Ipoh, the third-largest city in Malaysia, has recently gained tourist popularity. Largely popular through the famous “Ipoh White Coffee” and British Colonial architecture, locals and tourists have also begun visiting the metropolis of Perak.
If you’re still questioning what to do in Ipoh, we got a list for you. Explore headfirst with us in this historically strong city!
1. Drink White Coffee at Nam Heong
The famous Ipoh White Coffee that took the world by storm originated in this small coffee shop, Nam Heong, in Ipoh. White coffee is still served in old-school coffee cups in an old Kopitiam setting. You can come by to enjoy an afternoon coffee while having some egg tarts to go with it. White coffee here will not cost you more than RM5, unlike having a cuppa in cafes nowadays!
2. Admire Ipoh Street Art
Just like Penang and Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh started the trend on street art around the city. Maps are provided for you to go on street art trails! How convenient! The same artist at Penang, Georgetown, Ernest Zacharevic has led people on the trail of beautiful murals. The famous ones like the Kopi ‘O, Hummingbird, and the most popular Uncle holding a coffee cup.
3. Visit Concubine Lane
Concubine Lane is a long and uneven street that was built in 1908. The history behind the weird name was literally taken from how Chinese Magnate and British officers used to keep their mistresses in this area.
4. Go To Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple
Sam Poh Tong is a magnificent and famous cave temple located in Gunung Rapat. The Chinese Buddhist Temple was discovered in 1912 in a limestone hill. In 1993, this temple was awarded “Best Landscaped Garden” in Malaysia. There’s a variety of landscape garden with Japanese stone lanterns and pagodas, fish ponds that you can feed tortoise, and even a vegetarian restaurant outside the temple. The view of Ipoh from the temple is breathtaking; even the structure of the temple is picturesque!
5. Try Ipoh Food
All over Malaysia, different cities carry different speciality dishes and food. Ipoh is one of them. Ipoh Chicken Rice and Gai Si Hor Fun (Shredded Chicken Noodles) are the most famous Ipoh food.
Famous Ipoh Chicken Rice places include Lou Wong, Ong Kee and Cowan Street. You’ll always see these restaurants packed with locals and tourists alike. The aromatic chicken is the smoothest you will ever taste!
Ipoh Hor Fun is one of the local’s favourite, you can see them in every restaurant and coffee shop in Ipoh. The restaurant that stands out the most is Thean Chun Coffee Shop, which comes highly recommended.
6. Explore The Lost World of Tambun
Ipoh is also very family friendly – they have a theme park that is the first in Southeast Asia to have natural hot springs and various rides!
Their theme park also includes a water park, amusement park, hot springs and spa, and even a petting zoo. Lost World of Tambun can be the last stop of your Ipoh adventure, where you’ll be able to lounge around the hot springs after a long day of touring!
The theme park is open Monday to Friday 11 am to 6 pm and weekends 10 am to 6 pm located at Persiaran Lagun Sunway 1. A day of fun and adventure will not be far off from this historical city of Ipoh.
7. Drop By Qing Xin Ling Leisure and Cultural Village
Qing Xin Ling is a lush lakeside cultural village that is translated into “Serene Hill” located at Taman Saikat. This is probably the best definition of Ipoh attractions on steroids. There are so many outdoor activities to do here, like jungle trekking, bicycle riding, and having your own barbecue around a campfire.
You could even feed fishes here. There are also swings set up in front of the lake for you to enjoy the beautiful view of the village. There is also a service called “Ba Zhi” that is free of charge to let someone read your fortune! If you like taking pictures, there are plenty of vintage props and spots to take photos at!
8. Pay A Visit To Ho Yan Hor Museum
Ho Yan Hor Museum preserves old buildings as a heritage project to restore these properties and promote awareness of Ipoh’s historical heritage. It is opened from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 am to 4 pm, located at Jalan Bijeh Timah!
Ho Yan Hor was originally a herbal tea shop, now transformed into a museum that has services like educational corner and storyboards, documentary videos, antiques and artefacts, and also a tea bar serving their Ho Yan Hor tea.
You can find interesting murals on the side of the building. Entrance to the museum is free! Ho Yan Hor Museum is one of Ipoh’s famous attractions to date!
9. Go Deep Into The Gua Tambun Cave Paintings
Gua Tambun was discovered in 1959 by a British soldier and was declared as Ipoh’s national heritage in 2010. The cave has paintings as old as 3,000 years. It is located at Ulu Kinta with no charges for entrance fees.
While Gua Tambun is very much underrepresented, a group of people, Center for Global Archaeological Research USM are trying to create heritage awareness projects to stop vandalism and flora/fauna interference.
Besides having mini-tours on the cave paintings, they encourage tourists and locals to draw their own art on mini wood blocks as a way of learning the meaning of the cave paintings.
10. Pop by Ipoh Town Hall and Old Post Office
Influenced by the British’s colonisation in the early 1900s, this Victorian stronghold and its integrity have held its existence since its inception. Take a step into the compound, and it seems as though you’ve transported to a time when history was being birthed at this very spot.
Need a quick break or a short getaway? Can’t wait to look at cave paintings and soak in the atmosphere of Ipoh? We have some great deals for you, so start booking your holidays now with Tripcarte Asia!