The First Temple Before the Birth of Ipoh City

When you hear the name Paloh, don't you wonder what it means? Many locations across Malaysia are named Paloh. There are Palohs in Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Pahang, and many other locations used for village names, towns, mukims, and more.

Perak is no exception to this Paloh name. A close example we can take is Ipoh. For your information, loyal readers of orangperak.com, Ipoh was formerly known as Paloh. What is the meaning of the name Paloh? The name Paloh actually means tin mine. Everyone is aware that most tin mines were operated around Ipoh more than a century ago, since the early 19th century.

This time, orangperak.com wants to share the story of the first temple that existed before the name Ipoh was born in Perak. The Paloh Khoo Miu Temple is also known as the Chinese Tai Pak Koong Temple among local residents.

Who would have thought that the Paloh Khoo Miu Temple stood as a witness to the development of the Paloh area (now Ipoh) alongside the earliest Chinese immigrants over a century ago. The Paloh Khoo Miu Temple was actually built and dedicated to Tua Pek Kong, the spiritual founder for the Chinese community.

This temple was built in 1872 by Leong Fi, also known as Liang Bi Bu from Mei Xian, Guangdong Province, China. Originally, the temple was built only with wood and a thatched roof. Then, in 1894, improvement works were carried out, featuring a beautifully decorated roof as well as the addition of a temple bell and stone lions.

Yau Tet Shin (the individual who built the Round Market in Ipoh) was the main sponsor for the reconstruction of this temple. Although the temple has been renovated several times, its traditional layout and symmetrical form have been preserved to this day.

The Paloh Khoo Miu Temple is well-known among tourists as a place to make wishes. You should know that this is the oldest and most historic temple in the state of Perak.