Birch Memorial Clock Tower
Birch Memorial Clock Tower
3.5
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390 within 3 miles
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74 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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3.5
122 reviews
Excellent
16
Very good
49
Average
51
Poor
6
Terrible
0
Cheeming K
5 contributions
Dec 2024 • Couples
The often missed charming chiming Birch Memorial Clock Tower, still brings sweet memories of a church bell, long missed. We have been to Ipoh countless times but never visited this Birch Memorial Tower, which was to remember JWW Birch the assasinated 1st British Resident (Governor) of Perak State which was installed by the British at the end of the local wars between the 2 Malay rulers and 2 Chinese opposing tin mining clans/ secret societies, the Ghee Hin (cantonese) and Hai San (Hakka's). It was installed by his son, who became one of the following (9th ?) Resident himself. There are 4 pillars surrounding the clock, each representing a pillar of virtue (go and seek it out). it is located across the (not far but hidden from view) Ipoh train station, next to the state mosque and opposite the red OCBC bank. It is also along the path of Ipoh Heritage Walk along Ipoh Old Town just a stone throw away from all the famous eateries in Ipoh. I decided to review this as it took a foreign back backer to tell me about it. What I relished, was now noticing the bell chimes when I am walking around Ipoh old town. Now I have an extra place to introduce visitors. Not foreign to my own backyard anymore :-p)
Written December 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SihuiLee@SEU338E
Butterworth, Malaysia154 contributions
Jul 2019
The Birch Memorial clock tower is quite close to the main railway train station of Ipoh.
The colonial architecture is really attracted to me.
As it is so hot so the best go there after 5 pm.
The colonial architecture is really attracted to me.
As it is so hot so the best go there after 5 pm.
Written June 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JiaYin@SEU338E
Seremban, Malaysia77 contributions
Jul 2020
The clock tower is just opposite to the Ipoh train station and near to a food court nearby. Worth visit for check-in pictures.
Written June 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heng How N
Singapore, Singapore7,763 contributions
Sep 2017 • Friends
Came out from Container Hotel and saw this clock tower and attracted by the white color. Cross the road and walk into the lane, climb the stair case and reach the clock tower. It is being also facing the mosque and white building.
Written October 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AnakIpohMali
Petaling Jaya, Malaysia152 contributions
Nov 2015 • Family
After Birch the British Resident was murdered (this clock tower was built in his memory), Sultan Abdullah was exiled to the Seychelles for his alleged involvement. On that remote island, His Majesty fell in love with the song "La Rosalie" sung by French sailors who were there. This catchy tune was then shared with Raja Chulan who visited the Sultan in the Seychelles and subsequently shared with his brother Raja Mansur. And when attending Queen Victoria's birthday celebrations in England where state anthems had to be played, Raja Mansur apparently just hummed/whistled the "La Rosalie" tune Sultan Abdullah loved and that was played as the Perak State anthem in England - and that came to be the Perak state anthem officially. When Tunku Abdul Rahman needed a National Anthem for the soon-to-be independent Malaya, nothing came up to mark. So our first PM used the Perak State anthem, modified it for national use - and voila, the link between Birch and our nation's national anthem. The clock tower itself is well maintained and gorgeous, the clock still works, and there are more stories about it e.g. why there is a blanked out space (only the faded outline remains) - apparently it's because it represents the Prophet Muhammad SAW and iconography of the prophet is forbidden. More than a mere beautiful clock tower, its stories carry much of the romance of Ipoh
Written May 24, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NewGenie
London, United Kingdom30 contributions
Oct 2018 • Friends
Saw it on the historical route, near to the derelict Town Hall. There is a blanked out image which is apparently of the Prophet Mohammad
Written October 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sychowlao
Ipoh, Malaysia109 contributions
May 2017 • Family
This is a memorial built by the British to celebrate the various races with their histories, religions, and cultures and named after one of their Residents. Unfortunately the powers that be thought the figure of Jesus was offensive and thus removed. This is more offensive to the open-minded visitor.
Written July 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Titus D
Sri Lanka6,957 contributions
Feb 2017 • Friends
Colonial architecture Birch Memorial Clock Tower is located at Ipoh, Kinta, Perak, Malaysia. It is an elegant structure standing boldly upright in a plain area having four statues representing its own symbols with meaning. It was opened in 1909 in honour of I.W.W Birch, the the first British President of Perak during the British rule. It is located on the back side of the Ipoh Railway Station. It is found along the path from old town's Concubine Street, walking towards the railway Station. The construction cost was Dollars 25,000.
It is just more than a mere lovely clock tower and promoted as heritage.
The mosque is directly across the road from the Birch Clock Tower. There there restaurants nearby.
Noted that colourful and well drawn paintings of famous people are seen on its four walls. One painting was scrapped off which was of the Prophet Mohamed as the religion prohibit idols and such display. I gathered that Mr. Birch was was killed while bathing in the river on account of the display of Prophet Mohamed.
a toilet is found beneath the stalls at the sides of the Birch tower and it charges 30 cents. There are few grave stones and burial plots near by which are not worth to take more care and attention.
It is just more than a mere lovely clock tower and promoted as heritage.
The mosque is directly across the road from the Birch Clock Tower. There there restaurants nearby.
Noted that colourful and well drawn paintings of famous people are seen on its four walls. One painting was scrapped off which was of the Prophet Mohamed as the religion prohibit idols and such display. I gathered that Mr. Birch was was killed while bathing in the river on account of the display of Prophet Mohamed.
a toilet is found beneath the stalls at the sides of the Birch tower and it charges 30 cents. There are few grave stones and burial plots near by which are not worth to take more care and attention.
Written May 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert dCZ
145 contributions
May 2016 • Business
For a watch and clock fan this is more than just the usual clock tower and you should take the time to consider the history behind it. It's easy to pass or even overlook, so you should put it on your list of things to see and go there specifically.
I won't spoil the fun by giving you the whole story.
I won't spoil the fun by giving you the whole story.
Written March 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
japed0001
Perth, Australia149 contributions
Feb 2017
Be sure that your driver or guide knows his history as there is a very interesting history behind this clock tower . the missing picture on the tower is that of Mohammad because the Muslim society did not want their messiah connected to any other religion or leader and then they killed Birch for putting him on there. The Mosque is also directly across the road. at the clock site is a new food hall recently opened where you can get a full meal or a filling breakfast for only a couple of dollars.
Written February 24, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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