Ipoh is a capital city of Perak state, at the size and population of a small town. We call it city simply because we couldn't find a bigger town than this in the state. It's surrounded by beautiful hills, and this was once a mineral rich tin mine land, the actual land of opportunity back in the previous century.
As much as we're puzzled, sometimes we just won't know why mega projects were built out of tax payors money, or perhaps we knew but choose to ignored it. The huge white colour building for example, it looks like a pre-war relic mysteriously appeared couple of year ago. No one know where the archeological value of this thing, neither anyone heard of the history of this thing. It just stood there in one faithful night and now become one of the icon of Ipoh city.
Padang Ipoh is also known as Ipoh Field. This place literally host 3 full size foot ball court, and you're definitely gonna love a huge piece of flat land right at the middle of downtown Ipoh. A man made fountain can be seen at one apex of the field, which rarely function other than serving the purpose of breeding mosquitoes.
Road side parking are widely available at 6am in the morning, but don't try your luck after 9 because this entire area surrounding by major banks head quarters and also some of the most important government department.
Why do I come here? My number 1 reason was due to the consecutive rain over the past few days, I'm a little worried of the terrain at the hill. God knows if this is the time it decided to have landslide, I don't wanna die as a virgin(this year). Even if not due to the landslide, I don't carry hiking gears. In the event of rain, I will have absolutely no choice but to run down hill, risking a heart attack, broken ankle, grind my knee joints, or worst getting a lightning strike. Too much to take. At least at the field, I can cross over and get to my car if it starts to rain.
Immediately after I left the tourist information office, I can see facing inwards are the great St Michael school. It's an old British colonial building. I wish I can get a closer shot of that school for you, unfortunately my phone camer can only do so much.
This direction facing the banks and government departments. These building looks tall because there's no any othe building taller. Still, the buildings looks significantly dated and the way they present these building make you feels like you've rode the time machine for a little too long.
This direction facing directly towards Ipoh town center. As you can see, there aren't too many tall buildings around. One of the significant in Ipoh being, the radio reception is exceptionally good. Radio quality at CD standard. The center white building is Cititel Express. Not a bad idea if you choose to stay in town with a budget. Opposite hotel is a river, so you actually get a river view by request.
The F.M.S. was once the oldest bar in the country. We're closed for 11 years until recently reopened, and rebranded as Durbar F.M.S. Since this is not a restaurant review post, I'm gonna leave this here. Further information can be found below. Besides, as a local boy, I haven't been to this restaurant.
Call: +6017797 7115
Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/yiBXy6KVonERyKeVA
And a special mosque erected right beside the St Michael school brought a huge contrast to the country's multi religious status. Other than the significant of St Michael being an Anglican influences missionary school, the mosque is actually the brotherhood of Indian Muslims sanctuary π€ͺ Don't be surprise when you hear the Imam speaking in Tamil for their Indian brothers.
I had to take a photo of this building as this was once a mystery for me. I saw the building lite up with lantern during Chinese festivals, but I never got to find out what it was. I wish they lite up the lanterns for us, but I guess it was put on automatic mode to switch off after certain hours, to conserve energy. Apparently, this is the ιΉι³δΈθ―ηΈ½εζ Perak Chinese Chamber Of Commerce And Industry οΌPCCCIοΌ
Another significant building next to the PCCCI is the HSBC building. I've been to the inside of HSBC once, company my mom to use their vault. Nothing to brag of, my dad lost his job back then, and my sister is studying abroad, we had to liquidate whatever we had by all means. That's an entire different story we can cover next time. For now, let's admire this old buildings.
After they shut off the spotlights, the streetlight actually brought us even more visual sensation. I can't help it but to continue snap photo of these beautiful buildings.
I wanted to take a shot of the St Michael school with only the streetlight, but then I was a little too slow with my walking speed. By the time I arrive at the other angle of the field, all lights are out and it left us with this greyish shot of everything. I did mentioned earlier, it has been gloomy and raining for the last few days, and therefore the sky isn't really producing much color other than grey.
Before I headed back to my car, I still need to take a photo of one more building behind the FMS. It was the Hokkien associate. Hokkien is a romanised word for Fujian in their local dialects. Having Chinese characters rolling down the side of the building was kinda of a fancy thing back in those days, as you can see it from this age old "plaza".
Oh wait. Almost forgot. The mysterious white building erected at the huge field is this. Take a closer look at the bottom of the "building". Try to drink more water and eat more durian before you come, make sure you pay a visit to this most significant building of your life time.
