Thursday, 1 August 2013

The Famous Island in Perak

Pulau Pangkor is an island off the coast of Perak in north-west peninsular Malaysia, reached by ferry from Lumut (a small coastal town that links to Ipoh, or from Sitiawan). It is heavily promoted as a low-key tourist destination by the Malaysian government, but fishing and fish products remain major industries. The name Pangkor actually originates from the Thai word ‘Pang Ko’ meaning ‘Beautiful Island’
(Malaysia) – Pangkor Island

Pangkor is famous for its fine beaches and a mix of low budget to 5 star accommodations.But the chalets, restaurants and motels that line in the streets even in the small alleyways it’s jam-packed with tourists during the peak seasons.
Pangkor Island
Souvenir shops and budget hotels line the street along the beach so this is a good place for backpackers to stay and explore the island for a few days Teluk Nipah and Coral Bay on the north west of the island is extremely popular with travellers from Malaysia and Europe.

Teluk Nipah or Nipah Bay is the biggest, if not the busiest beach on Pulau Pangkor. Off Nipah Bay is Pulau Giam and Coral Bay, where visitors can snorkel and enjoy the coral outcrops in the shallow waters. There will be lots of tour operators nearby who offer these trips for a bit of money.

Festival in Perak

Perak Travel Guide

Perak has a number of events and festivals taking place throughout the year. Chinese New Year is one of the biggest events here, and is a great spectacle. National Day in August sees plenty of patriotic fervour around the country and there are a couple of interesting festivals for anglers.

Perak River Safari


Every April the Perak River sees lots of thrills and excitement with a water carnival. There are lots of activities to get involved in, with power boat and jet-ski races among the water sports. Out of the water there’s beach football, volleyball and tug-of-war for pure brute strength. There is always a great atmosphere and lots of fun is had by all.

Ipoh Fun Run


time to get your running shoes on. Every year in July this fun run sees a whole range of people running from Ipoh to Majlis, Bandaraya and then back to Ipoh

Taiping Lantern Festival




Home Stay in Perak

Staying with a foster family is the best, true and unforgettable experience of the Malaysian 

‘kampung’ living. These villages or ‘kampung’ are typically scenic countryside away from the 

hustle bustle urban life. Majority of these villagers still maintain their heritage and 

traditional ways of life in terms of food, sports, dance and home-based industries. Sometimes 

the home stay program involves a few nearby villages that enhance the harmonious 

relationship amongst them. It also benefits the tourist to understand the local community. 

During a longer stay, you get to explore the sensational and interesting nearby places of 

interest.



Homestay Bukit Gantang



  • Located in northern part of Perak in the district of Larut Matang with an easy access from the Changat Jering exit.
  • Well known for its delicious Durians
  • Other nearby attractions are Kg Dew Fireflies and Kuala Sepetang Charcoal factory

  • Traditional games
  • Mock wedding
  • Village tour
  • Visit Taiping
  • Plant-a-Tree program
  • Souvenirs

Homestay Bagon Datoh



  • Located in the southern part of Perak at the estuary of the Perak River in the Hilir Perak district and about 150 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur.
  • The biggest homestay in Malaysia with involvement of 13 villages and 100 houses.
  • Home of local dance such as ‘Bubu’ Dance and ‘Lenggok’ Dance
  • Famous fishing spots for lobsters fishers

  • Aerobic dance
  • Visit Cottage industries
  • Demonstration of processing the Virgin Coconut Oil
  • Cultural Performance
  • Village tour
  • Visit ‘Beting Beras Basah’
  • Souvenirs

Homestay Selama

  • Located in northern part of Perak in the district of Hulu Perak and at the foot of Bintang Hijau range where the 3rd tallest waterfall in South East Asia ‘Lata Putih’ is found.
  • Other activities are a visit to ‘Gigantic Well’, the Hadrah dance and fishing

  • Rubber tapping activity
  • ‘Silat Gayung’ and Malay Thai performance
  • Cultural performance
  • Village tour
  • Visit ‘Sungai Atas Sungai’
  • Souvenirs
Homestay Pendiat

  • Located in the southern part of Perak along the banks of the Perak River in the Perak Tengah district.
  • Traditional culture of rebana performance, marhaban and ‘silat gayung’
  • Perak activities such as fishing, kayaking, rafting and others.

  • Visit Cottage industries
  • Cultural Performance
  • Village tour
  • Traditional games
  • Visit Terrapin Breeding Center
  • Souvenirs

Perak's Cultural Heritage


Perak’s treasure trove of Malay cultural heritage is mainly due to its historical past being the centre of commerce. When tin, and later rubber, became a major source of revenue, its fate was sealed. From thence the migration of people from the Malay Archipelago, South China and India began in earnest, culminating in the British Intervention of the Malay states following the Pangkor Treaty of 1874.
The free mixing of the races did not, however, result in a cultural infusion, as one would have expected. Religion could be the cause of this dichotomy with the various races keeping their traditions and cultures intact. Traditional and cultural values were issues best kept within the communities and the races. Despite the need to protect and to safeguard one’s identity it did not, however, inhibit the desire to show off.
The Malays of Perak are proud keepers of their traditional dances, games, tools and weapons, but to an extent. The erosion of values comes with time. Today our connection to the past is only through performances staged by state-owned cultural troupes. The Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Perak (Perak Department of Arts and Culture) is one such entity.
The emphasis in this instalment of Perak Tourism News is on culture peculiar to Perak. Five items of interest will be on display for all readers.




Tarian Dabus

As the name suggests, Tarian Dabus could have its origins in Saudi Arabia during the time of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh). Dancers will go into a trance just like when performing the kuda kepang. It was possible that dabus was used to train soldiers when battling the enemies of Islam. The dance is a combination of singing, dancing and the use of sharp instruments known as anak dabus. When performing the dabus, dancers would stab themselves with the anak dabus and have stones hurled at them. Surprisingly, none were injured. You have to see to believe. 

Cempaka Sari

This is a traditional court dance whose movements are accompanied by melodious music with equally matching lyrics. The song “Cempaka Sari”, incidentally, was an original composition by the late Sultan Idris Shah II of Perak. The dance attempts to highlight the astuteness of the Perak sultanate of yore. The colour of the dancers’ attires and the heavily hand-crafted fans that the female dancers carry, epitomise the grace, the beauty and gaiety of the dance, per se.

Tarian Bubu

According to Malay mythology, a fisherman dreamed that his daughter was abducted by spirits when she went fishing in a river one day. The following day, the fortunate man was blessed with good fortunes. A shaman advised him to return the favour by performing a ceremony to please the jungle spirits. The dance focuses on a girl encased in a fish trap (bubu). The male dancers carry fish traps (bubu) adorned in female attires.

Belotah

This dance is performed after a padi harvest. The movements of the dancers’ legs depict the harvesting of padi where the grains are being separated from the stalks, as farmer would do in the padi fields. The female dancers carry a rattan pan called nyiru to demonstrate panning actions to separate rice grains from husks. The dance is definitely ritualistic in nature done to appease the spirits for a bountiful harvest.