Things to Do in Ipoh

Tucked into millennia-old limestone formations, caves and lakes on the banks of the Kinta River, Ipoh is home to thirty Buddhist and Hindu cave temples. Sam Poh Tong, Malaysia’s biggest cave temple, resembles a Chinese mansion amidst landscaped gardens. Atop 120-metre-high outcroppings, Perak Tong Cave Temple displays Buddha statues.

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.

The quirkiest and most rewarding way to explore Ipoh's history and culture is to admire street art. Visitors can take guided tours or blaze their trails through the old town area, where eight significant murals are displayed, including Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic's works.

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 the industrial and environmental history of 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 from Hollywood movies like Megamind, the Smurfs, Mr Peabody & Sherman, Casper the Friendly Ghost, and several others.

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.

Comprising over 200,000 Gaharu and Agarwood trees across 300 lush acres, Gaharu Tea Valley is Malaysia’s first organic, sustainable Gaharu plantation. This popular day-trip destination in the Titiwangsa Mountain is perfect for scenic plantation walks, trekking through jungles, sampling local tea and feeding tortoises and fish.

Blessed with rubber plantations, durian orchards, rivers, and little local settlements, Ulu Geroh in Ipoh’s countryside is famed for having the highest concentration of thriving Rafflesia, the world’s largest flower. Ulu Geroh Rafflesia Trail is a tranquil haven for mountain lovers, meandering up the mountain through dense jungles.

The unfinished, gothic, 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, many believe the castle is haunted.

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 constructed around different themes such as circus and upside down.

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 which creates an illusion among visitors that they are actually in Japan.

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.

Home to heritage colonial-era establishments and Chinese shophouses dating back to WWII, Ipoh Heritage Trail extends 4 miles around the compact and historic old town area. The trail comprises 27 heritage properties that can be visited in two hours, including Town Hall, Ipoh Railway Station, Ipoh Mosque, and the Birch Memorial Clock Tower.

Ipoh's best street food destinations include Jalan Leong Sin Nam Street, Concubine Lane, Old Town and Ipoh Night Market. Try authentic Malaysian chicken rice, white coffee, Hakka mee, Asam laksa, satay, rojak, dim sum, bean sprout chicken, cuttlefish, char kway teow, and chendol.