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 council meeting was usually a pompous event with Chieftains coming with sailing boats and the Royalty and palace officials came riding on elephants.

The subjects and locals had free flows of food and cultural activities at the river bank.

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 the Machang and Merah Rivers, deep in the remote area of Royal Belum State Park.