Once the most important settlement in the Kinta Valley, Gopeng is a former tin-mining town in Peninsular Malaysia. It attracted Chinese, Europeans and Mandailings hoping to strike it rich and was one of the first places where the country’s indigenous Orang Asli came into contact with outsiders.
Things to do in Gopeng
Take a step back in time at the Gopeng Heritage House, which is operated by the Muzium Gopeng. It displays an eclectic collection of artefacts from the late 19th century and early 20th century, including Chinese furniture, European mirrors, gramophones and musical instruments. After exploring the recreated barber’s shop, relax in the courtyard garden or grab a grass jelly drink in the tea room.
A short drive east of Gopeng is the HOGA Gaharu Tea Valley, which encompasses Malaysia’s largest organic plantation of agarwood. It is cultivated to make tea as well as wood and oil. As you explore the plantation, learn about the company’s role in preserving this threatened species, then sample agarwood tea and ice cream at the on-site cafe.
You can venture underground at the Tempurung Cave, a spectacular show cave located south of Gopeng. Stretching for more than three kilometres, it is the longest known cave in Peninsula Malaysia and is beautifully illuminated to showcase its formations. Admire the smooth stone cascade of the Golden Flowstone Cavern and see excavations from early miners in the Tin Mine Cavern.
Getting around Gopeng
Gopeng is around 25 minutes’ drive from the centre of Perak and 20 minutes from Sultan Azlan Shah Airport, which has regular flights to Singapore, Langkawi and Johor Bahru. Kuala Lumpur is just under two hours’ drive from Gopeng and is connected by regular buses. Buses also travel throughout Gopeng.