Ipoh cave temples are an integral part of Ipoh. The structure of these temples is unique as they are partially built into limestone hills. Which are the key geographical feature of Ipoh besides the Kinta River!
And apart from the cave temples, there are caves that are open to the public for visits. We have listed popular as well as lesser-known places in this post.
Come check them out the next time you travel to Ipoh!
Table of Contents:
- Perak Cave Temple
- Kek Lok Tong Ipoh
- Sam Poh Tong Temple
- Nam Thean Tong Temple
- Ling Sen Tong Temple
- Guanyin Cave
- Dong Hua Cave Temple
- Tambun Cave
- Tempurung Cave
- The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat
Top 10 Ipoh Cave Temples & Limestone Caves
Align your body, mind and spirit by visiting these temples!
1. Perak Cave Temple
Perhaps the most famous of all Ipoh’s cave temples:
Perak Cave Temple is impressive right from your first look at it! Its symmetrical architecture and central staircase make it look like a grand Chinese-style mansion.
Not to mention, the magnificent limestone cliffs surrounding it!
Once inside, you can admire the stone formations that are the interior walls of the temple as well as the beautiful paintings on them.
And if you can muster the energy and don’t mind a workout:
You can climb all the way to the very top of the temple where you get a lovely view of Ipoh city below!
Note: The stairs to the hilltop pavilion (and hillside pavilions) is behind the main altar in the temple.
Read more about Perak Cave Temple.
- Location: Jalan Kuala Kangsar, Kawasan Perindustrian Tasek, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
- Contact: +6011-2358 4126
- Entrance Fee: Free
- Remarks: Stairs are quite steep. Do be careful if you bring your kids!
2. Kek Lok Tong Ipoh
Next on the list is Kek Lok Tong:
It shares a similar name to the one in Penang but Ipoh’s Kek Lok Tong looks completely different. It is notably less flashy than the other temples in Ipoh.
But the inconspicuous outer appearance belies a magnificent cavern with benches and Buddhist and Taoist statues! It’s cooler in the cave than outside.
You can view stalactites and stalagmites and other interesting rock formations up close in Kek Lok Tong.
Altogether, the whole compound is around 12 acres. This includes a well-maintained garden at the back of the temple!
And now, visitors can take a paddle boat ride down the river outside of the cave temple. Or cycle around the cave to take in the scenery.
See more pictures of Kek Lok Tong.
- Location: Persiaran Sepakat 3, Taman Endah Jaya, 31350 Ipoh, Perak
- Opening Hours: 8am to 4:30pm
- Contact: +605-312 8112
- Entrance Fee: Free but donations are welcome
- Remarks:
- The garden is best enjoyed in the cool of the early morning or in the late evenings
- Free parking
- Wheelchair-friendly
- You can buy fish food to feed the fish in the pond
3. Sam Poh Tong Temple
Somewhere along a secluded road in Gunung Rapat and roughly 5 to 6km from Ipoh Old Town:
Sam Poh Tong temple sits quietly against a limestone hill.
The caves of Sam Poh Tong serve as a resting place for ancestors, with plaques and urns for cremation ashes.
Right in front of the temple is a beautiful, landscaped garden with a fish pond. While you are here, you should check out the exquisite white marble archway too.
You can go straight through the temple via a natural tunnel that leads out to the back. This is where there is an incredible up-close view of the limestone hill and a tortoise pond!
Read more about Sam Poh Tong temple in Ipoh.
- Location: Kampung Gunung Rapat, 31350 Ipoh, Perak
- Opening Hours: 9:00am to 4:00pm
- Contact: +605-255 2772
- Entrance Fee: Free but a donation is welcome
- Remarks: You can buy fresh vegetables/ fruit from a made-shift counter inside the temple to feed the tortoises at the back!
4. Nam Thean Tong Temple
Nam Thean Tong Temple is between Ling Sen Tong Temple and Sam Poh Tong Temple. Hence, it is convenient to check Nam Thean Tong Temple out while you are there.
Compared to other cave temples like Kek Lok Tong or Sam Poh Tong Temple though, Nam Thean Tong Temple is not very impressive.
But it won’t take you long to explore Nam Thean Tong Temple because it is small. It is cool inside the temple and you will also be able to see some interesting rock formations here.
On site are some small shops where you can get refreshments or souvenirs too.
5. Ling Sen Tong Temple
If you’re making a visit to Sam Poh Tong, you will pass by Ling Sen Tong Temple first! And this temple is hard to miss with its typical bright Taoist colors!
The temple is small but it has a large open-air courtyard with statues and murals of various Taoist religious figures.
Including the Goddess Kuan Yin who is the main deity here, and characters from Chinese folklore!
There is a pond and a garden with a large reclining Buddha too.
Because of their proximity to each other, you should combine a visit to Ling Sen Tong Temple together with a visit to Sam Poh Tong!
- Location: 31350 Ipoh, Perak
- Opening Hours: 9:00am to 4:00pm
- Entrance Fee: Free but a donation is welcome
- Remarks: There are parking spaces in the temple compound.
6. Guanyin Cave
More than 100 years old, Kwan Yin Tong is 10 minutes’ drive away from the previous two cave temples!
There are around 70 or so Goddess Kuan Yin (Goddess of Mercy) here. As well as a pond that is made to resemble a Japanese wishing fountain with steppingstones to cross to the other side.
The main chamber utilizes the natural formation of Guanyin Cave and only the floor has been tiled up.
It’s all too easy to miss the stairs just by the side of the temple. These lead to a platform with a hefty Buddha statue in a seated position.
Couples who want a different scenery from a registration office can choose to get married here. As there are marriage registration services available!
- Location: Lot 21606, Batu 4 1/2, Jalan Gopeng, 31350 Ipoh, Perak, 1, 31350 Ipoh, Perak
- Contact: +605-311 2451
- Entrance Fee: Free
- Remarks: This temple is bustling with activity on the 15th night of Chinese New Year – Chap Goh Mei or Chinese Valentines’ Day.
7. Dong Hua Cave Temple (东华洞)
You will have to climb up to this red temple that looks like it’s embedded into the face of a limestone hill.
However, the steep climb up is worth the panoramic views (and exercise) especially in the early morning when it’s not that hot yet!
The cooling chamber of the cave temple is peaceful and calm. Hardly any tourists come here so you’ll get to enjoy the serenity alone.
And thus, the chamber is a nice and cosy location to visit after ascending up the cave side.
Plus, you can only see the impressive 100-year-old massive stalactite hanging from the cave’s ceiling from inside the temple!
Hardly any tourists come here so you’ll get to enjoy the serenity alone.
- Location: Lot 26006, Hala Perindustrian 1, Taman Bistari, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
- Opening Hours: 8am to 5pm
- Contact: +6012-578 7748
- Entrance Fee: Free
- Remarks: Be very careful when you’re treading the stairs. There are around 150 steps!
8. Tambun Cave (Gua Tambun)
Hidden from view behind an army base:
Tambun cave is one of Ipoh’s best-kept secrets!
It takes some effort to find the place and reach the prehistoric cave drawings on the cliff side of a limestone hill so be prepared!
The paintings are well over a thousand years old so many of them are quite faded. But you don’t need to have an archaeologist background to be able to pick out a few!
How To Get To Tambun Cave
- Just before the entry point for the North-South highway, is a small Caltex gas station (on your right) as you’re coming from town.
- You’ll have to make a U-turn to enter the Caltex gas station.
- Park your car at the gas station past the pumps to the corner on the right.
- Walk to the back of the gas station around a fence (see where those horse trailers are in the photo below?)
- There will be a guard and a gate for a private road (just tell the guard you’re going to see Gua Tambun).
- And then you just turn left after passing the gate.
- Walk through a field following a red line painted on the perimeter.
- Cross a small drain/stream to a dirt path. Parts of the trail can be very muddy after some rain!
- The path runs along the limestone hills to a wooden rest area beside some stairs.
- The stairs (~120 steps) are steep and covered with leaves which can be dangerous if you’re not watching your step!
- At the top of the stairs, you’ll see graffiti but walk towards the right and look up. And you’ll see the cave paintings!
After seeing the cave paintings, you’ll definitely work up a thirst! Cool off at one of Ipoh’s many cafes!
Tips:
- Don’t come here late in the day. As there are no lights along the path.
- A lot of mosquitoes and monkeys here
- Track is quite rundown
- This place isn’t suitable for elders
- You might have to ask for permission to enter
- Sometimes, the place is locked up
- Location: 31400 Tambun, Perak
- Opening Hours: 8:00am to 5:30pm
- Contact: +604 653 3357
- Entrance Fee: Free
9. Tempurung Cave
Better known as Gua Tempurung:
This astounding geographical marvel lies south of Ipoh in Gopeng.
To explore the cave, there are 4 tours you can choose from as visitors aren’t allowed in on their own!
Note: If you’re driving to Ipoh from Kuala Lumpur, you can detour here first at the Gopeng Interchange.
- Location: Pusat Pelancongan Gua Tempurung, 31600 Gopeng, Perak
- Opening Hours: 9:00am – 4:00pm
- Contact: +605-318 8555 / +6014-220 4142
Tours available:
- Tour 1 – Golden Flowstone (4 hours, easy)
- Tour 2 – Top of the World (2 hours, moderate difficulty)
- Tour 3 – Top of the World and Short River Adventure (3 hours, moderate difficulty)
- Tour 4 – Grand Tour (3.5 hours, challenging)
You can see more details on the tours at our separate post for Gua Tempurung.
Remarks: Tours 3 and 4 will involve wading in the underground river. These tours require a minimum of 8 pax before the tour can start for the day!
10. The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat
You might be wondering why a resort is on this list but we’ll explain presently.
The Banjaran Hotsprings Resort in Tambun is famous for many things:
- Massage and spa services
- Their hot pools
- 5-star resort status
- Gorgeous scenery (serene location)
- Luxurious villas
- Fat price tags
- And so on!
But did you know that you can have a fine dining experience like no other at their restaurant, Jeff’s Cellar?
This unusual Ipoh fine dining restaurant is set in a limestone cave. Strategically placed lighting brings out the natural cave interior!
Jeff’s Cellar also houses a private wine collection that is open for viewing and wine tasting every day from 6pm to 11pm.
Other than Jeff’s Cellar, you can also see other caves at The Banjaran Hotsprings Resort like their steam and meditation caves!
- Location: 1, Persiaran Lagoon, Sunway 3, 31150 Ipoh, Perak
- Contact: +605-210 7777
- Remarks: You have to book ahead if you want to dine at Jeff’s Cellar
Read more:
- Ipoh Street Art: A Must-do In Ipoh (Mural Art Includes Where To Find Them)
- Concubine Lane Ipoh: A Must Visit Street In Ipoh
- What other things can you do in Ipoh?
How To Get To These Cave Temples
If you’ve only staying in Ipoh for a while, plan your itinerary accordingly to include at least one of these!
A few of them are close to each other but don’t let that be your deciding factor to visit them! Quality is better than quantity.
By the way, some of these aren’t that easy to find or get to so if you need some help:
You can book a private tour to take you to these places and give you more local insight at the same time! Book a Ipoh tour with RayTheTour by sending them a message on WhatsApp!
Conclusion
It will take you a few days (maybe even a week!) to see all the beautiful temples in Ipoh! And each one has something that sets it apart from the others!
We’ve made it easier for you to select which ones you should visit with this list. Our personal favorites are Kek Lok Tong and Sam Poh Tong.
Other articles you might be interested in:
- Kellie’s Castle Ipoh – Must-see Architectural & Historical Perak Attraction
- 13 Fun Night Activities In Ipoh
- 19 Best Hotels To Stay At In Ipoh
- MAPS Ipoh: All About Movie Animation Park Studio In Perak + Review
- Ipoh Bali Hotel Review: Discover This Unique Bali-style Boutique Hotel With Spa
