Situated between Kuala Lumpur and Penang, at approximately 200 km North of the country’s capital, Ipoh (4°36′0″N, 101°4′12″E) is the sixth largest city in Malaysia with close to ¾ million population. The city was once a famous mining town, but today it has transformed into a modern city.
Tourism in Ipoh city has been on the rise in the recent years. While most visitors are attracted by its unique tourist spots, many are thrilled by the local delicacies. Passengers passing by Ipoh in the North-South Plus Expressway will stop over for the tasty Ipoh food.
Places of Interest in Ipoh
1) Limestone Caves
Nestled in the basin of Kinta Valley and bounded by limestone hill range at all angles, Ipoh is labeled The Hill City of Malaysia. Plenty of natural limestone caves can be found in the neighboring areas. A few of them are utilized by the local Buddhists to build temples, and hundreds of Buddhas’ statues can be found in each of these grottos. To name a few popular cave temples are the Perak Tong, Sam-Poh Tong, Nan-Tian Tong and Kek-Lok Tong (Tong refers to cavern in Mandarin).
These limestone caves have 400 million years of age. Some are fairly large and long with a few hundred meters deep. Few of the caverns are connected to remote valleys at the back of the hills. Similar to any limestone caves in the world, you’ll find a lot of natural and colorful limestone arts in the caves. The stalagmites grow upward from the ground and meet with the stalactite from the ceiling.
With abundant of limestone, Ipoh city is full of natural resources for its production of white marble table tops.
If you prefer something more challenging, take a cave expedition tour to Gua Tempurung. Four guided tours are available which will lead you to different segments of Gua Tempurung. The longest tour takes approximately 3-½ hours to complete, and you’ll have to soak in the underground stream to move forward with your torchlight.
2) Lost World of Tambun Ipoh
Lost World of Tambun Ipoh has emerged to be a new tourist attraction in Ipoh city. You can easily spend a full day with your family exploring its various parks within the park. Some popular attractions are the water park, Tiger Valley, amusement park, natural hot springs, petting zoo and nature wonders.
The Lost World of Tambun Ipoh is just 15 minutes from the city towards Tanjung Rambutan. You can enjoy a rejuvenating hot bath from the natural hot springs with hot water pools and saunas.
3) City tour to pre-World War II buildings
The Kinta River divides Ipoh city into two territories – The Old Town and The New Town. Ipoh is one of the oldest towns in Malaysia, and lots of imposing historic buildings with architectural significance can be found in The Old Town.
Most of the buildings are very well maintained. You can have a good photography tour at the pre-World War II heritage buildings, shop houses as well as the British colonial-inspired structures. Designed by A. B. Hubback, an English government architect, the old Ipoh Town Hall is a unique architecture constructed in 1914. Over the years, it was utilized as Ipoh’s centre post office, telegraph office, district police headquarter as well as hosted unlimited important events for the town. Opposite the old Town Hall at the right is the High Court building, another amazing creation of Hubback. On the left is the Ipoh Train station which is another remarkable heritage building blended with Gothic architectural design.
At close proximity is the St. Michael’s Institution. You can have a good camera shot on one of the oldest catholic schools with ecclesiastical design.
While you’re traveling around The Old Town, you’re also exposed to various delectable Ipoh food. Try the side stall food with white coffee.
4) Gunung Lang Recreation Park
The recreation park is located just 5 km from the city center. RM8.4 millions was spent to convert and develop three former tin mining pools into a remarkable park which consists of viewing tower, traditional house, pergola, camp site, children playground and floating deck. Visitors will have to take a boat ride across the lake in order to access to the recreation park.
Gunung Lang has the largest Heliconia species in the whole of Malaysia. Heliconia species are favorite plants for many people because of their unique shape, size and color blends. Some of the species gathered in Gunung Lang are the Heliconia Caribea Gold, Rostrata Ruiz and Pavon, Psittacorum Sassy, Psittacorum Rubra, Spectabilis India Lamarck and Angusta Vello.
If you have more time while visiting Ipoh, you can also plan a tour to Kellie’s Castle at Batu Gajah and D.R. Seenivasagam Park at the heart of the city.
Spending time in Ipoh
Nightlife in Ipoh: Ipoh city is not lack of nightlife. The popular night spots are mostly the pubs, bars, restaurants and discos where friends or family members gather to cherish the night. The most happening places are the Greentown and Medan Ipoh (area behind Jusco or Kinta Shopping Mall).
Fine dining restaurants: There are only a handful of expansive fine dining restaurants in Ipoh. You can try out Indulgence, Brewster, and Citrus.
Ipoh Hotels: Hotel industries in Ipoh are slow. Except in the recent years, more new hotels are coming up in order to cope up with the increasing demand due to tourism. The favorable Ipoh hotels are Syuen Ipoh Hotel, Casuarina Ipoh Hotel, Excelsior Ipoh Hotel, Hillcity Ipoh Hotel, Regalodge Ipoh Hotel and Heritage Ipoh Hotel
Ipoh Food: You should explore why Ipoh Food is so popular, and there is only one reason for it. I would recommend trying out Chinese Dim-sum, bean-sprout with chicken, white noodle with soup, fish head curry and a cup of Ipoh white coffee.
Shopping in Ipoh: The city only has two large shopping arcades, the Kinta City Mall and the Ipoh Parade.
Touring Ipoh’s surrounding areas
Ipoh is the new portal to the famous hill resort of Cameron Highlands. An hour of leisure car ride from the Simpang Pulai junction will lead you to the cooling and tranquil hill resort. Read more about Cameron Highlands.
Another nearby tourist attraction is Pangkor Island at South-West of Ipoh. The island can be accessed via Lumut town with ferry services. Lumut is an hour drive from Ipoh city. Read more about Pangkor Island.
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