Tambun - a secret landscape

Time rests in this Malayana civilization where prehistoric man searched, gathered and developed their temple. Hearing all the fascinating stories about local farms, temples, of gardens and the very famous POMELO’s I certainly had the greatest thrill to visit this place. Below are my two most interesting experiences in Tambun in Oct 2009.

Geographically, Tambun is situated in a major town in the Kinta district of Perak. It is well renowned for its famous RM6o million water park in Sunway called the Lost World of Tambun. The Lost World of Tambun at Sunway City Ipoh is a theme park in a land 400 million years old. The limestone cliffs surrounding the park is still as majestic as if frozen in time.

Pomelo

Arriving at Mt Chin’s (Pomelo producer) picturesque Pomelo ranch, the first thing that struck my eyes were his fruitful Polmelo Trees. I was surprised to see its thin, flexible branches holding a fruit usually weighing at least 1-2kg each. Mr Chin happily enlightened us with a bit of its history. Did you know? the ancient root of this fruit came from the majority of sailing Chinese planters who were of Hakka origin from Southern China. A very good Source of Vitamin C Pomelo lovers. Interestingly a citrus fruit with sweet white (or, more rarely, pink or red) flesh and very thick pudgy rind became the heart of Tambun land after inhabiting well to Tambun-Ampang-Piah region's dark and ferrous soil conditions. The pale green to yellowish skin after ripening is very sought after by locals and tourists alike. Most pomelo farms harvest the fruit twice a year in conjunction with Chinese New Year and Mid Autumn Festival.

Naata Temple

Another fascinating experience was when we stopped at the remote Naata Temple where ancient Buddhism rituals are rigidly practiced till this day. A unspoken place hidden amongst the long-standing landslides of good-old Ipoh. Fu-Ah-Ku, the caretaker of the 14^th stories temple approached delightedly to greet us into the spiritual incensed aromatic temple. The temple is considered 13 years old. According to prehistoric beliefs of the locals, the first temple was started by the Hongkong citizens in Tambun who constituted a Buddhist temple in that area following the second developed by Tibetans. Passionately Fu-Ah Ku further narrated that a grand prayer is furnished at the 13^th era temple for all locals to participate on every 1^st and 15^th day of the Chinese Calender.

So, If you're planning to visit Tambun, don’t forget to enjoy the succulent Pomelos and visit spiritual Temple ‘Naata’ while cruising along the 400 million year old limestone cliffs. Guys! Tambun is waiting to be discovered..

Shaz Kamal, Oct 09