By: Aida Aziz
IPOH, Malaysia — The Kinta Riverwalk in this city is going through a remarkable makeover. It’s changing from a quiet, dimly lit place to a lively and brightly lit spot that’s attracting visitors, many of whom are coming from other places, not just Perak.
This uplifting change has introduced yet another option for the public to enjoy leisure activities during their free time.
While in the past, the focus was primarily on locations like the Sultan Azlan Shah Roundabout (Amanjaya Roundabout) in Meru Raya, the Sultan Abdul Aziz Recreation Park (Padang Polo), and the Train Station Square (KTM), there’s now a new contender.
The success story of reinvigorating this potentially attractive area, drawing in a substantial number of visitors to the city of Ipoh, can be traced back to the ongoing Ipoh Heritage Trail initiative.
This trail was initially conceived to create a tourist magnet in the heart of the city, a district better known as the Ipoh City Tourism Triangle.
A recent survey conducted at Kinta Riverwalk revealed that many visitors from outside Perak have seized the opportunity to capture memories and spend quality time with their families and friends.
Some have traveled from as far as Johor, Penang, and Pahang exclusively to witness the nighttime allure of the iconic ‘glow in the dark’ bridge and explore businesses that embrace a hipster, heritage, and health (3H) concept.
One visitor, 43-year-old Habibah Basri from Johor, expressed that she saw this as a perfect opportunity to indulge in recreational activities with her children.
As a schoolteacher in Johor, she explained that this plan materialized after her return to her hometown in Penang, leading her to opt for a vacation in Perak.
“I hail from Johor and decided to return to my hometown in Penang. Following that, I brought my children to Ipoh for a two-day excursion.
“This marks my second visit to this place, and it perfectly aligns with the remaining school holidays. In terms of improvement, it might be beneficial if the authorities consider increasing the number of lights to brighten certain areas, as some locations are rather dim for visitors,” she remarked during her interview.
Meanwhile, Nur Shahira Zaizul Akmar, aged 30, who also hails from Johor, commented that this area is aptly suited to attract more visitors, particularly during the night. She also noted that it is not as congested as some other popular spots.
“I used to pursue my education in this city, so I have been here before. However, the atmosphere back then did not match the current charm and vibrancy.
“To lure in a more extensive crowd, organizing busking performances here could be a fantastic idea, making the place livelier and more joyful,” she suggested.
As previously reported by the media, this development is set to complement the plans for the Old Town Tourism Area, as outlined in the Special Area Plan (RKK), the Ipoh Walkable City initiative, and the Ipoh Local Plan 2035.
The project, divided into three key locations, extends from the area in front of the Kinta Riverfront Hotel, commencing at Jambatan Jalan Raja Musa Aziz and concluding at Jambatan Jalan Lim Bo Seng, covering an impressive span of 1,600 meters. It is funded with an allocation of RM3 million from the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA).
Adjacent to Restoran Hadramout, the second segment stretches from Jambatan Lim Bo Seng to Jambatan Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, covering 195 meters. This section is supported with an allocation of RM500,000 from the state government.
Furthermore, the Old Town area, commencing from Jambatan Jalan Sultan Idris Shah and leading to Lorong Hale, covers 280 meters and is backed by an allocation of RM500,000 from the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT).
