Gopeng
Encyclopedia
Gopeng is a town located in Mukim Teja, District of Kampar
, Perak
, Malaysia. It is situated approximately 20 km south of Ipoh
, the state capital. The town is located on the west side of the North-South Expressway
stretch of Tapah-Simpang Pulai. The limestone hills and the Titiwangsa Mountains are clearly visible; the expressway penetrates between them and the view of the Tapah
-Gopeng stretch is one of the most picturesque areas on the west side of Peninsular Malaysia
. Due to its strategic location, locals are indeed very fortunate to have major towns approximately half an hour from Gopeng, Batu Gajah
to the west, Ipoh
to the north and Kampar
at the south.
Gopeng is classified under the newly-created District of Kampar, the 10th district of Perak. Previously Gopeng was inside the Kinta
district. The two Mukims under District of Kampar are Mukim Kampar and Mukim Teja. According to the official website of PDT Kampar, the whole area of Gopeng, along with Teja
and Kota Baharu are grouped together under Mukim Teja which is now administered by the Penghulu, Mr.
Mohd Helmi Jamaludin.
Once this town was bustling with tin miners and locals who busied themselves with the great tin mining industry of Malaysia until the collapse of the tin empire in 1980s. According to locals, there were once French
, British
and local tin mining companies developing tin mine industry there. Among them was called the Osbourne & Chappel which opened its franchise here in one of Gopeng's rich tin mine. Both locals and immigrants worked there. People started to flee the town and seek better opportunities in neighboring towns and cities soon after the collapse of the 1980s.
However, the love towards the town has never been faded and now Gopeng already flourished with heritage, cuisine and eco-tourism attractions developed by the locals themselves. Gopeng is also well-known for limestone
caves such as the Gua Tempurung
, located approximately 5 km from the town centre. Gua Tempurung
has become a popular weekend getaway for many local and overseas visitors eventually became one of the tourist hot spots.
Gopeng often affiliated with the old mine giant water pipes stretching above the trunk road, Jalan Gopeng, between the Shell Gas Station and Masjid Baru Gopeng. The rusty pipes channeled the water all the way from the hill slopes into the tin mines in the low lands which is now, Gopeng. Locals called it, Paip Besar (Malay), literally, Huge Pipes in English. Although there are no more mining activities, the giant pipes remained intact on the original stilts and became a very significant landmark of recognizing Gopeng. However in July 2010 most of the pipes were removed for scrap metal, leaving just a small section at the side of the main road - the ones that crossed over the road were removed.
Cultural Landmark
Gopeng and its surrounding population is also known for an extremely high concentration of Rao people, with its famous Rao Dialect (Chakok Rao),the Adet Bojojak (Adat Berjejak in standard Bahasa Melayu), the Kelamei (a type of Rao distinctive cuisine) and the all time favourite, Gulei Nangko (Gulai Nangka or Nangka Masak Lemak in standard Malay). The Rao closely related to the Minang and Mandailing instead of the Malays in which both the Rao and the Malays are exclusively distinguished culturally particularly language and cuisines.
Among the most recognized places in the town centre, particularly nearby the Gopeng Bus Station is the Alif Cafe Restaurant, the local post office, the police station, Giat Mara Gopeng, Padang Bandaran Gopeng, Pasaraya Ku and the Goodyear Tyre Workshop. The Podal Video Rental Service is located along the same row of shophouse of the Pasaraya Ku. There are local tailors and a brand new bundle shop located nearby the area. A newly opened stationery shop is located opposite the driving school office at the High Street.
The major settlements in Gopeng are:
Most of these settlements are located along the prominent, straight and long Jalan Gopeng
connecting Ipoh
to the north and Kampar
to the south. Some of the villages are located away from the main road but are still accessible by various types of vehicles.
A quite significant proportion of neighborhoods are also situated within the Taman Kinta area, mostly terrace houses and shop houses. New housing scheme and neighborhoods are being built around the Taman Kinta areas today.
Roads in Gopeng
) and the RHB Bank
. A newly opened Pasaraya Ku is located exactly next to the town bus station. It became one of the large all in one mini supermarket in Gopeng replacing the Soon Hing Supermarket which is now has ceased operation in High Street. There are also several hair salons both the traditional Indian barbers and the modern hip hair salon operated by locals. There are also a few gold stores in the town and numerous convenient stores located all around the town.
Once, Gopeng had a cinema, an old wooden building which was situated at the town's only roundabout now. After the cinema left defunct, it started to decay and finally demolished, creating a vacant land. At that time during the 1990s, mobile theme park was held there with merry-go-round and the Ferris wheel. Soon after, a roundabout was created and new row of modern shop houses started to be built at the foundation of the old cinema. There is not even a single portion of the old cinema left to be preserved. However the Wayang Lane (Lorong Wayang) name is derived from the late cinema itself commemorating the glory and almost forgotten history of the one and only Gopeng's cinema.
Medan Purnama is a mini business centre comprising small restaurants, computer workshop and a few smaller kiosks. It is located on the same foundation of the Old Gopeng wet market which was redeveloped in mid 1990s. The people of Gopeng now have a larger and proper wet market located at the edge of Jalan Tasik (High Street).
Adilkap Sdn Bhd is located along Lorong Tasik (High Land), just next to the RHB Bank Gopeng, operating the JPJ driving license test compound as well as driving lessons for beginners.
Other commercial activities equally dispersed into restaurants, hawker stalls, photo studios, workshops and convenient stores.
Eco tourism has been developed in recent years to promote Gopeng for its lush nature rain forest. My Gopeng Resort located in Ulu Geruntom, known for its packages of outdoor activities. Although remotely located from the town centre, approximately 7 kilometers away into the hill slopes, tourist continue to flock by, including international tourists. This is a place for those in love with active outdoor activities such as whitewater rafting in Sungai Kampar and jungle trekking in the hill sides. The Orang Asli
also participated in this eco tourism as travel guides for hot spots in the forests.
Gopeng Rainforest Resort
This is another outback oriented resort for those who are in love with nature. It is located approximately 6.5 kilometers to the east of Gopeng town center surrounded by traditional Malay villages, flaunted with its virgin rainforest. It is a must see attraction for those who want the experience of jungle trekking, water rafting and many other activities. The facilities includes a multi-purpose hall, fruits orchard, car parks, electricity, piped water, clean toilets, bathroom, BBQ sets, kitchen and natural stream run through the resort.
Rumah Rehat Adeline
Rumah Rehat Adeline or Adeline Resthouse is located in Sungai Itek, Gopeng. It provides outdoor activities such as white water rafting, wet abseiling, caving, nightwalk, high rope course and river boarding. Similar to the other neighboring resorts, this is an outdoor oriented resort with most of its visitors were active weekenders from abroad and also local Malaysians, mostly from the big cities.
Gua Tempurung
Gua Tempurung is set up as a show cave with some large chambers and impressive formations and an underground river. There are 2 entry points to the area both from Gopeng and Gunong Mesah. There are food stalls within the compound.
Gopeng Homestay
The Gopeng Homestay has attracted so many tourist particularly students, both locals and internationals. The Homestay Program already recognized by the Tourism Board of Malaysia to be one of the highlighted events in Malaysian tourism calendar. Among the interest of many who came by is the Adat Berjojak which is still being practiced by the local Rao in Gopeng. Four villages namely Kampung Sungai Itek, Kampung Pintu Padang, Kampung Baru Jelintoh dan Kampung Tersusun Jelintoh collaborated with the ministry to work this program. The traditional Kelamai (popular Rao cuisine in Gopeng) also being promoted during the homestay.
Gopeng Museum
The most recent attraction in Gopeng is the one and only Gopeng Museum, launched on April 18, 2009. The house-turned-museum is a small unit of pre-war shophouse lot at 28, Jalan Eu Kong, at the centre of Gopeng town. It is developed by Bernard Yaw, a businessman, a Gopeng origin. A number of artifacts and pictures depicting an unseen before Gopeng are well displayed in this town museum which is now under secure supervision of Gopeng Museum Management Society, also headed by Bernard Yaw.
, Kota Baru Estate, Batu Gajah
, Gopeng and the Ipoh
Bus Station at Medan Kidd. There is only one known public bus commuter service in Gopeng. Express bus services from various locations will generally pick and drop passengers in Gopeng, many of these express buses are en route to Kuala Lumpur
, Singapore
and Penang
to the north. Taxi services are also available in Gopeng, they are stationed at the Gopeng Bus Station.
The once booming tin
mining industry attracted many Chinese immigrants to live and work in Gopeng along with the British occupation of Tanah Melayu. The huge influx of Chinese migrants dwarfed the local Malays population. There are also significant numbers of people of India
n descent (mainly Tamil
), Malay
and Orang Asli
(Peninsular Malaysia
's indigenous people) living in Gopeng.
Gopeng is well known nationwide for its Rawa
community which is believed to be the center of the Rawa in Malaysia. There are a significant number of Rawa
descendants reside in Gopeng. From Kampung Gunung Mesah Hulu and Kampung Gunung Mesah Hilir to Kampong Rawa, Kampung Jelintoh to Kota Baru Estate, the Rawa
people resides here for centuries, long before the tin mines were established. Gopeng is actually the name of the town center, not the entire area. Earlier settlements such as Sungai Itik, Jahang, Kampong Pulai, Gunong Mesah, Gunong Panjang, Culik and dozens of other settlements were opened by Rawa and Mandailing settlers centuries earlier.
The Rawa
people are sub-ethnic from the larger group of the Malay Race (bangsa Nusantara) who speaks with a noticeable different form of language from the standard Bahasa Melayu (Malay Peninsula Standard), similar to the other variations of Bahasa Melayu dialects around Malaysia like the Northern, Perakian, Sarawakian, Kelantanese and the Minang (Negeri Sembilan). The Rawa
dialect is well preserved in Gopeng for many of its Rawa residents is very concern for conserving the Rawa dialect. The Rawa
people speaks Rao Language with a certain words and dialect resembles the Negeri Sembilan
's Minangkabau community. Many would generally presumed that the Rawa
people is the Jawa
, apparently these two community are essentially different, culturally.
The Rawa
people and the Rawa
dialect are thriving in almost every Rawa settlements in Gopeng, very genuine and exclusive Rawa
dialect could be found in villages neighboring the Gopeng town area. Famous cuisine associated with the Rawa
is Kelamai, Gulei Lomak Nangko (Gulai Nangka) and Rondang Atok (Rendang Tok) are still available in Gopeng particularly during wedding ceremonies and festive seasons. Among the best known tradition of the Rawa
is Adet Berjojak (Adat Berjejak).
Gopeng Lai Fun or rice noodles is a well known dish locally, particularly among the Chinese community in Gopeng and surrounding towns. It is best served with laksa and homemade tauhu. Gopeng tauhu is distinguished with its darker top rather than ordinary tauhu which is light brown.
During Aidilfitri holidays, the Kelamai becomes the highlight of the day and it became the signature cuisine of the Malays in Gopeng. The Kelamai partly resembles the Lemang but Kelamai is treated with tedious care and complicated procedures of preparing the bamboo and its contents. Above all, it tastes sweeter than Lemang with the addition of red sugar, and the Kelamai is in dark brown in colour. People will have to crack open the bamboo just like the Lemang itself to have its contents to be served for the guests. In other variations, coconut floss are also served on top of the sliced Kelamai to add the sweetness.
Besides the Kelamai, Gulai Nangka is also well known as local Malay favorites, it is usually served in most of local Malay wedding ceremonies in which it became almost compulsory to distinct the Gopeng Malay wedding cuisines. Gulai, also known as Masak Lemak is a yellowish gravy cuisine with numerous variation in its contents. The Gopeng Malays used the jackfruit or Nangka (in Malay) instead of meat or vegetables. The Gulai Nangka is an all time favorite in which it sustains the popularity for an extended period of time among both the youngsters and the senior citizens. Gulai Nangka is best served hot, together with white rice, belacan and ulam.
.
is located in Kopisan Baru, it is clearly visible from the main road uphill with a kindergarten next to it.
There is a matriculation college, Kolej Matrikulasi Perak (KMP), located near the small town of Kota Baru Station, in the outskirt of central Gopeng. Located on a small hill in an oil palm
estate, KMP is well known for its breathtaking scenery overlooking the Titiwangsa Mountains
and numerous limestone hills especially on a clear day.
Kampar District
Kampar District, is one of the ten administrative districts of Perak, Malaysia It was a district on 21 May 2009 after the Sultan of Perak declared Kampar the state's 10th district...
, Perak
Perak
Perak , one of the 13 states of Malaysia, is the second largest state in the Peninsular Malaysia bordering Kedah and Yala Province of Thailand to the north, Penang to the northwest, Kelantan and Pahang to the east, Selangor the Strait of Malacca to the south and west.Perak means silver in Malay...
, Malaysia. It is situated approximately 20 km south of Ipoh
Ipoh
Ipoh is the capital city of Perak state, Malaysia. It is approximately 200 km north of Kuala Lumpur on the North-South Expressway....
, the state capital. The town is located on the west side of the North-South Expressway
North-South Expressway
The North–South Expressway is the longest expressway in Malaysia with the total length of running from Bukit Kayu Hitam in Kedah near the Malaysian-Thai border to Johor Bahru at the southern portion of Peninsular Malaysia and to Singapore...
stretch of Tapah-Simpang Pulai. The limestone hills and the Titiwangsa Mountains are clearly visible; the expressway penetrates between them and the view of the Tapah
Tapah
Tapah is the administrative town of the district Batang Padang, Perak, Malaysia .The name "Tapah" is said to be originated from the name of a fresh water fish, "Ikan Tapah"...
-Gopeng stretch is one of the most picturesque areas on the west side of Peninsular Malaysia
Peninsular Malaysia
Peninsular Malaysia , also known as West Malaysia , is the part of Malaysia which lies on the Malay Peninsula. Its area is . It shares a land border with Thailand in the north. To the south is the island of Singapore. Across the Strait of Malacca to the west lies the island of Sumatra...
. Due to its strategic location, locals are indeed very fortunate to have major towns approximately half an hour from Gopeng, Batu Gajah
Batu Gajah
Batu Gajah is a town located in the state of Perak in Malaysia, about 24 km from Ipoh, the Perak state capital.-Origins and History:...
to the west, Ipoh
Ipoh
Ipoh is the capital city of Perak state, Malaysia. It is approximately 200 km north of Kuala Lumpur on the North-South Expressway....
to the north and Kampar
Kampar, Perak
Kampar Kampar Kampar (Chinese:金宝） is a town in the state of Perak, Malaysia. Founded in 1887, the town lies within the Kinta Valley and located in the newly-created Kampar District, an area rich with tin reserves. It was a tin mining town which boomed during the height of the tin mining industry....
at the south.
Gopeng is classified under the newly-created District of Kampar, the 10th district of Perak. Previously Gopeng was inside the Kinta
Kinta
Kinta is one of the ten administrative districts of Perak, Malaysia, and it is divided into two major councils:*Ipoh City Council , based in Ipoh, the state capital of Perak...
district. The two Mukims under District of Kampar are Mukim Kampar and Mukim Teja. According to the official website of PDT Kampar, the whole area of Gopeng, along with Teja
Teja
Teja may refer to:*Teja Jat Sikh,Teja is a warrior clan of the Jat people found in India Punjab, Haryana, Saharanpur UP and Pakistan...
and Kota Baharu are grouped together under Mukim Teja which is now administered by the Penghulu, Mr.
Mr.
Mister, usually written in its abbreviated form Mr or Mr. , is a commonly used English honorific for men under the rank of knighthood. The title derived from master, as the equivalent female titles, Mrs., Miss, and Ms, all derived from the archaic mistress...
Mohd Helmi Jamaludin.
Once this town was bustling with tin miners and locals who busied themselves with the great tin mining industry of Malaysia until the collapse of the tin empire in 1980s. According to locals, there were once French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and local tin mining companies developing tin mine industry there. Among them was called the Osbourne & Chappel which opened its franchise here in one of Gopeng's rich tin mine. Both locals and immigrants worked there. People started to flee the town and seek better opportunities in neighboring towns and cities soon after the collapse of the 1980s.
However, the love towards the town has never been faded and now Gopeng already flourished with heritage, cuisine and eco-tourism attractions developed by the locals themselves. Gopeng is also well-known for limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
caves such as the Gua Tempurung
Gua Tempurung
Gua Tempurung is a cave in Gopeng, Perak, Malaysia. It is popular among spelunkers, or caving enthusiasts. More than 3 km long, it is one of the longest caves in Peninsula Malaysia. Part of it has been developed as a show cave with electric lighting and walkways and there are a range of tours of...
, located approximately 5 km from the town centre. Gua Tempurung
Gua Tempurung
Gua Tempurung is a cave in Gopeng, Perak, Malaysia. It is popular among spelunkers, or caving enthusiasts. More than 3 km long, it is one of the longest caves in Peninsula Malaysia. Part of it has been developed as a show cave with electric lighting and walkways and there are a range of tours of...
has become a popular weekend getaway for many local and overseas visitors eventually became one of the tourist hot spots.
Significant Landmark
Structural LandmarkGopeng often affiliated with the old mine giant water pipes stretching above the trunk road, Jalan Gopeng, between the Shell Gas Station and Masjid Baru Gopeng. The rusty pipes channeled the water all the way from the hill slopes into the tin mines in the low lands which is now, Gopeng. Locals called it, Paip Besar (Malay), literally, Huge Pipes in English. Although there are no more mining activities, the giant pipes remained intact on the original stilts and became a very significant landmark of recognizing Gopeng. However in July 2010 most of the pipes were removed for scrap metal, leaving just a small section at the side of the main road - the ones that crossed over the road were removed.
Cultural Landmark
Gopeng and its surrounding population is also known for an extremely high concentration of Rao people, with its famous Rao Dialect (Chakok Rao),the Adet Bojojak (Adat Berjejak in standard Bahasa Melayu), the Kelamei (a type of Rao distinctive cuisine) and the all time favourite, Gulei Nangko (Gulai Nangka or Nangka Masak Lemak in standard Malay). The Rao closely related to the Minang and Mandailing instead of the Malays in which both the Rao and the Malays are exclusively distinguished culturally particularly language and cuisines.
Town Layout
In the central area of Gopeng, there is an old bus station. There are mosques, Buddhist temples, Hindu temples and a Sikh temple located near each other. The Gopeng Police Station is located near the Gopeng Post Office and a field named as Padang Bandaran Gopeng. This area is considered the central area of Gopeng since the field is essential for the locals for various occasions, especially for local soccer matches and other special events. Central Gopeng is filled with old pre-war shophouses which are extremely valuable for conservation and perhaps tourist attractions.Among the most recognized places in the town centre, particularly nearby the Gopeng Bus Station is the Alif Cafe Restaurant, the local post office, the police station, Giat Mara Gopeng, Padang Bandaran Gopeng, Pasaraya Ku and the Goodyear Tyre Workshop. The Podal Video Rental Service is located along the same row of shophouse of the Pasaraya Ku. There are local tailors and a brand new bundle shop located nearby the area. A newly opened stationery shop is located opposite the driving school office at the High Street.
The major settlements in Gopeng are:
|
Kota Bharu, Perak Kota Bharu is a small town in Perak, Malaysia. It is a very small railway town with a police station, a community clinic and a shop, plus a few abandoned shophouses. It is approximately 7 kilometers away from the largest town of Mukim Teja, Gopeng. There is only one known single road connecting... a.k.a (Kota Bharu Estate) Taman Gopeng Taman Gopeng is a medium cost housing estate located next to Lebuh Tasik in the town of Gopeng, Perak. SJKC Man Ming Gopeng, Gopeng Market and Adilkap Driving School Pte Ltd is located nearby Taman Gopeng. There is a medium sized field in the middle of Taman Gopeng with old playground facilities... |
Most of these settlements are located along the prominent, straight and long Jalan Gopeng
Jalan Gopeng
Jalan Gopeng is a long federal road running through dozens of towns and settlements in Perak, Malaysia. It passes through Gopeng, Gunong Mesah, Jeram, Kampong Kepayang, Chandan Desa, Gunong Rapat and Simpang Pulai...
connecting Ipoh
Ipoh
Ipoh is the capital city of Perak state, Malaysia. It is approximately 200 km north of Kuala Lumpur on the North-South Expressway....
to the north and Kampar
Kampar, Perak
Kampar Kampar Kampar (Chinese:金宝） is a town in the state of Perak, Malaysia. Founded in 1887, the town lies within the Kinta Valley and located in the newly-created Kampar District, an area rich with tin reserves. It was a tin mining town which boomed during the height of the tin mining industry....
to the south. Some of the villages are located away from the main road but are still accessible by various types of vehicles.
A quite significant proportion of neighborhoods are also situated within the Taman Kinta area, mostly terrace houses and shop houses. New housing scheme and neighborhoods are being built around the Taman Kinta areas today.
Roads in Gopeng
|
|
Business and Commerce
There are two banks operating at the centre of the town, the BSN (Bank Simpanan NasionalBank Simpanan Nasional
Bank Simpanan Nasional is a government owned bank in Malaysia.- History :BSN was incorporated on 1 December 1974 under the Ministry of Finance. With its incorporation, BSN has taken over all the duties and responsibilities of the Post Office Savings Bank...
) and the RHB Bank
RHB Bank
RHB Bank Berhad is a bank based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It specializes in commercial banking, corporate and investment banking and international banking services...
. A newly opened Pasaraya Ku is located exactly next to the town bus station. It became one of the large all in one mini supermarket in Gopeng replacing the Soon Hing Supermarket which is now has ceased operation in High Street. There are also several hair salons both the traditional Indian barbers and the modern hip hair salon operated by locals. There are also a few gold stores in the town and numerous convenient stores located all around the town.
Once, Gopeng had a cinema, an old wooden building which was situated at the town's only roundabout now. After the cinema left defunct, it started to decay and finally demolished, creating a vacant land. At that time during the 1990s, mobile theme park was held there with merry-go-round and the Ferris wheel. Soon after, a roundabout was created and new row of modern shop houses started to be built at the foundation of the old cinema. There is not even a single portion of the old cinema left to be preserved. However the Wayang Lane (Lorong Wayang) name is derived from the late cinema itself commemorating the glory and almost forgotten history of the one and only Gopeng's cinema.
Medan Purnama is a mini business centre comprising small restaurants, computer workshop and a few smaller kiosks. It is located on the same foundation of the Old Gopeng wet market which was redeveloped in mid 1990s. The people of Gopeng now have a larger and proper wet market located at the edge of Jalan Tasik (High Street).
Adilkap Sdn Bhd is located along Lorong Tasik (High Land), just next to the RHB Bank Gopeng, operating the JPJ driving license test compound as well as driving lessons for beginners.
Other commercial activities equally dispersed into restaurants, hawker stalls, photo studios, workshops and convenient stores.
Attractions
My Gopeng ResortEco tourism has been developed in recent years to promote Gopeng for its lush nature rain forest. My Gopeng Resort located in Ulu Geruntom, known for its packages of outdoor activities. Although remotely located from the town centre, approximately 7 kilometers away into the hill slopes, tourist continue to flock by, including international tourists. This is a place for those in love with active outdoor activities such as whitewater rafting in Sungai Kampar and jungle trekking in the hill sides. The Orang Asli
Orang Asli
Orang Asli , is a generic Malaysian term used for people indigenous to Peninsular Malaysia...
also participated in this eco tourism as travel guides for hot spots in the forests.
Gopeng Rainforest Resort
This is another outback oriented resort for those who are in love with nature. It is located approximately 6.5 kilometers to the east of Gopeng town center surrounded by traditional Malay villages, flaunted with its virgin rainforest. It is a must see attraction for those who want the experience of jungle trekking, water rafting and many other activities. The facilities includes a multi-purpose hall, fruits orchard, car parks, electricity, piped water, clean toilets, bathroom, BBQ sets, kitchen and natural stream run through the resort.
Rumah Rehat Adeline
Rumah Rehat Adeline or Adeline Resthouse is located in Sungai Itek, Gopeng. It provides outdoor activities such as white water rafting, wet abseiling, caving, nightwalk, high rope course and river boarding. Similar to the other neighboring resorts, this is an outdoor oriented resort with most of its visitors were active weekenders from abroad and also local Malaysians, mostly from the big cities.
Gua Tempurung
Gua Tempurung is set up as a show cave with some large chambers and impressive formations and an underground river. There are 2 entry points to the area both from Gopeng and Gunong Mesah. There are food stalls within the compound.
Gopeng Homestay
The Gopeng Homestay has attracted so many tourist particularly students, both locals and internationals. The Homestay Program already recognized by the Tourism Board of Malaysia to be one of the highlighted events in Malaysian tourism calendar. Among the interest of many who came by is the Adat Berjojak which is still being practiced by the local Rao in Gopeng. Four villages namely Kampung Sungai Itek, Kampung Pintu Padang, Kampung Baru Jelintoh dan Kampung Tersusun Jelintoh collaborated with the ministry to work this program. The traditional Kelamai (popular Rao cuisine in Gopeng) also being promoted during the homestay.
Gopeng Museum
The most recent attraction in Gopeng is the one and only Gopeng Museum, launched on April 18, 2009. The house-turned-museum is a small unit of pre-war shophouse lot at 28, Jalan Eu Kong, at the centre of Gopeng town. It is developed by Bernard Yaw, a businessman, a Gopeng origin. A number of artifacts and pictures depicting an unseen before Gopeng are well displayed in this town museum which is now under secure supervision of Gopeng Museum Management Society, also headed by Bernard Yaw.
Transportation
There are daily intercity bus services. The Kinta Omnibus runs between KamparKampar, Perak
Kampar Kampar Kampar (Chinese:金宝） is a town in the state of Perak, Malaysia. Founded in 1887, the town lies within the Kinta Valley and located in the newly-created Kampar District, an area rich with tin reserves. It was a tin mining town which boomed during the height of the tin mining industry....
, Kota Baru Estate, Batu Gajah
Batu Gajah
Batu Gajah is a town located in the state of Perak in Malaysia, about 24 km from Ipoh, the Perak state capital.-Origins and History:...
, Gopeng and the Ipoh
Ipoh
Ipoh is the capital city of Perak state, Malaysia. It is approximately 200 km north of Kuala Lumpur on the North-South Expressway....
Bus Station at Medan Kidd. There is only one known public bus commuter service in Gopeng. Express bus services from various locations will generally pick and drop passengers in Gopeng, many of these express buses are en route to Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
, Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
and Penang
Penang
Penang is a state in Malaysia and the name of its constituent island, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. It is bordered by Kedah in the north and east, and Perak in the south. Penang is the second smallest Malaysian state in area after Perlis, and the...
to the north. Taxi services are also available in Gopeng, they are stationed at the Gopeng Bus Station.
Public Health
Although there are no public hospitals built in Gopeng, many of its residents depends on the smaller private clinics by various doctors, there are seven registered local medical pratitioners under the National Medical Research Register of Malaysia in various part of the town including the rural settlements.- Clinic Tham, 7, High Street, Gopeng
- Klinik C K Chan, 30, Jalan Eu Kong, Gopeng
- Klinik Gopeng, 6, High Street, Gopeng
- Klinik Rakyat, 19-D Jln Kg. Rawa, Gopeng
- Klinik Thomas, 6 Taman Gopeng Baru, Gopeng
- Klinik Pergigian Gopeng (Gopeng Dental Clinic)
- Persatuan Kebajikan Untuk Orang Cacat Gopeng Perak, No. 8, Wayang Lane, Gopeng
Demographics
Gopeng is made up of a multi-cultural society with majority of Gopeng's residents are Chinese. It is believed that there are more than 100,000 people consisting the Semai, Melayu (Perak), Rawa, Mandiling, Chinese (Cantonese), Tamils and the Punjabis, reside in Gopeng.The once booming tin
Tin
Tin is a chemical element with the symbol Sn and atomic number 50. It is a main group metal in group 14 of the periodic table. Tin shows chemical similarity to both neighboring group 14 elements, germanium and lead and has two possible oxidation states, +2 and the slightly more stable +4...
mining industry attracted many Chinese immigrants to live and work in Gopeng along with the British occupation of Tanah Melayu. The huge influx of Chinese migrants dwarfed the local Malays population. There are also significant numbers of people of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n descent (mainly Tamil
Tamil people
Tamil people , also called Tamils or Tamilians, are an ethnic group native to Tamil Nadu, India and the north-eastern region of Sri Lanka. Historic and post 15th century emigrant communities are also found across the world, notably Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, South Africa, Australia, Canada,...
), Malay
Malay people
Malays are an ethnic group of Austronesian people predominantly inhabiting the Malay Peninsula, including the southernmost parts of Thailand, the east coast of Sumatra, the coast of Borneo, and the smaller islands which lie between these locations...
and Orang Asli
Orang Asli
Orang Asli , is a generic Malaysian term used for people indigenous to Peninsular Malaysia...
(Peninsular Malaysia
Peninsular Malaysia
Peninsular Malaysia , also known as West Malaysia , is the part of Malaysia which lies on the Malay Peninsula. Its area is . It shares a land border with Thailand in the north. To the south is the island of Singapore. Across the Strait of Malacca to the west lies the island of Sumatra...
's indigenous people) living in Gopeng.
Gopeng is well known nationwide for its Rawa
Rawa (tribe)
Rawa or Rao is a term given to a Malay community living in the Malay Peninsula, now the West Malaysia. It is common for the Rawa to identify themselves as Oghang Rawo or Oghang Rao or even Rao.-History:...
community which is believed to be the center of the Rawa in Malaysia. There are a significant number of Rawa
Rawa (tribe)
Rawa or Rao is a term given to a Malay community living in the Malay Peninsula, now the West Malaysia. It is common for the Rawa to identify themselves as Oghang Rawo or Oghang Rao or even Rao.-History:...
descendants reside in Gopeng. From Kampung Gunung Mesah Hulu and Kampung Gunung Mesah Hilir to Kampong Rawa, Kampung Jelintoh to Kota Baru Estate, the Rawa
Rawa (tribe)
Rawa or Rao is a term given to a Malay community living in the Malay Peninsula, now the West Malaysia. It is common for the Rawa to identify themselves as Oghang Rawo or Oghang Rao or even Rao.-History:...
people resides here for centuries, long before the tin mines were established. Gopeng is actually the name of the town center, not the entire area. Earlier settlements such as Sungai Itik, Jahang, Kampong Pulai, Gunong Mesah, Gunong Panjang, Culik and dozens of other settlements were opened by Rawa and Mandailing settlers centuries earlier.
The Rawa
Rawa (tribe)
Rawa or Rao is a term given to a Malay community living in the Malay Peninsula, now the West Malaysia. It is common for the Rawa to identify themselves as Oghang Rawo or Oghang Rao or even Rao.-History:...
people are sub-ethnic from the larger group of the Malay Race (bangsa Nusantara) who speaks with a noticeable different form of language from the standard Bahasa Melayu (Malay Peninsula Standard), similar to the other variations of Bahasa Melayu dialects around Malaysia like the Northern, Perakian, Sarawakian, Kelantanese and the Minang (Negeri Sembilan). The Rawa
Rawa (tribe)
Rawa or Rao is a term given to a Malay community living in the Malay Peninsula, now the West Malaysia. It is common for the Rawa to identify themselves as Oghang Rawo or Oghang Rao or even Rao.-History:...
dialect is well preserved in Gopeng for many of its Rawa residents is very concern for conserving the Rawa dialect. The Rawa
Rawa (tribe)
Rawa or Rao is a term given to a Malay community living in the Malay Peninsula, now the West Malaysia. It is common for the Rawa to identify themselves as Oghang Rawo or Oghang Rao or even Rao.-History:...
people speaks Rao Language with a certain words and dialect resembles the Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan, one of the 13 states that constitutes Malaysia, lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, just south of Kuala Lumpur and borders Selangor on the north, Pahang in the east, and Malacca and Johor to the south....
's Minangkabau community. Many would generally presumed that the Rawa
Rawa (tribe)
Rawa or Rao is a term given to a Malay community living in the Malay Peninsula, now the West Malaysia. It is common for the Rawa to identify themselves as Oghang Rawo or Oghang Rao or even Rao.-History:...
people is the Jawa
Jawa
-Places:*Jawa , "Lost City of the Black Desert", a fourth millennium BC archaeological site in north-east Jordan*Java, also called Jawa, the most populous and fifth-largest island in Indonesia and the site of its capital, Jakarta...
, apparently these two community are essentially different, culturally.
The Rawa
Rawa (tribe)
Rawa or Rao is a term given to a Malay community living in the Malay Peninsula, now the West Malaysia. It is common for the Rawa to identify themselves as Oghang Rawo or Oghang Rao or even Rao.-History:...
people and the Rawa
Rawa (tribe)
Rawa or Rao is a term given to a Malay community living in the Malay Peninsula, now the West Malaysia. It is common for the Rawa to identify themselves as Oghang Rawo or Oghang Rao or even Rao.-History:...
dialect are thriving in almost every Rawa settlements in Gopeng, very genuine and exclusive Rawa
Rawa
Rawa may refer to:Locations in Poland:*Rawa Mazowiecka, town in Poland*Rawa near Katowice in Poland*Rawa County in Poland*Rawa, Lublin Voivodeship Locations elsewhere:...
dialect could be found in villages neighboring the Gopeng town area. Famous cuisine associated with the Rawa
Rawa (tribe)
Rawa or Rao is a term given to a Malay community living in the Malay Peninsula, now the West Malaysia. It is common for the Rawa to identify themselves as Oghang Rawo or Oghang Rao or even Rao.-History:...
is Kelamai, Gulei Lomak Nangko (Gulai Nangka) and Rondang Atok (Rendang Tok) are still available in Gopeng particularly during wedding ceremonies and festive seasons. Among the best known tradition of the Rawa
Rawa (tribe)
Rawa or Rao is a term given to a Malay community living in the Malay Peninsula, now the West Malaysia. It is common for the Rawa to identify themselves as Oghang Rawo or Oghang Rao or even Rao.-History:...
is Adet Berjojak (Adat Berjejak).
Cuisines
Durian is the most anticipated fruit season in Gopeng, dozens of stalls erected in various parts of Gopeng town and numerous Malay villages around Gopeng. The rambutan, langsat and nangka are also popular during the fruit season. People will usually stop and buy these local fruits along their way from Ipoh to Kampar. Self erected fruit stalls will be visible from the trunk road along the areas from the Gopeng Exit PLUS Expressway Toll to Gunong Mesah.Gopeng Lai Fun or rice noodles is a well known dish locally, particularly among the Chinese community in Gopeng and surrounding towns. It is best served with laksa and homemade tauhu. Gopeng tauhu is distinguished with its darker top rather than ordinary tauhu which is light brown.
During Aidilfitri holidays, the Kelamai becomes the highlight of the day and it became the signature cuisine of the Malays in Gopeng. The Kelamai partly resembles the Lemang but Kelamai is treated with tedious care and complicated procedures of preparing the bamboo and its contents. Above all, it tastes sweeter than Lemang with the addition of red sugar, and the Kelamai is in dark brown in colour. People will have to crack open the bamboo just like the Lemang itself to have its contents to be served for the guests. In other variations, coconut floss are also served on top of the sliced Kelamai to add the sweetness.
Besides the Kelamai, Gulai Nangka is also well known as local Malay favorites, it is usually served in most of local Malay wedding ceremonies in which it became almost compulsory to distinct the Gopeng Malay wedding cuisines. Gulai, also known as Masak Lemak is a yellowish gravy cuisine with numerous variation in its contents. The Gopeng Malays used the jackfruit or Nangka (in Malay) instead of meat or vegetables. The Gulai Nangka is an all time favorite in which it sustains the popularity for an extended period of time among both the youngsters and the senior citizens. Gulai Nangka is best served hot, together with white rice, belacan and ulam.
Mosques, Madrasahs and Surau
There are dozens of mosques in Gopeng and its outskirts, mainly in the Malay concentrated neighborhood including those remotely located. There are mosques, madrasahs and a handful of surau as well. Most of the local Muslims attend their Friday Prayers weekly at the major town mosques such as the Masjid Baru Gopeng and Masjid Ar-Rahman located in Gunung Mesah Hilir area. These mosques were also used for small community services for the local Muslims of all races.- Masjid Al-Azim Kampung Gunung Panjang
- Masjid Al-Mardhiah Kampung Sungai Itek
- Masjid Ar-Rahman Kampung Gunung Mesah Hilir
- Masjid Jamek Gopeng
- Masjid Baru GopengMasjid Baru GopengMasjid Jamek Baru Gopeng or Gopeng New Mosque is a community mosque located off Jalan Gopeng in the town of Gopeng, Mukim Teja of the Kinta District, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia. It was built to provide larger space for the local Muslims to pray particularly Friday Prayers due to the...
- Masjid Jamek Kota Baru Kota Baru
- Masjid Kampung Changkat Legong Kota Baru
- Masjid Kampung Changkat Tualang Kota Baru
- Masjid Kampung Redang Sawa Kota Baru
- Madrasah Ihsaniah Kampung Tersusun Kampung Pulai, Kampung Tersusun Kampung PulaiKampung Tersusun Kampung PulaiKampung Tersusun Kampung Pulai is a Bumiputra neighborhood located near the town of Gopeng, Perak. It is situated along the prominent Jalan Gopeng, just opposite of Kopisan in the western side and the north of Taman Gopeng Baru and the north of Gunung Mesah.-People:This is one of dozens of villages...
- Madrasah Al-Muttaqin Taman Gopeng Baru, Taman Gopeng Baru
- Madrasah Lama Kampung Lawan Kuda, Kampung Lawan KudaKampung Lawan KudaKampung Lawan Kuda is one of the oldest Malay villages located alongside the old trunk road, Jalan Kampar-Gopeng, in Gopeng, Perak. The village is clearly visible along the road just after Kampung Tersusun Kampung Pulai by heading south towards Kampar. Kampung Lawan Kuda is also located very near...
Buddhist Temples
The Gopeng Kuan Yin Temple which is located next to the Gopeng Fire Station is believed to be 137 years old since used by the local Buddhist for prayers and religious activities. It was recently refurbished to enhance its charm and glory. There is also another one located in Kopisan.Hindu Temples
There are many Hindu temples in Gopeng and the most prominent located at the entrance of the Gopeng town, just to the right of the Gopeng Road uphill, next to the Sikh Temple. It is called the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple of Gopeng. There is also another Hindu temple in Kopisan which is called Arulmigu Maha Muthu Mariamman ThevasthanamArulmigu Maha Muthu Mariamman Thevasthanam
Arulmigu Maha Muthu Mariamman Thevasthanam is a Hindu temple located in Kopisan Baru, Gopeng in the state of Perak, Malaysia.-History:The original temple was built in 1962 and it was known as Kaliamman Kovil. It was built on a land of which was donated by Gopeng Berhad.In 1964, renovations were...
.
Sikh Temple
The Sikh Temple of Gopeng or the Gudwara Sahib Gopeng is located next to the Hindu temple at the entrance of Gopeng town centre, near to the Taman Changkat Golf and a row of shop houses.Churches
The St. Jude's ChurchSt. Jude's Church
St. Jude's Church in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Karachi, is situated in North Nazimabad in Karachi, Pakistan.-History:In 1951 Gabriel Indrias did a survey of 25 Catholic families living across the Lyari River from the Portiuncula Friary. Fr. Edouald OFM was the first parish priest...
is located in Kopisan Baru, it is clearly visible from the main road uphill with a kindergarten next to it.
Education
Gopeng has several schools such as:- SK Gunung Panjang, Kampung Gunung Panjang, Gopeng
- SRK Gopeng Jalan Ilmu (Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Gopeng Jalan Ilmu)
- SK Gopeng (Sekolah Kebangsaan Gopeng)
- SRK Sungai Itek (Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Sungai Itek)
- SRJK(C) Man Ming Gopeng (Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina Man Ming Gopeng)
- SRJK(C) New Kopisan Gopeng (Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina New Kopisan Gopeng)
- SRJK(T) Gopeng (Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil Gopeng)
- SMK Idris Shah Gopeng (Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Idris Shah Gopeng)
- SMK Seri Teja Gopeng (Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Seri Teja Gopeng)
- SBPI Gopeng (Sekolah Berasrama Penuh Intergrasi Gopeng)
There is a matriculation college, Kolej Matrikulasi Perak (KMP), located near the small town of Kota Baru Station, in the outskirt of central Gopeng. Located on a small hill in an oil palm
Oil palm
The oil palms comprise two species of the Arecaceae, or palm family. They are used in commercial agriculture in the production of palm oil. The African Oil Palm Elaeis guineensis is native to West Africa, occurring between Angola and Gambia, while the American Oil Palm Elaeis oleifera is native to...
estate, KMP is well known for its breathtaking scenery overlooking the Titiwangsa Mountains
Titiwangsa Mountains
The Titiwangsa Mountains are the main mountain range that forms the backbone of the Malay Peninsula.-Geology:...
and numerous limestone hills especially on a clear day.
Famous residents
- Datuk Mohammad Nor KhalidMohammad Nor KhalidDatuk Mohammad Nor Khalid, more commonly known as Lat, is a Malaysian cartoonist. Winner of the Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize in 2002, Lat has published more than 20 volumes of cartoons since he was 13 years old. His works mostly illustrate Malaysia's social and political scenes,...
, also known as Lat, is a famous Malaysian cartoonist. He was born in the small village of Kota Baru, (not the state capital of Kelantan) on 5 March 1951. Most of his cartoons portray the daily life of Malaysians in various perspectives and are published in mainstream newspapers such as the New Straits TimesNew Straits TimesThe New Straits Times is an English-language newspaper published in Malaysia. It is Malaysia's oldest newspaper still in print , having been founded as The Straits Times in 1845, and was reestablished as the "New Straits Times" in 1965. The paper served as Malaysia's only broadsheet format English...
. One of his famous Kampung BoyKampung BoyThe Kampung Boy, also known as Lat, the Kampung Boy or simply Kampung Boy, is a graphic novel by Lat about a young boy's experience growing up in rural Perak in the 1950s. The book is an autobiographical account of the artist's life, telling of his adventures in the jungles and tin mines, his...
books was published by the French. Kampung BoyKampung BoyThe Kampung Boy, also known as Lat, the Kampung Boy or simply Kampung Boy, is a graphic novel by Lat about a young boy's experience growing up in rural Perak in the 1950s. The book is an autobiographical account of the artist's life, telling of his adventures in the jungles and tin mines, his...
was also adapted into an animated series on local and international television. - Datuk Abdul Aziz ShamsuddinAbdul Aziz ShamsuddinTan Sri Abdul Aziz Shamsuddin is the former Malaysia Minister of Rural and Regional Development.Since 1981, he had been Dr. Mahathir's political secretary. He was appointed a senator by Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad in 1999...
is the former Minister of Rural & Regional Development (31 March 2004 – 17 March 2008), a Rawa descendant of Gopeng, also the UMNO Gopeng Division Chief. - Amir Sofea, ex-singer rock band (Sofea) originally from Kampung Gunung Panjang.
- The grandparents of the Malaysian rap trio KRU are the resident of Kampung Tersusun Kopisan Baru. Their grandfather named Abdul Wahab Fenner @ James Thomas Fenner passed away in 2006.
- Dr Sun Yat Sen, the leader of the historic Chinese revolutionary leader, stayed in Gopeng briefly during the period 1909-1911.
- Akil Hayy famous "Ustaz Rock" ex-singer for rock band (D'Riyadh) originally from Kampung Gunung Mesah Hilir.
- Mr. Eu Kong Pui (1853–1892), founder of the traditional Chinese herbal medicine under the title of "Eu Yan Sang"
- Rashid MaidinRashid Maidin-Early years:Rashid Maidin was a senior leader of the Communist Party of Malaya . He was born in Kampung Gunung Mesah, Gopeng, Perak. He is the eldest brother of 7 brothers and 1 sister. He received his early education at the Gunung Panjang Malay School and the Kampung Gunung Mesah Madrasah, which...
was born on October 10, 1917 in Kampung Gunung Mesah Hilir, Gopeng. He was one of the senior leaders in the Malayan Communist PartyMalayan Communist PartyThe Malayan Communist Party , officially known as the Communist Party of Malaya , was founded in 1930 and laid down its arms in 1989. It is most famous for its role in the Malayan Emergency.-Formation:...
during the Second World War. He died at the age of 89 on September 1, 2006 in Sisakoin, NarathiwatNarathiwatNarathiwat is a town in southern Thailand, capital of the Narathiwat Province. The town covers the whole subdistrict Bang Nak of Mueang Narathiwat district. The town was established in 1936.-External links:...
, ThailandThailandThailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. - The grandfather of the champions of Akademi Fantasia, Season 8Akademi Fantasia, Season 8Akademi Fantasia, Season 8 is the eighth season of Akademi Fantasia to be aired in Astro Ria which premiered on March 13, 2010. The professional trainers for this season were announced in a press conference for media which took place in Hilton Hotel, Kuala Lumpur on February 8, 2010...
finale concert, Shahir AF8 is the resident of Gopeng, PerakPerakPerak , one of the 13 states of Malaysia, is the second largest state in the Peninsular Malaysia bordering Kedah and Yala Province of Thailand to the north, Penang to the northwest, Kelantan and Pahang to the east, Selangor the Strait of Malacca to the south and west.Perak means silver in Malay...
.
External links
- Seminar Melayu Rao UPSI 25th July 2009
- JARO (Jalinan Anak Rao)
- Mandailings of Gopeng
- Gua Tempurung - Weekend Escape in Gopeng
- My Gopeng Resort - Adventure And Holiday in Gopeng
- Gopeng Homestay, Virtual Malaysia
- Rawa of Gopeng
- Pejabat Daerah dan Tanah Kampar
- Sekolah Berasrama Penuh Integrasi Gopeng
- Gopeng Nature Resort, Cave Exploration
- Sungai Sat/Batu Kapor Rapids 4WD Explorations, Gopeng
- Razak Rao - Rawa Descendants
- Gopeng Rainforest Resort
- Green Selipar (Responsible Tourism Malaysia) page about Gopeng Rainforest Resort