NEED TO KNOW
LOCATION Teluk Intan, 53 miles (85 km) south of Ipoh, the state capital of Perak, in peninsular Malaysia
DATE OF CONSTRUCTION 1885
HEIGHT 85 ft (26 m) PURPOSE Water tower, clock tower, marker for ships
Fairly modern as leaning towers go, the circular Tower of Teluk Intan was originally known as the High Clock Tower due to the large upper-story clock – still ticking – made by J. W. Benson of London, watchmaker to Queen Victoria. The tower was built by a Chinese contractor who incorporated many of his country’s traditional architectural elements into the design. Initially intended as a water tower in case of drought or fire, and built on soft soil, it first started to lean under the sheer weight of the water. Later, floods submerged the base of the tower and increased the angle of tilt to nearly two degrees.
Practical Information
Getting There and Around Kuala Lumpur is the closest international airport, 100 miles (165 km) southeast, with bus connections.
When to Go This is a wet equatorial zone with little seasonal variation.
The tower is open all year and is free to ascend.