Ghost Town - Papan, Perak

A few weeks ago, after our white water rafting trip, we decided to spend another day in Ipoh and Farah suggested that we should stop by Papan on our way back, a dead town near Pusing. Apparently it has an interesting story and is also known as a ghost town, obviously I said ok after googling its background.

I have difficulties in getting infos on Papan as it is such a small town and barely have much to shout about. I couldn't even get the coordinate on my GPS (scary heh), after few rounds (and hours) of asking Mr. Google I reasoned with myself to pin point the coordinate to Papan Chinese Primary School. And it worked!

The data from 2009 indicates that Papan Chinese Primary School have 72 pupils and 11 teachers. Pretty small school heh!

So, how small IS Papan town and why is it known as ghost town (or dead town)?

Back in the olden days, most town in Perak are associated with tin mining activities, same goes for Papan. So the question is, why is it called Papan which literally means wood or plank?

The history says that in 1840, chengal wood; a tropical hardwood were sawn in this small town called Papan. Hence, that's how Papan got its name. However, Papan later became well know for tin mine in the early 20th century, it was described as "the most productive in the State" as well as "probably the richest tin mines in the Malay Peninsula."

Raja Bilah was Papan's village head and he prospered as a revenue-collector, but not as a miner hence he sold his mining operations in 1890. Within 2 years, Kinta became the largest tin producer in Malaya thus Papan loses its fame as the principal mining centre in Kinta.

The Papan Riot and Japanese Occupation contributed to the down fall of this small town, Papan. Now, this town is pretty much dead, with one school, few houses, ruins and an Istana Billah.

Istana Billah is famous for its supernatural activities according the locals here (NO, I didn't check this place out), it is also use for few paranormal documentary and movies. Feel free to google to find out more as I dare not even read..... Hehhehehhe....

How's that to kick start Haloween :)