Hotels near Taiping Lake Garden

Taiping Lake Garden was established in 1880 and one of the oldest garden in Malaysia. The garden is located nearby Bukit Larut and the Taiping Zoo. Covers over 62 hectares, this lake was originally a tin mine. Colonel Robert Sandilands Frowd Walker proposed the idea of the lake garden and the place was developed by Charles Compton Reade, who was also responsible for planning the Kuala Lumpur garden town, together with Lady Swettenham. This tin mine turned into a beautiful and well-maintained park where flowers, birds, insects and animals.

Currently, the lake is popular among local and international tourists due to its lakes and ponds, a lotus pool, bridges, tracks for jogging and reflexology, tropical plants, flowers, trees and wildlife. For kids, a roller-skating rink, paddleboat rides, and a playground are available. Besides that, there are heritage structures surround the lush greenery around the garden, including the Old Residency, formerly the home of the Secretary to the Resident, the Raja’s House and army officers’ residences.

How to Get There

By Car

From Kuala Lumpur city centre, it takes around 3 hours and 20 minutes to reach Taiping Lake Garden by using the North-South highway.

By Plane

There are flights to Penang International Airport and the ride from the airport takes about a 90-minute drive from Taiping whereas Kuala Lumpur International Airport is about a four-hour drive south via the North-South Expressway.

Tourist Attractions

Perak Museum

Founded in 1883, the Perak Museum in Taiping is the first and oldest museum in Malaysia. It is located in the town of Taiping, close to the Taiping Jail. There are many collections that are displayed here such as ethnological, anthropological items, geological, botanical and entomological collections. According to the data, the total of accumulated collections is 8,474 consisting of 5,074 cultural collections, 523 nature collections and 2,877 miscellaneous collections, including archaeological items. Some of them are also categorized as rare collections over a hundred years old such as animal species like the "benturong" and "pulasan", skeletons and animal skeletons and smoked clay. This museum maintains an ancient British architectural concept of the Art Dico and initially, the museum was in government offices while the main building of Neo-classical design was under construction in 1883. The building comprised an office, library and exhibition hall (Gallery A). In 1889, extensions to the museum's front and back were added and a new exhibition hall (Gallery B) was constructed in 1891 to 1893. As the collection of exhibits increased, a new two-storey building (Gallery C and D) were added from 1900 to 1903. This museum opens daily from 9.00 am - 6.00 pm and closed only on Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Hari Raya Aidil Adha. As for the entrance fees, the tickets are priced at RM2.00 for adults and free admission for children below 12 years old and children in school uniforms.

Taiping Zoo

Taiping Zoo is the oldest zoo in Malaysia nestled at Bukit Larut, Taiping. Established in 1961, the zoo spreads over 34 acres and exhibits around 1300 animals representing 180 species of amphibians, mammals, and reptiles. It houses the largest number of stump-tailed macaques in Malaysia, which is thirteen, compared to six at the National Zoo of Malaysia (Zoo Negara) and five at the Malacca Zoo. Besides that, one of the main attraction at Taiping Zoo is the Night Safari. Visitors can watch active animals at night and also hear the sounds made by various creatures. As a reminder, torchlights and flash cameras are not allowed to be used in the Night Safari as this will disturb the animals on display. The opening hours of daytime daily including Sundays & Public Holidays and is from 8.30am to 6 pm whereas for night safari is from 8.00pm to 12.00 at midnight. The entrance fee for adults is RM12.00 and children (3 -12 years) is RM8.00.

Hotels

Hotel Furama

Hotel Furama is situated nearby attractions and landmarks such as from Taiping Lake Garden, Zoo, Museum and Maxwell Hill. This hotel is furnished with shades of beige with aqua or peach and the rooms are equipped with bleached wood furniture and telephone, flat screen television with ASTRO, bathroom attached with cold and hot showers alongside complimentary toiletries. Besides that, there are various services available including 24 hours reception, safe deposit boxes, free WiFi and parking as well as laundry and housekeeping services.

Flemington Hotel

Featuring lake and garden, Flemington Hotel is in close proximity to Taiping Sentral Mall, Taiping Town Centre and Taiping Express Bus Station. This hotel is modernly designed and equipped with top-class facilities and services. Apart from having a variety of dining options and a bar on-site, Flemington Hotel has panoramic views of Taiping Lake Gardens from the rooftop pool and rooms. The rooms feature a flat-screen TV, bathroom with toiletries, tea and coffee making facilities and a personal safe are also provided. Besides that, the hotel's tour desk can organise day trips to Bukit Larut (Maxwell Hill) and offers bicycle rentals and a laundry service. As for dining options, guests can indulge in Chinese delights at Hu Jing Ge restaurant, while Raintree Café offers both local and Western cuisines.