The rain trees
Green tunnels over the water.
hams Nocete — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Azreey — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Anandajoti — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo Dharma from Sadao, Thailand — CC BY 2.0
The first public garden created in Malaya, laid out in 1880 on an abandoned tin mine donated by the merchant Chung Keng Quee, whose mining pits became calm lakes ringed by lawns and trees across sixty-four hectares at the foot of green hills. Its glory is its giant rain trees, whose fern-draped branches stretch over the road and the water until they meet, forming green tunnels that are among the loveliest sights in Malaysia. There is also a red Chinese-style bridge, boats for rowing, and paths for walking and jogging that locals use morning and evening. Entry is free and the gardens are open all day. Taiping is one of the rainiest towns in Malaysia, with frequent afternoon downpours that keep the gardens so green, so come early in the morning, when the light sparkles on the water. They lie a few minutes from the town centre, next to the Taiping Zoo, the war cemetery and the start of the Bukit Larut road, so combine them in one day.
Green tunnels over the water.
Lakes from old tin pits.
A Chinese bridge on the lake.
At the foot of Bukit Larut, a few minutes from central Taiping
Zoo Taiping and Night SafariA long-established zoo that opened in 1961 in the shade of green hills beside th9 minutes walk
All Saints' Church, TaipingA small white timber church in Gothic style, founded in 1886 and consecrated in 16 minutes walk
Taiping War CemeteryA quiet military cemetery cared for by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission on18 minutes walk
Perak MuseumThe oldest museum in Malaysia, founded in 1883 by Sir Hugh Low, the fourth Briti18 minutes walk
Bukit Larut (Maxwell Hill)Malaysia's oldest hill station, set up by the British in 1884 on the forested he22 minutes walkRain in Taiping usually falls in the afternoon and evening, so plan the gardens and other outdoor sights for the morning, leave the museums for the afternoon, and carry an umbrella anyway.