Taiping, ‘the ever-peaceful town’. Well, that is the literal translation of the Chinese characters which make up its name. Taiping, which was formerly Perak’s capital city, has a long and colourful history which makes it one of the most important heritage travel destinations for tourists in Malaysia.

太平(Taiping)，是马来西亚霹雳州的一座古老城市，北霹雳的行政中心。百多年前麦斯威尔山（今太平山）上为争夺锡矿资源而发生的华人矿工帮派争斗，争斗被当时的英殖民政府平定后，此城市取名为“太平”，也就是永远平安的意思。从此，太平成为了全马唯一一个以中文命名的城市。今日的太平群山环绕，自然风光优美，市内街道整洁，林木扶疏，是一座有着一百多年历史宁静详和的城市。

The Taiping Lake Garden is a must-see! You will love its soothing colours, so don't forget to bring your camera! Established in 1880, the Taiping Lake Garden is one of the oldest gardens in Malaysia. Its 62 hectares of park are also known as Taman Tasik Taiping in the Malay language. The lake is a former tin mine which has been transformed into a beautiful, much-visited and well-maintained area where flowers, birds, insects, animals, and lush greenery all thrive. If you are visiting Taiping Zoo, which is one of the best zoos in Malaysia, drop by this lake and take a stroll along its shores. The hill resort of Bukit Larut, which used to be known as Maxwell Hill, is also located just within the vicinity of the lake. Of particular interest to most photographers are the huge rain trees that grow by the lakeside. You will notice how the branches stretch across the road and dip into the lake, as if they are quenching their thirst by drinking its waters. Pictures of these rain trees are often featured in magazines and calendars, and sometimes, couples who are getting married can be seen posing here in their wedding clothes for a photo to commemorate the most special day of their lives.

太平，全年是夏，这里永远是郁郁葱葱的绿色，终年阳光、多雨造就了太平独有的自然风光。太平也被称为“雨城”，因为当地的雨量比起马来西亚的其他地方多一倍。所以，到太平来，一定要备着雨伞哦。太平的东北郊太平山，海拔731米，气候凉爽，避暑胜地。周围群山云雾迷漫，街道被枝桠庞大的雨树所覆盖，有“北马最美丽的山城”之誉。更有最古老、最有诗意、最具湖光山色的太平湖。每棵树龄都在百多年以上，粗大的树干，庞大的枝桠漫过街道横伸到湖面，依傍在太平山下，宁静详和，在这里闲坐或者漫步，仿佛置身仙境，如诗如画，醉人心脾。

绝佳的地理位置，使得太平美景除了世界闻名的太平湖，更有各种各样的奇花异草、稻田、乡间椰林，更有城市里各式不同的百年老建筑，自然、人文，一切都是原汁原味，却又令人感到新鲜畅快，为世界各地的艺术家及艺术工作者们提供了极佳的采风、创作题材。特别值得一提的是，真正到过太平的游客很少，太平这座历史悠久混合了东西方文化，风景优美的古城，建筑、风情、悠闲的人们，至今仍然保留着百多年前原貌的自然气息，这里没有灯红酒绿的商业开发，有的只是静逸美好的太平湖，如一位处子静卧于太平山下。这里没有城市的喧闹尘嚣，有的只是和煦的微风，漫过街道横伸到湖边的巨大雨树，向人们诉说着百多年来的这座以华人移民为主的城市的历史文化。

There are many historical Taiping buildings, of which some have been maintained and renovated, and some have not. Taiping has the first museum in Malaysia - the Perak Museum - which was built in 1883; the first lake gardens – the Taiping Lake Garden; the first clock tower; the first wet market building (built 1884); the railway station (built 1881); the Anglican All Saints Church (built 1886); and the Masjid Tengku Menteri (built 1870), to name just a few.

太平创造了全马的40个“第一”。有证可考的最古老的建筑（建于1880年），第一条铁路的开通以及第一个火车站的建成（建于1881年），第一座监狱（建于1879年），第一个也是全马最古老的国家动物园（建于1881年），馆藏丰富的第一座博物馆（建于1883年），第一个锡矿，第一座英式钟楼，第一个大巴刹市场（建于1884年），全马第一个女子英文中学，从8个学生开始，至今已有120年的历史。全马华人私会党的发源地等等。

Not surprisingly, Taiping has many other old heritage buildings which are a legacy of its rich history. Among them are some which date back as far as 1880!

太平大部分的文化建筑物，到今天还存在着，这些宝贵的资产，是太平人一辈子的骄傲。这些建筑融合英式及中式特色，较少有高楼大厦，在最大程度上保留了太平原有的味道。太平的各式会馆很多。有1899年创立的兴安会馆，广东会馆，福建会馆等，这些会馆是百年来移民太平的华人的商业组织、传统文化的核心。

The food court is huge. There is an assortment of hawker stalls selling a range of food which includes Hainanese Chicken Rice, Popiah, Jawi Mee, Chao Koay Teow, and much, much more. There is also no shortage of Malay stalls offering Malay mixed rice and other dishes.

太平的美食闻名全马及全世界。这里的小吃有上千种，物美价廉，马来西亚的咖喱美食是全东南亚的首选，更有整条街的华人档口，laksa（口力）沙、云吞面、薄饼、抛饼、鸡饭、各式点心、粥品、甜水、叉烧，不仅选择众多，口味众多.生活自由、安宁详和。

语言：

太平通行英语、华语、闵南语、粤语。太平的居民以华人移民为主，也有马来人、印度人。就连乡下的老人都能听懂英语，所以只要你会讲一些英语或者普通话（华语），到了太平就不用担心语言不通了。太平的治安也是在全马出名的好，这里人的很守秩序，非常友好纯朴，至今那些留学海外的太平人仍以太平为自豪。

Languages:

The national language is Malaysian. However, most people speak English, and among the Chinese community Cantonese and Minnan are mainly spoken, with Mandarin being understood by all of them.
 
The crime rate is low in Malaysia, and especially so in Taiping, where the local people are very proud of the town’s safety.

交通：

太平市内交通以摩托车和汽车为主，汽车是右舵左行，和国内不同，上车时请注意从左侧上车。

消费：

太平一般的消费水平并不高，市内虽然不是很大，但各类门店应有尽有，很多店铺都有宽宽的屋檐，走在下面既避阳光暑热又可避雨。

货币：

太平通用马来货币令吉，不必去银行，市内有很多的外币兑换处，只要逐家比较汇率就可直接兑换了，以钱易钱，手续简单的令人咋舌。

Tips:

Taiping is an equatorial region, so it is hot and humid. Temperatures are usually 32-34° Centigrade in daytime, and 25-28° in the evening. Light clothing is recommended.
 
You are advised to bring along: Sunblock cream

(SPF 30), an umbrella, mosquito repellent, a swimming costume, sunglasses, and a hat or cap.

温馨提示：

马来西亚处于赤道下的国家，终年阳光，多雨，日间温度约32-34度，夜间温度约22-24度，属于白天略闷热，夜晚舒适型气候。最佳穿着为透气的运动休闲类服装。鞋子以舒适的休闲鞋/旅游鞋及一双人字拖足以。

另请赴马学习的同学务必携带以下个人物品：

防晒霜（SPF值在30以上）、雨伞、防蚊液、游泳衣、太阳镜、遮阳帽等。

TAIPING / 太平