The last time we went to visit the Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge No. 5, it was just the dredge alone and the visitor center. Now there’s a maze park to further attract visitors. But is it worth it the long drive out of Ipoh to visit this place?
We certainly think so but don’t just take our word for it – here are some photos and more details on what you can do here!
History
In case you missed it, Perak’s relative earlier development (compared to neighboring states) is owed to the area’s rich tin deposits. These were highly sought after back in the 19th century tin rush.
And to get the tin out of the earth, massive tin mining dredges were imported overseas and assembled in Malaysia. Perak had many such dredges (more than 120), but today, Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge No. 5 is the last of its kind. It is still standing after almost 50 years of operation (operations ceased in August 1982) and many years of neglect after.
Today, the dredge is managed by Menteri Besar Incorporated Perak (MB Inc.) and it is part of the Kinta Valley National Geopark.
You can learn a lot more about the dredge when you visit it in person as there are many information boards as well as guided tours that will take you onto the dredge itself!
Note: There are no more guided tours, just audio guides that you can scan at respective sections inside the dredge.
Getting Here
As per the name, the dredge is close to the small mainly Chinese village of Tanjung Tualang in Batu Gajah, Perak. This is approximately a 45-minute drive out of Ipoh.
This village is famous for seafood restaurants (particularly large head freshwater prawns) so many visitors choose to make a day trip that includes a visit to the Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge No. 5, followed by lunch (or dinner) at one of the restaurants.
If you don’t have your own transport, give local tour service, RayTheTour a message on their WhatsApp (+60 16-329 8342) as it is possible to include the tin dredge and Tanjung Tualang as part of an Ipoh day tour.
Entrance Fees
Note: You can only buy tickets online now. There is no longer any physical ticket counter. Check prices here at the official website. Tickets now cost the same for ages 4 and above, as well as for Malaysians and non-Malaysians too (RM21 per person).
We purchased our tickets just inside the visitor center right after entering the gate. They stop selling tickets after 5:15pm. Although the stated opening hours for Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge No. 5 is from 9am to 6pm.
There is the option to just visit the park and not go for the guided tours. And as usual, there are different prices for Malaysians and non-Malaysians.
Note that you cannot enter the dredge unless you take the dredge tour and have a guide with you. It’s also compulsory to wear a hard hat inside the dredge.
Timing For The Guided Tours
Note: There are no longer any guided tours (and hence schedule for entering the dredge).
There are specific slots throughout the day for guided tours (i.e., hourly). And you can call them (+6014-904 3255) to book a slot.
Booking is necessary for weekends and public holidays as they do have limited slots for the tours.
Slots: 9:30am, 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm, 3:30pm, 4:30pm
Tours can take up to 40 minutes and are typically conducted in Malay.
Facilities
Most of the park is flat so strollers and wheelchairs can possibly access the park, just maybe not the dredge itself which has a few levels and is narrow in paces.
There’s an outdoors café here but we think that they only serve snacks and drinks. You’ll need to go elsewhere for a heavier meal.
On-site Café (The Can Tin)
This outdoor café functions out of an old railcar (we think the name is very appropriate for the small cafe given that the site has tin history too) with many tables and chairs at either side of it.
Some of these tables overlook the clear and small manmade stream that cuts across part of the park. There are fans and cold drinks if you want some respite from the afternoon heat.
We did end up getting a can of chilled 100plus after wandering around the park in the afternoon.
Although you can also take your drink around to enjoy elsewhere around the park. Just be sure throw the trash in the provided bins throughout the park.
Visitor Center
The visitor center doesn’t have much in it aside from one bench, the main counter where you can get tickets (no longer) as well as fish food for RM2/ pack and souvenirs like t-shirts, etc. Only staff can access the back portion of the building.
However, there are some informative exhibits and posters on the walls. A small panning station and some tin mining artefacts are available for visitors to examine (some are not for touching). Do check out the diagrams that show the full structure of the dredge!
Other Facilities
- Parking – There is plenty of parking in the compound just in front of the park; only a few spots get shade, but there is no parking fee
- Toilets – We only saw one toilet block in the whole park, and these between the café and chicken coops. They are in a good state albeit partially outdoors.
- Benches – Anyone who needs a break or who just wants to admire the scenery can do so at almost every corner of the park as there are numerous benches around.
- Kids Playground – While small, there is a very lovely kids playground overlooking the water hyacinth-filled lake.
Things To Do
1. Go For The Guided Tours
Note: Sadly no longer available
This is a must if it’s your first time visiting! It’s really cool to be able to see the dredge up close. And the tours themselves are interesting.
We’ve been on the tour before and highly recommend it! The friendly guides will share how the dredge works as well as interesting fun facts about it.
2. Walk Around The Dredge
You can’t fully appreciate the size and engineering ingenuity of the tin dredge without seeing it from every angle.
So, take advantage of the well-lit and even concrete path that goes all around the lake where the tin dredge is!
3. Feed Fish
There is fish in the stream by the on-site cafe as well as in the lake surrounding the dredge. The numerous fish in the lake are very hungry and you can purchase fish food from the counter at the visitor center to feed them.
4. Chill By A Stream
After walking around the park, there’s nothing more refreshing than having a cool drink and a rest under the shade of trees!
5. Feed Goats
During our visit, we saw a small herd of goats can be seen roaming around the park. They cannot access certain areas because of the double-gate systems in place.
You can feed them if you wish too. However, the goat pellets are different from fish food, and these can be purchased from the café for RM3/ pack.
The goats are not afraid of humans but are not invasive or threatening either. They are very content to munch on grass and keep to themselves if you don’t have any food for them.
6. See Chickens & Rabbits
Besides goats, there are small chickens housed in two wooden coops not far from the toilets.
As for rabbits, you’ll have to go deep into the maze park to find them. Overall, we are happy to see that the animals are all in good condition and have very well-tended enclosures with ample space.
7. Get Lost In The Maze Park (Different Maze Sections)
When we were here, the first maze we saw after going past the tin dredge still looked like it needed more time to mature, and therefore we did not find it impressive.
But there is more to the maze park after the café. Including a stone maze that leads to other sections (e.g., bamboo, recycled materials, rabbits, Jasmine bushes etc).
You really do get the sense that you are lost in some parts! And if you want to add a mission to your exploration, look for these colorful post boxes!
It did not take us very long to explore the maze park. Probably 20 minutes tops.
Note: A staff member will pass you a TT5 postcard to put into one of these post boxes and they will even post them out for you too.
8. Learn Some Geography
Early in the maze (and after the stone section), we came upon a huge ivy-covered dome with some rock and mineral exhibits.
It’s quite dark in here but there’s enough light to make out the different rocks they have on display here. To us, it’s not particularly interesting but it was unexpected!
9. Admire The Art
Also in the maze park, are some pretty paintings that pay tribute to Perak’s tin mining history.
10. Bird Watch
The larger lake that is next to the tin dredge is full of water hyacinths, but also brogas and herons that are busy catching fish beneath the plants!
11. Take Lots Of Photos
We saw dozens of photo opportunities everywhere in the park whether in the maze park, in front of the dredge, or by the lake!
Conclusion
Despite the high entry fees, we think it’s still worth checking out the Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge No. 5 and the Maze Park even if the drive to get here is long. Where else are you going to see a tin dredge up close?
During our visit, we found the park to be well-maintained. If you love nature or taking photos, expect to spend a couple of hours here! Unfortunately, it is a real shame that there are no more guided dredge tours.
Things To Do In Ipoh
There are many interesting things to do in Ipoh – but the unique places are further away. Like Kellie’s Castle, the TT5 Tin Dredge and Gua Tempurung.
Kinta Nature Park
Want to see more birds? You’ll need to get up very early and make your way to Kinta Nature Park then. It’s also on the way to the TT5 Tin Dredge.
