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Places To Visit In Ipoh

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1. Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple

6 km from city center 1 out of 33 Places To Visit in Ipoh

The beautiful and intriguing Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple is located at Gunung Rapat in Ipoh. Also known as Kek Look Tong, the temple is set amidst huge limestone caves consisting of a number of metal Buddhist and Taoist statues. Another highlight is the award-winning landscape gardens inside the cave.

2. Perak Cave Temple

5 km from city center 2 out of 33 Places To Visit in Ipoh

Perak Cave Temple is a Buddhist temple situated in a limestone hill at Gunung Tasek. Popular for its stunning architecture, it is built into a huge cave with a 40-feet tall sitting Golden Buddha statue surrounded by four guardian deities, called as goddesses.

3. Lost World of Tambun

8 km from city center 3 out of 33 Places To Visit in Ipoh

Located in Sunway City Ipoh, the Lost World of Tambun is a theme park famous for its natural hot springs, tropical jungles, 400 million years old limestone formations and 7 fun park attractions. It is a tribute to industrial and environment history of Ipoh.

4. Funtasy House Trick Art

1 km from city center 4 out of 33 Places To Visit in Ipoh

Located at Jalan Market, Funtasy House Trick Art is a 3D trick art gallery in Ipoh, Perak. The gallery houses 26 murals and several trick rooms which have been constructed around different themes such as circus and upside down.

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5. Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple

5 km from city center 5 out of 33 Places To Visit in Ipoh

Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple, situated in Gunung Rapat, is a cluster of three Chinese limestone cave temples adorned with natural and manmade artistic attractions. Ling Sen Tong, Nam Thean Tong, and Sam Poh Tong are the three temples. The oldest and main cave temple in Ipoh; it affords a spectacular view of the town. A major attraction is the reclining Buddha statue.

6. DR Seenivasagam Park

1 km from city center 6 out of 33 Places To Visit in Ipoh

Dr. Seenivasagam Park is located in Negeri Perak and is a prominent recreational park for the people in the city. The main highlight of the park is the Japanese Mini Garden that creates an illusion among visitors that they are actually in Japan.

7. Gua Tempurung

23 km from city center 7 out of 33 Places To Visit in Ipoh

Gua Tempurung is a beautiful limestone cave located in Gopeng in Perak. Popular for caving, it is the largest cave in all of peninsular Malaysia. A part of this 3-kilometer-long cave has been developed as a show cave, complete with walkways and electric lighting. It is quite easy to explore and has a 1.6-kilometer-long river passage running through the hills.

8. Kellie's Castle

14 km from city center 8 out of 33 Places To Visit in Ipoh

The unfinished, gothic and ruined mansion of an ambitious Scottish Planter, Mr. William Kellie Smith, Kellie's Castle is located in Batu Gajah, Kenta District, Perak, Malaysia. With several ghost-sighting reports, the castle is believed to be haunted by many.

9. Art of Oldtown

9 out of 33 Places To Visit in Ipoh

Art of Oldtown is a collection of 7 beautiful murals scattered across the town of Ipoh. The murals are beautiful 3D wall paintings giving a glimpse of the local style, culture and history of the town. These seven murals are 8 Uncle drinking coffee (Jalan Bandar), 9 Paper plane (Jalan Tun Sambanthan), Five packets of kopi-O (Jalan Tun Sambanthan), Hummingbird (Jalan Panglima), Evolution (Jalan Bijeh Timah), 13 Trishaw garbage collector (Concubine Lane 3), Girl and sparrows (painted over, not existing anymore) (Jalan Bandar Timah).

10. Ling Sen Tong Temple

10 out of 33 Places To Visit in Ipoh

Located at Gunung Rapat, Ling Sen Tong Temple is a charming Taoist temple located next door to Nam Thean Tong and Sam Poh Tong. The temple comprises of several attractive statues of different characters and deities from the Chinese folklore and Chinese mythology.

11. Qing Xin Ling Leisure & Cultural Village

5 km from city center 11 out of 33 Places To Visit in Ipoh

The Qing Xin Ling Leisure & Cultural Village is an eco-tourist spot 20-minute drive away from Ipoh town. It has been carefully preserved to turn a patch of wilderness into a brilliant attraction. Nestled amid sky-high cliffs of limestone hills covered in lush forests, the village features emerald-green lakes, cute koi ponds, and lots of tiny lakeside cottages to sit and enjoy nature. You can feed the fish as well.

12. Concubine Lane

12 out of 33 Places To Visit in Ipoh

With an interesting history of more than 120 years attached to it, the Concubine Lane in Ipoh is one of the most visited lanes in the area bustling with cafes, pop up stalls, souvenir shops, and dessert houses.

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13. Gerbang Malam

1 km from city center 13 out of 33 Places To Visit in Ipoh

Gerbang Malam or the Night Gate Market of Ipoh is located at Jalan Dato Tahwil Azar in Taman Jubilee. It is a vibrant marketplace that comes alive every evening with the cacophonous exchanges of buyers and sellers. Shops sell all kinds of goods here, ranging from clothes, accessories, jewelry, electronics, and beauty products, to fruits, flowers, and delectable snack items.

14. Birch Memorial Clock Tower

2 km from city center 14 out of 33 Places To Visit in Ipoh

Located in Kinta District, Birch Memorial Clock Tower, also referred to as Menara Jam Peringatan Birch is a beautiful clock tower in a square inside Old Ipoh. The four-sided tower is surrounded by four statues representing four pillars of British administration.

15. Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan

64 km from city center 15 out of 33 Places To Visit in Ipoh

The Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan is a clock tower located in the town of Teluk Intan of Hilir Perak District. It is known to be equivalent to the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy because it is also tilted to the left.

16. Miniature Wonders Art Gallery

1 km from city center 16 out of 33 Places To Visit in Ipoh

Located centrally in the Jalan Market in Ipoh Old Town, the Miniature Wonders Art Gallery is a small but incredibly unique gallery that displays dough sculptures.

17. Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge

17 out of 33 Places To Visit in Ipoh

The Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge No 5, also known as TT5, is a former tin mining dredge, open to the tourists for taking a guided Dredge Tour, panning and self tour inside the gallery while also exploring the magnificent view of the landscape.

18. Ipoh Railway Station

18 out of 33 Places To Visit in Ipoh

Ipoh Railway Station is located 3km southwest from the city of Ipoh and is an architectural marvel. Its Mughal style of architecture and design has allowed it to be crowned as the Taj Mahal of Ipoh. It’s a great place for visitors who want to visit a landmark architectural monument in the city

19. Ho Yan Hor Museum

19 out of 33 Places To Visit in Ipoh

Located next to Han Chin Pet Soo Museum in Negeri Perak, Ipoh, the Ho Yan Hor Museum shares amazing stories of Ho Yan Hor, the famous tea brand since the 1940s known for their Chinese herbal tea. It presents the discovery of the origin and evolution of heritage herbal tea.

20. Orang Utan Island

69 km from city center 20 out of 33 Places To Visit in Ipoh

Orangutan Island is the world's best rehabilitation and conservation center for Orangutans. Located in the heart of Bukit Merah, it is a 35-acre land neighboured by a beautiful lakeside resort. Incepted in 2000, Orangutan Island is still recognized as a global eco-tourism destination. The island offers an amazing experience to the visitors by the varied species of “People of the Jungle” or Orangutan. Orangutan Island is only accessible by a 15 minutes jetty ride which can be boarded from the near lakeside resort-Bukit Merah Laketown resort.

21. Ipoh Town Hall

2 km from city center 21 out of 33 Places To Visit in Ipoh

The ancient, colonial-era building, Ipoh Town Hall is situated at Negeri Perak. It provides an old and authentic look with its Edwardian Baroque Architectural style exhibiting the long-standing history and mesmerising architectural beauty for the lovers of historical events.

22. Han Chin Pet Soo

22 out of 33 Places To Visit in Ipoh

Han Chin Pet Soo is a three-storey Hakka tin mining museum located along Jalan Bijeh Timah, close to Kinta river in Ipoh's Old Town, Perak. This heritage building houses antiques, collectibles, furniture, decoration, photographs, authentic tools and equipment from the tin mining era.

23. Movie Animation Park Studios Malaysia

8 km from city center 23 out of 33 Places To Visit in Ipoh

Situated in Ipoh, the Movie Animation Park Studios Malaysia (MAPS) is Asia’s first animation theme park. The unique theme park features animated characters of Hollywood movies like Megamind, the Smurfs, Mr. Peabody & Sherman, Casper the Friendly Ghost, and several others. MAPS is divided into 6 zones.

16 km from city center 24 out of 33 Places To Visit in Ipoh

Seated amidst lofty limestone cliffs, rivers, and some captivating historical caves, Gopeng is a serene town in the Kampar district of Perak. The main draw of Gopeng is thrashing around in rivers and waterfalls.

25. Belum Temenggor Rainforest

109 km from city center 25 out of 33 Places To Visit in Ipoh

Belum Temenggor Rainforest located in Perak, Malaysia is the world's oldest and largest rainforest. It borders Thailand to its north and Kelantan in Malaysia to its east. The Royal Belum State Park lies entirely in Belum Temenggor Rainforest. A tour to Belum Temenggor includes hiking, rafflesia excursions and exploring Orang Asli village.

26. White Water Rafting at Kampar River

21 km from city center 26 out of 33 Places To Visit in Ipoh

Kampar River is an ideal location in Ipoh to enjoy white water rafting. Embrace the adrenaline junkie in you as a professionally-oared raft takes you through 14 consecutive rapids for 7 km on the Kampar River. The journey takes around 1.5-2 hours. The rafting ride starts from Ulu Geruntum, part of the Ulu River Lodge near Gopeng.

27. Geological Museum Ipoh

3 km from city center 27 out of 33 Places To Visit in Ipoh

Located in the Kinta district of Perak in Malaysia, the Geological Museum Ipoh exhibits the heritage of the geology of Malaysia since 1957. Crafted with modern architecture, the museum encircling an area of 343 Square Metres, also houses 600 minerals, more than 200 gemstones of the region, crystals, and dinosaur fossils.

28. Gunung Lang Recreational Park

3 km from city center 28 out of 33 Places To Visit in Ipoh

Located just 5km from Ipoh, the beautiful Gunung Lang Recreational Park in Jalan Damai of Malaysia is a perfect destination for boating, fishing, canoeing, and relaxing in the gazebos. Set against the backdrop of limestone mountains like Gunung Lang and Gunung Bilike, the park covers an area of 30.35 hectares including 14.16 hectares of lake areas.

29. Gunung Lang

3 km from city center 29 out of 33 Places To Visit in Ipoh

Located in the northern stretch of Ipoh City in Perak, the limestone formations of the Lang mountain, also known as Gunung Lang, is a must-visit destination for any adventure lover. Back in 1880, this limestone area was explored and discovered by a Malay tin miner. Cover by lush greenery, mountain hiking will be great fun only for experienced and professional hikers. Adjacent to the Gunung Lang is the Gunung Lang Recreational Park, attracting tourists to its serenity bounded flora and fauna, lake, and boat rides.

30. Kledang Hills Hike

7 km from city center 30 out of 33 Places To Visit in Ipoh

Kledang Hill in Ipoh offers a spectacular loop hike route ideal for beginners and experts alike. You will trek for 10.3 km, gain an average altitude of 824m, and it will take 4.5-5 hours to complete. The trail is easy in most parts but challenging in some.

31. Kwan Yin Tong Temple Ipoh

2 km from city center 31 out of 33 Places To Visit in Ipoh

In the foothills of the limestone hills of Gunung Rapat in Ipoh, lies the Buddhist cave temple of mercy, the Kwan Yin Tong Temple. Extending up to 20 meters below the cliff, this cave temple worships the Goddess of Mercy, Kwan Yin or Guan Yin. Kwan Yin Tong Temple is the second oldest cave temple in Ipoh and has seventy-five Kwan Yin statues surrounding the cave area along with hundreds of small golden Buddha statues.

32. Kinta Riverfront Walk

1 km from city center 32 out of 33 Places To Visit in Ipoh

The Kinta Riverfront Walk in Ipoh is a waterside promenade ideal for taking a romantic stroll. Lined with restaurants and cafes, it has become a central spot for people to hang out. The trees that line the walkway add a touch of refreshing green during the day and come alive with bright LED lights at night. It is a bustling hub for eating out, enjoying live music, or watching the river glow in the lights.

33. Sultan Abdul Aziz Recreation Park

2 km from city center 33 out of 33 Places To Visit in Ipoh

Located in Jalan Tambun, Sultan Abdul Aziz Recreation Park is an open field for walking, jogging, exercising, relaxing, and other leisurely activities. The lush green grass of the park is ideal for families to have picnics. A section of the park is a children’s playground, complete with swings, slides, mary-go-rounds, trampolines, and more.

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Dive Into Malaysia

Ipoh Itinerary 2024: The Perfect Itinerary For 1 – 3 Days

Looking for the perfect Ipoh trip itinerary? Great! That’s exactly what we give you in this Ipoh itinerary blog.

We created this itinerary after multiple trips to charming Ipoh. We researched to find the best spots then visited themselves to hone this list to the perfect itinerary for 1, 2 or 3 days for you.

A quirky place to visit, Ipoh is ideal for a long weekend – perhaps in combination with a stay at the Cameron Highlands or as a stopover when travelling between Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

Discover the city’s laid back charm on the 6.5 kilometre Ipoh Heritage Walk, taking in restored colonial buildings such as the Railway Station, Birch Clock Tower and Ipoh Town Hall and Post Office. A sometimes sleepy but atmospheric town – showing strong similarities with George Town, Penang – streets are lined with Chinese shophouses and an abundance of coffee houses that spill out onto the pavements.

Noted for dramatic street art murals, check out Old Town and the more recently added Mural’s Art Lane in New Town, for colourful depictions of local family life, regional customs and traditions. Further afield, explore the region’s mystical cave temples deep within Ipoh’s limestone cliffs, and the equally spectacular Tambun Cave full of Neolithic cave paintings dating back thousands of years.

Recent investment into Ipoh has led to not only a revitalised Old Town but a regeneration of its Malaysian-Chinese cuisine and culture… and our top reason to visit Ipoh is without a doubt to sample the food, with Lonely Planet calling it the “lesser known food capital” of Malaysia. Spoilt for choice, it’s a foodie’s delight, with local restaurants, hawker stalls and expansive food courts offering mouth-watering fare at great prices!

Finally, for all those young-at-hearts, head to the Sunway Lost World of Tambun for a full day of thrills, action, animal encounters, hot springs and water rides… More than enough to keep you busy!

Below, you will find the ultimate Ipoh travel itinerary! We walk you through options whether you want an Ipoh day trip itinerary, an Ipoh 2 day trip itinerary or an Ipoh 3 days 2 nights itinerary.

You can simply stop following our Ipoh tour itinerary if your trip finishes in less than 3 days when you hit the number of days you have or pick the days that sound best from the 3d2n Ipoh itinerary below.

If you have longer in Ipoh, lucky you! You can take this itinerary Ipoh slower with more time to relax at your hotel or look for other things to do in Ipoh from our full list here .

Finally, we also recommend some top places to stay in Ipoh depending on your budget and needs and there is a map below of everything you will do on your Ipoh trip.

Travelling to Malaysia? Click here to download your free Malaysia Trip Planning checklist . We’ll help you get ready for your trip!  

Have any questions? Join our Malaysia Travel Planning Facebook group here now! It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired.

Perfect Ipoh Itinerary 2024

Remember, this is a full 3 day Ipoh itinerary. If you have less days, simply pick the days that most appeal.

If you are looking for an Ipoh budget itinerary or an Ipoh itinerary for families this also works. Just take out activities if you want to make it easier/cheaper or if they don’t seem suitable for your kids.

The highlights of this itinerary in Ipoh are:

• Spend a full day discovering the Old Town of Ipoh, taking in the region’s famous Ipoh White Coffee, exploring colonial buildings and a fabulous night market… and trying out the lip-smacking local cuisine along the way.
• Day two will take you out of the centre of town to nearby caves celebrating Buddhist and Taoist deities, neolithic paintings and, rather surprisingly, a Scottish castle with hidden rooms and tunnels!
• It’s a fun afternoon and evening on day 3 at the fantastic Sunway Lost World of Tambun with water slides, tiger-encounters, hot springs and more.

Need to get to Ipoh? We can arrange a private taxi from anywhere in Malaysia. Click here for more details.

Day 1: Discover Old Ipoh Town

Today is all about discovering the best of Ipoh within the city. It’s perfect whether it’s the start of a longer trip or you are just looking for an Ipoh itinerary 1 day. Either way, I recommend you follow this exactly!

• Start the day at Kedai Kopi Sin Yoon Loong – the perfect place to try Ipoh’s famous white coffee and to have a roti breakfast.
• Go crazy walking around the Old Town. Check out the colonial architecture, magical laneways and keep a lookout for Ipoh’s famous street art.
• Visit Ipoh World/Han Chin Pet Soo to learn more about the history of tin mining in the area.
• Take a short taxi trip to Restaurant Lou Wong for lunch where you can have Ipoh’s best tauge ayam.
• Have a siesta in the heat of the day ready to venture out again as things cool down in the early evening.
• Head to Gerbang Malam night market for dinner and shopping. This is particularly good on weekend nights.

Kedai Kopi Sin Yoon Loong

The Story of Ipoh in a Cup… this 1937 establishment was the Old Town birthplace of the now famed Ipoh White Coffee, and today Sin Yoon Loong is still going strong!

What better way to start your day than enjoying breakfast at this longtime establishment? No WiFi or air-conditioning here, in fact the rear of the café appears to have the same coat of paint from years gone by. Locals and tourists adore this place, so head out early to avoid crowds – though you may still need to queue a while for a table.

This kopitiam – traditional coffee shop – has a fairly basic menu and the coffee is perhaps not as tasty as years ago, with tourism demands leading to an urgency to churn out cup after cup, but this is one place everyone should tick off when visiting Ipoh.

And, the coffee? Well, the beans are roasted with palm oil and served with condensed milk, resulting in a rather sweet and creamy beverage. Cheers!

Address: 15A, Jalan Bandar Timah, 30000 Ipoh, Negeri Perak . Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Walking Around The Old Town

The highlight of your Ipoh one day trip itinerary will be exploring the heart of the city. Ipoh’s Old Town is full of heritage buildings that showcase the town’s 130-year history from a small Malay village to a minor tourist destination.

On the west side of the Kinta River that flows through the city, you’ll find colonial shophouses, that are often likened to Penang’s Georgetown. Easy to explore on foot, due to the excessive heat you might want to consider jumping in a taxi.

At the start of the 19th Century, Malaysia was under British Colonial rule with Ipoh the second most important city. Though a huge fire in 1892 led to most of the city being rebuilt, there is still a strong structure of Ipoh Old Town remaining, alongside newer places to explore with shophouses revamped into cafes, hotels, galleries and tea shops.

We recommend you follow the self-guided Ipoh Heritage Walk, taking you to all the major landmarks. Starting at Ipoh Railway Station, you’ll see the majestic Ipoh Town Hall and Old Post Office, High Court and much more. Check here for details.

The most famous street is probably Concubine Lane, with colourful decorations and tasty cold treats – quite different from the days of old when the shophouses were home to opium and gambling dens! Today, you’ll find charming souvenir shops, fashion outlets and many cafes. It’s a great place to visit at weekends with its busy, lively atmosphere.

Also in the Old Town, check out stunning wall murals with the most famous by the original artist, Ernest Zacharevic. His paintings are scattered throughout the lanes, along with many newer murals. You’ll see “An Old Uncle Drinking Coffee”, “Paper Plane” and the most dramatic, “Evolution”, that covers the entire side of the herbal-tea Ho Yan Hor Museum. Check this Ipoh street art map for the best spots.

Finally, discover more about Islam at the stunning Sultan Idris Shah II Mosque, near to the train station and facing the Birch Memorial Clock Tower. The State Mosque of Perak, it’s unmissable with many bronze domes and majestic modern architecture.

Take a break from your Ipoh day tour itinerary because it’s time for lunch, and your destination is Lou Wong’s – the most famous Chinese restaurant in town. Be sure to select its noted dish, Tauge Ayam (bean sprouts chicken).

Don’t come expecting a calm dining experience. This is a busy, sometimes hectic, restaurant with locals and tourists queuing for the famed food!

Address: 49, Jalan Yau Tet Shin, Taman Jubilee, 30000 Ipoh, Negeri Perak

Gerbang Malam Night Market

Once the sun goes down, this is the heart of Ipoh! The night market sets up around 7pm daily with stalls selling all manner of things from mobile phone accessories, toys, clothes, footwear, perfumes, bags, etc.

Crowded by 8pm, enjoy the hustle and bustle in the evening’s warm air. Bargain hunt and negotiate your way to a good price. And once you’re all shopped out, you’ll find many dining choices in the side streets, offering delicious Chinese and Malay cuisine. There’s also a hawker centre right next door. I may have had the best ice kacang of my life here (called an ABC Special).

After a full day of walking, why not end your Ipoh 1 day trip itinerary with a relaxing foot massage at the market before heading back to the hotel.

Address: Jalan Dato Tahwil Azar, Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh, Negeri Perak

Day 2: Enjoy Ipoh Surrounds

Now you’ve seen the sites within Ipoh, our Ipoh 2 days itinerary focuses on the attractions around Ipoh where you’ll find awesome scenery and cool cave temples.

• This morning, set out after breakfast for a morning of exploring Ipoh’s famous cave temples. Start at Perak Cave Temple
• Take a taxi ride onto Kek Lok Tong Temple
• Take another short drive to Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple, Nam Thean Tong Temple and Ling Sen Tong Temple
• Grab a quick lunch at Restoran New Hollywood, a Halal food court serving some of Ipoh’s top specialities, located en-route to your next attraction
• Visit Tambun Cave with its thousands-of-years-old artwork
• Take a 25-minute scenic drive to the Scottish manor, Kellie’s Castle
• And, if you have time, end your day at Gunung Lang Recreational Park before heading back to Ipoh for dinner.

Perak Cave Temple

In the limestone hills near Ipoh, there are amazing cave temples. These are basically exactly what they sound like – caves with temples 🙂 They are built into the hills and are serene, picturesque and well worth a visit.

This morning, use the Grab (like Uber) app to order taxis to help you explore some of them. These rides cost us RM6-11 each to get between the temples and the Old Town.

These are spiritual places which means you should dress in appropriate clothing. In this case, that’s shoulders and knees covered. You will (sadly) see many people not doing this, but I highly recommend you respect these temples and cover up.

The Perak Cave Temple is a big cave in a lovely spot. There are interesting rock formations and a big Buddha in the centre. The temple itself is located on the ground level, but there’s a staircase you can climb to get to the top of the hill. It’s quite a nice walk especially at the beginning through the cave.

Inside the cave, you’ll find paintings that depict celestial beings, flowers, and other images of spiritual significance.

Address: Jalan Kuala Kangsar, Kawasan Perindustrian Tasek, 31400 Ipoh

Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple

Next up is Kek Lok Tong. This Buddhist temple is the second stop today, where you’ll explore 12-acres of limestone caves and a wonderful reflexology footpath in the surrounding gardens.

Translating as “Cave of Ultimate Bliss (or Great Happiness)”, this atmospheric spacious cave, first discovered in the 1920s, enjoys good natural light and a refreshing breeze throughout. It’s truly a lovely spot to sit and reflect, in the company of Buddhist and Taoist statues.

Address: Pesiaran Sepakat 3, Taman Endah Jaya, 31350 Ipoh, Negeri Perak

Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple

Not far away is your next stop. Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple is one of the city’s oldest cave temples. It features a beautifully landscaped ornamental garden as well as a columbarium designed to hold the ashes of the departed.

What I liked about this cave temple is that the cave went on further than I expected to open up a big lovely area with the view you can see above. There was also a turtle pond with many turtles. The ornamental garden at the front is also beautiful.

Otherwise, this temple looked a little aged and wasn’t as spectacular as some of the others to me.

Address: Kampung Gunung Rapat, 31350 Ipoh

Ling Sen Tong Temple

Just a short walk from Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple, this colourful Taoist temple is located at the foot of a limestone mountain on the southern side of Ipoh and is full of statues of deities and animals. Literally translated it means “The Rock of Heavenly Spirits” and has a main compound area adorned with statues of characters from Chinese folklore.

Visit the garden for more wonderful statues, this time from Chinese mythology such as the Monkey King!

It’s a super colourful temple.

In between this temple and the last, you can also visit Nam Thean Tong Temple. It’s very easy to visit these three temples on foot as they are directly next to each other.

Address: Gunung Rapat, 31350 Ipoh, Perak

Tambun Cave

Also known as Gua Tambun, this limestone cave contains the largest number of neolithic cave paintings in Asia. Discovered in 1959 by a British soldier on a routine training exercise, they are estimated to be around 2,000-5,000 years old.

Painted on the side of a cliff (not actually inside a cave), art was found depicting animals, humans, fruit and geometric shapes. Unfortunately having been not very well preserved, today there are only a dozen or so recognisable from the original 600 found.

You can take a Grab here from the last cave temple. It is not far.

Address: 31400 Tambun, Perak

Kellie’s Castle

This unfinished, ruined mansion, is a wonderful Scottish home in the Malaysian jungle! With a story that combines romance, tragedy and mystery, it has become a popular attraction.

Owner and creator William Kellie Smith, a Scottish planter, passed away during construction leaving the project halted and forever unfinished. The castle was designed to replicate the great British Raj palaces in India, with Moorish-style arches and windows.

Shrouded in mystery for many years, eventually three secret tunnels were discovered under the house, and rumours abound of a car found parked inside one! Spooky stories of ghosts continue to this day – whether real or perhaps as a way to increase tourism…

Today, it’s quite a surreal site in the plantations of Perak, and you’ll enjoy the dizzying road that weaves its way to the Castle.

Address: 31000 Batu Gajah, Perak

Gunung Lang Recreational Park

If time permits, finish with a trip to the Gunung Lang Recreational Park.

Covering over 30 hectares, with half consisting of lakes, this park is set to a stunning backdrop of limestone hills. The main attractions include the man-made cascading waterfall, a 2 kilometre boardwalk across a swamp and sporadic lookout towers.

Children can have fun at the on-site playground and visit the mini zoo. Everyone can enjoy a short boat ride around the lake, making a great end to this Ipoh 2 days, 1 night itinerary.

Address: Jalan Damai, 30100 Ipoh, Negeri Perak

Day 3: Tons Of Fun At Sunway Lost World Of Tambun

If you have a third day in Ipoh, lucky you! Today is going to be lots of fun. That’s because you will spend it at the theme park, Sunway Lost World of Tambun.

It’s easy to spend an afternon and evening here exploring and then hanging out in the huge wave pool which may have some of the best views from a wave pool in the world!

Sunway Lost World Of Tambun

Wow, you’re in for fun-overload today! Visit the action-packed Sunway Lost World of Tambun just 10 kilometres from the centre of Ipoh. This great family-adventure destination covers 40-acres of Park. It’s cocooned by lush tropical jungle, natural hot springs, and sits at the foot of dramatic limestone cliffs.

With six themed areas, suitable for all age groups, plus a night park, this is your perfect Malaysian Eco-Adventure.

Try your luck at Malaysia’s biggest wave pool – Jungle Wave Bay. Younger children will adore the giant tipping-buckets, water cannons and spraying elephants in the three different water playgrounds. It’s terrific fun!

Next, time to check-out the majestic tigers at the thrilling Tiger Valley or discover the cute Petting Zoo (great for younger visitors) where you’ll interact with a wide variety of animals.

Now it’s time for some serious fun and thrills at the Amusement Park, with a roller coaster, swing-chair ride, dragon flight and 180 degrees pirate boat swing! They are all quite child-friendly, and there is a lack of thrilling amusement park-style rides.

However, if you want more thrills, head to Adventure Park with 13 high-rope challenges, rock climbing and a zip line along the lake!

Or you can learn some history of the area and look for tin in Tin Valley.

In the evening, head to the Lost World Hot Springs & Night Park. Relax in 13 different rejuvenating hot spring pools, such as the Steam Cave, Geyser of Tambun, and an Infinity Pool, soaking your tired feet! Dry off, grab some dinner at the on-site restaurant, and explore the enchanted Luminous Forest with amazing flora and fauna or the nocturnal wildlife at the Petting Zoo.

I recommend you head to this theme park mid-afternoon and plan to stay for the evening attractions to get the most out of this experience.

Click here to purchase discounted tickets or here to read our full review.

Address: 1, Persiaran Lagun Sunway, Sunway City, 31150 Ipoh

Itinerary Ipoh Map

Find all the things to do in this Ipoh itinerary on the map below.

Best Places To Stay In Ipoh

When planning to visit Ipoh, consider staying around the Old Town, the centre of the city, for easy exploration of historic colonial buildings and to be well located for restaurants.

Alternatively, stay out of town hidden amongst the lush jungle and limestone cliffs at Gunung Rapat or stay at Tambun, slightly north of the city, for its natural hot springs, water park and some wonderful locally grown fruits such as the native tasty pomelo.

Whatever your budget, there’s a great range of hotels to choose from. Below, we’ve listed a few different places to consider including a budget, mid-range and more expensive option.

BEST – The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat Review

Set amidst tropical jungle, this peaceful property is a luxurious sanctuary. Offering wellness, longevity, rejuvenation and detox treatments, you’re bound to leave with peace of mind and feeling terrific!

Surrounded by panoramic cliffs, explore the grounds for magnificent waterfalls and take a dip in a private Balinese pool. This is not your usual accommodation. In fact, a stay here will be a highlight of your visit to Ipoh!

Boasting 45 spacious, luxury villas – Lake, Garden or Water – we recommend taking one with a balcony overlooking the local canal. Villas come with private jacuzzi hot tubs filled with natural geothermal hot-spring water, private plunge pools, outdoor rain showers, private decks and sun loungers… All up, this is a quiet, stylish, luxury resort.

Dining is offered at Pomelo, an indoor/outdoor all-day restaurant focused on wellness and specially crafted meals to suit your needs. There’s also Jeff’s Cellar which was named one of the top 20 restaurants in Malaysia by Tatler. This stunning fine-dining restaurant and bar is set within a 260-million-year-old limestone cave!

With a famed spa, thermal steam cave and ice-bath, meditation cave, fish pool, jungle trails, fitness centre and swimming pool, you’ll find it hard to leave the grounds of the hotel!

Available for guests of 12 years of age and above.

Click here for more information and the latest prices.

MID-RANGE –  Regalodge Hotel Review

Location is everything here, with the hotel only 800-metres from the Ipoh Parade Shopping Centre, at the heart of the city. This 3-star hotel has a wide variety of room categories, including premier, deluxe, executive, suites, and Regal family suites.

Air-conditioned rooms with modern decor and large windows, overlooking garden, mountain or city views, and a bathroom with shower, all help make this our stand out as a mid-range choice of accommodation.

This hotel is an excellent choice for tourists, offering free WiFi in all rooms, a 24-hour front desk and has recreational facilities such as hot tub, sauna, spa, massage and steam room.

An on-site restaurant offers a selection of French cuisine at The Limestone’s Fine Dining Restaurant.

BUDGET – Beds In Garden Hostel Review

Billed as a 5-star boutique hostel, Beds In Garden is a ten-minute walk from Ipoh town centre.

Modern, quirky and full of natural light, the hostel has a mixture of air-conditioned rooms including family, female-dormitory, 6-bed mixed, single, double or quadruple rooms. Shared bathrooms come with hot water, soap and shampoo.

Guests can relax at a small but well-maintained garden area, enjoy a fitness centre, and the hostel offers WiFi in the communal areas and some parking.

A shared-kitchen area (with a local store less than 5-minutes walk) is available for guests to cook their own food, and a huge common area with a television showing movies and local news is a great place to relax or meet fellow travellers. Next door to a nightclub, it can be loud on weekends so we suggest you request a room away from that side of the hotel.

Click here to see all our recommendations for the best hotels in Ipoh.

Final Words

We love Ipoh for its pretty Old Town which is filled with unusual street art and colonial buildings, trendy coffee shops and newer malls. There’s an air of being slightly off the main tourist-route. It can feel like you are discovering somewhere that will soon develop into a major Malaysian destination with both the New York Times and Lonely Planet trumpeting (quite rightly!) the delights of the local cuisine.

Add in the beauty of the surrounding countryside… We recommend you book your trip soon!

We hope you enjoyed this Ipoh city tour itinerary, perfect whether you are looking for a one day itinerary Ipoh, an Ipoh 2d1n itinerary or longer. You can find more information to plan your perfect trip to Ipoh in our complete guide to Ipoh here or read our full list of things to do in Ipoh here .

You can read our full guides to travelling to Ipoh from:

• Penang here
• Cameron Highlands here
• Taiping here
• Kuala Lumpur here
• Melaka here

Looking for the ultimate Malaysia Itinerary Planner for your trip? Click here to get it now!

Planning a trip to Malaysia? Have any questions? Join our Malaysia Travel Planning Facebook group here now! It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired!

Related posts:

By Sharon Gourlay

Sharon is a certified Malaysia travel expert and can't get enough of travelling and talking about Malaysia since she first visited 21 years ago. She travels around Malaysia multiple times a year both alone and with her kids. She used to call Penang home and especially loves this food paradise. Sharon also has a Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies, a Certificate III in International Travel Sales and has been certified by Tourism Malaysia as a Malaysia Travel Expert. Through this site, she'll help you have the perfect trip to this amazing destination.

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• Penang Mainland
• Itineraries

25 Incredible Ipoh Attractions you Must Visit in 2023: Best Things to Do in Ipoh, Perak

Never been to Ipoh? No worries, for this article will point you to Ipoh's best attractions, from the best things to do, heritage and food in Ipoh Old Town, to where to go on day trips in the surrounding Kinta Valley.

When it comes to colonial heritage, Penang Island gets all the praise as the jewel in Malaysia’s crown. However, fewer are keen to admit that it’s also getting back to being overcrowded with too many camera-toting tourists, foodies on a Penang street food rampage, and astute locals who are exploiting the hype of Penang street art and the many Penang cafes to cash in.

Even fewer people seem to know that when Penang’s hustle gets too much to take in, there’s an equally captivating and less visited city to visit. I’m talking about Ipoh, the former tin-mining center of 1930s colonial Malaysia and the capital of Perak state . Compared to George Town’s boutique and sterile beautification, Ipoh’s Old Town’s quaint streets are still far from mass tourism’s evils.

But what to do in Ipoh? You will not wonder anymore after reading this article. We will tell you about Ipoh’s most interesting places and things to do.

Article Contents

Ipoh Travel Essentials

• Use Klook to get discounts and great deals for many activities around Ipoh . I use it myself all the time.
• If you want to rent an apartment in Ipoh, start by reading my article on Ipoh’s best Airbnbs .
• Ipoh has some great 5-star hotels and inexpensive boutique hotels for a special stay. Check out our guide to the best hotels in Ipoh.
• If you are short on time, consider taking this Ipoh day tour from Kuala Lumpur or this one from Penang .
• If you want a private car to take you around all of Ipoh’s best sights, check out this link

When to Travel to Ipoh

Ipoh lies in the tropical zone and is a destination you can visit year-round, regardless of the rainy season — roughly between September and December. Still, truth be told, it never really rains all day, bringing some respite to the heat.

How to Get to Ipoh

Ipoh is pretty much the midpoint between Penang and Kuala Lumpur and is well-connected by road along the North-South expressway. It’s also possible to arrive in Ipoh by bus and train. You can book train tickets from Butterworth in Penang to Ipoh , from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh , or book your bus tickets on 12GoAsia or BusOnlineTickets . And here you go, the list of the Best Things to Do in Ipoh.

Blogging transparency: this post contains affiliate links. These are products and services that we personally use and recommend. If you click on one and buy any service, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Consider it a small way to say thanks, and keep Penang Insider going.

Best Things to do in Ipoh

Some of the most interesting places in Ipoh are in the Old Town, where you can also find some of Ipoh’s best hotels.

1 See Ipoh’s Iconic Train Station

Situated between Kuala Lumpur and Penang, Ipoh is just a two-hour drive from each city and perfectly served by fast and cozy fast train services. Read our guide to catching an ETS train in Ipoh . The exquisite white marble 1935 train station is aptly nicknamed ‘Mini Taj-Mahal’ by locals, for it still boasts original Mughal-inspired architecture. It’s also a great place to arrive in Ipoh because it’s just a quick stroll on foot to Ipoh’s Old Town. Don’t forget an evening stroll in the square facing Ipoh’s Taj Mahal train station for chances to see a colorful fountain light and water show.

2 Walk around Ipoh Old Town

Walking from the train station across the field that once served as the Japanese Army’s operation base during the occupation of Malaya between 1941 and 1945, one finds himself in Ipoh Old Town proper. In this cluster of streets sheltered by a bend of the Kinta River, multi-coloured Chinese shophouses lean against each other like sleepy fellows soaking the ebb and flow of slow tropical days. Nothing seems to have changed how local shopkeepers still tend to their century-old crafts here. Several historical buildings have been upholstered into brand-new boutique hotels, and now travelers have no more excuses to skip Ipoh’s quiet but infectious beat. The Old Town has a series of key streets packed with tourist-oriented trinket shops, but be advised that life winds down early in this part of the time — you won’t find much in terms of food options in the Old Town past 7 pm.

3 Visit Ipoh’s Concubine Lane

After Lonely Planet listed Ipoh as one of the best destinations in Asia in 2016 , the town spruced itself up and tried to catch up with modern tourist gentrification in the footsteps of George Town on Penang island and Melaka. Concubine Lane today is Ipoh’s version of a touristy alley packed with cafes, food stalls, and souvenir shops, but it preserves a less frenetic, more authentic charm. There are three Concubine lanes in reality. The history is that after Ipoh was destroyed by fire in 1892, it was rebuilt into lanes of shops. Mining tycoon Yao Tet Shin gave three lanes to his three wives as a gift – each wife would collect rent from the shops in her own lane. Concubine Lane (二奶巷 in Mandarin, which means “second wife”) is today’s Lorong Panglima, the busiest among the three lanes. Apart from Restoran Wong Koh Kee, most other establishments are new. The beauty is that some houses are restored as they looked in the old days, but the place gets crowded. At night, the lane lights up with red lanterns and resembles a Red-Light district. Try to avoid visiting at weekends and pick a weekday instead.

4 Explore Ipoh’s Market Lane

Market Lane, or the Second Concubine Lane (三奶巷 in Mandarin), is very close to Concubine Lane. Don’t be confused by the Chinese characters because Hale Street was the Wife Lane, hence considered the “first”. Concubine Lane was dedicated to the second wife, and this Market Lane to the third wife.

Market Lane is quieter than Concubine Lane and has no shops except for the Nam Chau Coffee Shop with their silky white coffee. But it’s a characteristic lane because of its three iconic street art murals: the coffee shop scene, the kids jumping, and, on the other end of the street, a mural-cum-installation by Ernest Zacharevic – the Lithuanian artist responsible for kick-starting Penang’s gentrification. In Market Lane, he painted a mural inspired by the unique tricycle uncle of George Town in Penang. Eternally shirtless and barefoot, this man makes a living collecting recycled items in Penang… funny, however, how this character ended up on a wall in Ipoh!

5 Kong Heng Square and Artisan Market

The maze of old cobbled lanes that make up Ipoh’s Kong Heng square, right off Concubine Lane, is undoubtedly the most happening part of the Old Town. The area is best known for Kong Heng Artisan Market , a collection of pop-up stalls selling anything from home-grown brands’ collectables, bags, and clothes, and the sky’s the limit.

6 Learn about Malaysian Cinema at Yasmin at Kong Heng Newseum

7 Drink Ipoh’s traditional White Coffee

8 Try Ipoh Tauge Ayam (Beansprout Chicken)

Along the way, one might stumble upon the aroma of bean sprout chicken, or Tauge Ayam in Malay, another local delicacy. Try to find a seat among the locals at mom and pop Restoran Ong Kee at 48 Jalan Yau Tet Shin, which dishes up some of the best in town. Served with noodle soup or rice, tauge ayam here is boiled to perfection and sprinkled with fresh bean sprouts and soy sauce. You should also consider Lou Wong, on the opposite corner from Ong Kee, which is also juicy and popular.

Here’s a location of Ong Kee Tauge Ayam:

9 Have a drink at the Sinhalese Bar, one of Malaysia’s oldest

Set in a corner of Ipoh Old Town along Jalan Bijeh Timah, the Sinhalese Bar is a Malaysian institution harking back to 91 years of service. Like the owner, 81-year-old Alfred Perera, this place has seen the transformation of British colonial Malaya, the Japanese invasion, and the transformation into today’s wealthy and fast-developing Malaysia. By going through the Sinhalese Bar’s saloon-like swinging doors and taking a seat inside its bright pink walls, one really time-travels to a liminal space in which booze and colorful local characters intermingle in explosive feasts of great conversations. Absolutely do not miss a drink here, even if you just order a Coke. Perera is a fountain of local knowledge, having lived all his life here.

Here’s a map of the Sinhalese Bar:

10 Visit Han Chit Pet Soo, Ipoh’s Hakka Tin-Mining Museum

To have a break from all the food, take a tour of Ipoh’s excellent Hakka tin-mining heritage museum. Han Chin Pet Soo offers a peek into the old world charms of a Hakka Chinese clan house. The first floor of this double story “gentlemen club” for tin-miners and tycoons recounts the history of Ipoh’s industrial past. Upstairs, the quirky reproduction of a Chinese gambling and opium den completed with life-sized statues of Fu Manchu-alike punters and their molls is unmissable. Remember that you must make a reservation prior to your visit . Travelers are required to offer a donation, while guided tours pay RM10 per adult and RM5 per child. Here’s a map of Han Chit Pet Soo:

11 Check out Ipoh’s Street Art

Like most Malaysian cities, even Ipoh has its fair share of colourful mural art. Start by checking the walls in Jalan Dato Maharajalela, where Ernest Zacharevic, the Lithuanian artist who started the craze for Penang street art , glorified Ipoh’s signature drink, white coffee. From here starts a treasure hunt for the other six murals that Ernest painted on the Old Town’s walls — including the popular trishaw man in Market Lane. But there are also many more murals outside the Old Town and across the bridge on the Kinta River along Mural’s Art Lane (Jalan Masjid in Taman Jubilee), a back lane between the major thoroughfare Jalan Sultan Iskandar and Jalan Masjid. There’s a high concentration of beautiful murals along this lane that ends with the historical Masjid Panglima Kinta. Many have been done by art teacher Eric Lai, who launched this project back in 2013. Lai and his students are still taking care of retouching the artwork.

12 Visit the Panglima Kinta Mosque

This old mosque’s blue dome and white hue have served the Malay community of Kampung Kuchai and surrounding neighborhoods for over a century. It was built in 1898 in rectangular form, about 40 meters in length and 25 meters in width, with a prayer squarish prayer hall enclosed with a two-tiered pyramid roof. Set on the side of the Kinta River and at the beginning of the lane that today is Ipoh’s Mural Art Lane, it’s a city landmark you should not miss.

Here’s a map of Panglima Kinta Mosque’s location:

13 Hunt for vintage bargains at Memory Lane Market

Vintage lovers and collectible seekers should better know that on Sundays, Ipoh’s Jalan Horley is home to one of the best open-air flea markets in the country. Called Pasar Karat, or Loken, by locals, Memory Lane Market opens every Sunday from 7 am until noon in Jalan Sultan Abdul Jalil near Ipoh Parade shopping mall. It’s a fantastic spot to find old memorabilia, such as old home telephones, vintage vinyl records, collectible telephone cards, stamps, and even old-world items such as heavy copper irons.

Here’s a map of Memory Lane Market:

14 Shop until you drop at Gerbang Malam Ipoh

15 Check the Pulse of Ipoh’s underground at Chokodok Reggae House

The easiest place to meet up with an unconventional, youthful side of Ipoh is visiting the Chokodok Reggae Bar and Backpackers Hostel. Run by Wira Malik, a Muslim Rastafarian who’s been around the world and married a Japanese wife. This may be the only rasta bar without alcohol on the globe.

But the fruit juices, shakes, and western food are not the only reasons to come here: from 9 pm, there is an open stage and live music performances by a resident band and touring musicians, and it’s a favorite mainstay for local artists and creatives. The Backpacker’s lodge upstairs is currently limited due to premises renovations, but it should be back soon. Here’s a map of Chokodok Reggae House’s location:

16 Take a night stroll at Kinta River Front

Ipoh Attractions outside the Old Town

If you thought all you could do in Ipoh lies in the Old Town, you are very wrong. These are some of Ipoh’s other unmissable things to do.

17 Marvel at Ipoh’s Cave Temples

Set inside limestone massifs covered in viridian tropical vegetation, Ipoh’s Cave Temples are some of the most unique in Malaysia and even the whole of Southeast Asia.

We have covered a list of the eight best Ipoh cave temples , but if you are short on time, the three unmissable are the Perak Cave Temple, Sam Poh Tong, and Kek Lok Tong. Perak Cave Temple is famous for its beautiful entrance, a symmetrical Chinese temple gate set at the bottom of the limestone massif Gunung Tasek. The main hall hosts a 40-foot-tall golden seated Buddha flanked by four guardian deities. The beauty of this cave is also the giant wall murals depicting characters from Chinese mythology and Buddhist scriptures.

Behind the main altar, there’s a flight of steps that, after passing through the upper recesses of the cave, brings visitors up and out on the top of the limestone hill.

Sam Poh Tong is the second most-known Ipoh cave temple and the most important in the cluster of cave temples situated within the Gunung Rapat area to the southeast of Ipoh and on the way to Gopeng. Its main feature is inside and beyond a tunnel, where the cave temple opens into a gap in the limestone with a stunning red Chinese pagoda set in front of a turtle pond.

Always in Gunung Rapat is Kek Lok Tong temple. The entry is via a path that immerses into the cave, tall enough to house a small building filled with statues of Taoist deities. In the middle of the cave, a staircase leads visitors through a narrower tunnel that hosts Buddhist statues and opens once again onto a beautifully landscaped garden with a pond (you can ride paddle boats here) encased by walls of limestones topped by viridian vegetation.

18 Go wild at Lost World of Tambun

Coming with family from Kuala Lumpur? Check out this direct private charter from Kuala Lumpur to Lost World of Tambun .

19 Explore forgotten history at Tambun Rupestrial Art Site

One of the most important albeit sadly forgotten historical sites in Ipoh is hidden at its outskirts, in the village of Tambun. Discovered in 1959 by a British soldier, Gua Tambun is a limestone hill with rupestrian art that dates back to 3,000 years. The rock face here presents reddish drawings of human figures, a tortoise, what seems to be a dugong – Southeast Asia’s peculiar dolphin-alike mammal – a deer, and sketches that resemble arrows, fish, and even an octopus. Fragments of seashells and peculiar sedimentation of the rock face suggest that this area may have been covered by water in the past. Regardless of the site’s archaeological importance, it’s puzzling to note that it’s not at all preserved: it’s not easily accessible as its entrance is on private land, and the rock face has been vandalized by graffiti. A group from Universiti Sains Malaysia in Penang is doing what it can to preserve the site and get help from the government for restoration work, but development is slow. If you decide to visit, pay attention to where you tread. Anything on the soil is potentially an unprotected archaeological remain that too many callous visitors have already damaged irreparably.

20 Rejuvenate in style at Banjaran Hot Springs Retreat

If you want to soak in the piece of Kinta Valley’s ancient rock formations, then a pampering stay at Banjaran Hot Springs Resort is what you need. The centrepiece is a free-form swimming pool surrounded by beautiful thatched pavillions and accommodations. Viridian walls of rock shelter the place on all sides, and believe it or not, you may isolate yourself in a meditation cave, try a thermal bath in a steam cave, and enjoy geothermal hot springs dipping pools. It’s very close to the Lost World of Tambun, too.

21 Get out and about at Gunung Lang Recreational Park

Tucked to the north of Ipoh, in close proximity to the North-South Expressway, is the area of Gunung Lang Recreational Park. A large 14 hectares lake shimmers in the middle of 30 hectares of rainforest, surrounded by the soaring limestone hills of Gunung Lang and Gunung Bilike. It is part of the Kinta Geopark and a perfect sample of Malaysia’s beautiful nature on the doorstep of Ipoh.

You can drive here and marvel at man-made cascading waterfalls, walk along a 2-km-long boardwalk over a swamp, bring your children to a playground, and even use the campsite. There are also several other possible activities, like fishing, jungle trekking, and canoeing on the lake.

22 Travel back in time to Qing Xing Ling Leisure and Cultural Village

Gunung Rapat holds some of Ipoh’s most amazing cave temples and this interesting cultural village.

“Qing Xing Ling” means “Serene Hill” in English and is tucked under a towering limestone massif. The concept here is to give a fairy-tale impression of life in an old traditional village. Traditional houses cluster on the sides of a speckle of water, and right upon entering, you’ll find old-world trishaws that can be rented to get around the park in a unique old-world fashion.

A large banyan tree holds hundreds of wishing ribbons, and a hiking trail called “Memory Lane,” strewn with mini-windmills and statues, goes uphill in the limestone and back in time to 1980s Malaysia.

Here’s a map of Qing Xin Ling village:

Places to visit outside of Ipoh town

If you have a few days in Ipoh, you could easily base yourself in the city and take a few day trips further into the Kinta Valley. The following are some of the most interesting attractions near Ipoh.

23 Spook yourself out at Kellie’s Castle

Situated halfway between the Perak adventure sports capital of Gopeng and the town of Batu Gajah, both not far from Ipoh, Kellie’s Castles is a quirky sight in Malaysia — and one that has a reputation for hantu — ghosts, in the Malay language. Built by a Scottish planter, William Kellie-Smith, Kellie’s Castle is an unfinished European-styled manor that mixes South Indian Tamil architecture and is set next to the Raya River in lush tropical surroundings. Locals say that Kellie built this manor either as a gift to his wife or to celebrate the birth of his son in 1915. In the original plan, the castle should have had Malaysia’s first elevator, an indoor tennis court, and a rooftop courtyard for nightlife and entertainment.

But something strange started happening during construction: many among Kellie’s team of Indian workers started dying of a bad case of Spanish Flu. Worried they may have attracted the wrath of some god, Kellie’s men asked him permission to build an Indian temple nearby — to which the Scot promptly agreed. The pandemic and the deaths stopped shortly after the temple was erected, and Kellie was immortalized as a statue among the Hindu Gods on its roof.

The castle, however, was never finished because Kellie died of pneumonia while away in Portugal in 1926. Devastated, his wife decided to return to Scotland, leaving everything unfinished. Today Kellie’s Castle is a tourist attraction, and some say ghosts haunt it. You can experience this history on a Kellie’s Castle Paranormal Tour, which brings guests through the empty hallways and rooftops of the manor.

24 Go spelunking at Gua Tempurung

Take a day trip to Gua Tempurung, one of Perak’s biggest caves, and a real adventure.

If you go to Gopeng, you shouldn’t miss a trip to Gua Tempurung, one of Peninsular Malaysia’s oldest and most stunning caves, estimated to be a stunning 400-millions-year-old. Gua Tempurung is divided into 5 different caverns filled with stalagmites and stalactites, and being more than 3 kilometers long, it is a perfect place for all levels of adventure caving expeditions. For the same reason — huge, dark, and scary chambers — Gua Tempurung was also used as a hideout by the Communist insurgents of the Malayan Emergency between 1948 and 1960.

Today the cave is very popular among spelunkers who come in droves to try one of four different exploration packages. Expect to get wet and dirty as you trawl through wide and narrow passages and chambers filled with the tweeting of bats and sloshing of an underground river.

25 Go Whitewater rafting and explore Gopeng

Gopeng is a Perak attraction that’s definitely off the beaten track, but for no good reason. Set only 20km south of Ipoh and about 2 hours drive north of Kuala Lumpur, Gopeng was one of Malaya’s prominent tin-mining centers. Few things have stayed on from those times. Still, the town is set next to Peninsular Malaysia’s most stunning limestone cave systems and the Kampar River, one of the best white water rafting spots in the whole of Peninsular Malaysia.

Gopeng town also had a strong Chinese community whose immigration history reflected in the town’s architecture, heritage, and, of course, Gopeng food — lai fun noodles, anyone?

You should go to Gopeng if you want to experience a remote small Malaysian town with excellent tourist facilities — from good hotels to white water rafting and adventurous activities such as caving, hiking, and abseiling.

READ MORE — Best Things to Do (and Eat) in Gopeng

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE Best Hotels in Ipoh How to catch an ETS train from Ipoh Guide to Ipoh cave temples

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Explore 31 interesting places to visit in Ipoh, Malaysia [2024 updated]

DISCLOSURE: My articles may contain affiliate links. To click on those links, you won’t be charged any extra cost, instead, you help me to get some small commissions to maintain my blog . Thanks for understanding!

Ipoh has changed so much since the COVID-19 pandemic. There are now more people, restaurants, and hotels. I am happy and a little bit sad at the same time. Happy because people don’t have to suffer from what COVID-19 has brought to the economy. But sad because I can’t enjoy the calm and peaceful environment of Ipoh anymore.

Anyway, Ipoh is still one of my favorite destinations in Malaysia with a lot of interesting places to visit, amazing local cuisine, and beautiful nature.

Here is the list of 31 interesting places to visit in Ipoh and the best part is that many of them are FREE to visit. Keep scrolling until the end to get more ideas for your Ipoh trip.

👉 Wanna rent a car charter for a day trip to Ipoh ? Contact me via WhatsApp at +60 149 776 712 for the best price 💸💸

Useful quick links for your Ipoh trip

• The complete Ipoh travel guide: Read this post
• Buy bus/train tickets to Ipoh from KL, Penang, etc: Click here
• Highly-rated budget-friendly hotels in Ipoh:  French Hotel ,  Hotel Cheqinn
• Ipoh tour from Kuala Lumpur: Click here
• Private car charter to Ipoh from Kuala Lumpur: Click here

Table of Contents

Best relaxing places in Ipoh 

Best historical places in ipoh, must-visit cultural and religious places in ipoh, fun places to go in ipoh, other interesting places in ipoh, 1. tasik cermin – mirror lake.

One of the most interesting places in Ipoh is Tasik Cermin – a hidden gem that offers many cool attractions. The first thing to visit there is Mirror Lake, where you have to pass through a tunnel to get to a beautiful lake with limestone karsts reflected on the water. There is also a jetty that offers a short tour around the lake.

Besides, you can also visit a cool café next to a cave called Kin Loong, which is well-known among locals for its coffee.

The Snake Mouth is another spot to visit nearby, which is a small cave in the shape of a snake’s mouth.

• Address: Tasik Cermin, 31350 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: 09:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Entrance fee:

– Adult: Malaysian: RM 5, Foreigner: RM 10

– Kids under 90 cm and disabled people: free

• Ticket for the boat ride (20 minutes):

– Above 18 years old: RM25 

– Below 18 years old: RM 18

2. The Banjaran Hot Springs Retreat

Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat Resort is one of the most relaxing places in Ipoh where you can experience natural geothermal hot springs. Spending a night in this opulent resort is such a treat after a stressful time at work.

There are plenty of activities to enjoy, such as exploring the caves, relaxing in the geothermal hot tub with mountain views, sipping drinks in the sky bar, dining in the cave restaurant, and more. My favorite place is definitely the steam cave, where I can enjoy a naturally heated sauna, which is so soothing.

For more information, you can read my review of Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat Resort.

If you just want to enjoy the hot springs, day tickets for hot springs are also available via this link .

Besides, if you want to experience hot springs at a more affordable price, consider these places: Lost World of Tambun, Felda Residence Hot Springs, Trong Hot Spring, Ipoh Hot Spring Sungai, and Lubuk Timah Fall. 

• Address: 1, Persiaran Lagoon, Sunway 3, 31150 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Entrance fee: RM 350/person (including hot springs, steam cave, ice bath, meditation cave, crystal cave, fish pool, fitness center, and swimming pool).
• Link to buy tickets at a cheaper price: THIS LINK .

3. Gunung Lang Recreational Park

Only 6 kilometers away from Ipoh Old Town, Gunung Lang Recreational Park is a budget-friendly and interesting attraction in Ipoh. 

It is a large area surrounded by the limestone hills of Gunung Bilike and Gunung Lang. There is no entrance fee to this park, but you will need to pay for the boat ride.

Although the boat ride lasts only 5 minutes, it is definitely the highlight of your visit to Gunung Lang Recreational Park. The boat journey takes you through picturesque limestone karsts and lush greenery, with the water appearing green and remarkably clean.

After the boat ride, you will reach the park. You can visit some traditional Malay houses, climb up to the lookout towers, feed the fish, have a picnic, and more. Overall, although this park is not very well-maintained, the boat ride is quite impressive. And if you are looking for a cheap and nice place to visit in Ipoh, this Ipoh hidden gem is worth your visit. 

• Address: Jalan Damai, 30100 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: Mon – Sun, 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
• Entrance fee: entrance to the park is free, but you need to pay for the boat ride to reach the park, here is the ticket price:

Boat ride ticket:

• Adults: RM3
• Children (under 13) and Senior citizens (above 55): RM1.5

Boat operating hours:

• Monday to Thursday: 8.30 am to 5 pm
• Friday: 8.30 am to 12 pm / 3 pm to 5 pm
• Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays: 8.30 am to 5 pm

Read more: Review Gunung Lang Recreational Park: boat ride & other activities

4. Kellie’s Castle

Well-known for its ghost story which is said that a man’s spirit had been seen several times in the castle, Kellie Castle has been drawing the public’s attention and become one of the most interesting places to visit in Ipoh.

Kellies’s Castle (or Kellie’s Folly) is a Scottish,  Moorish, and Tamilvanan-style castle founded in the 1900s by William Kellie Smith – a wealthy Scottish planter. The mansion was intentionally built for his son. However, due to his sudden death, his wife left Malaysia and the building was left unfinished and abandoned until today.

• Address : 31000 Batu Gajah, Perak
• Opening hours : daily, 9AM – 5PM

Foreigner: RM10/adult, RM9/child

Local Malaysian:  RM5/adult, RM3/ child

5. Han Chin Pet Soo Museum

Han Chin Pet Soo Museum is the first Hakka tin mining museum in Malaysia. It is situated in Ipoh’s Old Town, near the Kinta River.

It was founded in 1893 as a Hakka tin miners’ clubhouse by Leong Fee (also known as Liang Pi Joo) – a Chinese tin miner. He sponsored the clubhouse with his own money to give the Hakka miner’s community a place to connect and relax. After his death in 1912, his son – Leong Yin Khean – continued to sponsor it until 1927 when he sold the house to the club members.

In the 20th century, a slump in tin demand caused the unemployment of tin miners. As a consequence, the building was closed down due to insufficient members to maintain it.

Nowadays, the building is open for visitors and displays collectibles, photographs, etc. from the 19th, and 20th centuries.

If you love to learn more about the history of the tin industry, don’t miss this interesting place to visit in Ipoh.

• Address: 3, Jalan Bijeh Timah, 30100 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 9:30AM – 3:30PM (Close on Monday)
• Entrance fee: optional (RM10 donation is expected) ( Online booking or booking in person prior to your visit is needed)

More posts about Ipoh:

• A complete Ipoh travel guide: things you must know before your visit
• Review Qing Xin Ling Leisure & Cultural Village

6.  Concubine Lanes

The Concubine Lanes are one of the most famous attractions in Ipoh Old Town.

It’s not just a normal street in Ipoh, there is a story behind those streets which makes it one of the most interesting places in Ipoh.

In the 19th century, there was a mining tycoon called Yao Tet Shin who gave 3 lanes to his 3 wives as gifts. The wives managed their own lanes and collected rental fees from the shops in those lanes.

1. Wife Lane — Today’s Lorong Hale (belonged to the 1st wife)

2. Concubine Lane — Today’s Lorong Panglima (belonged to the 2nd wife)

3. Second Concubine Lane — Today’s Market Lane (belonged to the 3rd wife)

The busiest lane with many shops and restaurants is Concubine Lane which belonged to the 2nd wife. However, the shops are only open on weekends, if you come here during weekdays, you may find it very quiet.

If you have time, you can also come to the other 2 lanes. Though it’s not as beautiful and busy as the Concubine Lane, it’s recommended to visit as it’s located near to each other and has very nice mural art as well.

• Opening hours: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Entrance fee: free

7. Ipoh Railway Station

Ipoh Railway Station is a historical building in Ipoh which was built in 1914 to replace a 20-year-old single-story railway station. The construction was completed after 3 years due to World War I.

Not only does the building house a train station, but also a hotel called Majestic Hotel. After over 100 years, the building’s overall layout has stayed almost the same as its first day. The train station is still functioning, offering ETS train and freight train services. However, the hotel was closed down in 2011, leaving it abandoned until today.

• Address: Stesen KTM, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: 24/7
• Entrance fee: free 

8. Ipoh Town Hall

Ipoh Town Hall, together with Ipoh Railway Station and Ipoh High Court, are colonial-era buildings in Ipoh designed by Arthur Benison Hubback – a talented British architect.

It was used as the main administrative office in Ipoh, as well as Post Office and Police Office for a time after its completion in 1916.

Nowadays, because of its high operation and maintenance cost, the Post Office, City Government, and Police Headquarters were moved to other locations, meanwhile, the building functions as a wedding and public event hall.

Note: you can only admire Ipoh Town Hall from the outside.

• Address : 2700, Jalan Panglima Bukit Gantang Wahab, 30000 Ipoh, Perak

Read more: A complete Ipoh travel guide: transportation, what to do in Ipoh, famous food, cost

9. The Birch Memorial Clock Tower

The Birch Memorial Clock Tower in Ipoh was erected in 1909 to commemorate James Wheeler Woodford Birch – the 1st British Resident in Perak. He was assassinated by Dato Maharaja Lela (a local Malay) 1 year after his inauguration as a British Resident due to his lack of respect for local customs causing a resistance movement of the locals.

Though he is considered a hero to the British. From the local Malaysian’s point of view, Dato Maharaja Lela, instead, is viewed as their hero who tried to protect his country from invasion.

• Address: 31650 Ipoh, Perak

10. TT5 Tin Dredge

TT5 Tin Dredge is where you can learn about the tin mining industry in Ipoh, Perak in the past.

The dredge was built in England in 1938 for the Southern Malayan Tin Dredging Ltd – a large company operating 6 dredges in Batu Gajah and Tanjung Tualang at that time. TT5 was in use for 44 years until the Malaysian tin industry slumped in 1982.

Nowadays, thanks to a campaign called “Save the Dredge”, the dredge has been restored and converted into an interesting historical attraction in Ipoh.

Guided Tin Dredge Tours start at 10am, 11am, 12 noon, 2.30pm, 3.30pm and 4.30pm.

• Address : 9th KM, Jln Tanjung Tualang, 31000 Batu Gajah
• Opening hours : every day, 9:00 AM – 5:15 PM
• Entrance fee (including Dredge guided tour);

Malaysian: RM 16/adult, RM 12/child or seniors

Foreigner: RM 31/adult, RM 23/child or seniors

Read more: Top 24 most beautiful attractions in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

11. Durbar at FMS

I won’t simply recommend you to visit an ordinary bar in Ipoh unless it has its own interesting story.

Durbar at FMS is the oldest bar in Malaysia which has been standing there for more than 100 years since 1906. It was founded by Hainanese migrants under the name “FMS Bar and Restaurant” and became a popular bar among the European and locals during the colonial period. 

However, due to rising costs and dwindling patrons, the bar was shut down for about 11 years.

In 2019, the bar was restored and reopened by Seow Wee Liam with a new name “Durbar at FMS”. Coming here, you will have a unique dining experience that brings you back to the British colonial era with a collection of antiques such as timber furniture, a classic chandelier, as well as photographs and copies of Ipoh newspapers in the old days.

However, if you are looking for Malaysian food, it’s not the place. They serve mainly Western cuisine. The taste is so-so, not that outstanding. The price is a little more expensive than other local restaurants, we paid RM154 for 3 people.

• Address:  2, Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: every day except for Wed, 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM

12. Kek Lok Tong Cave temple

Kek Lok Tong is a Chinese cave temple located in Gunung Rapat, Ipoh. The cave had been used for religious purposes since the 1920s. However, during the 1960s, it was used to excavate iron ore. Until the 1970s, when iron ore demand slumped, the cave was not being used for iron ore mining purposes anymore and opened again for visitors and devotes.

The cave is carved by nature with million-year-old stalactite and stalagmite formations. Walking inside the cave, you can feel the significant differences in temperature inside and outside the cave. Inside, there is a prayer hall dedicated to Buddhist Gods and a number of deities of the Chinese pantheon.

Passing through the cave, you can see a hidden garden that offers a variety of recreational activities such as boat rides, and cycling.

• Address : Pesiaran Sepakat 3, TMN ENDAH JAYA, 31350 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours : daily, 9AM : 4PM

13. Ling Sen Tong Temple

          Xem bài viết này trên Instagram                       Bài viết do maiii_travelog (@maiii_travelog) chia sẻ

One of the feature that I love most about this interesting place to visit in Ipoh is its colorful decoration and design.

Ling Sen Tong is a Taoist-Buddhist temple nested at the foot of a limestone hill in Gunung Rapat, Ipoh. From the outside, you will be amazed by its beautifully colorful design with many statues of deities, animals, and other characters from Chinese mythology.

The temple is very close to Kek Lok Tong cave temple. Thus, you can plan to visit those 2 places in a day.

• Address: 31350 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: daily, 9AM-6PM

14. Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple

Sam Poh Tong is the oldest cave temple in Ipoh and the largest cave temple in Malaysia. In 1890, a Chinese Buddhist monk explored this cave and lived there till the end of his life. After his death, other monks continued to stay there and built a temple in the 1950s.

Inside the cave, you can find the main worshipping area displaying Buddha statues and deities. In addition, you can also visit the tortoise pond which is home to more than 200 turtles of 5 different species.

• Address: Kampung Gunung Rapat, 31350 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: daily, 7am – 2pm
• Entrance fee : free

15. Perak Tong Cave

Perak Tong is one of the most beautiful cave temples in Malaysia . It was discovered by Chong Sen Yee and his wife – Choong Chan Yoke – in 1926. Since then, they developed the Perak Tong cave temple using donations from local and international donors. In the early 1980s, Chong Yin Chat – their son – was given the responsibility to take care of the cave after their death.

In front of the cave temple, there is a pavilion garden with 2 lotus ponds, 2 bell towers, and a Guan Yin statue. It’s very peaceful when walking around the area.

Inside the temple, you will be amazed by more than 40 Buddha statues, among them, the 40-geet tall golden Buddha statue is the biggest. There are also a lot of colorful paintings depicting Buddhist deities on the wall.

Admission to Perak Tong cave temple is free, but if you want to climb the cave’s hillside, you are expected to donate RM3.

• Address: Jln. Kuala Kangsar, Kawasan Perindustrian Tasek, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: daily, 8AM – 5PM

Read more: Batu Caves – Murugan Statue: Interesting facts, history, how to get there?

16. Kwan Yin Tong Temple

Kwan Yin Tong Temple (or Guanyin Cave temple) is a Buddhist cave temple located at the foot of Gunung Rapat on Jalan Gopeng, Ipoh. It is known as the second oldest cave temple in Ipoh.

As its name says, the temple is dedicated to Bodhisattva Guanyin (also known as the Goddess of Mercy) with 75 Guan Yin statues placed around the temple.

• Address: Lot 21606, Batu 41/2, Jalan Gopeng, 31350, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

17. Little India    

Little India is a neighborhood in Ipoh where a large Indian population resides. This area was a hub for Indian immigrants and merchants who came to Malaysia to find jobs or business opportunities when the tin mining industry was in its glory days.

Nowadays, there are about 65% of the population in Little India is Indian, and the rest are Chinese.

Coming to Little India, you can enjoy a myriad of Indian dishes as well as dive into Indian culture.

• Address: Jalan Lahat, 30000 Ipoh, Perak

18.   Sri Maha Mariamman Temple

Though it’s just a small temple, it’s worth your visit because of its story related to Kellie’s Castle and it’s also on the way to Kellie’s Castle.

In order to build the castle, Kellie Smith imported 70 Indian workers and craftsmen to work for him. However, in 1918, a Spanish flu outbreak had infected about 1/3 world’s population including many of Kellie’s Indian workers.

After that, the remaining workers were approved by Kellie to build a Hindu temple nearby the castle to get protection from the Gods. To show appreciation to Kellie, the workers decided to place Kellie’s statue alongside the Hindu deities.

19.  Kallumalai Arulmigu Subramaniyar Temple

Kallumalai Arulmigu Subramaniyar Temple is a Hindu temple founded in 1930 which is dedicated to Lord Murugan.

If you come during January or February, you might have a chance to witness how the Hindu devotees celebrate Deepavali and Thaipusam, Especially during Thaipusam, there will be a parade with lots of ‘kavadi’ and chariots moving towards the temple. Do not miss such an interesting place to visit in Ipoh!

• Address:  140, Jalan Raja Musa Aziz, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: Daily: 4.00 AM – 12.00 PM & 4.30 PM – 9.00 PM
• Entrance fee: free (donation is encouraged)

20. Ipoh State Mosque (Sultan Idris Shah II Mosque)

Sultan Idris Shah II Mosque is the state mosque of Perak, Malaysia, located in Ipoh – the capital city of Perak.

The mosque is erected in 1966 and completed in 1968. Not until 1978, it was opened to the public by Sultan Idris Shah II of Perak during his 54th birthday celebration.

As the biggest mosque in Ipoh, Sultan Idris Shah II Mosque is a double-story building that consists of a large prayer hall, a 38-meter-high towering square, a library, and a conference center.

• Opening hours: Weekdays, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Address: 5, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
• Entrance fee: free (donation is welcomed)

21. Loong Thow Ngam Temple

I stumbled upon this interesting Taoism temple in Ipoh by chance while returning to Ipoh Old Town from Gunung Lang Recreational Park. 

At the moment, the place of worship is situated on the left side, where we had the opportunity to meet a master who has lived here since birth. He was extremely welcoming and knowledgeable, offering us a guided tour of the cave.

Additionally, he shared an intriguing technique with us on how to produce sounds using a ceramic pot filled with water. It was a fascinating experience!

So if you are looking for a hidden gem in Ipoh, I recommend this attraction.

• Address:   30010, Perak, Ipoh, Jln. Kuala Kangsar
• Note: the main prayer hall is under maintenance

22. The Lost World of Tambun

The Lost World of Tambun is a huge theme park in Ipoh surrounded by lush green tropical jungle and limestones dating back to 400 million years. The whole area consists of a total of 10 amazing parks with 88 attractions including Water Parks, Amusement Park, Petting Zoo, Adventure Park, Hot Spring Park, Luminious Forest, etc.

It will be a perfect place for family or friends to have fun and memorable moments.

• Address: 1, Persiaran Lagun Sunway, Sunway City, 31150 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: Mon-Fri, 11 am – 11 pm
• Entrance fee:   

Malaysian: RM90/adult, RM83/child

Foreigners: RM117/adult, RM110/child

• Link to buy tickets: Click here ( It’s about RM 5-10 cheaper if you buy tickets online compared to buying at the counter)

23. Funtasy House Trick Art

Funtasy House Trick Art is one of the most interesting places in Ipoh. Located in Ipoh Old Town, Funtasy House Trick Art is an art museum that consists of more than 20 trick arts painted by local artists. This is a great place to take fun photos with your family and friends.

• Address: 16, Jalan Market, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: Mon-Sun, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (closed on Tues)
• Entrance fee:  

Malaysian: RM15/adult, RM10/child

Foreigners: RM19/person

24. Kinta Riverwalk

Kinta Riverwalk is a great place to visit in Ipoh at night. 

This park is located on the Kinta River Bank, near Ipoh Old Town, making it easily accessible from other main attractions in Ipoh.

In this park, you can rent a scooter or a glowing toy car, take a stroll around the park, or have dinner here. I’m pretty sure your kids will like this place a lot.

• Address: Jalan Lim Bo Seng, 30000 Ipoh, Perak

25. Qing Xin Ling Leisure & Cultural Village

This is an amazing place to visit when you travel to Ipoh. It displays Malaysian culture with beautifully decorated houses and trees. In addition, there are cycles for you to ride as well, couple and family cycles are both available. Besides, you can climb up to the hill to enjoy the wind and see the Malaysian traditional stores display.

For a detailed guide, read my other post about Qing Xin Ling here 

• Address:   22A, Persiaran Pinggir Rapat 5a, Taman Saikat, 31350 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours : 9:30 am – 5:00 pm, from Mon to Fri (closed on Sat and Sun)
• Entrance fee: 

Malaysian: RM12

Foreigners: RM20

👉 Wanna rent a car charter for a day trip to Ipoh ? Contact me via WhatsApp at +60 149 776 712 for the best price 💸💸.

26. Lanno Valley

Want to have some adventurous experiences at an affordable price? Head to Lanno Valley!

Not only does this place offer beautiful nature with lush green mountains, an interesting cave, and tranquil lakes, but it also provides tourists with exciting activities such as flying fox, rock climbing, abseiling, and more.

• Address: Gunung Lanno MY Perak Ipoh Kampung Kepayang Unnamed Road 1, 31350
• Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM, every day
• Entrance ticket:

Malaysian: RM5/adult, RM3/child or senior

Foreigner: RM10/adult, RM6/child or senior

Read more: My detailed review of Lanno Valley

26. Tong Sui Kai

I’ve visited this street several times for my dinner and supper.

It’s a bustling food street in Ipoh where you can find a variety of mouth-watering and affordable local dishes. The majority of food stalls on this street specialize in desserts, which is why it’s called Tong Sui Kai (Tong Sui means ‘sweet soup’).

Additionally, you can find numerous other local delicacies, such as Char Kuay Teow and Mee Goreng, to satisfy your culinary cravings.

• Address:   Jalan Carey, Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours : Wed-Sun, 5:00 PM – 11:30 PM
• Entrance fee: no

27. Ipoh Mural Art Lane

Mural Art Lane’s paintings in Ipoh were created mainly by Ernest Zacharevic under the sponsorship of Oldtown White Coffee. The mural art was incorporated with real figures such as windows, and doors making it more interesting and lively.

• Address: Jalan Masjid, Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh, Perak

28. Ho Yan Hor Museum

This Ipoh place to visit is located in the heart of Old Town, next to the Han Chin Pet So Museum. It is totally free and worth visiting.

The museum tells the journey of Ho Yan Hor – the founder of Ho Yan Hor tea which is a well-known Chinese herbal tea brand in Ipoh, Malaysia other countries such as Thailand, Singapore, etc.

It is said that Dr. Ho invented a formulated flu remedy to help the poor Chinese tin miners in Ipoh. Later on, the tea became a trusted and well-known Chinese herbal tea brand in Ipoh.

The museum was originally the house of the Ho family, but they converted it into a museum that displays pictures and stories about Dr.Ho and his tea brand, as well as a tea sample (you can have a sip of tea as well). If you like to know about successful people, then Ho Yan Hor Museum would be an interesting place in Ipoh for you to visit.

When I knew about this museum, I did not expect much. But I was really impressed when I visited it. The display of all the antiques and old newspapers is interesting and their staffs are very friendly and professional as well. Totally worth your time!

• Address:  1, Jalan Bijeh Timah, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: Tues – Sun (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM); Close on Mon

Read more: Top 11 Instagrammable Cafe in Penang

29. Geological Museum Ipoh

Geological Museum Ipoh provides in-depth knowledge of different aspects of geology in Malaysia. The museum was founded in 1957 as a part of Jabatan Mineral dan Geosains Malaysia (Department of Minerals and Geoscience).

There are 7 zones in this museum from Zone A to Zone G which cover information such as the history of the museum, how mineral exploration and geological surveys are carried out, and the display of samples of gemstones, crystals, or mining equipment from the past, etc.

• Address: Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, 30820 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: Mon – Fri, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM

30. Memory Lane

If you stay in Ipoh on Sunday morning, then don’t miss Memory Lane. This is an open-air flea market that is only opened on Sunday mornings. What attracts your attention about Memory Lane is that it offers second-hand items at dirty cheap prices. You can also find antique items from older generations in this market (and I guess this is why they call it “Memory Lane” since you may call back memory when seeing those items).

• Address: Jalan Horley, Kampung Jawa, 30300 Ipoh, Negeri Perak
• Opening hours: Sunday, 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM

👉 Want to rent a car for a day trip to Ipoh from Kuala Lumpur ? Contact me via Whatsapp +60 149.776.712 (Mai) or my Instagram for the best price 💸.

Alright, above is the full list of interesting places in Ipoh that you can visit. How many of them are already on your bucket list? Share your thoughts in the comments.

1. What are the best things to do in Ipoh at night?

Of all the Ipoh attractions recommended above, here are 7  interesting places of interest in Ipoh you can visit at night:

• Durbar at FMS
• The Lost World of Tambun
• Kinta Riverfront Park
• Memory Lane
• Ipoh Mural Art Lane
• Concubine Lanes, Ipoh
• The Birch Memorial Clock Tower

2. Is Ipoh worth visiting?

Definitely YES.

As mentioned above, there are too many mind-blowing Ipoh attractions to visit and a lot of them offer free admission. In addition, Ipoh is a place with in-depth history with a myriad of historical buildings and streets, it’s just like another version of Penang and Malacca but less crowded.

3. Where can I take my kids in Ipoh?

There are a lot of attractions in Ipoh where you can bring your little ones to have fun or to learn about culture and history. Here are some of them:

• Kellie’s Castle
• Miniature Wonders Art Gallery Ipoh
• Han Chin Pet Soo Museum
• Kek Lok Tong Cave temple
• Funtasy House Trick Art
• Gunung Lang Recreational Park, Ipoh

4. How safe is Ipoh?

I visited Ipoh many times.

For the first time, I traveled there alone. As a female traveler, I felt a little scared when walking along the streets in Ipoh alone AT NIGHT. However, when it was daytime, I felt ok to walk around.

In fact, I feel like people in Ipoh are very friendly and kind. I came to Ipoh without cash (I only brought cards). Unfortunately, card payment is not so popular in Ipoh (actually ATM is available but I was just too lazy to walk there). Therefore, I went to a random local restaurant and asked for a cash exchange for a TnG e-wallet. There were two kind women who agreed to help me and even gave me to try some of their foods. Such a nice experience!

From the second time, I traveled with a local Ipoh friend. Because I had a local guide with me, it was totally safe for me.

5. What are the free things to do in Ipoh, Perak?

One thing I like about Ipoh is that the town offers tons of free places to visit for visitors. Here are some recommendations:

• All Ipoh cave temples such as Ling Sen Tong, Perak Cave Temple, Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple, etc.
• Concubine Lanes (there are 3 of them)
• Ho Yan Hor Museum
• Ipoh Memory Lane

6. What is Ipoh famous for?

As for religious attractions, Ipoh is home to 30 cave temples. That’s impressive! When I asked the locals why Ipoh people like to build cave temples so much, they said…maybe because Ipoh has too many limestones and caves (joking only).

So if you are really into different religions, you can spend time visiting all of the cave temples in Ipoh. Otherwise, I have listed some of the most famous above and they are very close to each other, come visit those are enough.

As for food and beverages, the city is well-known for its white coffee. The coffee will be roasted with palm oil margarine and served with condensed milk. White Coffee is sold everywhere in Ipoh, and each Kopitiam (Café) has its own way to make the coffee. However, the 2 most popular and long-standing Kopitiam are Sin Yoon Loon and Nam Heong.

In addition, Ipoh is also known as one of the best places to try dim sum in Malaysia. As my local Ipoh friend said, he tried dim sum in Kuala Lumpur and has not found a restaurant that can compete with Ipoh dim sum.

7. What to do in Concubine Lanes Ipoh?

There are 3 of them in Ipoh:

• The Wife Lane (Lorong Hale): This is the least popular one.
• The Concubine Lane (Lorong Panglima): This is the most crowded one. There are a lot of cafes restaurants and souvenir stores along the street.
• The Second Concubine Lane (Market Lane): It’s pretty beautiful now with mural art, colorful umbrellas and red lanterns.

8. Is Grab available in Ipoh?

Yes, it is.

However, booking a Grab car in Ipoh might take a little longer than in Kuala Lumpur.

9. How far from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh?

The distance between Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh is approximately 108 miles (174km), which takes about 2.5-3 hours to cover when traveling between these two locations.

10. What to do in Ipoh with family?

Here are the best places to visit in Ipoh for families:

• Tasik Cermin (Mirror Lake)
• Qing Xin Ling Leisure & Cultural Village
• Concubine Lanes

11. How do I spend a day in Ipoh?

If you just visit Ipoh for a day, here is the recommended itinerary which covers several most famous places to visit in Ipoh:

Morning: Visit places inside Old Town Old such as Concubine Lanes, Ipoh State Mosque, The Birch Memorial Clock Tower, Ipoh Railway Station

Afternoon: Explore some religious and relaxing attractions in Ipoh, for example, Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple, Ling Sen Tong Cave Temple, Tasik Cermin and Qing Xin Ling Leisure & Cultural Village

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(11) comments.

Thanks for blog. It very interesting.

One of the best site to date,very interesting and a bit of history about the places.Great info given for time of visit,address,payment,etc.Its helps me alot to select my item of visit of places.A big THANKS to you,Mai.

Hi Benjamin Chan, Thank you for the support <3

thank you for the sharing. It is an amazing information

Hi William Kor, Thank you for the comment!

Hey one question, how did you go in town? Grab or public? Do you know a driver at Ipoh?

Hi, you can get around by Grab yah

Hi, you can get around using Grab

Your site is great and I plan on exploring it even more in the future. It is well written, comprehensive in it’s suggestions.It was a great article, thanks for sharing!

thank you 🙂

You’re welcome

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Places to Visit in Ipoh

• Places To Visit

Underwater World Langkawi

Underwater World Langkawi, one of Malaysia's largest aquariums, is a magnificent destination to see more than 4000 different species of aquatic animals up close. It educates visitors about the importance of marine life through themed zones such as Freshwater, Tropical Rainforest, Sub-Antarctic, and Temperate. From witnessing exotic aquatic life in a 15-meter-long tunnel to touching and feeding sea creatures, every experience at the aquarium is exhilarating.

Top Experiences To Do in Underwater World Langkawi

Lost World Of Tambun

The Lost World of Tambun is an exhilarating, family-friendly multi-themed adventure park set amidst a lush tropical jungle, hot springs, and a 400-million-year-old stunning limestone hill. It includes seven fantastic adventure parks, making it a one-stop location for fun, adventure, and relaxation for tourists of all ages. Experience entertaining water park attractions, restorative hot springs, thrilling animal encounters, and more in the park, boasting something for everyone, day or night!

Top Experiences To Do in Lost World Of Tambun

The Kinta Riverfront Walk.

Ipoh Railway Station

Movie Animation Park Studios

D.R. Seenivasagam Park

Perak Cave Temples

Kwan Yin Tong Temple

Art Of Oldtown

Funtasy House Trick Art

Birch Memorial Clock Tower

Lang Mountain

Geological Museum

Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple

Han Chin Pet Soo Museum

Golf Courses

Golf is considered one of the luxury sports/ game in the world. It is played by top corporate during their business meets etc. Ipoh, Malaysia has few premiere golf clubs. They are in association with clubs and resorts. The top three golf clubs and resorts in Ipoh are Clearwater Sanctuary, Damai Laut and Meru Valley.

Gua Tempurung

The Gua Tempurung cave is one of the attractions that let tourists dive into the deeper and darker mysteries of the past. Covering a total length of about 4.5 Km, the cave is one of the longest in Malaysian Peninsula. Here you can find three huge chambers as well as magnificent structures of stalagmites and stalactites.

Other attractions include the underground stream and waterfalls. Made of five large and very ancient dooms, it is an astonishing exhibit of beautiful natural rock formations.

Ke K Lok Tong Cave Temple

Lost World Tambun

Top Experiences To Do in Lost World Tambun

Ling Sen Tong Temple

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Qing Xin Ling Leisure And Cultural Village

It is one of the finest and latest tourist attractions in ipoh. The words Qing Xin Ling means serene hills. At a very minimal cost, you will be transported to a different planet to discover. The Qing Xin Ling Leisure and Cultural Village is set in a location captivated by stunning landscapes of mountains and jungles. There are lakes and fish ponds by the cottages and different fun activities for the tourists here. This location is a perfect family outing set up.

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PERFECT Ipoh Itinerary in 2024: Day Trip, 2 or 3 Day Itinerary!

Planning an itinerary to Ipoh, Malaysia? Worry not, we are here to help.

Though a small city compared to Kuala Lumpur, there are still many awesome attractions in Ipoh. From the interesting Hakka mining history to the spectacular natural cave temples surrounding Ipoh , visiting Ipoh without a planned itinerary can lead to much unforeseen waste of time and money.

After spending a week in Ipoh, we created the perfect Ipoh itinerary for anyone taking a day trip to Ipoh or spending 2 or 3 days there!

Let’s get to it!

Planning A Trip To Ipoh Last Minute?

Make sure you book your tours, places to stay, and airport transfers ahead of time to ensure availability!

Our recommended tours in Ipoh:

• Private Tour: Ipoh Secrets Full Day Heritage Tour (Must-do!)
• Cameron Highland Private Day Tour From Ipoh (Best day trip from Ipoh!)

Our recommended places to stay in Ipoh:

• The Haven All Suite Resort (Luxurious w/ EPIC views!!)
• The Tudor (AMAZING value-for-money)
• The Brownstone Hostel & Space (Perfect for backpackers)

How Many Days Is Enough In Ipoh?

Day 1 Morning

Aim to arrive in Ipoh as early as possible , ideally around 8 AM. If you are coming from Kuala Lumpur, it takes about 2.5 hours by car. If you are coming from Penang, it takes about 2 hours. Yes, that means leaving at around 6 AM!

Why are we arriving so early in Ipoh? You want to start your day trip in Ipoh right by having the famous Ipoh white coffee . For anyone that doesn’t know what that is, it is the coffee that put Ipoh on the map as one of the best coffee towns in the world .

In fact, the coffee in Ipoh is so amazing that  Lonely Planet has named Ipoh one of the top 3 coffee towns in Asia !

Ipoh’s white coffee is much sweeter and lighter than the regular kind, perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth!

There are several cafes in Ipoh known for their white coffee. The two I recommend are  Sin Yoon Loong  and  Nam Heong White Coffee . Though Nam Heong White Coffee is a little more popular, Sin Yoon Loong still follows the original recipe!

Don’t forget to grab some breakfast here as well. The food in Ipoh is some of the best and cheapest in Malaysia!

After an invigorating white coffee and some tasty breakfast, it is time to visit some of the most interesting places in Ipoh: the cave temples .

In the Perak region where Ipoh is located, there are over 30 different cave temples. With so many different options, it is difficult to decide which ones to go to, especially if you only have 1 day in Ipoh.

Luckily, you are reading our Ipoh blog post!

The  best cave temples in Ipoh  are  Perak Tong Cave Temple ,  Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple , and  Kek Lok Tong . You cannot go wrong with visiting any of them. I recommend visiting at least 2 of the 3 cave temples I listed above.

Take your time and admire the geological formations, the intriguing religious artifacts, and just enjoy the unworldly feeling of being in a cave temple!

Another unique attraction in Ipoh is Kellie’s Castle. An abandoned European-style castle built by a Scot, this  unfinished building is rumored to be haunted ! Including this place on your itinerary is going to be difficult, especially without a car.

Day 1 Afternoon

Ipoh has a rich history and it is difficult to grasp all of it on a short trip. The Han Chin Pet Soo Museum is the perfect place in Ipoh to start learning more about how the town became what it is today.

It talks about the early history of Ipoh when it was mostly a tin mining town . Information about the early Hakka miners and their lifestyles is also documented in the museum.

The best part about the Han Chin Pet Soo Museum? It is free and comes with a tour guide! However, there is a suggested donation of 10 Malaysian Ringgit to preserve this historical building.

You must reserve your spot on their  official site  before arriving. Note that the last 2 sessions of the day are at 2 PM and 3:30 PM. Han Chin Pet Soo Museum is closed on Mondays.

2. Ipoh Street Art and Murals

Everyone that travels to Malaysia knows that Penang is the city for graffiti, but we were surprised to find so many cool street art and murals in Ipoh as well.

Street art and murals fill the streets of both the Ipoh Old Town and New Town , and it is nearly impossible to not just randomly stumble upon them.

The amazing thing about Ipoh street art and murals is that they are not just about anything. Usually, they often depict the daily lives of the residents of Ipoh, offering glimpses of their lifestyle and history.

Travelers can find a large concentration of Ipoh street art at  Ipoh Mural  and  Mural’s Art Lane .

Eight of the total murals in Ipoh are done by a Lithuanian artist named Ernest Zacharevic. His most famous work is the “An Old Uncle Drinking Coffee” mural and the trishaw 3D mural which is properly called “Old Town Relives Nostalgia With Trishaw”.

Mural’s Art Lane is one of the most magical places for photography in Ipoh!

3. Concubine Lane

If there is one thing to do in Ipoh, it is to visit the  Concubine Lane . Why? Because this place summarizes Ipoh in just one tiny street.

The Concubine Lane was a street that the mining tycoon Yau Tet Shin gave to one of his three wives. The wife would make money by collecting taxes and profits from the vendors on her street.

Yau Tet Shin gave 2 more streets to his 2 other wives, namely Hale Lane and Second Concubine Lane, though they are not as lively as the Concubine Lane.

Nowadays, restored historical buildings are lined up on the side of the street. Buildings that were once used for brothels and other illegal activities have now become cafes, restaurants, and shops .

As one of the most popular places to visit in Ipoh, Concubine Lane can get very crowded. If it is possible, avoid visiting on the weekend or you will learn the concept of “invasion of personal space.”

4. Ipoh Railway Station

The  Ipoh Railway Station  is one of the most iconic landmarks in Ipoh. Locals love this building so much that they call it the Taj Mahal of Ipoh .

The beautiful transportation hub is used by travelers daily and has connections to many big cities in Malaysia, including Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

To see the Ipoh Railway Station at its finest state, you must visit at sunset. The golden hues of the sunset emphasize the colors of the building, making it one of my favorite places in Ipoh to watch the sunset (the other being Bukit Kledang but that involves a hike).

After the sun has set, there is a routine evening water show . Though it cannot compare to the one next to the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, it is a relaxing thing to do in Ipoh at night .

Though it is technically a water show, it doesn’t stop locals or travelers from jumping into the cold soothing waters!

Day 1 Night

If the weather is too hot, especially at midday, you can take a break at your accommodation, a cafe, or a shopping mall. From 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM, the sun is like a biological weapon that melts you like butter.

With the extra time, you can add a few more attractions to your Ipoh itinerary.

I would personally recommend a visit to the  BookXcess Kong Heng Ipoh  bookstore. Using old bank vaults to display their merchandise, BookXcess Kong Heng is one of the most unique bookstores in the world.

If you are taking a day trip to Cameron Highlands from Ipoh, you won’t be able to fully appreciate its beauty. I recommend staying a few days in Cameron Highlands!

There are still several notable attractions in Camera Highlands you can visit on a day trip.

One of the biggest tea plantations in Malaysia,  BOH Tea Centre , offers tours of their tea processing facility as well as close contact with the tea plants themselves. The maze of tea plants is almost as beautiful as the rice paddies in  Sekinchan  in the western part of the Malay Peninsula.

The  Big Red Strawberry Farm  offers strawberry picking, a caf e, and a gift shop. Due to the climate, the strawberries in Cameron Highlands are some of the best in the world. They do, however, come with a heavy price tag (even by western standards).

The strawberry milkshake at their cafe is very delicious and worth a try!

If you are visiting Ipoh with family and kids or just want to relax for a day, then consider visiting the Lost World of Tambun Theme Park.

This theme park is situated on the outskirts of Ipoh, and it is a theme park that has something for everything – from a water park to natural hot springs and even a petting zoo!

Kids can enjoy the family-friendly rides in Lost World Amusement Park or the wave pools at the Water Park, while adults can relax in the multiple natural hot springs inside the park. The park is on the foot of stunning limestone cliffs, so visitors can admire their views as they soak their aching limbs.

If you are tired of sightseeing, consider a day of easy fun at the Lost World of Tambun Theme Park!

Where To Stay In Ipoh, Malaysia

Best Hostel in Ipoh-  The Brownstone Hostel & Space

If you are looking for an affordable hostel near the center of Ipoh, look no further. The Brownstone Hostel & Space features mixed dormitory-style rooms, clean facilities, and a cozy decor. It is a true backpacker hostel where you can meet other like-minded travelers!

The accommodation is centrally located so it is literally within walking distance from everything you might need or want to see.

Best Budget Hotel in Ipoh-  D Eastern Hotel

With so many  budget hotels in Ipoh , finding the right one can be difficult. Luckily, D Eastern Hotel makes deciding much easier. Featuring comfortable big rooms at a low price, guests can enjoy great comfort without breaking the bank.

The hotel is located in the New Town of Ipoh, with many eateries and things to do nearby!

Best Luxury Hotel in Ipoh-  The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat

The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat is the ultimate luxury hotel in Ipoh. Nestled in the stunning limestone hills of the Perak region, guests can relax and promote their wellbeing with their ice baths, steam caves, and geothermal hot springs. However, it is located a little far away from the center of town. Having your own vehicle is a must if you decide to stay in this luxurious accommodation.

If you don’t want to stay here but would like to use its facilities, you can check out this day pass option that allows guests to use all of its hot springs and baths.

Best Time To Visit Ipoh

Because Ipoh (and most of Malaysia) has a tropical climate, it is best to visit Ipoh in the winter months, ideally between December and February. Not only will you encounter less rainfall, but the temperatures are cool enough to enjoy exploring the city on foot.

If you visit during the summer, you can easily encounter temperatures over 35 C, which is definitely a recipe for heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

Ipoh Itinerary FAQs

Is ipoh worth visiting, what is ipoh known for.

Like this post? Don’t forget to save it on Pinterest!

This concludes our suggested Ipoh itineraries! I hope this guide helped you determine how what to do in Ipoh and how many days to spend! Any question? Leave them in the comments!!

Disclaimer: Some of the links above are affiliate links. That means if you book or make a purchase through the links, we will earn a small commission at  no extra cost to you ! The money will help run this site! Thank you !

World Traveler, Travel Blogger, Photographer

LivingOutLau

Sean is the founder of the travel blog, LivingOutLau. He has been to over 30 countries in over 5 years of travel. Every day, he is traveling and sharing his discoveries of the world through exceptional travel guides on his blog!

3 thoughts on “PERFECT Ipoh Itinerary in 2024: Day Trip, 2 or 3 Day Itinerary!”

Thank you livingoutlau… I shall be following your suggested itinerary.

Hi Sean, thank you very much for sharing and giving thoughtful tips n Ipoh. Will plan a 4-5 days trip to enjoy in Ipoh.

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The best places to visit in Ipoh, Malaysia – Attraction inspiration

We spent four full days in Ipoh and were amazed at the range of attractions, the unique nature setting of the city and the food scene. It stands out to us as one of our favourite places we visited in Malaysia. With a big Chinese cultural influence and far less crowds than the likes of Penang, Langkawi and Kuala Lumpur, it’s a must-see when visiting Malaysia.

In our guide, we’ll share the best places to visit in Ipoh, from the sites of its compact old town to the temples and nature activities around the city. We even went to The Lost World of Tambun theme park! We visited all of Ipoh’s top attractions during our visit and are here to share our thoughts on each one of them. Plan your trip with us and make the most out of your Ipoh adventure!

Kek Lok Tong

Ipoh has many cave temples built into its towering limestone cliffs. Kek Lok Tong is one of the best! Known as the ‘Cave of Great Happiness’, it has been a place of worship for the locals since the 1920’s. The cave complex has naturally formed over millions of years, creating a huge cavern through one side of the mountain, exiting on the other side. Small tunnels, and stalagmite and stalactite rock formations are everywhere to be seen.

In addition to the natural beauty of the cave, you’ll find many Buddhist and Taoist statues and shrines. Kek Lok Tong cave is free to visit, and you can explore the cave complex at your leisure. Once you’ve wandered through the cave, you’ll exit on the other side into a beautiful park area. A lake, river stream and a series of nature trails make this area the perfect place to go for a walk. Hire a bicycle, glide down the stream in a paddle boat or get a free foot massage on the pebble-stone walking path.

It’s worth allocating at least 2 hours to see the entire Kek Lok Tong area.

Qing Xin Ling Leisure & Cultural Village

Qing Xin Ling Cultural Village is one of the best places to visit in Ipoh to experience the local culture. This purpose-built attraction is a walkthrough, open air museum with many photo opportunities, leisure attractions, interactive exhibits, and nature scenery. It has been designed to look like Ipoh of past times.

The top thing to do at Qing Xin Ling Cultural Village is to simply wander around on foot (or on a bike) and enjoy your surroundings. Traditional houses, a large lake area, decorated alleyways, and fun, dress-up activities make it a fun morning or afternoon out. We didn’t have high expectations for this place, based on the mixed reviews, but we had a great time! Qing Xin Ling Cultural Village perfectly combines the nature of the area with some man-made cultural attractions.

Ipoh Old Town

Ipoh’s Old Town is the beating heart of the city. Rows of old, colourful buildings, countless cafes and restaurants, and local market stalls can all be explored on foot. Go on a self-guided walking tour to see Ipoh’s historic buildings, check out the street art or get lost on a foodie adventure. The joy of visiting Ipoh centre is simply admiring the old façade of the city and getting lost in its backstreets.

To discover the best buildings and history Ipoh has to offer, we recommend walking the ‘Ipoh Heritage Trail’ route. This short walking trail gives you a sample of some of Ipoh’s best streets, and you can read about the history of each building you encounter. Find out more about the trail on the Malaysia Life website .

Ipoh Street Art – Mural’s Art Lane

It’s not just Penang that’s known for its unique street art murals. Look around as you walk through Ipoh, and you’ll find colourful murals everywhere! The top spot to see the city’s street is Mural Art’s Lane ( view on Google maps ). The lane has dozens of pieces of artwork that span the full width of budlings. The art was produced by the Ipoh Tourist Information Centre and is of professional quality. Read about the murals and their stories here . You’ll encounter the other famous street art works when you walk the Ipoh Heritage Trail, as outlined above.

Tasik Cermin – Mirror Lake

Tasik Cermin, known in English as ‘Mirror Lake’, is one of the area’s finest geoparks. It’s one of the best places to visit in Ipoh to experience the beauty of nature, or to go on a mini adventure. The lake is surrounded by towering limestone cliffs on all sides, displaying a ‘mirror-like’ effect at certain times of the day when light reflects off the lake surface. As the lake is surrounded by cliffs, you’ll need to pass through a mined tunnel to enter. For a small fee, you can enter the lake area and see the lake from the shore.

Alternatively, and the best way to see Mirror Lake, is to pay for a small group boat tour. You’ll proceed to drift across the lake at a slow pace with a tour guide. They’ll tell you about the history of the lake, and you’ll get up close to all four corners of the park. When we visited, we saw monkeys swinging from the trees and monitor lizards swimming under the boat.

The quiet atmosphere in nature and impressive scenery makes Mirror Lake one of our favourite Ipoh attractions.

Perak Cave Temple

Located to the north of Ipoh, a 10-minute drive from town, Perak Cave Temple is one of most famous cave temples in the Ipoh area. Out of the 30+ cave temples, Perak stands out as being one of the best. It’s a Buddhist temple at the base of a giant limestone hill, known for its grand entrance and 40+ feet giant Buddha statue inside the cave.

Take time to wander around the beautiful garden and lake area of Perak Cave Temple before venturing inside. Walk deep within the cave and you’ll find echoing caverns covered in colourful Chinese murals, shrines, and statues. At the back of the cave, you can walk up a series of 358 steps to reach the top of the hill. Here you’ll find more shrines, wild monkeys, and nice view of the area. Perak Cave is a must-see Ipoh attraction!

Gunung Lang Recreational Park

Perfectly paired with a visit to Perak Cave Temple we mentioned above due to close proximity, Gunung Lang Recreational Park is a relaxing nature park that’s only reachable by boat. It’s a natural lake and series of limestone cliffs that has been transformed into a nature park for visitors to explore. Stop by the lake entrance, board one of the river boats and you’ll be ferried to the main island.

The Gunung Lang Recreational Park Island has a towering man-made waterfall, lots of relaxation and picnic areas and some excellent walking trails. When we visited, there were wild monkeys everywhere, so be sure to take care of your belongings. Gunung Lang Recreational Park is one of the best places to visit in Ipoh for a slow-paced morning walk.

Lost World of Tambun Theme Park

The next Ipoh attraction on our list is the legendary Lost World of Tambun Theme Park! Amongst the amazing cultural and natural attractions of Ipoh, we were hesitant to go to a theme park during our visit, but we’re very glad we did. The Lost World is a huge outdoor activity park with amusements, a zoo, water park and lots of adventure activities. This place is huge!

The way they’ve integrated the natural limestone rock and lakes of the area with a manmade theme park is a cool site to see. If you’re travelling with small children, we recommend visiting The Lost World of Tambun during the day. The kids will be spoilt for choice with fun amusement rides, water slides and animal shows. Adults are more suited to the Lost World Night Park. Thermal spas, food stalls, the petting zoo, and a series of lively evening shows can all be enjoyed on an evening.

Concubine Lane

Concubine is one of the most famous places to visit in Ipoh. Located in the city centre, this long lane has a past dating back to 1892, where a mining tycoon gave each of his three wives a lane of shops to manage. All three streets are nearby each other and are worth visiting. However, Concubine is the most popular of the three.

These days, it has become one of the most popular places to visit in Ipoh, and consequently, it’s full of tourists from morning until sunset. Shops, street food stalls, cafes and unusual attractions can be found down the full length of this old lane. Stop by at least a couple of times during your visit to experience the lively atmosphere, browse the shops and sample a few sweet treats.

Market Lane

Concubine Lane is the main street from the story of the three lanes. However, Market Lane, which is a couple of streets along from Concubine, is also something special. Market Lane lacks the shops and food stalls of its neighbour, but it makes up for it with its photo-perfect façade. Rows of umbrellas hang along the street and there are lots of colourful buildings and murals. Add the street to your Google Maps app and stop by for a photo after visiting Concubine Lane.

Banjaran Hot Springs

We featured the Banjaran Hot Spring Resort in our ‘where to stay in Ipoh’ guide . Many people don’t realise this, but you can visit the hot spring the resort is built on, without paying the expensive nightly price tag. Banjaran Hot Springs is the place to visit in Ipoh for a few hours of relaxation. Nestled beside giant limestone cliffs, caves and lakes, the hot springs is a place where you can get lost in the bliss of nature.

Buy a day pass for Banjaran Hot Springs on Klook and you can use the many facilities of the resort, including the geothermal pools, thermal steam cave, swimming pool, fitness centres, spa, and other wellbeing amenities. It’s a great Ipoh attraction for couples!

Sam Poh Tong Temple

Yet another temple, but one that’s completely different to the others on our list, is Sam Poh Tong. When we visited, we were blown away by the location and jungle setting of Sam Poh Tong. It’s like a scene from Indiana Jones, or Lara Croft’s Tomb Raider! The outside of the front temple area is serene, with neatly manicured gardens, statues, and a large archway. Many people would visit this area and think they’ve seen the whole temple…

Walk inside the entrance to the left and through a hidden tunnel, and you’ll emerge into a jungle opening surrounded by limestone hills. A towering gold, orange and white temple sits in the centre of the opening, surrounded by statues, a turtle pond, and lush, green terrain. Stumbling upon this temple was a highlight of our trip to Ipoh! Make it a must-see on your sightseeing itinerary.

Ling Sen Tong Temple

A short walk down the road from Sam Poh Tong Temple is a colourful Chinese temple called Ling Sen Tong. A golden dragon guards the entrance, and brightly coloured Chinese figures adorn the temple grounds. The temple has a classic Chinese style and a somewhat unusual design. It’s eccentric yet traditional.

Admittedly, Ling Sen Tong Temple isn’t as impressive as other temples on our list, but it’s still worth visiting when you stop by Sam Poh Tong.

Ipoh Kinta River Walk and D R Seenivasagam Recreational Park

Ipoh Riverside is one of the most peaceful areas to visit in Ipoh. The riverside walk stretches from the city centre, all the way to the lakes in the north of the province. Day or night, it’s a nice place to go for a stroll, or to enjoy a picnic on a park bench. One area of the Kinta Riverwalk has a series of trails and bridges. The other side of the river has a row of trendy cafes and restaurants. It’s a great place to enjoy a coffee with a view, or to grab a bite to eat.

Walk further up the river and you’ll enter D R Seenivasagam Recreational Park. This vast park area has a lake, children’s play area, woodland trails, and recreational areas. Walking through the park and hiring a boat on the lake makes for a fun afternoon out.

Birch Memorial Clock Tower

Birch Memorial Clock Tower is one of the most famous places to visit in Ipoh. It appears in postcards and museums of the city and has long been a symbol of Ipoh’s colonial architecture. The tall white tower stands in the centre of Ipoh, alongside a series of old, colonial-style government buildings. The clock tower commemorates James Birch, who played a controversial part in Malaysia’s colonial history, at a time when it was ruled by the British. Stop by the tower to marvel at its grand, colonial design and learn about The Perak War.

Kellie’s Castle

Kellie’s Castle is the former estate of a Scottish civil engineer that worked in Ipoh in the early 1900’s. After making a lot of profit on a work project, he bought 1000 acres of land south of Ipoh and embarked on a journey to build his own castle. The build of the estate took many years and was eventually abandoned. At a later date, it was then purchased by a British company and transformed into a tourist attraction.

The castle is a unique Ipoh attraction. The building’s design is much like the castles of the British Isles, so it’s quite unusual to see it in Malaysia’s countryside. Kellie’s Castle and its grounds are an interesting place to explore for a couple of hours. It’s located around a 22-minute drive from Ipoh city centre.

Visit a museum

Ipoh is a destination that’s full of history and culture. What better way to learn about the city you’re visiting than going to a museum? Top museums to visit include:

Ipoh World at Han Chin Pet Soo – Ipoh World is the city’s top-rated museum. It’s a place where you can gain an insight into Ipoh’s history, Chinese heritage, and tin mining trade.

Yor Yan Hor Museum – A museum that showcases the journal of visionary herbal tea producer, Dr. Ho Kai Cheong. It’s an interesting museum choice for those that want to learn the story behind the world-famous tea brand.

Ipoh Upside Down World – A fun, interactive museum for those that want to create unique ‘upside down’ photos. The photo sets at the museum are cleverly positioned to give the appearance you’re standing on the ceiling. Give it a try!

The restaurants and night market of Ipoh City Centre are a great place to visit in Ipoh on an evening. View the location of Ipoh Night Market on Google Maps . This area in particular is quite lively, especially on weekends. Another great place to check out on an evening is the Lost World of Tambun Night Park. It features hot springs, a petting zoo, evening shows and other attractions.

Kek Lok Tong, Perak Cave Temple, the sites of Ipoh City Centre and Ling Sen Tong Temple are some of the top-rated free attractions in Ipoh. Even the attractions that have entry fee can still be very affordable.

We highly recommend downloading the Grab taxi app on your mobile phone. It’s an affordable, convenient way to get around in Ipoh and taxis are readily available. We found Ipoh to have the friendliest Grab drivers and lowest prices out of all the places we visited in Malaysia.

The Lost World of Tambun is one of the most popular places to visit in Ipoh for families. It’s a huge theme park that could keep the kids entertained for days! Other family-friendly attractions include Gunung Lang Recreational Park, Ipoh Kinta River Walk and D R Seenivasagam Recreational Park.

In our opinion, you can’t visit Ipoh without exploring the city centre. Ipoh’s historic streets, colourful murals and famous cafes and restaurants are its biggest draw. Wandering around the streets and trying local food is what we loved most. Other must-see Ipoh attractions include Perak Cave Temple, Mirror Lake and Kek Lok Tong.

Thanks for reading our guide on the best places to visit in Ipoh. We hope we inspired you with attraction ideas and you can now explore this charming city for yourself. Many people visit Ipoh for a very short time and only stay inside the town. The surrounding area has so much more to offer! We highly recommend staying at least 3 nights to experience the many attractions of the region. You could also combine your visit to Ipoh with the Cameron Highlands. It’s only a 1-hour drive away.

If you have any questions about any of the Ipoh attractions we’ve featured, be sure to post a comment below.

BY RICKY MARSHALL

An adventurer at heart that loves anything outdoors. Beaches, mountains and amazing scenery is everything I love about travel! I also enjoy home comforts and need a nice place to relax and re-charge after every trip.

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• 10 Things To Do In Ipoh, The Malaysian Gem Far Away From The Crowds

23 Mar 2023

Ipoh is the hidden marvel of Malaysia. Penang and Georgetown may be tourist favourites and Ipoh may not get a lot of international attention, but given the culinary and cultural delights as well as a range of things to do in Ipoh , the place should definitely figure on your itinerary. The place was tagged as one of the Best Places in Asia 2016, and given its street art, lively markets, and extremely hospitable locals, that is not a surprise!

Exciting Things To Do In Ipoh

Here is a list of the best things to do here for someone who likes to take the road less traveled:

1. Capture the street art

Image Credit: Foursummers for Pixabay The Lonely Planet title brought in thousands of international visitors that would not have otherwise made it. The place has since built a reputation as a cool place to be, especially because of the expansive street art here which is one of the authentic Ipoh activities. Moreover, because the place is not as crowded as Penang, you have the art all to yourself. Visiting the Mural Art’s Lane near Jalan Masjid and the giant Ipoh mural of Old Uncle Drinking Coffee on Jalan Tun Sambanthan should be on your list of things to do in Ipoh if you are into graffiti and street art.

Location: Ipoh Mural Art Trail

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2. Visit the Cave Temples

Image Source

The cave temples were the central attraction in Ipoh long before street art came calling and are still one of the top things to do in Ipoh. There are three temples here, namely the Perak Tong, Kek Lok Tong, and Sam Poh Tong. Of these, the Perak Tong is the most popular and as you enter the cave, you will see a host of murals on the walls, including one of a giant Buddha. You have to then ascend 400 to 500 stairs to come out at the top.

Location: Bus 35 from Medan Kidd Station Timings: 8 AM – 5 PM

3. Enjoy the food

Image Source Ipoh is called the ‘lost food capital of Malaysia’. And given the wide range of culinary delights that you can have here, it is not a surprise. White coffee is an Ipoh invention and is made by marinating coffee beans in margarine. Lou Wong’s classic chicken and bean sprouts are something that you have to eat while you are in Ipoh. Sampling food here is one of the best things to do in Ipoh.

Best place to eat: Taman Jubilee Cost for two: INR 500

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4. Have fun at Movie Animation Park Studios

The Dream Zone portion of MAPS is yet to open because of a legal battle the park is fighting with Dream Studios. There are four other sections that are open at this amusement and water park. While teens and adults may not think much of it, the place is fun for small kids. So, it’s the perfect place to have some fun with your family. Ipoh is pretty calm and if you want a rush of blood, a day at MAPS is perhaps the closest you can come to any adventure.

Location: Bandar Meru Raya 3 Timings: 10 AM – 10 PM Entry cost: INR 845

5. Get clicked with funny pictures at Funtasy House

While the name might sound strange (it is a juxtaposition of Fun and Fantasy), the artists here have worked pretty hard to make this a really fun place for tourists, and one of the amazing things to do in Ipoh with family . Drawing from the desire of people to click unusual photos with street art that is all too common in Ipoh, you can get clicked at the Funtasy House standing upside down or even getting eaten by a shark!

Location: Jalan Market Timings: 9 AM – 8 PM Entry cost: INR 340 for adults, free for children under 4

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6. Shop at Ipoh Markets

The shopping districts of Ipoh are diverse and have a lot of things to offer. The Night Market offers things such as electronics and computer accessories as well as clothing and footwear, and walking around here is one of the most entertaining things to do in Ipoh at night. The Memory Lane Flea Market is one of the best places to visit in Ipoh at night , and you can get anything from jewellery and trinkets to furniture at a bargain!

Timings: Night Market: 4 PM – 1 PM | Flea Market: 10 AM – 6 PM

7. Walk along the Kinta River Walk

The river Kinta was once a hotspot for tin mining. In fact, the tin was the reason that Ipoh first grew in size and population. That has long ceased but the walks along the river are still illuminated at night. A lot of tourists like to walk along the river, and it is one of the popular Ipoh night activity. The evening breeze is also a major respite for international tourists who become very uncomfortable in the sauna-like climate of Ipoh.

Location: Jalan Lim Bo Seng Timings: 24 hours; preferably around 7-8 pm

  7 Invaluable Malaysia Travel Tips For First-time Visitors

8. Chill at the Gunung Lake

If you are wondering what to do in Ipoh on a lazy weekend, the Gunung recreational park is a nice change of pace. The lake is popular with tourists only because there are boat rides available across the serene lake that is surrounded by lush green hills. The park also features animals, including some of the most beautiful horses you will ever see. There are some waterfalls that are hidden deep in the park.

Location: Jalan Damai Timings: 8:30 AM – 6 PM Entry fee: INR 50 (includes boat ride)

9. Grab some culture at Ipoh’s museums

The museums here can be covered in one day. The Tea Museum is dedicated to Ho Kai Cheong who was an Ipoh tea maker and entrepreneur. The museum has a nice pace to the exhibits and you get to sample the tea in the end, which is really nice. Han Chin Pet Soo museum describes the history of Ipoh through its tin mining years.

Location: Tea Museum – Jalan Bijeh Timah | Han Chin Pet Soo – Jalan Bijeh Timah Timings: Tea Museum: 10 AM – 4 PM | Han Chin Pet Soo: 9:30 AM – 5 PM Entry fee: Tea Museums – INR 75 | Han Chin Pet Soo – INR 170

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10. Take the Heritage Trail

Image Source The tourist map of Ipoh contains a heritage walk map that includes around 30 building and points of interest. The map tells the story of a city that transformed from an unknown Malay village to one of Asia’a top tourist destinations. West of the river Kinta, you will discover the wealth of Chinese buildings that were built just after the tin rush of the 1930s. The heritage walk is one of the most popular activities to do in Ipoh for international visitors.

This list of things to do in Ipoh should give you a good idea about how to make the most of your holiday there. Now all you need to do is plan your trip to Malaysia with TravelTriangle and get going!

For our editorial codes of conduct and copyright disclaimer, please click  here . 

Frequently Asked Questions about Things to Do in IPOH

What are the best outdoor activities in Ipoh?

The following are the best outdoor activities to do in Ipoh: 1. Explore the street art 2. Visit famous cave temples 3. Enjoy the local food 4. Click funny pictures at Fantasy House 5. Go shopping

How many days are enough in Ipoh?

You can plan a 2 or 3 days trip to Ipoh and is a perfect time to enjoy the leisures of this historical place. You can also add a day trip to Cameron Highlands for a more nature-filled trip.

Is it safe to visit Ipoh during Covid?

You need to follow all the mandatory travel guidelines mentioned by the authorities to ensure a safe travel experience. Avoid crowded places and keep sanitizing your hands after touching surfaces. Maintain social distancing and remain masked in public places.

What can you do in Ipoh for a day?

There are plenty of places to visit in Ipoh where you could take a day trip. Here they are: 1. Exotic Cave Temple, Ipoh 2. Tempurung Cave, Gopeng 3. Taiping’s Colonial Heritage 4. White-water rafting

What is Ipoh famous for?

Ipoh is the fourth largest city in Malaysia and is known for excellent restaurants, hawker streets, and delicious local food. It is also a gateway to Cameron Highlands.

What are the best experiences of Ipoh?

Oh, yes! Ipoh is a tourist-centric city with so many things to do and explore since it is a convenient location between Kuala Lumpur and Penang. Also, it is a gateway to Cameron Highlands. The best thing is that you won’t find many crowds in Ipoh as compared to the other parts of Malaysia. So, it is definitely worth a visit.

What is there to do in Ipoh at night?

Here are a few exciting things to do in Ipoh at night: 1. Check out the hawker street in Ipoh 2. Taste the local Malay food 3. Check out the restaurants and bars 4. Admire the fascinating street art

How far is Ipoh from Kuala Lumpur?

Ipoh is a 2-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur. It is located at a distance of 200 km from the capital.

How do I get from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh?

The quickest way to get from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh is by train. There are 19 direct train services from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh and it only takes 2 hours 20 minutes. If you are taking a bus, it will take you more than 3 hours to reach.

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Ipoh Itinerary: Best Things To Do On A Ipoh One Day Trip!

Posted on Last updated: March 25, 2024

Looking for the best things to do in Ipoh, Malaysia? You’ve come to the right place!

Ipoh is the capital city of Perak state in Malaysia, and a charming city to discover during your Malaysia itinerary. In Ipoh you will find beautiful temples, unique natural landscapes and fun shopping streets.

We visited Ipoh as a stopover on the way from Cameron Highlands to Georgetown, and while one day isn’t enough to see everything Ipoh has to offer, it gave us the opportunity to tick off the main highlights.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s dive in, and discover the best things to do in Ipoh in one day!

• 1 About Ipoh
• 2.1 Concubine Lane
• 2.2 Kong Heng Artisan Market
• 2.3 Qing Xin Ling Leisure & Cultural Village
• 2.4 Kek Look Tong
• 2.5 Mirror Lake
• 2.6 Sam Poh Tong Temple
• 2.7 Perak Cave Temple
• 3 How to get to Ipoh 
• 4 How many days in Ipoh?
• 5 Where to stay in Ipoh
• 6 What to pack for your Ipoh itinerary
• 7 Do you need travel insurance to visit Ipoh?

Enjoying the view over Ipoh from above Perak Cave Temple

Essentials to book before you read on!

Best tours in Ipoh

Ipoh Secrets Full Day Heritage Private Tour

Ipoh Private City Tour

Best hotels in Ipoh

Budget: The Brownstone Hostel & Space

Mid-range: Ipoh City Executive Suite

Luxury: Banjaran Hotsprings Resort

Get 5% off your travel insurance here!

While Ipoh is often seen as a gateway to the Cameron Highlands, there’s much more to this city than being a jumping-off point.

In fact, there are plenty of tourist attractions in Ipoh. The capital of the state of Perak, Ipoh lies 150 kilometres to the north of Kuala Lumpur.  

Starting life as a village in the 1880s, Ipoh grew from its tin-mining fortunes and today is awash with colonial buildings, crumbling shop houses, and gardens – all on a dramatic backdrop of karst limestone hills.  

Even without the tourist attractions, one of the best things to do in Ipoh on a day trip is to simply eat!

Discovering unique street art in Ipoh, Malaysia

Best things to do in Ipoh  in one day

Concubine lane.

A trip to this part of the city is usually a must on every Ipoh day trip itinerary. You’ve probably seen this vintage-looking street on Instagram or Tiktok during your searches for travel inspiration.

The street has been known for sex workers and opium smoking dens since 1908, when it was called Yee Lai Hong (literally “Mistress Lane”) in Chinese. It grew with the booming local tin trade.

Today it’s a narrow street strung with lanterns and edged by heritage buildings housing old kopi tiam (traditional Malaysian eateries) and shops.

Grab a coffee, some of the best food in town, and watch the hustle and bustle go by, or duck into one of the shop houses to take a browse for souvenirs.

Exploring Concubine Lane in Ipoh, Malaysia

Kong Heng Artisan Market

Close to Concubine Lane, you will find the Kong Heng Artisan Market (open daily, from 10AM to 5PM). It’s within easy walking distance, a 10 minute walk away at most.

Another of the must-visit places in Ipoh, it’s a great spot for shopping and is an attractive destination in itself, being surrounded by the heritage architecture of the old town.  

Browse trinkets, antiques and locally produced crafts and grab a coffee or snack from one of the many kiosks.

Exploring the stalls of Kong Heng Artisan Market in Ipoh, Malaysia

Qing Xin Ling Leisure & Cultural Village

One of the best things to do in Ipoh is to head to the Qing Xin Ling Leisure & Cultural Village (it’s open 9:30AM to 5PM, but is closed on Sundays). The entrance fee is RM 20.

Located about a 20-minute drive from Concubine Lane, this cultural park is a fun spot to see some of the natural scenery of Ipoh, complete with traditional architecture, winding paths and dreamy waterways.

You can hire bicycles if you don’t want to walk, but either way it’s a fun place to explore for an hour or two. The karst cliffs and lush greenery make it feel like a real adventure.

I have to admit, we couldn’t really understand what was going on most of the time, as there were no signs or explanations anywhere. But the scenery is very beautiful, and with all the vintage memorabilia around, it was a fun place to explore.

Exploring Qing Xin Ling Leisure & Cultural Village in Ipoh, Malaysia

Kek Look Tong

The picturesque Kek Look Tong is a mountain cave temple that uses natural stalactites and stalagmites as decorations. It reminded me a bit of Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur.

The 12-acre religious site is set at the foot of karst mountains, with the entrance to the temple itself being the mouth of a cave.

The temple is dotted with Buddha statues and Confucian figures, but it’s really the cave itself that makes this a must-see if you’re wondering what to do in Ipoh.

There’s also a beautiful garden with a little river, where you can go on a short pedalo boat trip. It’s the best place to combine a cultural and historical visit with relaxing and beautiful nature.

You’ll find it a 7-minute drive (or Grab ride) away from the Qing Xin Ling Leisure & Cultural Village. It’s open every day, 8AM to 4:30PM, and entrance is free.

The inside of Kek Look Tong cave temple

The outdoors area of Kek Look Tong cave temple in Ipoh

Mirror Lake

This place is really cool. Just a few minutes’ drive from Kek Look Tong and you’ll be at the entrance to Mirror Lake (open 9AM to 6PM; admission RM 8).

It begins by walking through a tunnel cut through the karst limestone (an old mining tunnel), after which you’ll come out into a hidden lake surrounded by cliffs and lush greenery. There’s the option to take a boat trip out onto the water.  

Sam Poh Tong Temple

Next up on your Ipoh trip itinerary is a visit to the Sam Poh Tong Temple. From Mirror Lake it’s less than a 10-minute drive away.

Another temple set within a mystical cave, it was discovered in 1890 by a Buddhist monk, who decided it would be a good place for a shrine.  

Today it’s filled with statues, pagodas and even an ornamental garden. It’s open from 9AM to 4PM most days (no admission, but you can make a voluntary donation if you wish).

Going inside of Kek Look Tong cave temple in Ipoh, Malaysia

Perak Cave Temple

Opened in 1926, this impressive Buddhist temple (open every day, 8AM to 5PM) is around a 15-minute drive from the Ipoh Old Town.

Constructed within the limestone walls of the cave, the temple is home to colourful murals and a towering seated Buddha statue in the main hall – 12 metres tall!  

Wandering inside the cave, admiring the impressive natural cave formation, as well as the golden statues and beautiful artwork, was one of my favourite things to do in Ipoh.

But don’t limit yourself to just the cave! Don’t miss out on climbing 450 metres up the staircase for views of the karst hills and the city below.

As you proceed through the cave you will come out on the other side, here is where you’ll find a staircase leading up to the top of the temple mountain. Along the way you will find little pagodas and viewpoints.

The steps up are very steep, but the views are well worth it, and it’s a great way to round up your time in Ipoh.

Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur was my favourite temple we saw in Malaysia, but this was a close second.

The inside of Perak Cave Temple in Ipoh, Malaysia

The view from the top of mountain above Perak Tong Cave Temple in Ipoh, Malaysia

How to get to Ipoh  

Getting to Ipoh from Kuala Lumpur is relatively simple. By car, it’s a straightforward route that takes around 2.5 hours to drive.

Public transport is also an option. You could travel by bus, which takes around 3 hours and costs from RM 20-27 (depending on the bus company).  

The train takes 2 hours 40 minutes from KL Sentral (tickets from RM 35). So an Ipoh day trip from KL is definitely doable.

A day trip to Ipoh from Georgetown (just over 150 kilometres away) is also easy. The journey takes 2 hours 15 by car.

You could also take the train from Butterworth Railway Station (near Penang) to Ipoh, which takes around 2 hours and costs from RM 32. Buses between Georgetown and Ipoh take just over 2 hours and cost around RM 28

Going for a boat ride at Kek Look Tong cave temple in Ipoh

How many days in Ipoh?

I would say that a one-day trip to Ipoh is enough. You could visit on the way to Cameron Highlands from other destinations (Kuala Lumpur or Georgetown, for example) to break up the drive.

It’s a cool city to explore for a day.  This is actually what we did, as we visited Ipoh on the way from Cameron Highlands to Georgetown. It was the perfect place to break up an otherwise 4-hour drive.

However, you may be a little rushed doing absolutely everything on your Ipoh itinerary in one day, so you could also consider spending at least one night here if you want to explore at a more chilled-out pace.

Plus, from what we saw Ipoh had a very cool vibe, with lots of hipster western eateries, so you could easily spend longer here.

Where to stay in Ipoh

Here are some great places to stay in Ipoh for every budget.

Budget: The Brownstone Hostel & Space – Located close to the centre of Ipoh, this hostel is great for budget travellers, as it has cool common areas, spacious dorms and also private rooms available.

Click here to book your stay at The Brownstone Hostel & Space in Ipoh!

Mid-range: Ipoh City Executive Suite – This apartment is spacious, modern and has a rooftop infinity pool with epic views over Ipoh, all for an affordable price. What more do you need?

Click here to book your stay at Ipoh City Executive Suite!

Luxury: Banjaran Hotsprings Resort – Tucked away into the hills, this resort is a gem and great place to treat yourself. Imagine private pool villas, massages, cave restaurants and beautiful views!

Check out prices & availability at Banjaran Hotsprings Resort in Ipoh!

The view from the top of mountain above Perak Cave Temple in Ipoh, Malaysia

What to pack for your Ipoh itinerary

You don’t need much beyond your usual travel essentials , but here are a couple useful things you don’t want to forget for your Ipoh trip!

Waterproof jacket – even if you’re visiting in dry season, you will need one of these! We even went as far as rain ponchos , as it was just too rainy when we were there.

Adapter – depending on where you come from you might need one of these to charge your electronics. I like to use an international one so that it can work for multiple destinations.

Power bank – if you’re out and about all day you don’t want your phone to die on you just as you’re about to snap a great photo of the beautiful temples in Kuala Lumpur!

Waterproof shoes – if it ends up raining, you don’t want to get your feet wet! It’s also a good idea to pack flip-flops or a change of shoes, that way you can get out of your wet shoes at the end of the day (if you then head to the beach or waterfalls of  Langkawi , you’ll need these then anyway!)

Entering Kek Lok Tong cave temple in Ipoh, Malaysia

Do you need travel insurance to visit Ipoh?

After my personal experience spending two nights in a private hospital in Tenerife, and having to pay for it out of pocket (it wasn’t cheap), I always recommend getting travel insurance .

You might not end up needing it, but for a small fee you can travel without worries. Personally, I suggest getting your travel insurance with  Heymondo .

Heymondo offers tailor made travel insurance, providing the best value for money for your specific trip. You can also buy it once you’re already abroad and have forgotten about it before flying (which, if you’re anything like me, is quite likely).

Besides the usual cancellation, medical expenses, luggage coverage and general travel insurance services, Heymondo also has a 24/7 doctor chat and instant assistance through their app.

Plus, as a Greta’s Travels reader, you get 5% off your Heymondo travel insurance !

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The outdoors area and statues of Kek Look Tong cave temple in Ipoh

Final thoughts on my Ipoh day trip itinerary

There you have it, the ultimate Ipoh 1-day itinerary! Have you been to Ipoh before? How did you find it? Let me know in the comments below!

I’ll admit that while I enjoyed visiting Ipoh, I recognise that it’s probably not the most exciting city in Asia. There are some cool views of limestone cliffs, pedestrian shopping streets and unique temples, but it’s not as wow as Bangkok for example.

It’s a great place to stop to break up the drive from Cameron Highlands to George Town, but I probably wouldn’t dedicate too long to it, especially if you have a tight Malaysia itinerary.

This is just my personal opinion. Other travellers see Ipoh as a beautiful hidden gem that is definitely worth visiting. While I agree that it’s a great place with lots of Ipoh attractions, I wouldn’t exactly define it as a must-see.

I hope you found my Ipoh itinerary useful, and that it helps you plan your day in Ipoh! If you have any questions, just let me know in the comments below!

Enjoyed reading about doing a Ipoh one day trip? Pin it!

The 17 most historic buildings and sites in Ipoh

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1 Birch Memorial Clock Tower

2 Han Chin Pet Soo

3 Jalan Bandar Timah & Concubine Lane

4 kek look tong, 5 sam poh tong temple.

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6 Funtasy House Trick Art

7 oldtown white coffee ipoh padang, 8 ling sen tong temple, 9 ipoh town hall and old post office, 10 arlene house | kapitan chung thye phin building, 11 muzium darul ridzuan, 12 padang ipoh, 13 st. john's anglican church, 14 kong heng square, 15 heritage trail ipoh.

Don’t forget to pack anything

Stay organized with a to-do list, packing list, shopping list, any kind of list.

16 Ipoh Padang

17 tambun cave, top searches in ipoh, popular road trips from ipoh, what's the weather like in ipoh.

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Ipoh for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

• Weather in Ipoh in January
• Weather in Ipoh in February
• Weather in Ipoh in March
• Weather in Ipoh in April
• Weather in Ipoh in May
• Weather in Ipoh in June
• Weather in Ipoh in July
• Weather in Ipoh in August
• Weather in Ipoh in September
• Weather in Ipoh in October
• Weather in Ipoh in November
• Weather in Ipoh in December

All road trips from Ipoh

• Ipoh to Kuala Lumpur drive
• Ipoh to Singapore drive
• Ipoh to Bangkok drive
• Ipoh to George Town drive
• Ipoh to Siem Reap drive
• Ipoh to Kathu drive
• Ipoh to Melaka drive
• Ipoh to Krabi Town drive
• Ipoh to Ho Chi Minh City drive
• Ipoh to Hanoi drive
• Ipoh to Pattaya drive
• Ipoh to Phnom Penh drive
• Ipoh to Chiang Mai drive
• Ipoh to Hua Hin drive
• Ipoh to Hoi An drive
• Ipoh to Brinchang drive
• Ipoh to Batu Caves drive
• Ipoh to Yangon (Rangoon) drive
• Ipoh to Patong drive
• Ipoh to Luang Prabang drive
• Ipoh to Ayutthaya drive
• Ipoh to Hue drive
• Ipoh to Nha Trang drive
• Ipoh to Khao Lak drive
• Ipoh to Kanchanaburi drive
• Ipoh to Ao Nang drive
• Ipoh to Chiang Rai drive
• Ipoh to Sepang drive
• Ipoh to Vientiane drive
• Ipoh to Hat Yai drive

Explore nearby places

• Kuala Kangsar
• Tanjung Tualang
• Bandar Seri Iskandar
• Kampung Raja
• Kuala Terla
• Kampung Gajah
• Kuala Sepetang
• Teluk Intan
• Kuala Kurau

All related maps of Ipoh

• Map of Ipoh
• Map of Menglembu
• Map of Chemor
• Map of Gopeng
• Map of Batu Gajah
• Map of Pusing
• Map of Kuala Kangsar
• Map of Tanjung Tualang
• Map of Bandar Seri Iskandar
• Map of Tanah Rata
• Map of Brinchang
• Map of Kampung Raja
• Map of Kampar
• Map of Kuala Terla
• Map of Ringlet
• Map of Beruas
• Map of Terong
• Map of Tapah
• Map of Kampung Gajah
• Map of Taiping
• Map of Kamunting
• Map of Lenggong
• Map of Kuala Sepetang
• Map of Sitiawan
• Map of Teluk Intan
• Map of Lumut
• Map of Semanggol
• Map of Sungkai
• Map of Pangkor
• Map of Kuala Kurau
• Map of Slim River

Ipoh throughout the year

• Ipoh in January
• Ipoh in February
• Ipoh in March
• Ipoh in April
• Ipoh in May
• Ipoh in June
• Ipoh in July
• Ipoh in August
• Ipoh in September
• Ipoh in October
• Ipoh in November
• Ipoh in December

Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Ipoh?

Get inspired for your trip to Ipoh with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

• 1-Day Ipoh Itinerary
• 2-Day Ipoh Itinerary
• 3-Day Ipoh Itinerary
• 4-Day Ipoh Itinerary
• 5-Day Ipoh Itinerary

Best attractions in nearby cities

• Top things to do and attractions in Tanah Rata
• Top things to do and attractions in Brinchang
• Top things to do and attractions in Gopeng

Best restaurants in nearby cities

• Where to eat: the best restaurants in Tanah Rata

• Itinerary + map in one view
• Live collaboration
• Auto-import hotels and reservations
• Optimize your route
• Offline access on mobile
• See time and distance between all your places

THE 10 BEST Family & Kid Activities in Ipoh

Things to do in ipoh with kids.

• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for Kids
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Couples
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Hidden Gems
• Adventurous
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Ipoh World at Han Chin Pet Soo

2. Lost World Of Tambun

3. Ho Yan Hor Museum

4. Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple and Zen Gardens

5. Funtasy House Trick Art

6. Concubine Lane

7. Art of OLDTOWN

8. Ipoh Railway Station

9. Qing Xin Ling Leisure and Cultural Village

10. Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple

11. Tasik Cermin

12. Ipoh Heritage Walk

13. Ipoh Mural Art Trail

14. 22 Hale Street

15. Taman Rekreasi Gunung Lang

16. Ipoh Parade Shopping Centre

17. Yasmin At Kong Heng

18. Lang Mountain

19. D.R. Seenivasagam Park

20. Birch Memorial Clock Tower

21. Go Chin Pomelo Nature Park

22. Jaies Chauffeur Service and Tour Assistant

23. Ipoh Secrets

24. Raythetour

What travellers are saying

17 Best Cozy Cafes In Ipoh – (And Some New Spots)

Check out this vibrant list of cafes to visit if you are in Ipoh or just passing through! Fear not, all these cafes have air-con to beat that crazy humidity outside.

You can expect to spend more than RM20/pax if you choose to visit these places.

These cafes typically feature western mains. But some offer a wide variety of pastries and cakes too. Others still, focus on caffeinated drinks. Or French pastries.

1. Patisserie BoutiQue

This centrally located café is in  Ipoh Old Town  and it has been around  since 2014. Their business is still strong, and they’ve recently had a facelift too.

Come in and enjoy the desserts, trendy interior, and air-con! They have a separate brunch and lunch menu, but it is their desserts that they are known for.

Coffee is decent too.

• Pork-free food here.
• Little French cafe with good coffee and great dessert options (Try the Baileys Tiramisu ).
• Pastries are also sold here.
• Opening Hours: Daily 12pm – 10pm (Closed on Wednesdays)
• Address:  103, Jalan Sultan Yusof, 30000 Ipoh, Negeri Perak, Malaysia
• Contact: +6014-9019268
• Cuisine: French and fusion – the menu is pork-free !

Not looking for another cafe?

Here is where you can try some of the best local food in Ipoh !

2. Plan B (Ipoh)

In terms of size and level of hipster-ness, this place matches the cafe standards of Kuala Lumpur. There’s a lot of room inside and outdoors.

The design of the cafe features a mixture of industrial and grunge elements.

On weekends, there are plenty cute stalls just outside Plan B ( Kong Heng Square ).  Ipoh Concubine Lane  is just opposite from this cafe too.

Plan B serves interesting  fusion food and good coffee . The food is halal, but they do serve liquor as well. And there are vegetarian and vegan options too.

See our full thoughts on Plan B in Ipoh .

• Opening Hours: Daily 10am–10pm
• Address:  No. 75, Jalan Panglima, 30000 Ipoh, Negeri Perak, Malaysia
• Contact: +605-249 8286
• Cuisine: Fusion of Western and Asian cuisine

3. Aud’s Café

This cafe serves pork dishes and has a grungy but cozy look to it on the inside. We like it for the quaint ambiance, good coffee, and tasty food.

While here, try their  Ice Cube coffee. Their avocado beverages are worth sampling too.

We went on a Wednesday for lunch and some tables were reserved. Book ahead if you really want to try this place out on a weekend.

We’re quite sure they don’t use MSG in their cooking. The food has a very home-cooked taste to it.

There are vegetarian and vegan options available.

• Opening Hours: Daily 9am – 5pm, (Closed on Monday)
• Address: 97, Jalan Sultan Yusof, 30000 Ipoh, Negeri Perak, Malaysia
• Contact: +605-246 1310
• Cuisine: Western and some fusion. Not halal.

Maybe you would rather do some shopping ?

4. Marketplace Waffle Bar & Cafe

Yet another cafe you can try in Ipoh Old Town :

What makes this pork-free cafe special are the waffles – they have savory and dessert waffles with gelato. The black pepper classic chicken chop and smoked salmon waffle are delicious.

The ambiance is bright and lovely. There are large windows and beautiful paintings on the wall. Prices are reasonable while the coffee is ok.

If you want to catch up on your social media or work, the WiFi is reliable and free.

PS: On weekdays, you can get the lunch set – basically order any savory main and you can have a free or discounted drink (depending on what you order).

• Opening Hours: Daily 12pm–10pm
• Address: 13 Jalan Market, Ipoh 30000, Perak, Malaysia
• Contact: +6016-732 8320
• Cuisine: Western; pork-free

5. Jln Theatre Coffee

Drip coffee enthusiasts will be able to try a great selection of drip coffee from all over the world.

The R&G coffee, flat white, and cafe latte are popular too. Besides coffee, they have pastries and desserts like cempedak burnt cheesecake !

That, along with the friendly crew and the bright minimalist environment  will have you returning the next time you’re in Ipoh.

It can, however, be a while before you get your coffee depending on how full the cafe is. There are also not too many seats.

If you don’t have time to sit in with a cup of their homemade brew, you can opt to purchase the beans to take home.

We admit, this café is expensive but for the quality of their drinks and food, we think it’s worth a once-while splurge.

• Opening Hours: 10am to 6pm
• Address: 76, Jalan Theatre, Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh, Perak

6. Ferment Boulangerie

Sourdough bread, kombucha and infused butters are the specialties of Ferment Boulangerie. Seating is impractical and limited, but this place is very picture-worthy. Staff is polite too.

Prices are high here, but we think their sourdough bread platter is reasonably priced if you are sharing among a group. Their sandwiches are big enough to share too.

Read more about what it is like to dine at Ferment Boulangerie .

• Address: 13, Lebuh Cecil Rae, Taman Canning, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
• Contact: +6016-704 7405
• Cuisine: Artisan breads mostly (they do have cakes and sandwiches too)
• Remarks: Slow service sometimes

7. être Patisserie

While pricey, the pastries and cakes at être Patisserie are very worth it. Everything we have eaten here has been good.

Their framboise and Kouign-amann are our personal favorites! Beverages like coffee and hochija latte are decent.

Read more about this stylish café in Canning Garden Ipoh ( être Patisserie ).

• Opening Hours: 10am to 6:30pm
• Address: 30, Jalan Lee Kwee Foh, Taman Canning, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
• Contact: +6016-557 1111
• Cuisine: European pastries and artisan cakes
• Remarks: Limited parking

8. Just Say Café

Décor and prices of Just Say Cafe match the standards of Penang cafes .

They have a tropical theme going on together with industrial chic ! And the staff is friendly .

From their menu, you can try the salted egg chicken chop, waffles, Iberico pork burger, Bailey’s coffee, and a heap of other artisan beverages !

• Is on a street with other restaurants, pubs and bars
• You can book the café for a birthday celebration
• Opening Hours: Monday – Tuesday: 12pm – 7 pm; Thursday – Sunday: 12pm – 9 pm (Closed on Wednesdays)
• Address: 20, Jalan Lau Ek Ching, Kampung Jawa, 30300 Ipoh, Negeri Perak
• Contact: +6016-254 1262
• Cuisine: Western

9. Little Allegra Bakery

This is our go-to café – what they offer is more savory than sweet . They have different bakes to try all the time. And so far, we’ve liked what we have tried here.

See more photos of our experiences at Little Allegra Bakery .

There is also an extensive drinks menu for those who don’t want coffee too and we really like that. We do like their drinks as much as their food.

The ambiance is very comfortable too. The café gets a lot of natural lighting and there are different seating options to choose from.

• Address: 26a, Jalan Keliling, Taman Canning, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening Hours: 8:30am to 5pm (Closed on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday)
• Contact: +6010-9415722
• Cuisine: Assorted baked goods

10. August Healing

Enter a charming door from downstairs and make your way up to August Healing. The styling of this small, air-conditioned cafe is minimal but cheery.

Seating faces the street and if you peer out the dainty lace curtains, you can see what’s happening on the street below.

The counter is where they display all their cakes and pastries to tempt customers. See what to order at August Healing .

• Address: No18A, Jalan Theatre, Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening Hours: Thursday to Friday, 11 am–5 pm; Weekend, 11 am–6 pm; Closed on Tuesday and Wednesday)
• Contact: +6011-51223940

11. Back To Begin

Walking distance from Gerbang Malam night market, Back To Begin has an appealing shop front with large windows and a front door in the same medium wood shade.

Most of the seating in this long space is suitable for couples but there are some tables for 4 to 6 pax too.

Interestingly, there are a couple of camping chair and table set ups further at the back of the café. These sit low to the ground and offer a novel experience.

The menu may not have many savory options (e.g., sandwiches, pesto or carbonara spaghetti) but these are well presented on vintage plates.

We liked the saltier carbonara spaghetti over the lightly flavored pesto aglio olio.

Coffee meets expectations – they have the standard americano, cappuccino or latte but no special roasts .

Up front at the counter, you can get quiche (this was also leaning towards a lighter taste) and a few select cake flavors. We highly recommend the salted egg black sesame cheesecake !

Staff is polite and service was very fast. We can see that we will be back for their other cake flavors and to try their sourdough sandwiches.

• Opening Hours: 10:30am to 6pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
• Address: 8, Jalan Leong Sin Nam, Kampung Jawa, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
• Contact: +6018-955 2478

12. Purple Moon Lover

Initially an almost all-white building with strong Scandinavian influence, this spacious café now sports a terrazzo inspired exterior!

On the inside, there is plenty of seating at the left and right of the café with the counter in the center. At the side of the counter is their selection of baked goods to choose from!

Their lunch menu is much simpler (of large portions) with dishes like:

• Kimchi Soup Ramen
• Teriyaki Chicken Rice
• Chicken Katsu Rice

Our personal opinion is that the pastries and desserts are much better than their savory menu items. Especially since prices are in line with cafes in KL.

Whatever you choose, you can be sure that the presentation will be pretty!

Remarks: Excellent service – the waiter followed us to our car with an umbrella so we wouldn’t get soaked by the rain!

• Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 11 am – 8 pm; Saturday to Sunday: 10 am – 8 pm
• Address: 53, Jalan Lee Kwee Foh, Taman Canning, 31400 Ipoh, Negeri Perak
• Contact: +605-547 6328
• Cuisine: Japanese

13. Six And A Half Café

This cafe is quite difficult to spot from the outside because it is on the  second floor . Moreover, the signage is small.

Inside, there’s not much to the décor but it is a very comfortable place to relax with friends – and  away  from the crowds in Ipoh Old Town!

PS: Very popular on weekend mornings

Six And A Half Cafe has a neat selection of  cakes and pastries  to choose from at the counter. You can order some mains. We like their savory sandwiches.

Their specialty, however, is coffee. The matcha coffee (RM 12.50) was great – more bitter than sweet.

And the slice of carrot cake (RM 7) we ordered was not too sweet and very filling.

• The WiFi is free and fast.
• Opening Hours: Daily 9 am – 6:30 pm ( Closed on Thursday )
• Address: No. 5A, Pusat Perdagangan Canning 2, Taman Canning, 31400 Ipoh, Negeri Perak
• Contact: +6018-2299932

14. 10 Studio Café

Tambun area has very few cafes and hence, 10 Studio Café is one of the only options. Thankfully, they do set high standards when it comes to coffee and cakes .

Their cakes are exceptional. Especially their tiramisu and matcha tiramisu flavors.

Besides cakes, mains like lamb shoulder and spaghetti are on the menu.

This air-conditioned café is extremely pleasant for a sit-down with friends.

They open until the evening too. But since there isn’t much seating , you might want to come during their off-peak hours (peak hours are between 12pm to 2pm).

See more photos of what we ordered at 10 Studio Café in Tambun, Ipoh .

• Opening Hours: 10am to 6pm (Closed on Mondays)
• Address: 10, Hala Tambun Jaya 1, Taman Tambun Jaya, 31400 Ipoh, Perak

Want to stay longer in Ipoh? Here’s our best Ipoh hotel list .

15. Petit Mary Patisserie French Cuisines

Super cute cafe! – think pastel colors, elaborate sconces, flowers, and lace.

The outside is as cute as the inside and the blue building sticks out. The café is along the road to  AEON (Jusco Kinta city) , straight from the highway.

There are a variety of desserts to choose from although we recommend the bread. Their baked goods are nearly identical to what  Purple Moon Lover  serves since they are under the same management.

Between this café and Purple Moon Lover, the latter has more space between tables.

Because of its limited space, Petit Mary Patisserie French Cuisines can be quite noisy on a weekend.

• Pork free and alcohol free .
• Opening Hours: Daily 9 am – 8 pm
• Address: 83, Jalan Langsat, Taman Teh Teng Seng, 31400 Ipoh, Negeri Perak
• Contact: +605-547 2072
• Cuisine: Western, vegetarian options, Asian fusion

16. V Life Cafe

Enjoy  vegetarian meals, cakes, and coffee  in the spacious, quiet, and beautiful cafe just behind a row of shops at Ipoh Garden East.

The staff is very helpful and attentive too. They do use egg and dairy products in some of the items of their menu so be sure to ask them about it if that’s a concern for you.

You can have Western food – mushroom soup made from scratch, homegrown salad, vegetarian burgers, kale pizza as well as local flavors like lou loh rice but with a vegetarian alternative for meat.

In fact, the  meat alternatives  they use are almost like the real thing! So, we think it’s a good place to explore vegetarian food if you’re thinking of becoming vegetarian or are just curious!

Note: Currently, their dine-in sessions are restricted to 2 hours

• Opening Hours: 11:30am to 9:30pm
• Address: 42, Lintasan Perajurit 6, Taman Ipoh Timur, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
• Contact: +6017-413 2226

17. Breda Café

Quality ingredients are used in their Western meals like savory croissants and pasta.

Their  lunch sets  are delicious. Though not cheap (more than RM30) but portions are satisfactory – for most of the mains anyways.

Other than brunch, main course, and teatime menu, they have many beverages. Like their vanilla latte and cappuccino.

The environment is quiet (depending on the time you go) with adequate space between the tables. We like that their overall interior is simple with aesthetically pleasing colors.

See our personal experience having lunch at Breda Cafe .

• Busiest time is lunch time.
• Opening Hours: 9am–10pm
• Address:  22, Jalan Medan Ipoh 9, Bandar Baru Medan Ipoh, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
• Contact: +6011-5622 3182

Other cafes that we have tried and did not mention in this list:

• Cold Blue Specialty Coffee – Micro Roastery In Ipoh Old Town
• Chakori – Highly Instagrammable Café In Ipoh Old Town With Gelato
• Hanz & Jane – A Photogenic Café In Ipoh With Lower Prices
• Chloe Co – New Chic French Style Café & Bakery In Ipoh Old Town
• Flufff Dessert Cafe In Ipoh – Souffle Pancakes In A Trendy Setting
• The Story Eatery Marketplace In Ipoh – Florist/ Hipster Café
• Coffee Camp 612 – Plant Filled Café At Ipoh Kinta Riverfront

Can’t be bothered with parking? Or don’t have your own car?

Getting Around Ipoh

• Using a regular taxi service or calling a Grab is an affordable option if you need to get around the city areas. Not so much for the outskirts of Ipoh.
• Taking the city public bus is the least costly but do prepare for irregular times.
• Hiring a private tour service frees you from the added stress of driving and finding parking!

With the private tour service, you’ll get a personal guide to escort you as well.

Book RayTheTour, a private tour service in Ipoh on WhatsApp !

Ipoh has even more cafes than what we listed here but these are the ones that have been around long enough to get some reputation.

Expect to pay  RM 20-30  for mains. But cheaper than in Kuala Lumpur.

Any of these venues will be perfect for taking a well-deserved break after you explore  Ipoh attractions . Or in-between hunting for  Instagram spots in Ipoh .

If you rather try more local cuisine, try these kopitiams that serve must-try  Ipoh White Coffee !

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