Enjoy the Cave Temples of Ipoh
A Worthwhile Stop en Route to the Cameron Highlands
Ipoh is the fourth largest city in Malaysia and the capital of the state of Perak. Among tourists, it’s most commonly known as a gateway city into the countryside of the Cameron Highlands or a middle point stop between Malacca and Kuala Lumpur to the south and Penang / George Town and Thailand to the north. For both, Ipoh makes a pleasant one or two day stop. It offers a historic district with British architecture, charming street art, and limestone caves that have been filled with temples.
Explore the Cave Temples
The most impressive thing about Ipoh is getting out to its limestone mountains and caves - and in particular those that have temples built into them. The most famous are Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple and Sam Poh Tong Temple, which are located near each other. Perak Tong Temple on the other side of the city also offers some panoramic views of the city.
Wander Through the Old Town
Ipoh Old Town offers some charming historic architecture, delicious restaurants, and diverse boutiques. Wander freely - but make sure you check out Concubine Lane and Market lane.
Check Out the Street Art
More than the architecture, food, or shopping of Ipoh Old Town, I really enjoyed its street art. Start at Mural Art’s Lane but keep your eye open as you wander because the whole district is full of beautiful pieces.
Other Things to Do
I think one day is plenty to explore Ipoh - but if you find yourself there for longer, here are some other things to do:
Catch a Panoramic View: Hike up Bukit Kledang for sweeping views of Ipoh.
Relax in a Park: Gunung Lang Recreational Park is an expansive park right outside of the city center with a lake and limestone formations. It even offers camping if you’re keen.
Enjoy a Historic Village: Near the cave temples, you can stop at Qing Xin Ling Leisure and Cultural Village, which has traditional houses, a bamboo bridge, and serene ponds.
Go Spelunking: In Gua Tempurun, you can take a spelunking adventure through one of Malaysia's largest limestone cave systems - and even see an underground river.
Shop at a Flea Market: On Sundays, you can shop for old treasures at the Memory Lane Flea Market.
While I think Ipoh is a convenient and lovely way stop, I don’t think it merits being a destination in its own right. Stop to shorten your transit and make travel more comfortable, but I’d recommend only booking a night or two to start with. You can always extend if you fall in love.