Gallery Kampung Boy | 1970s Malaysian village life
At‑a‑Glance Info Box
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Lot 365404, Jalan Bemban, 31000 Batu Gajah, Perak |
| Map | Waze / Google Map |
| Also Known As | Lat House Gallery, Rumah Lat Gallery |
| Opened | 9 July 2023 (officially launched by Sultan of Perak on 8 July 2023) |
| Entrance Fee | – admission fees are RM5 for adults – RM2 for children and students – RM10 for non-Malaysians – free for senior citizens aged 60 and above, children under two years old, and persons with disabilities. |
| Time Needed | 1–2 hours |
| Family‑Friendly | Yes – great for all ages |
| Opening Hours | – Monday–Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM – Friday: (10:00 AM – 12:15 PM & 2:45 PM – 5:00 PM) |
| Contact | 05‑241 0048 |
| Facilities | Gallery space, replica wooden house, interactive timeline, gift shop, toilets |
| Parking | Free parking available on site |
| Nearby Landmark | Next to Silverlakes Village Outlet (pink signboard visible from highway) |
Why Go?
- A “Step Into the Cartoon” Experience: Fans can see a replica of Lat’s working desk and watch audio-visual presentations of Kampung Boy animations.
- Walk inside a real Rumah Limas – a traditional wooden house built from scratch to look exactly like the one Lat grew up in during the 1960s. It is furnished with authentic, pre-World War II, or early-post-war items that recreate the atmosphere of 1960s village life.
- 100% Time Machine & Memorabilia: The gallery displays over 40 years of Lat’s work, including original sketches, caricatures, and personal mementos like his childhood school photos, his first published comic (at age 13), and the vintage motorcycle given by his former employer, the New Straits Times.
The Experience
Galeri Rumah Lat comprises two main components: the modern gallery building and the traditional Rumah Limas.
| Aspect | What You’ll See / Do |
|---|---|
| Galeri Lat (Main Building) | A single‑storey concrete building showcasing Lat’s entire career journey – from his first comic at age 14 to his latest works |
| Timeline Wall | A chronological display tracing Lat’s life: born in Gopeng, worked as crime desk reporter at Berita Harian, studied at St. Martin’s School of Art in London, became in‑house cartoonist at NST |
| Recreated Work Desk | Lat’s original working desk with personal mementos, family photos, and a record player (playing Bob Dylan’s Nashville Skyline – his favourite) |
| Vintage Motorcycle | A motorcycle gifted to Lat by New Straits Times, displayed prominently |
| Interactive 2‑D Rendering | Step into the pages of Kampung Boy with a life‑size layered display |
| Rumah Limas (Traditional House) | A five‑tiered roof wooden house on stilts, built using traditional methods. Rooms include anjung (porch), rumah ibu (main house), and dapur (kitchen), furnished with vintage furniture like old beds, benches, and wooden stoves |
| Gift Shop | Souvenirs including mugs, tote bags, T‑shirts, bookmarks, and caps – all reasonably priced |
| Mural & Photo Spots | Colourful Kampung Boy murals perfect for Instagram‑worthy shots |
📸 Photography tip: The Rumah Limas exterior and the “DUNIA LAT” illustration wall are the most‑photographed spots. Also, the exit of the gallery features a “magic” view of the traditional house framed by modern architecture.
Important Info
- Best Time to Visit: Weekdays are quieter (30-50 visitors) compared to weekends (up to 400), with high traffic on public holidays.
- Nearby Attraction: Only a 5-minute drive from the famous Kellie’s Castle.
- Lat real name: Datuk Mohammad Nor Khalid
- Lat meaning: Khalid was a stocky boy with a cherubic face, which led his family to nickname him bulat (round). His friends shortened it to “Lat”
- Footwear Etiquette: You will need to remove your shoes before entering the traditional wooden house to preserve the heritage flooring.
- Photography Rules: You are generally allowed to take photos, but you must turn off your flash to protect the delicate ink on the older sketches.
- Accessibility: The site is wheelchair-friendly with ramps and accessible restrooms, though the interior of the elevated wooden house may have stairs.
- Crowd Control: Weekends and public holidays can get very crowded (up to 1,000 people). Visit on a Wednesday or Thursday morning for the quietest experience.
Facilities
| Facility | Status / Notes |
|---|---|
| Gallery exhibition space | ✅ Two rooms: timeline + interactive display |
| Traditional Rumah Limas | ✅ Open to public (subject to maintenance) |
| Gift shop | ✅ Sells mugs, totes, T‑shirts, bookmarks |
| Toilets | ✅ Available |
| Parking | ✅ Free |
| Cafeteria | ❌ Planned but not yet operational |
| Wheelchair access | ⚠️ Limited for traditional house |
| Audio‑visual room | ⚠️ Occasionally closed for upgrades |
Itinerary Guide
Pro Tips (For Malaysian)
- Check Friday hours – The gallery closes for Friday prayers (12:15 PM – 2:45 PM). Don’t make the trip only to find it shut.
- Sign the visitor logbook – It’s free, but you still need to register at the counter.
- Combine with Kellie’s Castle – Both are just 5 minutes apart. Make it a two‑attraction offday.
- Bring cash for souvenirs – The gift shop may not accept cards (though this might change).
- Visit on a weekday morning – Fewer crowds, better photos, and cooler weather for the outdoor house.
- Read the timeline thoroughly – Lat’s journey from a 14‑year‑old Gopeng boy to Royal Artist is genuinely inspiring.
- Look for the letter from a fan – Displayed near his desk, a touching note asking “Whatever happened to Frankie?”
- Don’t skip the traditional house – It’s the heart of the experience, with authentic vintage furniture that will trigger major nostalgia.
Nearby Attractions
| Kellie’s Castle | 5 minutes | Historic unfinished castle with mysterious tunnels and rooftop views |
| Silverlakes Village Outlet | Next door | Shopping, dining, and leisure – pink signboard visible from highway |
| Gua Tempurung | ~30 minutes | Adventure caving with underground river (for the more adventurous) |
| Tanjung Tualang | ~20 minutes | Famous for freshwater fish and seafood dinner |
| TT5 Iron Ship | ~30 minutes | Historic tin dredge – photo‑worthy heritage site |
Closing
Galeri Rumah Lat is more than just a gallery – it’s a love letter to Malaysian childhood.
From the iconic Kampung Boy murals to the authentic Rumah Limas that transports you back to kampung days of the 70s and 80s, every corner is filled with nostalgia.
Whether you grew up reading Lat’s comics in Berita Harian or watching the animated series on Astro, this place will make you smile.
So for your next offday, skip the crowded malls and head to Batu Gajah – where you can walk inside a cartoon, relive your childhood, and leave with a mug or two. That’s how you do an offday in Perak.
Offday Hunt Series – More guides coming soon. Got a place you want us to cover? Whatsapp a comment. Report for Error.