Ipoh, Malaysia – Travel Guide (Part 1)

Ipoh, the delightful sleepy town in Malaysia, boasts a vibrant scene featuring exciting elements of food, culture, and arts. Other than famous Ipoh white coffee, tau fu fah, and murals, the town is also adorned with stunning limestone karst mountains, caves, and tranquil hot springs.

Whether you’re seeking adventure or relaxation, Ipoh has something tailored to your preferences. Explore our guide highlighting the top things to do in Ipoh, including must-visit attractions and the finest restaurants, cafes, and local culinary delights in town (part 2)!

Concubine Lane & Market Lane

These two lively streets are must-visits in Ipoh. Take a leisurely walk through narrow pathways lined with cute boutique shops, cafes, dessert spots, and walls painted with murals and street art. Ready your camera for pictures against many nice backdrops here, and keep your eyes peeled in case you come across shops of your liking – you can get anything from hand crafted souvenirs, to local snack, tau fu fah, rainbow cheese toast, and ice cream along the streets.

Address : 12, Jalan Panglima, 30000 Ipoh, Perak (map coordinator).

Mural-spotting across Ipoh Old Town

Ipoh’s old buildings were enhanced with series of local-style murals by Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic back in 2014. His masterpieces are spotted across the town, stray alleys, and at the back of buildings. Get a map from Tourist Information Centre to lead you the way to find them!

Here are some of my favourites you should check them out:

• Yellow Hummingbird (on Jalan Panglima)
• Kids Riding Paper Plane (on Jalan Tun Sambanthan)
• Old Uncle Drinking Coffee (opposite Ipoh Tourist Information Centre)
• Kopi O Ikat Tepi (carpark on Jalan Tun Sambanthan)
• Man With Trishaw (at the corner of Jalan Market)

Kong Heng Square

It is a walking distance from Concubine Lane, Kong Heng Square – a rustic, beautiful space that is home to a food lovers (including the anchor restaurant, Plan B cafe), fashion boutiques, and trinket shops. The area was earlier abandoned space but now rejuvenated into a fun and trendy hangout in Ipoh. Most people swing by to check Kong Heng Square Artisan Market where you can find booths and little stalls selling souvenirs, crafts, food, and more!

Address: 75a, Jalan Bandar Timah, 30000 Ipoh, Perak (map coordinator).

Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat

Also, you may choose to relax and rejuvenate in the arms of nature. The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat is a peaceful health and fitness sanctuary in a 22.7-acre valley surrounded by limestone caves that have been standing proud for over 400 million years. This place included the beautiful geothermal hot springs dipping pools, steam cave, crystal cave, ice bath, freeform swimming pool, and more.

Tip : For couple especially new wedding, this is definitely a place to create lifetime memories that worth a night or two to stay.

Address : 1, Persiaran Lagoon, Sunway 3, 31150 Ipoh, Perak (map coordinator).

Yasmin Ahmad Museum

Yasmin Ahmad, was a Malaysian film director, writer and scriptwriter who well known in Malaysia for being humorous and touching in many commercial short films. For those who’ve enjoyed films directed by the late Yasmin Ahmad, may dropping by the Yasmin Ahmad Museum, a small, unconventional museum (currently located in the basement of BookXcess Kong Heng) built with the aim to inspire people to create films and commercial scripts, just like Yasmin did. Although it’s a small space, it’s filled with nostalgic poetry, films, and photography – you can easily spend an hour or more here.

Address: 91, Jalan Sultan Yusof, 30000 Ipoh, Perak (map coordinator).

Lost World of Tambun

Theme parks lover should not miss out this place when in Ipoh! Famous as one of the best family-friendly attractions in Malaysia, it has indoor and outdoor activities and rides surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes.

Experience the thrill of the roller coaster, indulge in a relaxing hour in the hot springs, and engage in close encounters with charming raccoons, deer, and rabbits at the petting zoo. We recommend dedicating a full day to explore all that the park has to offer, you can also stay till night to watch the space transform into something different after nightfall, complete with fire performances and a mysterious luminous forest. Check out here, to see ticket prices.

Address: 1, Persiaran Lagun Sunway, Sunway City, 31150 Ipoh, Perak (map coordinator).

Kellie’s Castle

Kellie’s Castle, a popular Ipoh attraction with a combination of beauty, mystery, and tragedy. A Scottish planter constructed the castle as a testament to his love for his wife, but regrettably, it remained incomplete after his untimely demise. This castle’s grounds have raised mystery over the years, three secret tunnels were discovered, and there have been spooky tales and rumours of supernatural sightings here.

Opening hours are from 9.30am to 4.30pm, while collecting entrance ticket at RM 10 per person.

Address: Lot 48436, Kompleks Pelancongan Kellie’s Castle, KM 5.5, Jalan Gopeng, 31000 Batu Gajah, Perak (map coordinator).

BookXcess Kong Heng

Located in Kong Heng Square, BookXcess Kong Heng emerged in April 2019 and has swiftly become a charming addition to this eclectic neighborhood. What makes it so unique is the fact that this space used to be home to one of Ipoh’s busiest banks! Lovingly transformed into a brand-new bookstore, books are today placed within the old bank’s vaults and safety deposit boxes. Much of the bank’s elements that date back to the 1980s remain preserved in their original state, providing visitors with a unique browsing experience. Children books or I must said most books are selling at reasonable price, that make it so affordable which you have no reason to skip reading and learning.

Address: 91, Jalan Sultan Yusof, 30000 Ipoh, Perak (map coordinator).

Sam Poh Tong Temple

Ipoh is famous for it’s temples treasure hunt. One of the most popular temple situated just beyond the outskirts of Ipoh, on the southern periphery, Sam Poh Tong Temple is an exquisite cave temple nestled within a natural limestone hill. Regarded as one of the largest cave temples in Malaysia, it was discovered by a Buddhist monk from China in 1912. Explore the meticulously adorned pavilion, the thoughtfully landscaped garden, a sizable fish pond, an altar area for prayers, and ascend a series of stairs to enjoy a panoramic view of Ipoh from the summit. In addition to Sam Poh Tong Temple, you can also explore other cave temples in Ipoh, such as Perak Cave Temple, Kek Lok Tong, Ling Sen Tong Temple and many more to visit.

Address : Kampung Gunung Rapat, 31350 Ipoh, Perak (map coordinator).

Gua Tempurung

This cave is one of the largest limestone caves in Peninsular Malaysia, located in Gopeng, approximately 24km from Ipoh. The cave is made up of large domes, a narrow river passage, huge chambers, and some amazing rock formations that can only be found in this part of the world. Visitor could follow designated path to tour the beautiful nature cave in Malaysia, approximately to take an hour walk and tour around.

Tip : Wear a pair comfortable shoe as caves visit could be a bit sloppy and air ventilation could be not as easy as outdoor due to caves’s natural humid environment.

Address: Pusat Pelancongan Gua Tempurung, 31600 Gopeng, Negeri Perak (map coordinator)

Check on Part 2, sharing must-eat foods in Ipoh you and family should never missed !