Bucket List: Kuala Kangsar, Royal Town of Perak

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Kuala Kansar, Perak, Malaysia

This article was first published on this blog in June 2025.

Far flung exotic locations from our home cities. These are usually the places on most people's Travel Bucket List.

But there are also locations near to our home cities that can be equally amazing and more than worthy of being on anyone's Travel Bucket List.

For me, Kuala Kangsar is one of these places on my Travel Bucket List. Located in peninsular Malaysia in the state of Perak, Kuala Bangsar is just under 600km from my home city of Singapore. From Singapore, it is accessible by land (around 9 to 10 hours on a leisurely drive along Malaysia' North -South Highway) or by air (via Ipoh followed by road). 

Kuala Kangsar is of course, also easily reached by road or rail from Padang Besar (Perlis), Alor Setar (Kedah), Butterworth (Penang), Ipoh (Perak) and Kuala Lumpur.

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Kuala Kangsar is located along the Kangsar River near Ipoh, the State Capital of the Malaysian State of Perak.

The Kuala Kangsar of today is a quaint town with several historical attractions. These include the Ubudiah Mosque, the Perak Royal Museum (previously the Istana Kenangan), the Istana Iskandariah and the Kuala Kangsar Clock Tower amongst others. 

The Perak Royal Museum (previously the Istana Kenangan), Kuala Kangsar, Perak, Malaysia (2024)

The Ubudiah Mosque, Kuala Kangsar, Perak, Malaysia (2024)

I visited Kuala Kangsar for the first time in February 2024 during a short road trip from Ipoh. I was particularly awed by the majestic facade of the Ubudiah Mosque. and the beautiful and artistic structure of the Istana Kenangan.

3 months later in May 2024, I passed by Kuala Kangsar on my train journey from Bangkok to Singapore. But I did not have the time to stop over for a second visit due to the need to keep up with the train schedules between Kuala Lumpur, Gemas and Johor Bahru. I will surely return again to Kuala Kangsar to enjoy the peaceful and serene atmosphere of this beautiful and historical town.


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