A STROLL THROUGH IPOH ARCHITECTURE

The city of Ipoh, Perak was built on wealth. The tin mines of Kinta Valley fueled its growth during the late 19th century and much of the first half of the 20th century. Its grand edifices and historic architecture were a legacy of its colonial past, built by the British and surviving as grand structures. My short walk starts in the old city at the grand Ipoh Railway Station, designed by Arthur Hubback (also responsible for Kuala Lumpur's even more grandiose station) and opened in 1917. Then it goes past several more historical structures before entering the centre of the old city, before winding my way to Jalan Sultan Idris Shah and ending at the Weil Hotel.

The "Taj Mahal" of Ipoh.

It's still a functioning intercity rail station.

The Cenotaph commemorating all 
of Perak's war dead, from 1914 to 1960.

Ipoh Town Hall (1916),
also designed by Arthur Hubback.

The Birch Memorial Clock Tower (1909), named
after the assassinated James Birch (1826-1875),
controversial first Resident of Perak. 

The old Pekan Lama Cafe on
Jalan Sultan Yussoff, part of Kong Heng Square.

Arlene House (1905), former mansion of
Kapitan Chung Thye Pin.

Entrance to the Made in Ipoh museum
in Arlene House.

Old Whiteaway, Laidlaw & Co
department store, faded art deco beauty
on Jalan Maharajalela.

 

Historic buildings on Jalan Bandar Timah,
including the Tin House and Han Chin Pet Soo,
now a tin-mining museum.

Old Keng Chow Huay Kuan,
now Kung Fu Coffee House and museum.

The mighty HSBC Building (1931)
on Jalan Tun Sambanthan.

Malaysia's oldest restaurant and bar,
Durbar at FMS.

More faded art deco on
Jalan Sultan Idris Shah (formerly Brewster Road)

Art deco buildings on Jalan Sultan Idris Shah,
non-functional and still functional.

This neoclassical-Straits palladian-brutalist
luxury hotel building never opened its doors.

Ipoh old and new, corner of Jalan Raja Ekram 
& Brewster Road, and the former Odeon Theatre.

I forgot to take a pic of my hotel,
so I got it from Google Maps!
How weil was that?