Apart from locations endowed with rich natural surroundings, Perak's panoramic beauty is a feature that lures visitors to the state.

In conjunction with the Visit Perak Year 2012, this writer had the opportunity to visit this silver state from May 1 to 4, as part of the 'Kembara Cuti-Cuti 1Malaysia (KCC1M) - Lets Visit Perak' trip organised by the Perak Tourism Department in collaboration with Gaya Travel, a travel magazine.

“This is the second KCC1M visit to Perak after October last year. In this trip, we will visit Ipoh, Lumut, Teluk Intan and Batu Gajah,” said KCC1M Programme Director Shamsul Bahrin Zainulzaman.

HERBAL PARK
One of the must visit sites in Perak is the 22-hectare Herbal Park located near Kampung Kepayang, Gopeng.

In addition to its beautiful landscape, the park offers more than 500 varieties of herbs. Anglers can also try their luck at a fishing pond teeming with various types of snakeheads, including catfish.

Some of the herbs available at this park are Kacip Fatimah, Kayu Manis, Tongkat Ali, Mengkudu, Serai Wangi and Misai Kucing.

The park opens to the public at 9 am, when visitors can take a ride in a tram made available for them. The park also contains barbecue pits and a campsite for organising activities for school students.

The campsite can accommodate six large tents and 300 people at any time.

GOPENG HERITAGE MUSEUM
Gopeng is a small town rich in heritage and culture, as is evident from the town's old buildings. This town is much older than Ipoh or Taiping, because it had plenty of tin and rubber resources in the past.

Located in the heart of Gopeng town is the Gopeng Heritage Museum, which was set up by Gopeng-born Chinese businessmen; the museum is now under the care of Wong Kuan Cheong and Soon Chiew Khoon.

According to Soon, the couple and several veteran Chinese businessmen have maintained the establishment using their own funds. "We pay from our own pockets, and funds are contributed by the committee members to upgrade the building and repair any damage to the antiques without hiring any workers," Soon, 45, told this writer in Hakka.

The museum features equipment used to mine tin – a legacy of Chinese tin mine workers from the golden years of tin mining – as well as pictures of prominent miners during the British colonial times and photographs of the Hai san and Ghee Hin clan members.

The Hai San and Ghee Hin clans fought each other during the Larut Wars in the tin mining era.

The Gopeng Heritage House is located near the Gopeng Heritage Museum. The two-storey Chinese traditional house is almost 500 years old.

Every corner of the house features antique Chinese-origin furniture, which made this writer recall her childhood days when she was brought up surrounded by similar objects.

"The house resembles my village house. Now not many among the Chinese take good care of the antiques. I feel like going back in time to be in my old house," remarked Anthony Lee, 61, a participant of the KCC1M programme.

KELLIE'S CASTLE
Located some 30 km from Ipoh, beside the Simpang Pulai-Batu Gajah road, is Kellie’s Castle – another of Perak's heritage landmarks.

Apart from the untold stories related to the structure, Kellie's Castle is regarded as a symbol of love, because Scottish planter William Kellie Smith built the castle for his wife, Agnes.

Work on this building began in 1910. The castle features Indian Mogul architecture blended with English features. However, the planter's death in Portugal in 1926 due to pneumonia left this castle unfinished.

It was said that workers were brought in from the Maldives to build this castle. Each of the rooms in the structure contains some description of or information on the story of Smith's love for his wife.

The castle is now one of Perak's tourism destinations and is a favourite among tourists.

MY GOPENG RESORT
The 10-km tortuous and stone-strewn road from Gopeng Sandalwood Farm to Gopeng Resort eventually compelled the journalists participating in the KCC1M to hitch a ride in a lorry.

The journalists had the opportunity to enjoy the lush green forest reserve during this trip, which took about 30 minutes.

According to resort director Ooi Beng Yew, white water rafting, jungle trekking, waterfall abseiling, night walk in the jungle and kayaking are among the favourite activities of the visitors in the resort.

"We also offer team building packages for corporate firms and school students, with professional trainers, chalets and food," said Ooi, who has been with the resort for more than 10 years.

Those journalists who did not take part in the water rafting activities were treated to a waterfall abseiling session near an Orang Asli settlement.

Indeed, Perak with its exotic delicacies and attractive sites is the perfect destination for visitors who prefer touring panoramic places with a rich heritage.

By : Soon Li Wei -- BERNAMA