However, after the Larut Wars, also known as Perang Larut, the name of this town was changed to Taiping.

Comprised of two Chinese characters – Tai which means ‘great’ and Ping which means ‘peace’ – Taiping quite literally means a place of ‘great peace’.

This newfound peace was a boost to the economy, and the town grew rapidly in the 19th century when tin was discovered under the British rule in Malaya.

Nestled on the coastal plains at the foothills of the Bintang Range, Taiping and its surroundings are the wettest place in the country, receiving the heaviest rainfall compared to any other state.

Naturally, these conditions have led to Taiping being blessed with a myriad of flora and fauna which have become the key tourist attractions here.

1. Taiping Lake Gardens

Originally a tin mining quarry site, this public garden was formed in 1880 under the British rule in Malaya, and to this day remains the oldest public garden in Malaysia.

Angsana trees over a hundred years old, unspoiled, extend their branches to the very tip of the lake. As well as providing plenty of shade from the tropical heat, its original beauty is preserved, akin to picturesque scenes from a painting.

There are about 10 man-made lakes and ponds in the garden, offering you the perfect opportunity for leisurely strolls. You can also relax on the benches or read a book as you admire the mirror-like West Lake. Alternatively, you can rent a bike to cycle around the gardens too.

2. Bukit Larut (Maxwell Hill)

Bukit Larut has retained its colonial British architecture and ambience, with sprawling English gardens and quaint bungalows adding to the charm of the place.

Besides the scenic views, most visitors come here to enjoy the cool weather since Bukit Larut is located approximately 1,250 metres above sea level. It was gazetted as a permanent forest reserve in 1910.

There are many exciting jungle trails, both challenging and leisurely, that make this spot a favourite among hikers.

One of the more popular is the Gunung Hijau trail that leads to the peak of Gunung Hijau at 1,449 metres above sea level.

On the way up, you can view Taiping town from a vantage point. There are also many species of birds, exotic wild orchids and beautiful ferns to appreciate along the way.

And to reward yourself for all the hard work, stop at the waterfall here to enjoy a cool splash or have a picnic.

3. Matang Mangrove Forest

Gazetted as a permanent forest reserve in 1906, the Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve is the largest mangrove forest in Malaysia.

Covering an area of over 40,000 hectares, it is also one of the best managed tracts of mangrove forest in the world.

It is home to coastal migratory waterbirds as well some migrant forest birds. In fact, according to the Malaysian Nature Society, as many as 43,000 to 85,000 birds use the forest during migration.

The Department of Wildlife and National Parks in 1995 said there were 75 species of birds living here, including the endangered milky stork.

4. Burmese Pool (Batu Hampar)

Adjacent to the sprawling Taiping Royal Lake Gardens is Burmese Pool, known as Batu Hampar among locals.

Taiping Burmese Pool is a rock formation that forms a series of large pools and is fed by a stream that descends into a waterfall, originating from the Batu Tegoh River. It is a convenient spot for a quick splash and to freshen up.

Visitors be warned: the rocks are slippery, and children are to be supervised at all times. It’s also important to keep yourself within sight of others while navigating the river.

It is unwise to swim or even wade in the river and pools on rainy days as the Burmese pool is susceptible to flash floods.