This is the 103 years old Ipoh New Town Market. It was built in 1909 by a rich tin miner called Yau Tet Shin who was developing Ipoh’s New Town at that time.
It was to replace the old one found along the banks of Kinta River. With its front facing Jalan Cockman and its back facing Jalan Laxamana, this old heritage building still remained solid and intact. It is operational even to this day. But given the rate of which the old buildings in Ipoh were being demolished, do not be surprise to see it gone sooner than later.
This market was made up of several complexes back then but now, only a few were left. Sometime in the mid 1970s, a big fire broke out one night and gutted part of this old market. My aunt who stayed at Jalan Clare which is nearby, came to alert us and took my siblings and me to watch the fire being put out. Many fire engines were there and a big crowd of spectators stood around for hours to watch as firemen battled to put out the flames.
When I was young I used to follow my mom to this market during weekends or school holidays to do our marketing. Such trips were not complete without a breakfast of wanton mee, chee cheong fun, fried kway teow with eggs and cockles and of course our favorite pig’s offal porridge. I really missed those days.
Do you, like me too, remember the fire and eating your favorite hawker’s fare in this old market?
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188 Hugh Low Street, Ipoh 
Sorry, being from Singapore I need to ask for the name and significance of this building. It does look familiar though.
Thank you and best wishes to the good people of Ipoh.
Hock Yew
Hi Hock Yew,
Thank you for showing much interests in Ipoh’s heritage buildings. This is the old wet market in Ipoh’s New Town and it still serves the city’s population’s daily needs.
The State Government is not very keen to preserve old buildings built by the British and also, the early Chinese settlers. That is why such buildings are in danger of being demolish without any reversations and in a blink of an eye.
Early last year, during my three weeks back home, I took many photos of such beautiful buildings, before they are gone forever, like what had happened to Majestic Cinema recently. Some old buildings like the General Hospital, the New Town Police Station and the Yau Tet Shin Round Market were demolished many years ago before I even have a camera then.
They were beautiful structures which gave the city an old world charm and a unique identity. It was a shame and a cultural vandalism to bring down such solid structures which could still serve us well. In its place were new buildings which is modern but so devoid of a soul. You know, those glass and steel things which hardly deserve a second glance.
At the rate things are going, with all the old buildings gone, soon, like what Ruth Iversen said, there is not much reasons to go back to Ipoh. 😦
Thank you. I must have responded just when the first picture was posted and before the text appeared. Now your comprehensive text explains.
Appreciatively,
Hock Yew
That’s okay, Hock Yew! 🙂
oh yes i certainly remember because i grew up in the market. my aunt and her family has a stall selling vegetables there and when i was a kid, i used to frequent the stall daily. her stall was located very near the entrance which was just opposite the old cold storage (now Mcdonalds).
Hi Barb,
I think it was in this market too that you can get the local favorite “sek lau chi” the red chewy jelly found in ice-kacang. 🙂
Hi there, do you live in Ipoh? I’m coming mid week and am looking for a photographer who can take pictures of buildings and historical sites. Can you help? Please contact me if so. Chan at 0127271833. Cheers!
Hi Sharon,
Sorry, I am staying in KL. Perhaps you should join Ipoh Heritage Trail but I am not sure whether this is still available. Check with Perak Tourism Board. They have a weekly walk-about in the old town area led by a guide.