Istand Ulu is a palace in Kuala Kangsar. Located at Bukit Chandran, the istana was built in 1903 during the reign of the 28th Sultan of Perak. Today, Istana Ulu - also known as Istana Kota and Istana Hulu - is used as the Galeri Sultan Azlan Shah. I explored it along with the other heritage sites in Bukit Chandran, Kuala Kangsar, when doing the documentation for the AsiaExplorers Kuala Kangsar Self-Guided Tour.
Located just a short distance from the Ubudiah Mosque, Istana Ulu was used as the ruler's residence until 1954, when it was taken over by the Education Ministry, and turned into the Istana Kota National School. Then, in 1970, it was used as a girls' school, called the Raja Perempuan Mazwin School. Eventually, however, the school also moved out, and the building was left unused for many years until around 2002, when the state museum authorities began restoration work on it.
Istana Ulu, Kuala Kangsar.
Today Istana Ulu houses the Sultan Azlan Shah Gallery. It showcases memorabilia and personal items belonging to the present Sultan of Perak. There is also a separate wing showing the royal motorcars and patrol cars used in the motorcade when Sultan Azlan Shah reigned as the Duli Yang Maha Mulia (King) of Malaysia. There is also a souvenir shop selling items related to the Perak sultanate.
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