[MALAYSIA] PERAK - A Cultural and Foodie Road Trip to Sitiawan

08:09 Travel Bunny 0 Comments

Often affectionately dubbed as "Little Fuzhou," Sitiawan was the town that 363 Christian pioneers from the Fujian province of China arrived to start anew in 1903. The town is therefore famous for its Fuzhou heritage and authentic Fuzhou cuisine.

Here’s how I plan my road trip to Sitiawan:

Departure from Kuala Lumpur - Lunch at Kampung Koh Noodle Store - Lorong Budaya Setia Kawan - Tua Pek Kong Temple - Sitiawan Settlement Museum - Dinner at Lido Seafood Restaurant - check-in The Orient Star Resort Lumut

 

Ferry to Lumut Jetty - Lunch (claypot Ang Jiu Mi Shua) at Seng Jee Chan - Buy Gong Pian at Sitiawan Cheong Cia Gong Pian - rest and relax at The Orient Star Resort Lumut

Buffet breakfast at hotel - Buy Mee Shua at Hock Chew So Mee Shua Konpian - Lunch at Villa Seafood Restaurant - Buy Gong Pian again at Sitiawan Cheong Cia Gong Pian - back to Kuala Lumpur

The drive from Kuala Lumpur to Sitiawan takes about 3 hours. Our journey began with lunch at Kampung Koh Noodle Store in Sitiawan. You can’t say you’ve been to Sitiawan without trying the iconic Kampung Koh chili sauce with a bowl of noodles, priced around RM6 - RM7.50 per bowl. Their menu of noodles is quite extensive, from simple dry or soup noodles, prawn noodles, Loh Mee, Loh Laksa, laksa, curry noddles, Pan Mee, Yee Mee, Indian noodles, wanton noodles, Mee Kuay to Special Hock Chew dish. The meal is simple and satisfying.

Hours: 6:00 AM – 8:30 PM (Closed on Thursday and Saturdays)

After lunch, we wandered through Lorong Budaya Setia Kawan for some street art. A photo op in front of the Setia Kawan stone and two elephant statues is a must. Long ago, the area was known as Kampung Gajah Mati (Dead Elephant Village). According to local folklore, two elephants were crossing a river when one of them got stuck in the deep mud. As the tide of the river began to surge, the trapped elephant was unable to free itself. The second elephant refused to abandon its companion, despite the rising water. It stayed by its friend's side until the river overwhelmed them both, and they drowned together. This act of unwavering loyalty deeply moved the local villagers. In 1886, the village faced a severe smallpox outbreak. The village head, Mohd Ali, felt that the name "Gajah Mati" was unlucky and carried a heavy, morbid energy. He wrote to the British Resident of Perak at the time, Sir Hugh Low, requesting a name change. He proposed Setia Kawan (meaning "Loyal Friend") to honor the legendary devotion of the two elephants. The request was granted, and over time, the name was shortened to the modern-day Sitiawan.

While Sitiawan as a whole has grown into a bustling district, Kampong Koh remains the primary site where the area's unique Fuzhou heritage began. The Fuzhou Christians who came from Fujian were led by three Christian missionaries: Rev. Dr. H.L.E. Luering (a German Methodist), Rev. Ling Ching Mi, and Rev. Dr. Huang Pau Seng. Kampong Koh is also notable as the birthplace of Chin Peng. He was the Secretary-General of the Communist Party of Malaya and a key figure during the Malayan Emergency.

This vibrant cultural alley is filled with colorful murals depicting the daily life, history, and traditions of the Sitiawan people. 

The British colonial government originally brought the Chinese settlers in to start a rice-planting colony. However, the land proved unsuitable for paddy. Facing failure with rice, the settlers eventually switched to rubber, which was just beginning to boom. A metal press that was used to turn the latex into dried rubber sheets is displayed here.

The term "Three Knives" (三把刀) refers to the three traditional trades that the early Fuzhou immigrants brought with them when they settled in Sitiawan. They are the kitchen knife (Chef/Restaurateur), barber’s razor (Hairdresser) and tailor’s scissors (Tailor).

The street art also features Fuzhou local cuisine such as Ang Jiu Mee Sua, Gong Pian and Kampung Koh garlic-chili sauce.

After that we visited the magnificent Tua Pek Kong Temple, which is famous for its tallest deity statues facing the sea. Located right by the coast, it features dozens of massive, intricately carved white statues, including a 48-foot tall Tua Pek Kong. 

The giant dragon and the depiction of hell are among the most famous and visually striking features of the complex. The dragon isn't just a statue; it’s a walk-through tunnel that serves as a symbolic rite of passage. Visitors enter through the dragon’s wide-open mouth. As you walk through the "belly" of the dragon, the walls are lined with intricate murals and dioramas depicting the Ten Chambers of Hell. The punishments are depicted with graphic details such as liars having their tongues pulled out and etc.

Hours: 7:00 AM – 10:30 PM