preserving ipoh’s rich heritage

I am glad that some individuals are doing something to preserve and restore the old buildings in Ipoh.  Eventhough certain buildings have been upgraded to follow the latest trend, extra care is being done to maintain their exterior.  One such place is Sekeping Kong Heng,  a quirky boutique hotel which looks like a crumbling building 🙂  It was actually a 3-storey hostel in the olden days which housed the opera performers who performed at the Chinese Opera House next door.   It has since been torn down.  On the ground floor lies the famous coffeeshop with the same name.   More information here – http://www.sekeping.com/kongheng/home.html.

According to http://ipohecho.com.my/, this building was purchased by the owners in 2008 and one of the owners is the well-known landscape architect Ng Sek San who is also an Ipoh boy.  He said “Ipoh was a good place to grow up” and felt that “it should be preserved for the next generation.  Restoration is not just about restoring, that would become a museum. I want something that is living. Every building has a spirit. We should visualise and build around that spirit.”   Beautiful eh?

The boutique hotel

I had the chance to go inside the compound of Sekeping Kong Heng last week when we were taking a break at Burps & Giggles cafe.  Actually I don’t know where is the main entrance to this boutique hotel but there is a door which connects the cafe and the hotel.

The lobby I think

The art gallery

Entrance to the art gallery. This girl was there with a camera crew, probably doing a documentary about Sekeping Kong Heng 🙂  The walls are in their original form – aged and paint peeling off.

The awesome roots of the wild trees.  They are everywhere inside Sekeping Kong Heng.

Google Sekeping Kong Heng and you will be able to find many information about this beautiful place.  Across the road is the famous Concubine Lane which will come alive again as boutique guesthouses.   I can’t wait to see them.