Taiping Lake Gardens

Taiping Lake Gardens (Malay: Taman Tasik Taiping) is the first public garden established during the British rule in Malaya. The garden is located near Bukit Larut (Maxwell Hill), and is equidistant to the town centre and the Taiping Zoo.

The Taiping Lake Gardens was originally a mining ground before it was established as a public garden in 1880. The abandoned tin mine ground was donated by Chung Thye Phin as a recreation park for public use. In 1884 the gardens were planted with grasses, flowers and trees; a part of the gardens was fenced, to keep bulls out.

There are about 10 man-made lakes and ponds distributed throughout the gardens as today.

There are ten scenic lakes and ponds, which highlight the gardens. Along Residency Road, near the gardens, were golden rain trees (Malay: angsana) (pterocarpus indicus) planted along the pathway. The streets are shaded by rows of the angsana tree, which at irregular intervals bursts forth into a riot of blossoms, even more yellow than those of the laburnum.

There are few private and government houses located near the gardens; among them are the Old Residency (home of the Secretary to the Resident), the Raja’s House at the junction of Birch Road and Residency Road and the army officers' residences on Batu Tugoh Road.

Getting There

Taiping is easily accessible from the North South Expressway (PLUS). From Penang (90 km away), Kamunting is the nearest exit, whilst Changkat Jering is the most convenient exit from the motorway if you are traveling north from Ipoh (70 km). You will be able to find signage which stated "Taman Tasik Taiping" all the way from the highway exit to the Lake Gardens.

Taiping is well-connected to the rest of Peninsular Malaysia by express buses, which arrive at and depart from the long-distance bus station at Kamunting (6 km from the town centre) and Simpang (7 km from the town centre). Buses also travel direct from Taiping to Singapore and Hat Yai.

Attractions in Perak