With daily temperatures of 10 to 25 degrees Celsius,it is indeed an ideal destination for those wanting to escape from the heat and humidity of Malaysia’s lowlands. Although it is the smallest hill compared to other hill resorts in the country, it preserves much more of the atmosphere of a colonial hill station and offers a natural peaceful and quiet sanctuary for weary souls. There are no swanky or five-star hotels available, accommodation is modest but nonetheless comfortable and cozy with a number of welcoming bungalows and rest houses, some of which were built almost a century ago, like the Sri Kayangan and Angkasa is only for VIPs. The rest are for public booking namely Bukit Larut Rest house, Beringin Bungalow, Tempinis Bungalow, Gunung Hijau Bungalow, Permai View Bungalow and the Cendana Bungalow. It still retains its colonial origins with its old bungalows and gardens. 

It still retains its colonial origins with its old bungalows and gardens. This hill is ideal for birdwatchers and nature lovers, as the area provides a welcoming environment for the local wildlife.

Start your curiousity stroll with the small Park and Playground. Nature lovers will really like the variety of trees here. It’s cool enough to get pine trees and other similar species. Sometimes, the occasional mist will roll in and it looks like you’re not even in Malaysia anymore. Next, walk to the Hanging Bridge And Lookout Post at Maxwell Hill. It doesn’t take that long to walk the length of this bridge but there are some good views and photo opportunities here! And don’t forget to check out the Lookout Tower nearby, where you see the recreational of Bukit Larut ! Take a short walk from the hanging bridge to a spot where you can see the beautiful landscape of Taiping town and even the estuary/sea on clear days. 

If you are a tea or coffee addict, walk to the Teas House/Café, which serves cakes, pastries and cookies with hot tea/coffee, unfortunately, they don’t serve much. More importantly though, there is a toilet behind the cafe. It’s also the only public one we are aware of. If you are a day trip tourist, alternatively, you can pack your own food and picnic (as long as you clean up after). There are a couple of benches and picnic tables scattered around the hilltop that you can use. 

It gets slightly dark by 6.30pm. Return to your room, refresh and have dinner by 7.30pm

Taiping Lake Gardens are better visited on foot. There is ample and free parking around Pekeliling road, so park your vehicle and start walking and enjoying these beautiful grounds. Walk to the main part of the of West Lake’s southern coast is flanked by Pekeliling Street filled with magnificent rain trees, many older than 100 years, with long branches that extend all the way to the water. It’s a very peaceful and scenic area for both walkers and joggers, and a perfect place to relax on some nice benches provided by the town council of Taiping to sit on and chill. You may buy an ice cream off one of the sellers that come here at the busiest times of the day when the temperature is cooler and joggers and locals come here to enjoy the peace and calmness.

The biggest pond in the Gardens is certainly the West Lake, which also includes Turtle Point and Lotus Bay, and two floating islets to its northern side called Scotts and Duck islands.

You could scuttle all the way from the West Lake to the Zig Zag bridge on the other end of the Lake Gardens, the northern fringe of Taiping Lake Gardens on the Alamanda Pond, is one quirky attraction. You may wonder why it’s been built in this most peculiar shape, but it definitely makes for a different spot to hang out. Its covered pavillion is a perfect spot to relax when it’s too hot and observe what’s going on in the surrounding water. 

Follow Jalan Pekeliling all around the perimeter of the lakes, you’ll end up at the first notable bridge, the Chinese Bridge has architectural motifs that remember a Chinese Pavillion with gilded red pillars. From there, you can see the bottom of the West Lake to your left-hand side, and the beginning of the South Lake to your right. As swimming is prohibited at Taiping Lake Gardens, the best thing to do is to rent a paddle boat and strike off around West Lake and its islets. The red bridge is Taiping Lake Garden’s most central, set over the Swan Lake and on the  right the West Lake, contrasting against the viridian backdrop is the Bukit Larut, a nice view for photoshots.

Taiping Lake Gardens are a big natural playground for a bunch of Malaysian animals like the monitor lizard and the endangered dusky leaf white-spectacled little monkeys. They have white fur on their mouth, too, that make them look like real cuties. Look up in the trees and see if you can spot some.

After soaked with memories of the lake gardens, move on to Taiping town. The view of Maxwell Hill is visible around the vicinity of Taiping town.