Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan

The leaning tower of Teluk Intan is the Malaysia equivalent of the world famous Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy. It islocated in the centre of the town of Teluk Intan, Perak. The tower is slanted leftward similar to Tower of Pisa. Itis 25.5 metres tall and from outside, it looks like a 8 storey building. In actual fact, you will find out as you go inside that the building is divided into 3 storeys.

The tower is located in the center of a square surrounded by Jalan Pasar, Jalan Selat, Jalan Bandar and Jalan Ah Cheong.

The 1885 historical Tower still stand strong today

The tower was built in the year 1885 by Leong Choon Chong, a Chinese contractor and was originally used as a water tank to store portable water during dry season for the people living nearby. It is also used as a time keeper of the town as there is a huge clock on top of the tower. The clock was made by J.W. Benson of Ludgatehill London and the cost of building it was contributed by the local people. The building itself is made of bricks and wood.

The Clock made by J.W. Benson of Ludgatehill London

The entrance to the tower

The pagoda style structure has been greatly influenced by Chinese architecture because the majority of the population of the town at that time was Chinese. Each storey has a height of 5 metres and you will need to go up 110 steps to reach the top of the tower. The reason for the leaning are because of the soft ground on the base of the tower and the weight of the water tank.

Getting Here

If you are using the coastal road from Kuala Lumpur, go towards the direction of Kuala Selangor. You will pass by thetown of Pasir Penampang where you can detour and have your seafood here. Further up north, you will pass the towns ofSekinchan and Sabak Bernam. Follow the signage to Teluk Intan and you will reach the leaning tower after a drive ofapproximately 2 hour plus from Kuala Lumpur.

The opening hours of the tower is 8:00am to 5:00pm from Monday to Friday and 9:00am to 6:00pm during weekends and public holidays.

Read More

Kanching Recreational Forest

Kanching Recreational Forest

The Kanching Recreational Forest is located at the Templer's Park and is about 30km away from 1 Utama Shopping Centre, Petaling Jaya. If you are looking for a few hours off your regular routine, head for this tropical rainforest and spend one to three hours here. This forest is managed by Tourism Selangor and is a popular spots for picnic during the weekends. It has seven waterfalls and pools have been built to contain the clean water that fall down from the hills.

Most visitors will hang around at the waterfall level 2, level 3 and level 4, playing and swimming in the cool and fresh spring water. Some will bring along their simple barbeque set and have their picnic cum lunch here. Hence it can be crowded during the weekends. Getting to these falls is made easier with the construction of concrete steps. Those who have more energy may want to climb up to waterfall level 7 where it is less crowded.

The signages that will lead you to the different level of the waterfalls.

The base of the waterfall where many dip and swim here to cool themselves.

Facilities
This park has facilities such as rest huts. These huts with benches have are ideal for picnic and acts as shelter from the sun and rain.

Toilets and changing rooms are also available at different levels of the falls.
There are many stalls that sell food and drinks at the entrance of the park.

One of the waterfalls that you will encounter as you go up the forest.

Things To Bring and Advice

As you will have to climb to go up the waterfalls, remember to wear a proper walking shoes. Bring your own water or purchase one from the stalls at the entrance of the forest before going up the falls as you will definitely sweat especially in the afternoon. Get a cap if you want to though you will be shielded from the sun in the forest.

If you are thinking of playing in the water, remember to be careful and look after your children. Some parts of the pool can be deep.

Admission Fees and Operation Hours
Operation Hours: 7am to 7pm daily.
Entrance Fees:
RM1 (12 years and above with MyKad)
RM3 (those without MyKad)
Car Park: RM2
Motorcycle: RM1
Lorry/Bus: RM5


Getting Here

This forest is located between Rawang and Selayang. If you are coming from 1 Utama Shopping Centre, use the LDP and head towards Selayang and after that Rawang. Look out for the signage Hutan Lipur Sg. Kanching before you reach Rawang. Go further up to make a U turn as the Kanching Recreational Forest is located at the other side of the road. U turn at the the traffic light with Petronas petrol kiok to your left. Once you have U turned, drive slowly and look out for the entrance to the forest.

Those who have GPS can key in the following coordinates:
N 03° 17.927'
E 101° 37.153'

The map of the 7 waterfalls.

Read More

Penang National Park

Penang National Park
Although Penang is considered one of the most developed state in Malaysia, there are still places with natural attractions that you can go while you are here. If you have the time and energy, try going to this smallest national park of Malaysia which is located at the North-East of Penang Island. It is about 30km away from the historical city of Georgetown.

This park covers an area of 1,213 hectares and consists of pristine coastal-forested area with a diverse flora and fauna for you to explore. It has wetlands, mangroves, mudflats, coral reefs, turtle nesting beaches and the only meromictic lake in Peninsular Malaysia. Historically, this virgin jungle reserve was gazetted as the Pantai Acheh Forest Reserve in 1928 and managed by Penang Forestry Department. Since 10th April 2003, it has been re-gazetted as the National Park under the purview of Department of Wildlife and National Parks.

The entrance to the park by walking. You can also rent a boat here to go the the beaches nearby.

Natural Attractions and Activities
Penang National Park is also known as "Bay of Glowing Amber" due to its scenic and spectacular sunset. Avid photographers will definitely find this place an ideal location to get a shot of the sunset. As with any coastal Dipterocarp tropical forest, you will see the Seraya or Shorea Curtisii trees on the slopes around Muka Head. Over 1,000 species of plants have been recorded here from the family of Apocynaceae, Anacardiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Dipterocarpaceae and Moraceae.

Birds watcher will be glad to know that many species of bird known in the local language as Burung Kuak, Lang Merah, Lang Siput, Pucung Keladi, Punai Tanah, Punai Gading and Takor Tembaga have been spotted here. Migratory birds can also be seen here from the month of September to April. Remember to bring along your camera and accessories and give your best shot as a memento.

As for turtles, there are 2 species that come here for nesting. The Green Turtle or its scientific name Chelonia Mydas frequent the west part of the beaches especially on Pantai Kerachut Beach and Pantai Kampi Beach to nest from the month of April to August. The Olive-Ridley Turtle or Lepidochelys Olivacea come during the months of September to February. If you plan to see the turtles, contact the fisheries department for more information of the time and day of the sighting of the turtles.

The Penang Fisheries Department
Jalan Akuarium, 11700 Gelugor
Pulau Pinang
Tel:+6 04 660 4701

The jetty where you can take a boat to the beaches here.

Another view of the sea from the hill.

If you like fishing, you can do some fishing here by using hook and line. Boats can be rented at the tour operator within the compound of Penang National Park.

The historical Muka Head light house was built in 1883 and is one of the key attractions that you should visit. However, the trail to it is steep and only the fittest should consider going there. This lighthouse is about 227 metres above sea level and was built with a cost of 37,000 British Pound. It is still in operation today.

Another key attraction is the Meromictic Lake which contains a mixture of fresh and sea water. This lake is located at Pantai Kerachut and is a lagoon. It is the only one of its kind in Peninsular Malaysia with a total area of 2.77 square km. During dry seasons, the lake is a mudflat. During high tide or raining season, the water fills the lake with the fresh water remains on the top layer of the lake and the denser sea water at the bottom. Animals such as birds, fish and other reptiles make their habitat here.

There are many jungle trails amongst which are to Pantai Kerachut, Monkey Beach (also known as Teluk Duyung or Muka Head) and Teluk Tukun. The time taken varies form 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Other activities that you can do include swimming, wildlife observation, boating and camping. The park caters only for day-trippers and no accommodation facility is available here.


Boat Trip Excursion or Camping Booking


If you would like to take a round trip boat excursion to Teluk Kerachut, Monkey Beach, Mangrove Forest and Sungai Tukun, you can book a boat forRM 450. The boat is able to take a maximum of 10 people. The entire trip will take about 6 hours to complete with stops at the beaches for you to swim.

If you prefer to skip the Mangrove Forest, the cost per boat is RM 250. The round trip takes you and your group to Teluk Kerachut, Monkey Beach and Sungai Tukun.

If you like camping and there is a group of more than 20 people, camping at Monkey Beach or Muka Head can be arranged. Tents and other equipments can be rented as well.

source: http://www.malaysiavacationguide.com/

Read More