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| Main street, Papan |
PAPAN, PERAK:
THE TOWN TIME FORGOT
A road trip up north in Malaysia turns up some of the most interesting historical sites. The little town of Papan in Perak, a decaying remnant from tin-mining boom of the late 18th and early 19th century, is one of them. Abandoned by most of its population after its mineral bust, it has the reputation of being one of Malaysia's most famous "ghost" towns.
However, because of its historical significance and heritage value, a new life has been breathed into its moribund shell and overgrown walls. A dedicated group of volunteers (Papan Heritage Conservation Group headed by Jacky Chew) are working to relive Papan's memories, and the designation as a UNESCO Heritage Site is a possibility in the near future.
For Instagrammers, it is the perfect day out, just 16 km southwest from Ipoh. For others, it is a reminder of what we had and what we have lost. Why do we remember our past, and why do we celebrate our forebears? An hour or two (possibly more, if your transport gets stuck in the mud) will set us straight and a path of self-discovery.
Here are a sample of the many photos we took on our journey up memory lane (22 December 2024).
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| The five-foot way in Papan blue. |
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| Always let sleeping dogs lie. |
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| Roots or modern art? |
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| Greenery at Papan's back street. |
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| Somebody still lives here! |
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| A new literal definition of street art. |
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A neophyte periwinkle growing from the wall,
symbolic of Papan's regeneration. |
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| Papan new village museum. |
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| Kitchen area of museum. |
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| Papan's only bookstore and public library. |
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Istana Raja Billah,
the home of local aristocracy. |
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| We'll be back. |
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