Taiping Lake Gardens is the pride of Taiping, the former capital of Perak. And at one point, all of Malaysia!
Hence, it would be a shame to miss out on this exceptionally beautiful recreational park. Especially if you happen to be in Ipoh for a while as it’s only an hour’s drive away!
Stick around this post to find out more about what you can see and do here.
Table of contents:
Background Information
The garden itself is large (close to 65 hectares) so you might want to have a look at a map first!
And since the garden doesn’t have walls, perimeter fencing or gates, you can enter it from almost any direction.
Unlike Penang Botanic Gardens, there is no road through Taiping Lake Gardens either. You have to walk or cycle in order to explore the garden.
History
From the map, you’ll notice the unusual splotchy shape of the lake in Taiping Lake Gardens. This is not a coincidence because the whole place used to be a tin mine site.
And after the mine was abandoned, the gardens were developed and finally opened in 1880.
Taiping Lake Gardens was the very first public garden of the then-Malaya (i.e. when Malaysia was still under British rule). And the lake gardens were where the first golf course was in Malaysia too!
But as you can imagine, that was kind of dangerous for anyone taking a stroll in the garden. So, the golf course was closed in 1995.
In its place, there are now plants and some playgrounds.
Around the gardens, are some heritage buildings as well:
- Old Residency – home to the Secretary (to the Resident)
- The Raja’s House
- And some residences that belonged to former army officers
Facilities
Taiping has the reputation of one of the wettest areas in Malaysia so check the weather forecast before you plan a trip to Taiping!
If you do get caught in the rain here, the largest shelter in Taiping Lake Gardens is the visitor center near the paddle boats.
Other facilities that you can find at the park include:
- Jogging tracks
- Reflexology tracks
- Some outdoor gym equipment
- Playgrounds
- Roller-skating rink
- Paddleboats for rent rides
What To Do
1. Go On A Picnic
It’s not uncommon to see families having picnics here during the weekends.
Occasionally (and not surprisingly), you’ll see someone having their wedding photos taken here!
2. Exercise
Every day, in the cool of the early morning or late evening, there will be people having their daily round of exercise at Taiping Lake Gardens.
And since, the gardens are open 24/7, it is not a bad place to walk off a heavy meal.
3. Walk Among Giants
You can’t miss these majestic raintrees which are over a century old! Some have large arching branches that dip into the lake!
While others need manmade crutches to keep them from collapsing.
4. Explore The Lakes And Ponds
In the park, there are multiple ponds in addition to the lakes. Some have lovely bridges to cross over to the other side too. There is also a pool of lotus.
There is even an old pier with its white balustrade. You can get an exceptional view of the lake from here. If it’s a weekend, there will be paddle boats out on the lake too.
5. See The Japanese Garden
At one side of the park, the landscaping resembles a Japanese Garden. If you go in the early morning, the atmosphere is even more enchanting.
6. Birdwatching
If you have binoculars, bring them along. Because at Taiping Lake Gardens, you may be able to spot some migratory birds that frequent this area.
7. Bring The Kids To The Playground
There is a nice playground at the park. It is not far from the paddle boats too.
8. Cycle Around The Gardens
If you don’t happen to have your own bicycle, there is a bicycle rental station (by CYCLEDIOS) beside the Pier Lake Garden.
9. Paddle On The Lake
Paddle boats shaped like swans are available for rent at Taiping Lake Gardens too. You move around by using the foot pedals inside the boat.
Lifejackets are compulsory.
Cafes That Are Within Walking Distance
There’s no on-site café at the park. But there a few cafes that you can get to easily from the gardens.
1. DoubleTap Café
This spacious and stylish café has a front-row view of the park. They have breakfast and lunch options and are also open at night (they have alcohol for sale).
Check out our experience and see more photos of DoubleTap Café.
2. Rainy Corner
This café is a little further but still within walking distance from the park. With a car, it takes 1 minute to reach Rainy Corner from Taiping Lake Gardens.
It’s cozy in the narrow and plant-filled café. This café gets a good amount of sunlight from the side of the building (with window seats too). Drinks are not bad either. And you can also order mains for lunch.
Read more about Rainy Corner from our perspective.
Here are some other cafes to check out in Taiping.
Nearby Attractions
First, here’s a map of the places to see in Taiping:
Click on it to adjust the route accordingly to your preferences.
1. Taiping Zoo
Pay a visit to Taiping Zoo. Feeding time is typically between 10am to 12pm. The zoo is also open at night for the Night Safari after 8pm.
You can book your tickets here. It’s RM16 per adult. Or RM20 per adult for the Night Safari.
If you’ve never seen a mouse deer (Malaysia’s national animal, the kancil), here’s a great opportunity!
- Opening hours: 8 am to 11 pm
- Contact: +605-808 6577
2. Burmese Pool In Taiping
Cool off at the Burmese pool in Taiping. The water temperature can be colder than you expect!
There is a fee of less than RM5 for the car park. The toilet is free to use. And there is a small store in the car park where you can buy snacks.
Be careful to keep valuables out of sight in your car. And to keep food hidden from monkeys!
- Opening hours: 8.00am until 5.00pm
3. Maxwell Hill
Another cool place you should visit is Maxwell Hill (Bukit Larut). The gate is open from as early as 6:30am and closes at 8pm.
This is a good nature spot. And a great deal less crowded alternative to the super popular Cameron Highlands.
Once you are up here (either by jeep or by hiking), you’re on your own. There’s only a toilet, playground, and a scattering of picnic tables. But the cafe has recently closed.
Note: Jeep service has been closed for more than a year. Call the admin office (+605-807 7241) ahead before going.
4. Perak Museum
The oldest museum in Malaysia which was established since 1886 by the British:
Until today, the museum still preserves its original colonial architecture and has about 8,500 items on display! It’s a short 5-minute walk from Taiping Lake Garden too.
See what we personally like about the Perak Museum at Taiping.
- Opening hours: daily 9 am to 5 pm
- Contact: +605-807 2057
- Admission fee: RM2
5. Telegraph Museum, Taiping
The Telegraph Museum is not walking distance from the park, but you can drive there in around 3 minutes.
There are many things to see in the small but well-maintained museum. See more photos from our visit to the Telegraph Museum.
Want more things to do in Taiping? See more attractions.
Nearby Hotels
Want to stay in a hotel close to the lake gardens? Check out these options for suggestions:
Flemington Hotel – contemporary stay with a swimming pool, bar and on-site eatery
Novotel Taiping – classic hotel with guest parking, buffet breakfast, a swimming pool and bar
Hotel Grand Baron – relatively new hotel in a quiet location with family rooms and a swimming pool
How To Get To Taiping
Taiping is highly accessible even though you cannot fly there!
From Penang: 1.5 hours’ drive south via the North-South Express Highway
From Kuala Lumpur: ~3 to 4 hours’ drive up north via the North-South Express Highway.
But let’s focus on how you can get there from Ipoh:
1. Ipoh To Taiping By Private Tour
Taking a tour may seem over the top for a little town like Taiping. But it takes a local to show you around places and things you might miss if you go on your own!
With a tour, you can take the opportunity to explore other attractions close to Taiping without having to worry about logistics.
Book RayTheTour via WhatsApp.
Taiping is about an hour’s drive from Ipoh.
Conclusion
Nature lovers will not want to miss out on the impressive Taiping Lake Gardens in Perak! The lakes, large trees, and all the greenery are a treat to the eyes.
Moreover, there are paddleboats and a playground for kids to enjoy.
If you’re making a trip to Ipoh, consider going because it only takes less than an hour to get there!
Kuala Sepetang
Those keen on nature can check out the quiet fishing town of Kuala Sepetang. It’s close to Taiping and is home to the historic Port Weld, mangroves and wildlife that include sea eagles, fireflies, and rare pink river dolphins. There are local boating tours too.
