As you leave the busy hub of Selangor and head north towards Perak, the character of the land changes from an urban profile to a scenic, undulating rural landscape. Here and there, you will spot pleasant plots of farmland and rustic plantations set against a background of green jungle and rugged limestone hills.

Covering some 21,000 sq.km., Perak lies between Kedah in the north and Selangor to the south. The Main Range mountains cut across the state of Perak, lying in dramatic juxtaposition to the flat plains of the western coastline.

Often referred to as 'The Land of Grace' for its laid-back, timeless beauty, Perak is divided into nine districts and its major towns include Ipoh, Kuala Kangsar, Taiping Teluk Intan and Lumut. Ipoh is the administrative centre and state capital while Kuala Kangsar is the royal town.

Each district has its own characteristic beauty and history, and tourist attractions include old-style Anglo-Malay and Chinese mansions, colonial buildings, ancient limestone caves, temples and cool hill areas like the Bukit Larut (Maxwell Hill) station. The astute visitor will notice that the way of life is a little different here as compared to the Central region around the capital KL. There is a quiet urbanity as the locals go about their lives. The food is rated as some of the best in the country and visitors from other states often stop over at the restaurants and food centres in the state.

Perak has a western coastline facing the Straits of Malacca and not far off its coast are a number of offshore islands. The nearest is Pangkor Island off the coastal town of Lumut. Pangkor's unique island lifestyle offers visitors a variety of experiences and some outstanding beaches.