Ipoh may not be on everyone’s radar, but this charming city in Perak is one of Malaysia’s up-and-coming destinations. This list of places to visit in Ipoh was compiled after a recent trip there in early 2016 to get an update on what has changed over the last few years.

Ipoh lies approximately two hours north of Kuala Lumpur city, and you can reach it by car or ETS (Electric Train Service). However, to fully appreciate Ipoh, I highly recommend staying at least one night there, preferably in one of the new hotels located in the central city area.

The best part is that Ipoh is centrally located between Kuala Lumpur and Penang. Therefore, it is easy to make this place a stopover if you are travelling either way.

All the places to visit in Ipoh are easily accessible on foot, meaning you can get around without needing buses or taxis, unless you plan to head to the outskirts of the city. To start, I recommend exploring Ipoh Old Town, which offers a journey into what the place used to look and feel like in the past.

Concubine Lane in Ipoh

Where to Visit in Ipoh?

Ipoh Old Town – This is the oldest part of Ipoh, where you will find decades-old coffee shops and businesses that continue to operate as if time stood still. The old town area is divided by a river, and once you cross the bridge, you will enter another era of a place once known as the tin mining capital of Malaya. You can easily walk there from the main city area, although it will take approximately 20 minutes.

Kong Heng Square – This is probably the most interesting part of Ipoh city, where a group of businessmen has come together to develop the Kong Heng Heritage Square into one of the most popular places in Ipoh to date.

On weekends, this place springs to life with hundreds of visitors walking all over the square. There is a bazaar selling arts and crafts, as well as shops selling collectables, and several modern cafes and restaurants that are packed with guests. A prominent structure here is the famous Sekeping Kong Heng Hotel, which has made world headlines and is also listed in many travel guidebooks.

Concubine Lane

Concubine Lane Ipoh – One of the most interesting lanes to explore, Concubine Lane is filled with character and is about one hundred meters long. This place is best visited on weekends and during the day, as many shops and street vendors are open for business. Souvenirs, food, and drinks are popular along this wide lane, making it an ideal spot for a leisurely stroll.

Tambun Lost World – For theme park or water park enthusiasts, this is a must-visit destination, as Tambun Lost World is arguably the best water park in the northern region, offering families non-stop fun. There is also the Lost World Hotel, located in the park, approximately 20 minutes from Ipoh city.

Gunung Lang Recreational Park – Nature and outdoor enthusiasts will love this place, as the Gunung Lang Recreational Park is perfect for anyone looking to enjoy some simple trekking and walking. The park is located approximately 15 to 20 minutes outside Ipoh’s central city.

Kek Lok Tong Temple Cave – This unique cave temple features an award-winning landscaped garden, distinct from the typical cave temple. It is located at Gunung Rapat, approximately five kilometres from Ipoh city. If you live in a Chinese culture and are familiar with caves, this is one of the caves to visit.

Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple – A must-visit in Ipoh, the Sam Poh Tong cave temple offers visitors beautiful landscapes, stunning architecture, and a 246-step climb up to a viewpoint that overlooks part of Ipoh city. This cave is also located at the Gunung Rapat Mountain area, a short drive from Ipoh.

Han Chin Pet Soo History Museum – For history enthusiasts, this museum offers a unique insight into the tin mining culture that shaped Ipoh’s identity.

Founded in 1893 as the Hakka Tin Miners Club, it is now a private museum that houses a fascinating collection of artefacts, collectables, and photographs from the 19th- and 20th-century Hakka community.

Gerbang Malam Ipoh Night Market – In English, this translates to the Gateway of the Night in Ipoh, where a night market is held daily in the main town of Ipoh. You can find a wide range of consumer goods here, including clothes, shoes, accessories, snacks, food, and several other interesting items.

Qing Xin Ling Leisure and Cultural Village, Ipoh – I must admit that, as I didn’t have enough time to visit this Chinese Cultural Village in Ipoh, it will be next on my list when I plan another trip to Ipoh. The Qing Xin Ling Cultural Village in Ipoh showcases authentic Chinese culture from the 1960s and 1970s, and is popular among locals for day trips. A lovely lake surrounds the place, and you can rent old-style bicycles or even trishaws to move around the village.

What to Eat in Ipoh?

Ipoh is probably one of the top three places for food in Malaysia, if you didn’t already know. However, foodies from all over will head here to sample some of the unique Chinese Malaysian cuisine found throughout Ipoh.

The most popular dishes are the Ipoh Chicken Rice and Ipoh Hakka Noodles, which can be found at several locations around the central city area. While many swear by certain restaurants, others have their favourites; therefore, I will only share with you the popular dishes. It is up to you to decide which ones you like.

Sin Yoon Loong, one of the oldest coffee shops in Ipoh

Ipoh White Coffee is hands down a must-try for any coffee lover, and I, being a coffee traveller, have personally tried most of the local coffee in Ipoh city.

Apart from the nationwide famous coffee shop in Old Town Ipoh, my personal favourite is the Ipoh White Coffee at Wah Nam Cafe. Again, you may or may not like it, but for locals, the coffee around Ipoh is a must-try.

Where to stay in Ipoh?

There are several places to stay in Ipoh, with most hotels scattered throughout the city. As for me, I did not want any hassle. Therefore, I used an online travel booking platform to book my hotel stay, mainly because of their hassle-free system and the absence of additional fees.

Best Western Premier The Haven Ipoh, one of the lake-facing units

Personally, it took me a few minutes to find the best Ipoh hotel deal, and I was pleased with the outcome, as I had booked my stay at one of the new properties, Best Western Premier The Haven Ipoh, a unique condominium situated in natural surroundings. As I drove there, it was easy for me to move around.

Best Time to Visit Ipoh

There is no best time to visit Ipoh, as the weather remains relatively consistent throughout the year. Many locals claim that Ipoh is also one of the hottest cities in Malaysia. Therefore, it is highly recommended for women travellers to bring an umbrella and sunscreen. At the same time, men should also get a cap and drink plenty of water due to the high humidity levels. Below are the hottest and wettest months of Ipoh.

• January – Hottest Month
• October – Wettest Month

How to Go to Ipoh

Generally, you can take the ETS (Electric Train Service) from Kuala Lumpur, which takes only two hours to Ipoh. Other ways to get to Ipoh include day tours offered by tour companies, which depart in the mornings and return at night. You can also take the local express bus to Ipoh from various bus terminals in Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

One of the old shophouses seen in Ipoh’s old town

Conclusion

My recommendation is to rent a car from either Kuala Lumpur (KL) or Penang and drive yourself to Ipoh, where you can spend a night or two. This way, there is no rush and you can fully enjoy all the places to visit in Ipoh. Alternatively, you can even experience the Kuala Lumpur – Ipoh – Penang experience, where you pick up your rented car from KL and drop it off in Penang.

With popular tourism spots like Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, and Penang, I think that Ipoh is one of the up-and-coming destinations in Malaysia that visitors should consider, simply because it is not overrated and remains very much conventional.