Introduction
Being the country’s first Hakka Tin mining Museum, the museum exhibits the highlights of tin mining process of the early days. It also tells about the unethical activities of the club members in the past named as Four Evils that enticed the Hakka miners, and the journey of Hakka people from China to Ipoh.




What to Expect?

Originally the home of the Hakka Tin Miners Club, founded in 1893. The building was rebuilt in 1929 to replace the earlier double-storey club house on the same site. This unique museum encompasses approximately 5000 square feet over three floors. On display are artifacts, collectibles, ephemera and also photographs from the 19th and 20th century. True to life murals painted by local students of the Perak Institute of Art provides the experience of a tin mine.



With welcoming and informative staff guides, this place is an amazing spot to learn about the tin trade of old as well as the Hakka culture.
This exhibition is definitely something that should not be missed and is a valuable opportunity for tourists to get an insight of this intriguing historical treasure.



While the entrance fee to explore this exhibition is free, you will need to book a reservation before visiting Han Chin Pet Soo which can be done at http://www.ipohworld.org/reservation/. After your visit to Han Chin Pet Soo, you may also take a short stroll to one of Ipoh’s most popular streets– Concubine Lane.
Exhibition
Tin mining
With tin mining playing a prominent role in the development of Ipoh and the Kinta Valley, this section that uses original tin mining equipment highlights the process of mining for tin from prospecting for tin to the drying of tin ore. This section includes a historic video explaining the process of tin mining in the 1940s.

Kitchen
To serve the function of providing meals for the club members, a well-stocked kitchen would have played an important role. Restored it to its 1929 / 1930 standard, the kitchen has a three charcoal and one wood-fired stove, kitchen utensils and tins appropriate to the period.


Town square
The backyard has been transformed into a town square, ideal for photography the area includes a mural of a tin dredge, a street in Ipoh and a tin shop to complete the story of tin.
Activities of the club
The first floor of the building is dedicated to activities of the club members over the 122 years of its history. Dubbed as the four evils; gambling, opium smoking, prostitution and triads (secret societies). Full sized dioramas demonstrate how the club would have looked in its heyday.


Hakka floor
Moving on to the second floor is the guest floor where the club housed guests with the condition; they were Hakka males that were friends' of a member of the club. Coincidentally, Hakka means guest in English, seizing the opportunity, it was set up to illustrate the 1000 year long history of the Hakka people.





Look Around






















Address: 3, Jalan Bijeh Timah, 30100, Ipoh, Perak
05-241 4541
Everyday Except Monday 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
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zhi an Tong
2 weeks agoGreat history about the Hakka and the history of tin mining in Ipoh. Be sure to book a reservation online as you can't enter without any booking. Tour guide Mr Leong is very knowledgeable and gave an interesting talk.
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A. A.
a month agoWell maintained and very informative. Great tour with good story telling. Very educational which I really appreciate and enjoy the tour briefed by tour guide Mr Leung. One of the must visit place in Ipoh. Highly recommended. Tour can be in English and Chinese Cantonese.
Free will optional donation at the end of the tour, which I think they deserve the donation, coz they have done a great job preserving the villa in such good conditions. Well done Han Chin Villa team. -
Rachel Wong
2 months agoVery informative guided tour by an enthusiastic tour guide. I highly recommend you to be here when you visit Ipoh.🥰
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Julio Jover
4 months agoVery nice tour explaining the tin Mining operations and history of the Hakka. Would definitely recommend. Our tour guide was super friendly and made it a superb experience. Would definitely recommend!
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Eng Lai Tan
a year agoThe tour was conducted in English which was good. The guide, Mr Leong, was able to provide decent account on the history of the building.
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