Bukit Larut
Bukit Larut, formerly known as Maxwell Hill (but still often referred to by
its latter name), is a hill resort located 10 km from Taiping, Perak, Malaysia.
Founded in 1884, it is the oldest hill resort in Malaysia. It is approximately
1250 m above sea level. Bukit Larut receives the highest rainfall in Malaysia
because it is located in the wettest part of the country.
Maxwell Hill was named after William George Maxwell, who was the British
Assistant Resident in Perak.
Not as developed as other hill resorts such as the Genting Highlands and Cameron
Highlands, Bukit Larut retains a colonial atmosphere with its quaint bungalows
and English gardens.
Access is available only by government owned resort authority's Land Rovers
(private vehicles are not allowed without a permit) although people are free to
walk up the hill as many do for exercise (reaching the peak can take up to 3 – 5
hours). The journey, 13 kilometres from the base to the top of Bukit Larut using
Land Rovers take around 30 minutes.
Temperature at Bukit Larut is between 15 and 25 °C and can drop to 10 °C at
night. Bukit Larut is one of the wettest places in Malaysia with heavy rainfall
all year round that can reach up to more than 4,000 mm (160 in) yearly.
A few metres below Bukit Larut Rest House is a playground. Nearby it lies a
bridge that leads to a watch tower, from where one can have a beautiful view of
Taiping. On a clear day, one can even see the coastline of Straits of Malacca.
Bukit Larut 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.
Getting There
Taiping is easily accessible from the North South Expressway (PLUS). From Penang
(90 km away), Kamunting is the nearest exit, whilst Changkat Jering is the most
convenient exit from the motorway if you are traveling north from Ipoh (70 km).
You will be able to find signage which stated "Bukit Larut" all the way from the
highway exit to the base station.
Taiping is well-connected to the rest of Peninsular Malaysia by express buses,
which arrive at and depart from the long-distance bus station at Kamunting (6 km
from the town centre) and Simpang (7 km from the town centre). Buses also travel
direct from Taiping to Singapore and Hat Yai.
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