It looks like I get to go to Ipoh very often due to household dwelling there. And each journey again there I attempt to discover one thing new to do on this sleepy small city which is commonly regarded as a spot for retirees.
Happily, there’s a new attraction on the town and it’s a part of the native authorities’s effort to advertise eco-tourism. There’s a somewhat new Geopark which is situated within the midst of a number of limestone mountains. The principle attraction is a small lake which has flooded a few outdated quarries. The attraction was solely open within the final 2 years so it’s nonetheless somewhat uncooked and present process improvement work.
The brand new attraction is called the Mirror Lake or Tasik Cermin in Malay. You’ll find Mirror Lake on Google Maps and navigating right here by automobile is fairly easy. However the final couple of hundred meters of highway is thru an unpaved sand highway which results in this huge carpark.
Beside the carpark you will notice this scene. Though crass commercialism doesn’t appear to slot in with a Geopark, I’m glad to see that native companies have the chance to setup right here. It may have been a Starbucks emblem up there.
Being the one coffeeshop within the space, there was an extended line of individuals ready for his or her flip to get a desk.Strolling previous the coffeeshop and thru the steep cliffs will carry you to this very rugged wanting space. It’s a lifeless finish gorge the place you possibly can stroll round and take pictures.
There aren’t any security obstacles and regardless of the warning indicators, guests would nonetheless strive climbing over the rocks.
I did observed that many guests left cash pressed into the perimeters of the cliff and wedged into the rock. I ponder what’s the importance of this?
You may suppose proper now, so the place is the lake? It truly lies throughout the carpark from this gorge. So strolling again throughout the carpark, I discovered myself on the entrance to Mirror Lake.
That is the doorway to the Mirror Lake. In fact there’s a ticketing counter now. I assume somebody has to pay for public services just like the carpark and there’s even a newly constructed and first rate public bathroom obtainable.The lake is definitely on the opposite aspect of the limestone mountain and previous the ticketing counter is that this outdated mining tunnel which you would need to stroll via.Its truly very serene and peaceable on the lake. The tunnel opens up on to a small wood platform the place you possibly can take pictures from and boat rides are additionally obtainable. You need to purchase tickets for the boat experience and ready instances could be fairly lengthy because of the crowds.
For those who observed within the image of the doorway constructing, the phrases on the constructing says “TASIK CERMIN 1”. So there’s a second Mirror Lake, and you’ll truly cross it on the way in which into the massive carpark.
So that is the doorway and ticketing middle for the second Mirror Lake. You’ll be able to stroll from the massive carpark or you can drive the brief distance, however there’s very restricted parking area in entrance.The one technique to see the second Mirror Lake is to purchase a ship ticket and enter via the flooded tunnel. The flooded tunnel is a couple of 200m lengthy, however it positively felt like a very long time going via it.As soon as we exited the tunnel, it was like we had entered a hidden world. The silence was deafening with the occasional sound of birds chirping. The surroundings was very uncooked and had a Jurassic Park really feel to it.The boats have been powered by silent electrical motors. A sensible choice as gasoline powered engines would have spoiled the silence and polluted the great thing about this place.
I’d say it is a very fascinating place to spend roughly 2 hours to discover and luxuriate in its pure magnificence. With smart and sustainable improvement, this may very well be a good way to redevelop outdated quarries into an eco-themed attraction.
