[MALAYSIA] Perak - Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredger No.5 and Kinta Tin Mining Museum

08:00 Travel Bunny 0 Comments


The state of Perak Darul Ridzuan (Perak, meaning 'Silver' in Malay) was once the epicenter of the global tin trade. While the tin market collapsed in the 1980s, ending the boom era, its relics remain, such as the Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredger No. 5, the last operational tin dredge in the region, which now serves as a museum. 

Our journey kicked off as we departed home, heading straight for the culinary delights of MyPrawn Village in Tanjung Tualang for a satisfying lunch. The restaurant’s heritage-style setting, complete with a floating deck and mini dredge boat, added a special touch. 

MyPrawn Village
Opening hours: 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM (Closed Tuesdays)

The Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredger No. 5 (TT5) is a massive, floating factory that was used for extracting tin ore from the alluvial deposits in the Kinta Valley of Perak. Weighing 4,500 tons and measuring 75 meters in length, the dredge is an impressive feat of early 20th-century British engineering. It was operated by Southern Malayan Tin Dredging Ltd. and ran continuously, 24 hours a day, for 44 years until 1982.

The sheer scale and unique industrial architecture of the dredge, along with the scenic surroundings, offer great photo opportunities.

Visitors can take a guided tour through the multi-story structure of the dredge itself, walking inside the machinery to see how the tin was extracted. They typically offers multiple guided tour slots (hourly) throughout the day from 9.30am to 4.30pm. The guided tour inside the dredge usually takes 45 minutes to 1 hour. 

As we arrived in the late afternoon, all the guided tour slots were booked and we were unable to join the guided tour. To ensure that you can join the guided tour, it's a good idea to arrive earlier, especially on weekends or public holidays.

TT5 Maze Park is an adjacent, family-friendly attraction. It's sometimes described as a heart-shaped labyrinth designed to be a fun, light adventure with elements that educate visitors about tin mining. We had fun getting lost in the mini maze.

Taking photo at the abandoned rail track that once transported tin ore.

There is a visitor center and gallery (Anjung @ TT5) showcasing tin dredge equipment, mining tools, and historical exhibits about the tin mining era.

The site provides a unique educational experience about the industry that once made Perak one of the wealthiest states in Malaya.

Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredger No. 5
Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Daily)
Entrance ticket (TT5 Dredge + Maze Park) sold online: RM38
Free for children 3 years and below

Next, we deepened our knowledge at Kinta Tin Mining Museum, learning about history of tin mining and the lives of the miners. It serves as a perfect complement to the massive Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge No. 5 (TT5), as the museum focuses primarily on the gravel pump method, which was the dominant technique used by local Chinese miners in the Kinta Valley.

The outdoor section of the museum showcases the actual large, cumbersome machinery used in the field, including genuine gravel pumps, separators, pipes, and tractors. A popular feature is the mock-up of the traditional dulang washing station. 

The indoor galleries contain detailed information boards, historical photographs, dioramas, and models illustrating various mining methods (gravel pump, hydraulic, and open-cast).

We learned about the social impact of tin mining from the lives of the coolies to the wealth generated by the towkays. The museum really brings the Kinta Valley's historical importance into sharp focus. Next, we headed to Kampar.

Kinta Tin Mining Museum
Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Daily)
Admission Fee: RM5 for adults and RM2 for children, free for child age 6 and below

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