Located in the foothills of the Bintang Range in the Malaysian state of Perak, the city of Taiping is appreciated for its rich history and easy access to nature. In the 19th century, tin deposits were discovered in the hills, attracting prospectors from all over Asia and Europe. Today, the city’s gems come in the form of woodland parks, nature reserves, and tranquil jungle trails. The country’s first public park is located in Taiping on the site of a former mine, and features running tracks and an artificial lake where locals flock to take their lunch.

You could lose a whole weekend touring the city’s historic buildings, a mishmash of colonial-era architecture, Buddhist temples, and neoclassical stunners like the Perak Museum, which is packed with Indigenous ceramics and vintage automobiles. Taiping’s buzzing night markets serve a variety of regional street food, including the locally famous char kuey teow, flat rice noodles with shrimp, sausage, and bean sprouts.

International visitors can fly into Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL), which is about four hours’ drive from Taiping, or about 3.5 hours by high-speed train. From Kuala Lumpur, you can take a connecting flight to Sultan Azlan Shah Airport (IPH) in Ipoh, an hour’s drive away. Getting around Taiping is easy, as its compact downtown area is accessible on foot. Within the city, you can take taxis or buses, or rent a car for more freedom to explore. There are plentiful bike lanes and trails.

Taiping is the wettest city in Malaysia, with tropical weather all year round and heavy rainfall even in the driest month of June. Due to this stable climate, the city’s gardens are perpetually blooming, making every month a pleasant time to visit. February to May are the prime months for local festivities and cultural events. During this time, you can witness the city embellished with colorful decorations as the sky bursts with fireworks for Kongsi Raya, a combined celebration of Chinese New Year and Eid. You can also participate in — or simply observe — aquatic activities like kayaking or fishing at the Langkawi International Water Festival in April.

Taiping Lake Gardens

Formerly the site of a 19th-century tin mine, the Taiping Lake Gardens feature 10 artificial lakes and ponds and gigantic, century-old golden rain trees. There are also tall bamboos, pines, and other trees like angsana and hujan scattered throughout the garden. The park’s ample shade makes it a popular spot for picnics.

Taiping Heritage Trail

This self-guided walking tour takes you to dozens of Taiping’s attractions and architectural landmarks, including the Taiping Clock Tower and places of worship including Buddhist and Hindu temples, Catholic churches, and Muslim mosques. You can pick up a map of the seven-mile trail at the tourist information center inside the Clock Tower.

Perak Museum

Based in a magnificent late-Victorian neoclassical building, the Perak Museum is one of the oldest museums in Malaysia. Its four galleries are filled with ethnographic displays, including traditional masks, clothing, crafts, and instruments, alongside archeological discoveries of extinct animal species and an outdoor gallery of classic vintage cars and railroad carriages.