The old market is located in the shopping area in the center of the city. If you come from the highway then you can't miss it, driving through Taiping. There are two main markets, which were built separately and separated by the busy Kota Road. The Oude Markt was built in 1884 and the Nieuwe Markt in 1885. Due to the rapid growth of the population in the city, a market was needed to provide the people with basic facilities.

Both buildings were 60 meters long and 18 meters wide. Originally there was an iron fountain in front of the market, but it was removed years later and replaced by a simple concrete bell tower. Both buildings are built with wooden pillars, concrete slab and iron roof. The high roof of the market ensures that air and light pass through unhindered. The morning breeze blowing down comes from the Larut Hills (Bukit Larut) and the evening breeze comes from the Matang / Kuala Sepetang coast.
These markets have two different functions, one as a "dry market" and the other as a wet market. During their heyday, these markets were filled with fresh vegetables, fish and meat. Almost everything you need is available here.
The price for all goods was controlled by the government at the time. Taiping Market is probably the largest wooden building in the country. The market is the best-preserved example of a large 19th century market, which still stands to this day. Since it opened, the market has always been crowded with people buying their fresh food supplies here.

The market was filled with fresh vegetables, fish and meat. Sir Frank Swettenham, who was the acting resident of Perak (1884-1886), was known to have played a role in the creation of the Taiping market. Sweetenham had told Sir Hugh Low (a then British resident of Perak) that a market was needed as the town's population was growing rapidly. Indeed, Low had written in his diary: "... the city is a good example for the population, with a well-maintained market for public use."

The markets are outdated and neglected in recent years. The 140-year-old Taiping markets will undergo a major facelift in the name of tourism. Once completed, it will become a "Pasar Budaya dan Medan Selera", a cultural center cum eatery that resembles Kuala Lumpur's Central Market.