a body of water surrounded by trees and buildings

Taiping

Taiping is a rainy Perak town known for its Lake Gardens, colonial-era landmarks and the jungle hill station of Maxwell Hill.

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Taiping is a town in Perak state, Malaysia, about 48 km northwest of Ipoh, the state capital, and about 78 km southeast of George Town, Penang. It was the capital of Perak until 1937, when the state capital moved to Ipoh, and it is still the second-largest city in the state. Tin mining drew many settlers here, and the town has traditionally had a Chinese majority with significant Malay and Indian communities.

Taiping is known as the wettest town in Peninsular Malaysia, and it still gets heavy rain in its driest month, so pack rain gear whatever the season. The Lake Gardens, once a mining ground, is the first public garden of the British period in Malaysia. Other sights include the Perak State Museum, described as the oldest museum in Malaysia, and Maxwell Hill, a jungle hill station about 1000 m high. Plan a day or two for the town, and add nights if you want to hike or camp on Maxwell Hill. Taiping has no airport of its own. Penang International Airport is about 96 km away.

Taiping in five

Carry rain gear all yearTaiping is the wettest town in Peninsular Malaysia, and it still gets heavy rain in its driest month. Pack a rain jacket and a compact umbrella, and plan outdoor walks for the gaps between showers.
Take the ETS Ekspres to KL SentralSince 1 July 2015, the KTM ETS Ekspres cuts the trip to KL Sentral to about three hours. Intercity trains take about six hours.Getting around
Fly into Penang or IpohTaiping has no airport. Penang International Airport is about 96 km away, and Sultan Azlan Shah Airport is about 73 km southeast.
Ride the Blue or Red Omnibus for nearby townsBlue Omnibus routes run to Kuala Sepetang (77), Beruas (76), Pantai Remis (75) and Sri Manjung-Lumut (84). Red Omnibus routes run to Kuala Kangsar (54), Parit Buntar (8) and Selama (2).
Plan around Perak prayer zone 6 timesTaiping uses Perak prayer zone 6 for prayer times and the Ramadan fasting schedule. Look up those times before you plan a long day out.

Things to do in Taiping

See all attractions in Taiping

Landmark · TaipingTaiping War Cemetery

Museum · TaipingPerak Museum

Zoo · TaipingZoo Taiping & Night SafariBuy tickets online to skip the counter queue. Arrive early for the Night Safari, since evening crowds can mean long waits for cars and the tram.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to TaipingPut the places you like in Taiping on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Currency: Ringgit (MYR)
Entry: Visa-free stays for many passports; check entry rules before you fly Read more
Emergency: 999 police, fire or ambulance
Tipping: Not expected; many restaurants add a 10% service charge
Time: UTC+8, no daylight saving

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain27 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Heavy rain
FebruaryRain22 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°Lighter rain
MarchRain28 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°Lighter rain
AprilRain29 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Rain, humid
MayRain29 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Showers
JuneRain22 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low24°Drier spell
JulyRain22 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low23°Drier spell
AugustRain23 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°Showers
SeptemberRain26 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Rain returns
OctoberRain28 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Heavy rain
NovemberRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Heavy rain
DecemberRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Heavy rain

Average daily high and low in Taiping, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Taiping

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 31°
Humidity: 97%
Wind: 2 km/h
Chance of rain: 100%

Taiping

04:40 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+8

Today30°24°100%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
Wed30°23°100%Wednesday: Rain. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Thu30°23°100%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Fri30°23°100%Friday: Rain. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Sat30°23°100%Saturday: Rain. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Sun30°23°100%Sunday: Rain. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Mon30°23°100%Monday: Rain. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.

Updated 12:19 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 4.057 MYR

Amount

Converted to

MYR · Malaysian Ringgit

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Taiping

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

AugGeorge Town FestivalGeorge Town, a day trip

Day trips by train

Ipohabout 48 km awayThe state capital and home of Sultan Azlan Shah Airport.
George Town, Penangabout 78 km awayThe island city, home to Penang International Airport.
Kuala SepetangBlue Omnibus route 77The former port of Port Weld, where tin ore was shipped out.
Kuala KangsarRed Omnibus route 54Reached on Red Omnibus route 54.

Before you go to Taiping

eSIM for TaipingMaps and bus times on the goRead the guide

Insurance for rain and hikesCover for a fall or a missed trainRead the guide

Money and cards in MalaysiaCash for hawker stalls, cards at mallsRead the guide

Where to stay in TaipingHotels and guesthouses in townRead the guide

Rules for Taiping, checked

Check entry rules for your passport with the Immigration Department of Malaysia before you book your flight.Source
Remove your shoes and cover shoulders and knees before entering a mosque, such as Masjid Daerah Taiping on Jalan Kampung Jambu.
Drug laws are strict and carry heavy penalties, including the death penalty for trafficking. Carry any prescription medicine in its original packaging.

Plan around Taiping

All of Malaysia

Regions, entry rules, transport and money for a Malaysia trip

Read the guide Getting around

Trains and omnibus routes from Taiping to nearby towns

Read the guide Money and costs

Cash, cards and typical prices for a day in town

Read the guide Visas and entry

Who needs a visa and what to check before you fly

Read the guide Where to stay

Places to base yourself in Taiping and nearby

Read the guide Phones and eSIM

Maps and bus times on the go

Read the guide

Taiping FAQ

Is Taiping worth visiting?

Yes, for a slow look at colonial-era Perak. The Lake Gardens, the Perak State Museum and Maxwell Hill are the main draws, and expect rain on most trips.

How do you get to Taiping?

By train or bus, since there is no airport. The ETS Ekspres runs to KL Sentral in about three hours, and Blue and Red Omnibus buses link nearby towns.

Can you visit Taiping as a day trip from Ipoh?

Yes, Ipoh is about 48 km away. A day covers the Lake Gardens and the museum, but Maxwell Hill is better with a night, since it suits jungle trekking and camping.

What is Maxwell Hill?

A hill station about 1000 m high, also called Bukit Larut. British assistant resident William Edward Maxwell opened it in 1884, and it is good for jungle trekking and camping.

What is Taiping known for?

Tin mining drew settlers after tin was found in the Larut area in 1848. Taiping was the state capital of Perak until 1937 and was the first operational railway station in Malaysia.

Is Taiping or Ipoh better as a base?

Choose Taiping for colonial sights and the Lake Gardens. Ipoh is the state capital and home of Sultan Azlan Shah Airport, so it suits a longer Perak trip.