Han Chin Pet Soo — Attraction in Perak

We arrived before the opening time at 11am, did not know we need to make reservation to tour this Museum, however the Guide at entrance of Han Chin Pet Soo is kind enough to take us in.

He gathered all visitors inside the hall, gave an in-depth review on the past history from 1893 when Towkay Leong Fee founded this Hakka Miners’ club and it has always been a place of mystery as entry was barred to everyone except club members and their VIP guests.

He said it was indeed a Gentlemen’s Club where Hakka Tin Miners smoked opium, gambles while being entertained by courtesans & concubines. At the present this 131 years old Club is now a museum which showcase the tangible remnants of Ipoh’s tin mining legacy and its stories.

The first floor has display on artwork and artifacts related to tin mining. The second floor was a Entertainment Club with Mahjong Table, Wine Counter, Music Box and cosy corner for opium smokers. On the wall is a display of all the Hakka Owners Photographs. The third floor was once guest house, but now has exhibits of Hakka history and some old automobiles pictures.

Before the tour ended, the Guide told us , there is no fixed entry fees for visitors , however a donations at the entrance box is fully welcomed for the upkeep of this building.

A great tour to learn more on the tin mining empire in Malaya History, I would highly...

Ipoh is famed for its tin mining history, but people won't ever get a better explanation or an interactive learning experience besides a visit to Han Chin Pet Soo.

The building was only recently turned into a heritage museum-like tour venue and its operators are doing it justice. Tours are available in English as well as Mandarin. The guides are well informed and have in-depth knowledge of the Hakka community that forms the main understanding of the unique status and historical importance of the building.

Visitors participate in a guided tour and get to have a look into the life of tin miners in colonial times as well as the wealthy local few that controlled the industry in those times. Among the absolute gems during the tour is a documentary video from the world-war era of how tin mines were built and run from the bottom up. It makes for a very educational experience.

As with other museums, there are mock-ups combined with original wares of the tin-mining era in addition to photos exposing who's who and ancestral signifiance. However, all of these are only tools for the guides who are true experts and seem to have a way of genuinely attracting the attention of tour participants.

The guided tour is free although they encourage donations at the end of the tour to protect the sustainability of...

I had a wonderful experience on this one-hour guided tour that explores the history of tin mining and the Hakka community’s significant role in shaping Malaysia’s tin industry. The tour covered not only the technical aspects of tin mining operations but also gave great insight into the early lifestyle of the people who lived and worked in the area.

What made the experience even more special were the old artifacts on display—some of which I remember from my childhood. It really brought back nostalgic memories.

Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and engaging, presenting the history in a way that was both informative and enjoyable. The group size was small (limited to 10 people), which made it more personal and easier to follow along. There are only three sessions a day, all conducted in English, and registration is required online. The tour is free, though donations are welcome to support their ongoing efforts, which we did.

I definitely learned a lot from this visit and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to friends and family. It’s a meaningful and enriching experience, especially for anyone interested in...