History about Heritage Walk.

The History Of The Glorious Heritage Walk In Ipoh

My Ipoh Heritage Walk is a leisurely stroll around the compact and historic old town area of Ipoh. The walk is approximately about 4 miles long but it can be altered depending on your energy levels.

In just over 130 years Ipoh transformed into a 
bustling metropolis it is today, the fourth largest city in Malaysia with a population of over 700,000.

The changes in ipoh city started around 1880 and lasted until the 1930s, largely on the back of tin mining and it became known as the town that tin built. The tin rush drew in hordes of migrants, mostly Chinese, many of whom went on to build substantial fortunes.

This wealth is reflected in the architecture of the period and many fine buildings remain in the old part of the city, west of the River Kinta, and are covered in this Ipoh Heritage Walk.

There's a few components in heritage walk, which is St.Michael's institution, Majestic Hotel, Town Hall, Birch Memorial, Chartered Bank, Straits Trading, Mercantile Bank, Perak Hydro, the famous High court, Ipoh Club, Museum Darul Ridzuan, Padang Mosque, FMS Restaurant and not forgetting the St.John's Church. 

Thursday, July 21,2016.
By: YEOH KAI QIAN.

                                    "The Great Wall of Gopeng" which is the entrance of the Gaharu Tea Valley

We decided to visit to a place where we can take a breath of fresh air to relax, while appreciating the history behind it-the Gaharu Tea Valley which is located in Gopeng, Perak. In Gaharu Tea Valley, there are 3 uniqueness that attract visitors to visit the tea valley.

The uniqueness of Gaharu Tea Valley is “The Great Wall of Gopeng” a 3m high wall surrounding the whole are of Gaharu Tea Valley to keep the plantation safe from any possible invaders especially from wild animals. The entrance of the Gaharu Tea Valley-“The Great Wall if Gopeng” is a beautifully landscaped fortress is resembling the Great Wall of China which is located in Beijing,China.

Gaharu is commonly known as Agarwood, it is also know as Aloewood, Eaglewood, Oud or Jinko in different part of world. In Arabian and Chinese cultures, the Gaharu wood has played a major role because the Gaharu wood id considered to be the nature valuable wood because of its health benefits and it is also an essential oil. So, regarding to forest, a natural treasure is known as the “Wood of Gods.”

 Next, we had visited is a part of the Gaharu Tea Valley which is named as Hugging Park. There is a legend about a remaining 20 year old Gaharu tree trunk is if someone who hugs the tree it supposed to bring you a good luck. To make this tour more interesting, there are colourful animals are painted. It looks like they are hugging the trees.Furthermore, the art painted at trees is more attractive to visitors so this has become the uniqueness of Hugging Park in the valley. Also, the adorable pictures on the trees have become a strength to people who wants to hug the trees. 

           A tiger was painted on the trees which is located in the Hugging Park of the valley.

Other than that, the last place that we visit is the Rainbow's Craft which is located in Lover's Park. There is also a Lover’s Tree in the park. The darker tree is resembling a man is pursuing the lady (white tree). As the name infers, two of the trees growth beside to each other, it seems like they are hugging each other. So there’s had a decent importance in the couple’s relationship. So, most of the couples will come tho take a look in Gaharu Tea Valley for the Lover's Tree.

                The rainbow's craft in Lovers Park of the Valley. There are 7 colours along the stairs.

Other than that, the last place that we visit is the Rainbow's Craft which is located in Lover's Park. There is also a Lover’s Tree in the park. The darker tree is resembling a man is pursuing the lady (white tree). As the name infers, two of the trees growth beside to each other, it seems like they are hugging each other. So there’s had a decent importance in the couple’s relationship. So, most of the couples will come tho take a look in Gaharu Tea Valley for the Lover's Tree.

The entrance is free, but to ramble around this expansive plantation, to pay fee which is RM 10 for adults and RM 5 for children per person for the van ticket that provided by Gaharu Tea Valley Company will be taking you to a place famous for its scenic around the estate  in 20 minute.

This place is located in Gopeng which is between Kampar and Ipoh. It takes around 30 minutes drive from Kampar to arrive to the destination. Do drop by this wonderful tourism because it was as the first organic tea valley in Malaysia. 

Published by : Su Zhen
Wednesday, July 13,2016

A Beautiful Encounter @ Gaharu Tea Valley

Have you all heard something about Gaharu Tea Valley? When I try to search about some attractions in Perak, I found out this beautiful place, and it must be promoted to our blog viewer!!!

Valley views

One of the features in Gaharu Tea Valley is the “Great Wall of Gopeng”. It is very remarkable and spectacular.  

The main entrance of Gaharu Tea Valley.

When we arrive the destination, I felt that the fresh air gives me a lot of refreshing.

The front of the building have a signboard, state the captions “Agarwood”.  

Five languages on the signboard.

Some information about the van service.

I felt a little bit disappointed is because I found out a few years ago, they will free a piece of Agarwood, now they only offer the Tea bag.

Tea bag.

The Viewing Stage

This Cave designed building is very creative! This is a three-stories building.

Building  exterior

Cave designed wall

Inside the building, there’s also have many decorations.

Mural Art

tables and chairs made by Agarwood.

View the part of this valley, you can feel that you are in a Paradise.

This photo taken at the third floor.

Hugging Park

The tree painting draw by two local artists is very adorable. 

The theme of tree painting is about animals and insects. View the pictures, no need explanation anymore. =DD

Animal's tree painting.

Hugging the trunk is believed to be auspicious~

Lover Tree

There has a beautiful legend and it is meaningful to all the couples. They can make wishes at there, and take a lot of commemorative photos.

It seem like these two trees have been a couple long time and forever. What’s a good implication!

Two Agarwood tree growth together is very huge~ 

 Finally, we back to the starting point. 

There’s a showroom, and it provide a cup of Gaharu tea for visitors.

The sample of Gaharu Tea.

          

Also, you can try their food in cafeteria~ Gaharu Ice cream is a good choice in the hotttt afternoon~

Gaharu Tea Valley
address: Jln Sungai Itek, 31600 Gopeng, Perak, Malaysia
visiting hours: Monday ~ Sunday, 9a.m. ~ 6p.m.

 Wednesday, 13 July 2016

By Ang Chi Ying =D     

The Points Of Interest Of Kellie's Castle

The inside part of the castle.

              The first point of interest of Kellie's Castle is the corridors of the mansion. It is said to be the most popular among all the other venues as there were many tourists who has caught a glimpse of William's soul roaming around there, Do not be alarmed if you were lightly 'brushed' by an unknown object or person which is nowhere to be seen. 

            The balcony is a MUST if one visits Kellie's Castle. But beware as there is no fencing at the edges of the balcony. At night, it is said that William's spirit roams free as though he is guarding his great mansion.

              The Daughter's Room was originally made for Helen (William's daughter).  A few visitors in the past has said to have seen Helen appear at the door of the room for only a few seconds.

          Next is the Guest Room. A tourist guide told us that the descendants of William's estate workers mentioned a secret staircase from the bathroom leading out to the castle's ground but is now closed due to safety purposes. 

               This uncompleted mansion is on the way to Batu Gajah Town (Kinta Kellas Rubber Estate) and is about 25-30 minutes drive from Ipoh City. Do drop by this spooky tourism spot as it was named as one of the top five most scariest places in the whole of Malaysia which was categorised by the International Paranormal Investigators as well as the Expedia travel portal. 

          

                         
                                           The Ghostly Cloister Balcony. 

                                   The Daughter's Room (Helen's Room).

            

                                  The amazing looking Guest Room. 

Tuesday, July 5, 2016.

By: CAROLINE GERARD A/P ANTHONY GERARD  :D   

                                        

Kellie's Castle

A sad story enshrouds this long abandoned mammoth of a home.

The HISTORY Of Kellie's Castle

        

William Killie Smith was born in 1870 in Kellas, Moray Firth, Scotland. In 1890, at the age of 20, he arrived in Malaysia as a Civil Engineer. He joined Charles Alma Baker's survey form, who hod just won concessions from the state government to clear 9000 hectares of forests in Batu Gajah, Perak. With the substantial profits made from his business venture with Baker, Smith brought 1000 acres of jungle land in the district of Kinta and started planting rubber trees and dabbled in the tin mining industry.

            In time, he named his estate Kinta Kellas after his home farm "Easter Kellas" and went on to own the Kinta Kellas Tin Dredging Company as well. With his fortune made, he went back to marry his Scottish sweetheart, Agnes and brought her over to Malaysia in 1930. They had a daughter named Helen the next year.

            In 1909 Smith built his first mansion, “Kellas House” and in 1915 with the birth of his son and heir of Anthony, he started planning for a huge castle with Scottish, Moorish and Indian architecture. He brought 70 craftsmen and all the bricks and marble were from India.

            During construction, Spanish flu spread from Europe after the World War I killing many workers. Smith himself died of pneumonia during the short trip to Portugal in 1926. His wife Agnes returned home in Scotland and sold the castle to a British company. In the end, Kellas House later known as Kellie`s Castle or Kellie`s Forty and was never completed.

William Kellie Simth, the builder of Kellie's Castle

If this tower was ever completed it would probably be 7-storey high, the uncompleted mansion designed with 14 rooms, a 4-storey tower

FRIDAY, JULY  1, 2016.

By: WONG WEI FANG =）