Gunung Lang Recreational Park In Ipoh

Far from Ipoh Old Town and other usual tourist hotspots in Ipoh, Gunung Lang still manages to draw both local and foreign tourists.

But what is there to do at Gunung Lang and more specifically, Gunung Lang Recreational park? And how long can you expect to explore everything here?

Find out more from our experience of Gunung Lang in Ipoh!

Table Of Contents:

Activities In Gunung Lang

To be frank, there is not a whole lot to do at Gunung Lang, Ipoh besides a visit to Gunung Lang Recreational Park.

This residential area is not as busy as other more established areas in Ipoh.

Tip: You may want to fuel up elsewhere before or after your visit to the park as dining options are limited in this area.

Gunung Lang has a few attractions close to each other. These include a manmade waterfall (part of Gunung Lang Recreational Park), a climbing park, a petting zoo, and a jetty where you can take a boat to Gunung Lang Recreational Park.

1. Gunung Lang Recreational Park

When you enter Gunung Lang Recreational Park, the first thing you’ll see aside from the car park and jetty building, is the manmade waterfall and a nice but small children’s playground.

Gunung Lang Recreational Park Seen From One Of The Lookout Towers
Gunung Lang Recreational Park Seen From One Of The Lookout Towers – Photo by Travelswithsun

You can only reach the rest of the recreational park by taking a boat ride across the lake.

Traditional Malay Hut At Gunung Lang Recreational Park
Traditional Malay Hut At Gunung Lang Recreational Park – Photo by Travelswithsun

On the opposite side of the lake, the park has numerous partially shaded paths, a couple of traditional huts for taking photos, two lookout towers, a wooden bridge, another playground and the remnants of the original petting zoo at Gunung Lang.

Playground At Gunung Lang Recreational Park
Playground At Gunung Lang Recreational Park – Photo by Travelswithsun

1.1. Opening Hours For Gunung Lang Recreational Park

Gunung Lang Recreational Park at Gunung Lang, Ipoh opens fairly early at 8:30am. However, it closes at 6pm with the last boat departing at 5pm.

Note: The boat takes you to the larger part of the park so you would be missing out on a lot if you miss it.

One Of The Rest Huts At Gunung Lang Recreational Park
One Of The Rest Huts At Gunung Lang Recreational Park – Photo by Travelswithsun

1.2. Attractions In Gunung Lang Recreational Park

1.2.1. Boat Rides At Gunung Lang Recreational Park

The Gunung Lang boat ride is the main highlight of visiting Gunung Lang in Ipoh, Perak. There is no entrance fee for the park (yet).

And since much of the park can only be accessed by the boat, you can consider the boat fare as the entrance fee for the park.

Jetty View (Entrance Side) Of Gunung Lang Recreational Park
Jetty View (Entrance Side) Of Gunung Lang Recreational Park – Photo by Travelswithsun

The boat rides don’t run by any fixed schedule. It just depends on whether there’re visitors to ferry over. The driver even made a U-turn to pick up more passengers at the jetty since our boat only had 6 passengers.

Boat rides are quick (under 5 minutes), breezy and smooth but give you a good look of the surrounding hills and greenery before docking at the opposite side of the lake.

Life jackets are available on the boat although it was not compulsory to wear them.

Greenery At Gunung Lang Recreational Park
Greenery At Gunung Lang Recreational Park – Photo by Travelswithsun
Gunung Lang Recreational Park Ticket Price (Boat Fare/ Entrance Fee)

You can purchase tickets from the one-storey building that houses some stalls, a café (wasn’t open on a Wednesday), a surau and toilets, as well as the ticket counter for the boat rides.

The main visitor center is the only proper building in Gunung Lang Recreational Park. It is right in front of the car park, and just beside the manmade waterfall.

Gunung Lang Jetty
Gunung Lang Jetty – Photo by Travelswithsun

There is a vending machine and benches facing the jetty too.

Note: Signage for the facilities and getting around the park are all in Malay.

Gunung Lang ticket prices are very affordable. And hence, this is a great place to bring your extended family or a large group if you don’t want to spend a lot.

Boat At Gunung Lang Recreational Park
Boat At Gunung Lang Recreational Park – Photo by Travelswithsun

Or you are just looking for other things to do in Ipoh that are not food-related.

CategoryAgeTicket Price
Adult13 to 54 years oldRM3
Children3 to 12 years oldRM 1.50
SeniorsAbove 55 years oldRM 1.50

In comparison, the ticket prices for Qing Xin Ling Leisure & Cultural Village is RM12 for adults (including seniors).

Although we will say that the overall management of the Qing Xin Ling Leisure & Cultural Village is better than at Gunung Lang Recreational Park.

1.2.2. Gunung Lang Waterfall In Ipoh

The Gunung Lang waterfall was the star attraction at Gunung Lang Recreational Park prior to the pandemic.

But during our most recent visit (on weekday afternoon), it was off even though it was during the stated operation times.

There is a notice by the Ipoh city council or MBI (Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh) in front of the manmade waterfall that states the operation times.

Gunung Lang Waterfall Operation Times
  • Weekdays – 10am to 12pm and again from 4pm to 6pm
  • Weekends and public holidays – 9am to 11am, 1pm to 3pm, and again from 5pm to 7pm

From our observation however, it looked like no one had turned the waterfall on in a quite a while. Instead, a family of monkeys were using the pool to cool off.

1.2.3. Lookout Towers In Gunung Lang Recreational Park

There are two such lookout towers in the park. One at the very end of the park, directly opposite the point where the boat drops off visitors.

Wooden Bridge At Gunung Lang Recreational Park
Wooden Bridge At Gunung Lang Recreational Park – Photo by Travelswithsun

The second is on the immediate right after getting off the boat and the lakeside (i.e., larger) side of the park.

Both towers have obvious signs of neglect (e.g., broken rails, bird poop, etc) but if you climb the few flights of stairs up, you will get better views of the park.

1.2.4. Mini Zoo In Gunung Lang Recreational Park

The few resident animals that remain of the original zoo at Gunung Lang Recreational Park include a couple of ponies, one lonely buffalo, rabbits, an Egyptian goose, two guineafowls, and a small herd of deer.

Small Zoo At Gunung Lang Recreational Park
Small Zoo At Gunung Lang Recreational Park – Photo by Travelswithsun

Even though there are many enclosures around the park, very few are occupied.

Rabbits At Gunung Lang Recreational Park
Rabbits At Gunung Lang Recreational Park – Photo by Travelswithsun
1.2.5. Cat Fish Lake In Gunung Lang Recreational Park

There was not much activity at this lake during a weekday afternoon but we suspect that you can take a boat out onto the lake during weekends. There is a large warehouse right beside the lake.

You can also just feed the fish in the lake. This smaller lake at the far end of Gunung Lang Recreational Park is pretty but this area is not well maintained.

Toilets at this end of the park are close to the lake.

2. Gunung Lang Petting Zoo

Gunung Lang Recreational Park used to have its own petting zoo across the lake (and hence, only accessible by boat). But it seems that they are just letting the animals die off as we saw many empty cages during our visit.

Entrance Of Pavilion Petting Zoo At Gunung Lang
Entrance Of Pavilion Petting Zoo At Gunung Lang – Photo by Travelswithsun

However, there is currently a newer petting zoo called Pavilion Petting Zoo outside of the park. The zoo is at the far right of the Gunung Lang jetty with its own parking.

Fees are separate too and inexpensive. Opening hours for this zoo are 10am to 6pm every day.

Ticket Prices For Pavilion Petting Zoo

CategoryPrice
Foreigners (Adults/ Kids)RM10
Malaysians (Adults/ Kids)RM6
Infants (under 2 years old)Free
Seniors (58 and over)Free
DisabledFree

Food for the animals is sold separately (RM2/packet) inside the indoor section of the zoo.

There are 18 staff members looking after all the animals here and there are a large variety of animals at this petting zoo. Including some we’ve never seen before (e.g., skinny guinea pigs).

There are sheep, ducks, chickens and other terrestrial birds like quails, goats, cows, ostriches, one sad emu, 3 raccoons, and small horses at the outdoor section of the zoo.

Sheep And Lambs At The Outdoor Section Of Pavilion Petting Zoo At Gunung Lang
Sheep And Lambs At The Outdoor Section Of Pavilion Petting Zoo At Gunung Lang – Photo by Travelswithsun
A Caged Raccoon At Gunung Lang
A Caged Raccoon At Gunung Lang – Photo by Travelswithsun

Indoors, there are blue tongued skinks, corn snakes, a few species of rabbits and guinea bigs, cats, hamsters, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, squirrels, etc.

Indoor Section Of Pavilion Petting Zoo At Gunung Lang
Indoor Section Of Pavilion Petting Zoo At Gunung Lang – Photo by Travelswithsun

The animals generally appear to be in good shape and their respective cages and enclosures are clean. However, it is quite clear that many of the animals don’t have enough space, or are stuck in unsuitable habitats (e.g., the pairie dogs have no digging substrate).

3. Gunung Lang Climbing Park

Further off to the left side of the jetty at Gunung Lang, the Gunung Lang Climbing Park is free for the public to access. Park at the side of the road (the entrance is on the right side of the park).

Gunung Lang Climbing Park
Gunung Lang Climbing Park – Photo by Travelswithsun

Depending on when you visit it, you may see groups of climbers attempting to scale the limestone cliffs here.

Note: If you’re keen on trying some outdoor activities here, contact Ventrex Outdoor Recreation on their appropriate social media.

Climbers At Gunung Lang Climbing Park
Climbers At Gunung Lang Climbing Park – Photo by Travelswithsun

There are also locals taking their morning or evening walk/ jog around the park. While this park is small, the scenery is beautiful and unique. And there are benches and swings where you can take a rest.

You can also get coffee at the small café in the park. Next to the café is a kick-boxing station where you can sign up for a kick-boxing session if you want to.

Little Cafe At Gunung Lang Climbing Park
Little Cafe At Gunung Lang Climbing Park – Photo by Travelswithsun

Hotels Near Gunung Lang

Because Gunung Lang Recreational Park is a distance away from other Ipoh attractions, it might make sense to stay closer to it if you want to visit it as early as possible.

Or if you just want to enjoy the scenery for as long as possible as there is not much to do here other than a visit to the park.

1. Gergasi Inn

New, reasonably clean and comfortable, Gergasi Inn has quadruple rooms and family suites fitted with king sized beds as well as rooms for solo travellers. Their rooms are generally spacious.

There is parking (though not secure) and the hotel is close to the highway and thus convenient, if you have your own transport. Moreover, there are nearby eateries and malls since this is a commercial area.

However, this hotel is not elderly or wheelchair friendly.

Note: Deposit of RM50 required upon check-in

  • Location: 8, Jalan Lang Jaya 1 Pusat Komersial Lang Jaya, 30010 Ipoh, Malaysia
  • Price: From RM108 (2 pax)

2. Zone Hotel Ipoh

This is another new hotel close to Gunung Lang with small, albeit clean and stylish rooms. Note that some rooms only have a tiny window. Furthermore, there is an expected deposit of RM100 upon check in.

Guests have access to free parking. And as long as you have your own car, it’s easy to get around. But because of the hotel’s proximity to the highway, it can be noisy at night.

Tip: Request for a room that doesn’t face the highway. And bring earplugs in case.

  • Location: Pusat Perniagaan, 12-14 Jalan Lang Indah A/1, Jalan Lang Indah, 30010 Ipoh, Perak, 30010 Ipoh, Malaysia
  • Price: From RM176 (2 pax)

Homestays Near Gunung Lang

1. Ipoh Gunung Lang Private Pool Villa by Verve

Just across the road and walking distance from Pavilion Petting Zoo, Ipoh Gunung Lang Private Pool Villa by Verve has a lovely outdoor pool. It is one of the first houses in the secure residential neighborhood at Desa Lang Damai.

Each of the 5 bedrooms at this spacious villa have their own bathrooms.

So for large groups, this is a homestay worth staying at if you want to be close to Gunung Lang Recreational Park.

Note: Deposit of RM350 to be paid upon check-in

  • Location: 1 Lang Damai 4 Desa Lang Damai, 30010 Ipoh, Malaysia
  • Price: From RM1,800 (Up to 16 pax)

2. Decozy Homestay

Book this very affordable, well-maintained contemporary homestay if you don’t mind being further away from Gunung Lang Recreational Park and have your own transport.

From here, it takes 6 minutes to drive to Gunung Lang Recreational Park. But it’s also 7 minutes’ drive from Perak Cave Temple.

There is enough space to comfortably accommodate a group size of 14 pax! And in case you run into any issues, it’s nice to know that the host is very responsive!

Note: Expected deposit is RM200

  • Location: 17 Jalan Suria 5, 30010 Ipoh, Malaysia
  • Price: From RM398 (Up to 15 pax)

Conclusion

A visit to Gunung Lang in Ipoh, Perak is not complete without stopping by the Gunung Lang Recreational Park.

Sure, the park could use some major sprucing up when it comes to older structures within the park. But considering the low fares and the natural beauty of the area, we can see how appeals to local tourists and nature lovers.

This is also one place that we think would be better to visit on a weekend too, since the atmosphere will be livelier.

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