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MALAYSIA
IPOH

Things to Do in Ipoh, Malaysia: The City That Surprised Us

From the Heritage Trail in Old Town to limestone caves and the best temples

We honestly didn't have super high expectations of Ipoh. On our way from Penang to Cameron Highlands, we stopped for a few days to explore the city, and there turned out to be so much to do that we couldn't fit it all into the time we'd planned. After Cameron Highlands , we went back to Ipoh, purely to visit Gua Tempurung. In the end, Ipoh became the city in Malaysia that surprised us the most.

Ipoh, the underrated capital of Perak How do you get to Ipoh? The Ipoh Heritage Trail: the city's history Gua Tempurung, the most beautiful limestone cave in Malaysia Mirror Lake, hidden among limestone cliffs Perak Tong, the cave temple with a view over Ipoh Kek Lok Tong, Ipoh's most popular cave temple Ling Sen Tong, one of the most colorful temples in the region Sam Poh Tong, the city's oldest cave temple Kellie's Castle, the unfinished castle of Batu Gajah Eating in Ipoh: Concubine Lane and Uptown Night Market Coffee in Ipoh Restaurants in Ipoh Hotels in Ipoh How much time do you need in Ipoh?

Ipoh, the underrated capital of Perak

Ipoh is the capital of the state of Perak. It has a distinctive Old Town with plenty of colonial buildings still standing, alongside cool murals and small, cozy cafés. The city has a food scene that domestic tourists travel specifically to Ipoh for. Beyond the city itself, there's a lot to see and discover in the surrounding area. We spent several days here without a dull moment, and despite its popularity with domestic tourists, it didn't feel busy or touristy at all.

How do you get to Ipoh?

From Kuala Lumpur you can take this bus from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan to the Amanjaya Bus Terminal in Ipoh, a trip of about 2.5 hours. The train from KL Sentral is also an option, though the regular train takes around 4 hours due to the many stops. If you take the ETS train, you'll be in Ipoh within 2 hours.

 

Coming from Penang, you take the train from Butterworth and you're on the road for about 2 hours. The bus from Butterworth takes about the same amount of time.

 

From Cameron Highlands , the bus from Tanah Rata takes about 3 hours. By taxi, it takes 2 hours. With your own transport via the toll-free Simpang Pulai road, you can get there in under an hour.

Tip: Consider renting a car in Malaysia. Many of the best spots around Ipoh, such as Mirror Lake, Kellie's Castle, and Gua Tempurung, are spread out beyond the city center and are easiest to combine in one day with your own transport. Traffic is also much calmer and less chaotic than in most other Asian countries.

The Ipoh Heritage Trail: the city's history

Like cities such as George Town and Melaka, Ipoh also carries a legacy of buildings from Malaysia's colonial past. Walk through Old Town and you'll naturally find yourself following the Heritage Trail: a route past the city's most important colonial buildings and historical sites, marked with signs along the way. You don't need to know where you're going beforehand, as the sights are close together and flow logically into one another.

For many visitors, the starting point of the trail is the Ipoh Railway Station, nicknamed the "Taj Mahal of Ipoh" by locals for its beautiful domes and arches. The building is still in use as a train station today. If you're arriving in Ipoh by train, you'll admire this building first thing anyway.

From there, walk toward the Birch Memorial Clock Tower, built in memory of James W.W. Birch, the first British Resident of Perak. Around the base of the tower, you'll see images depicting a colonial view of "the growth of civilization," offering a glimpse into how the British saw things at the time.

Tip: To learn more about the city's history, pay a visit to the 22 Hale Street Heritage Gallery.

A little further on, tucked behind a row of houses, stands Masjid Panglima Kinta: a beautiful white mosque and one of the oldest in Ipoh. It's easy to miss if you're not paying attention. Within walking distance is Concubine Lane, a narrow alley named after the tin-mining tycoons who housed their second wives here in the early twentieth century. Today it's a busy, lively street full of souvenir shops and small food stalls.

Street art in Old Town

You'll find street art all over Old Town. Some pieces tell the story of Ipoh, others are purely decorative. Take the time to wander into the side streets too, as that's often where the best murals are hiding.

Old Town is just one part of what makes Ipoh so special. Ipoh is surrounded by limestone hills. Outside the city, especially around Gopeng and Batu Gajah, you'll find plenty of limestone caves and colorful cave temples as a result. 

Gua Tempurung, the most beautiful limestone cave in Malaysia

Gua Tempurung is located about 25 kilometers south of Ipoh, near Gopeng. The cave stretches an impressive 1.9 kilometers and consists of five large domed chambers, each with its own stalactites and stalagmites. The cave is believed to date back to 8000 BC. It's one of the most beautiful and impressive caves we've visited.

There are four tours to choose from. Tour 1 (Golden Flowstone) takes about 40 minutes and is the most accessible. We did Tour 2 (Top of the World), which took about 1 hour and 45 minutes. During this tour, you see every chamber from start to finish, but you stay on the path the whole time. Both dry tours can be done without a guide.

 

Tour 3 adds a river section to Tour 2 and takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes. Tour 4, the Grand Tour, is the full experience and takes 3.5 to 4 hours. If you choose a wet tour, make sure to bring your own swimwear and water shoes. A helmet and headlamp are provided.

Dry tours start from RM 40 for adults. Wet tours are more expensive and start from RM 50. The cave is open daily from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Wet tours start no later than 10:30 AM, so make sure you're on time if you want to do one. For a dry tour, you can still enter the cave until 4:00 PM.

Tip if you're doing a dry tour: wear shoes with good grip. The stairs are steep and some sections can be slippery too. Bring plenty of water as well, since you'll be walking and climbing quite a few stairs.

Tip: Book tickets for a tour online in advance to save time. 

Mirror Lake, hidden among limestone cliffs

Around Ipoh, you'll find plenty of limestone caves and hills. Tucked between two of these hills lies Mirror Lake, about a 15-minute drive from the city, near Gopeng. As the name suggests, it's a lake nestled between limestone cliffs, named for the way the surrounding hills reflect on the water. A beautiful sight, especially on a clear day. You reach the lake through a small cave in one of the hills. You emerge onto a small wooden platform, and then the water suddenly appears between the limestone hills. If you feel like it, you can also take a little ride across the lake in a rubber boat.

 

Right next to Mirror Lake is a small snake cave you can walk through, if you want to explore the area a bit further. There's a large open area where you can easily park. From 9:00 AM, you can buy a ticket at the ticket counter.

Price: A ticket costs RM 12 per person.

Update: This spot seems to have become increasingly touristy since we visited in 2022. We'd recommend visiting early in the morning so you can explore the area in peace.

Perak Tong, the cave temple with a view over Ipoh

Besides natural features in the limestone hills, such as caves and lakes, the people of Ipoh have also made great use of the stunning surroundings. Perak Tong, a Buddhist cave temple, was built into the limestone cliffs north of the city. The temple was founded in 1926 by a Buddhist priest and his wife from China. Inside, you'll find colorful paintings, natural cave formations, and a calm atmosphere.

A staircase leads you up from the cave to the edge of a limestone cliff, where you'll have a panoramic view over Ipoh and the surrounding mountains. Don't skip this part!

 

The temple is free to visit, though donations are welcome. The cave is open daily from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Perak Tong is about 15 minutes from Ipoh's city center and is easy to reach by scooter or Grab.

Kek Lok Tong, Ipoh's most popular cave temple

Kek Lok Tong is located about 5 kilometers south of Ipoh's city center. Of all the cave temples in the area, this one is most often named as the favorite. The cave is large and bright, with a garden and ponds right at the entrance. The floor here is flat and paved, with benches and even a small elevator, making the temple more accessible than the others on this list. Inside stand Buddhist and Chinese deity statues among the natural rock formations.

Ling Sen Tong, one of the most colorful temples in the region

Ling Sen Tong is a Taoist temple, partly carved into a limestone cave just outside Ipoh. Detailed statues in bright colors surround the temple, standing out beautifully against the rugged limestone walls. Several staircases and gates lead you past viewpoints, with striking limestone cliffs towering above you. It's usually quiet here, so take the time to look at the smaller details too, not just the large statues.

 

The temple is free to visit. There's no strict dress code, but dress respectfully. The temple is still actively used by the local community as a place of worship.

Sam Poh Tong, the city's oldest cave temple

Right next to Kek Lok Tong lies Sam Poh Tong: Ipoh's oldest cave temple. A Buddhist monk is said to have used the cave as a dwelling as early as 1890, after which later monks built the temple and surrounding quarters around it in the 1950s. In front of the entrance is a pond full of turtles, and you can buy food to feed them. This temple is free to visit.

Kellie's Castle, the unfinished castle of Batu Gajah

Hidden in the jungle of Perak lies one of the most mysterious places in Malaysia, one you've probably never heard of. Kellie's Castle was built in 1915 as a dream home by the Scot William Kellie-Smith, but it was never finished. After the owner's sudden death, his wife moved back to Scotland and left the castle behind. Ever since, stories have circulated about ghosts and secret tunnels. The unfinished castle is now filled with history, myths, and a kind of haunting beauty.

 

The castle is located in Batu Gajah, about 30 minutes from Ipoh, and is open daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. If you want to take photos inside with a camera, you'll pay extra for it. Taking photos with your phone is free. The easiest way to get there is by Grab or your own transport.

Price: entry costs RM 10 to 15 per person.

Eating in Ipoh: Concubine Lane and Uptown Night Market

Around Concubine Lane, you'll find plenty of delicious food close together. It's a narrow alley full of food stalls and cafés, offering both traditional local dishes and treats as well as trendy drinks and snacks. Don't forget to try the local treats, like a Kaya puff or an egg tart. You can easily eat yourself full trying all the local snacks and treats in Ipoh. 

For dinner, we think the Uptown Night Market has the best food in Ipoh. The market is open daily from 4:00 PM. Don't skip the desserts either: we honestly had some of the best sweets we've ever eaten here. After dinner, the Kinta Riverwalk is nearby, a great spot for an evening stroll to end the day.

Coffee in Ipoh

Ipoh is known for its white coffee, made from beans roasted with margarine. This gives it a creamy, less bitter taste than regular coffee. Good spots to try it are Old Town White Coffee, Jln Theatre Coffee, and Aud's Cafe, three places each with their own atmosphere.

Restaurants in Ipoh

Other good places to eat in Ipoh:

  • Restoran Thean Chun, one of the oldest kopitiams (a traditional coffee shop or eatery) in Ipoh, known for its kai see hor fun and chee cheong fun. 
  • For Ipoh's famous bean sprout chicken, head to Lou Wong. 
  • Funny Mountain Soya Bean is a well-known dessert chain.
  • Petit Mary Patisserie French Cuisines, a bit further outside the center. Enjoy delicious pastries and croissants here with great coffee.

Hotels in Ipoh

How much time do you need in Ipoh?

For Ipoh itself, plan on at least one full day, though two is better if you have the time. Old Town is easy to explore on foot, but for spots like the Uptown Night Market, you'll need a scooter, rental car or Grab.

If you want to include the surrounding area too, add a few extra days. Mirror Lake, Ling Sen Tong, and Kellie's Castle are close enough together to combine in one day. Gua Tempurung alone will take up half a day once you factor in travel time and the tour itself. If you want to visit all these amazing spots, we'd set aside at least 4 to 5 days for this remarkable city and its surroundings.



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