Ipoh /ˈiːpoʊ/ is the capital city of Perak state, Malaysia. It is approximately 200 km north of Kuala Lumpur and 130 km south of Penang on the North-South Expressway.Ipoh developed into one of Malaysia's main cities around the turn of the 19th century due to the booming tin mining industry. During the British colonial era, Ipoh was Malaysia's second city for administrative purposes. Architecturally, the city centre is characterised by Straits eclectic shop houses. There are several impressive historical buildings from the British Colonial era such as the Railway Station, the Town Hall and the Court House.