Most of the settlements in what is today Perak were situated near the river until the 19th century, when tin deposits were discovered elsewhere, most notably Ipoh. The source of Perak River is in the Perak–Kelantan–Thailand border tripoint near the Royal Belum State Park, in the Titiwangsa Mountains. To be exact, the confluence of Machang River and Merah River, deep in the remoted area of Royal Belum State Park.