Perak Museum

The Perak Museum is the oldest museum in Peninsular Malaysia. It is located in the town of Taiping, about 85 km from Ipoh, the capital of Perak. It is also near the Taiping Prison and about 3 km from town.

Most of the museum’s earlier collections are ethnological and anthropological items. Geological, botanical and enthamobological collections make up additional specimens.

To date, 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. The Perak Museum is rich in ethnological, historical, archaeological and ethamobological collections.

Some of them are classified as rare collections over a hundred years old such as animal species like the "benturong" and "pulasan", skeletons and scores of animal skeletons and smoked clay which are either extinct or extremely hard to find. Most of these collections and artifacts are displayed in the museum’s four main galleries housed in an almost 120-year old building. It was built in 1883 and maintains an ancient British architectural concept of the Art Dico kind.

The Nature Gallery exhibits all kinds of animal, bird, fish, snail and herberium species, all of which are housed in unique exhibition cases aged over a hundred years old. They are also placed in various kinds of dioramas which records a British-style presentation method while retaining a wild habitat environment that is both interesting and full of great ecstatic elements.

The Cultural Gallery displays collections and artifacts from various types of handiworks, handicrafts and weavings of the Malaysian people, especially from Perak, such as a unique weaving made by the Sultan of Perak’s mother. Weavings of the "tudung saji" (food cover), "tikar pandan dan mengkuang" (pandan and mengkuang mats) as well as baskets reflect the artistic finesse in these handiworks.

Visiting Hours

Opens daily from 9.00 am - 6.00 pm. Closed only on Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Hari Raya Aidil Adha.

Entrance Fees

• Tickets are priced at RM2.00 for adults. It can be purchased at the ticket counter.

• Free admission for children below 12 years old and children in school uniforms.

• Car park is free.

Getting There

Taiping is easily accessible from the North South Expressway (PLUS). From Penang (90 km away), Kamunting is the nearest exit, whilst Changkat Jering is the most convenient exit from the motorway if you are traveling north from Ipoh (70 km).

You will be able to find signage which stated "Perak Museum" all the way from the highway exit to the Museum. The Museum is located near to Taiping Lake Gardens and Taiping Prison.

Taiping is well-connected to the rest of Peninsular Malaysia by express buses, which arrive at and depart from the long-distance bus station at Kamunting (6 km from the town centre) and Simpang (7 km from the town centre). Buses also travel direct from Taiping to Singapore and Hat Yai.
 

folder_open Attractions in Perak