,361 | 70.0% |
| Malay | 109,616 | 17.0% |
| Indian | 80,600 | 12.5% |
| Others | 3,225 | 0.5% |
Toponymy[edit]
The name Ipoh is derived from a local tree, Pohon Epu or now more commonly known as Pokok Ipoh.
The sap of this plant is poisonous and was used by Orang Asli (indigenous peoples in Malay) to coat the tips
of the darts of their blowpipes for hunting.
The sap of this plant is poisonous and was used by Orang Asli (indigenous peoples in Malay) to coat the tips
of the darts of their blowpipes for hunting.
Transportation[edit]
- Trunk roads: The old interstate Route 1 connects Ipoh with neighboring towns and other
- states (such as the town of Gopeng, Tanjung Malim and city of Kuala Lumpur down south).
- Highway: The new North-South Expressway is a faster and more efficient alternative to Route 1.
- However, certain towns like Kamparcan only be accessible via Route 1. Drivers using the North-South
- highway can exit into Ipoh from any of these exits: Simpang Pulai, South Ipoh (Ipoh(S)) or North Ipoh
- (Ipoh(U)) and Jelapang.
- Train: Ipoh's railway station is operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) and is in the Old Town
- (however, it does not have intra-city travel like in Kuala Lumpur). The railway only connects Ipoh with
- neighbouring towns and cities. The station is a stately building, referred to by locals as the 'Taj Mahal'
- of Ipoh. KTM Intercity began the Shuttle Train Service between Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh from December
- 1, 2008 while the modern Electric Train System (ETS) shuttle began from 12 August 2010 with average
- 145kmh speed, plying
- Ipoh-Seremban route, cut the travelling distance between Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur into 120 minutes.
- There are 10 dedicated shuttle train services between these two cities daily which begins at 5am from
- both the stations. Travel time between the cities was expected to be reduced from three hours to two
- hours and fifteen minutes when the new set of EMU trains arrived in mid-2009.[14]
- Bus: The inter-city bus terminal is located at Silveritage Galleria along Gopeng Road nearby Gunung
- Rapat,
- south of Ipoh (formerly situated in Medan Kidd, Old Town) to Ipoh Terminal Bus Station.
- Air: the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport is the only airport in Ipoh. It is near Gunung Rapat. Domestic flights
- (and limited international ones) are available. Firefly provides two daily flights out of Ipoh to Singapore
- Changi Airport while Silverfly provides flights to Medan, Indonesia.[15]
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