Complete Ipoh Itinerary For Food, Day Trip, 2D1N & 3D2N (2024)

As one of the most populated cities in Malaysia, Ipoh has much to offer. And thus, there are many ways to fill your itinerary for Ipoh!

But if you only have a day or a few hours, have a look at our ready-made itinerary below!

This way, you won’t miss out on anything that you should see while you are here. We also have suggestions on what to do if you’re staying longer.

Table of contents:

Itinerary Highlights
Suggested Itinerary
How Long Should You Stay In Ipoh?
Transport
Accommodation In Ipoh
Day Trips From Ipoh

1. Itinerary Highlights

These are the best of Ipoh attractions and the ones that are the most accessible too. You don’t necessarily need a car either. Although a car would be much more convenient (and comfortable).

Sunset View Of Ipoh From The Deck Gastrobar At The Top Of WEIL Hotel In Ipoh – Photo by Travelswithsun

And you best believe that there are tourists that come to Ipoh just for the food! In fact, locals from neighboring states often make a weekend excursion to Ipoh for this reason.

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1.1. Ipoh Food

Steep competition guarantees an impressively high standard when it comes to the taste of Ipoh food.

Many hawker stalls are run by the owners themselves who have had years (sometimes, passed on from parents to children) to perfect their sole dish.

Assorted Dim Sum At Chooi Yue Dimsum Restaurant

There is everything from:

Laksa,
Curry mee,
Hakka mee,
Kai se hor fun,
Chee cheong fun,
Wantan mee

And others!

Gai Se Hor Fun From Thean Chun Coffee Shop In Ipoh – Photo by Travelswithsun

Don’t know where to start? See a list of must-try food in Ipoh.

Keep your eyes peeled:

1.2. Ipoh Street Art/ Mural Lane

You’ll bump into a couple of these colorful wall murals in a stray alley or at the back of a building when you’re exploring Ipoh Old Town and Ipoh New Town.

Wall Mural Of Kids Jumping For Joy At Market Lane In Ipoh Old Town

There are particularly many instances of street art in Mural Art’s Lane: Jalan Masjid, Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh,Perak

And if you want to see the ones painted by Lithuanian artist, Ernest Zacharevic, here are the ones to look out for:

Trishaw Mural Walking Distance From Concubine Lane – Photo by Travelswithsun

Read our detailed guide on street art in Ipoh.

1.3. Ipoh Heritage Walk/ Historical Buildings

Don’t forget to grab a map of the Ipoh heritage walk from the Tourist Information Centre in Ipoh! Or download the Ipoh heritage walk map from the Ipoh World website.

Birch Memorial Clock Tower In Ipoh — A Famous Ipoh Landmark, Birch Memorial Clock Tower – Photo by Travelswithsun

This walk will take you around all the buildings of historical significance in Ipoh.

Including a British-colonial building, Ipoh Railway Station, and other landmarks like the Birch Memorial Clock Tower.

Allow at least 1-2 hours to do this trail at a leisurely pace (not including time for a coffee break). For more details and photos, see our post on the Ipoh heritage walk.

Tips:

Start early in the morning (8am) or in the evening (6:30pm) to avoid the suffocating heat
Bring drinking water and wear comfortable shoes and a hat

A unique feature of Ipoh:

1.4. Cave Temples

Ipoh is home to at least 20 of these wonderful temples that take advantage of the geographical features around them!

Some of these temples were built in the 1950s too.

The Carpark At Perak Cave Temple – Photo by Travelswithsun

The most notable temples to visit are:

Check out our list of recommended cave temples to see in Ipoh.

2. Suggested Itinerary For Ipoh

Ipoh is a laidback city, and your itinerary should reflect this pace!

Start the day with breakfast in a local kopitiam – Try Ipoh white coffee!
Go on the Ipoh heritage walk
Visit a historical museum or antique gallery
Stay cool in one of Ipoh’s many cave temples
Try silky-smooth tau fu fah!
See how Tambun pomelos are grown
End the day with a roadside “snow beer”

If you can only afford a day to see Ipoh:

3.1. Ipoh Day Trip Itinerary

A day trip to Ipoh is common – many see Ipoh as a passing stop rather than the end destination.

Ipoh Wow Signage By The Birch Memorial Clock Tower

What we have planned here assumes that you plan to walk for most of the day. And thus, the main highlight of this itinerary is Ipoh Old Town.

Note: Parking in Ipoh Old Town is incredibly difficult and frustrating on a weekend!

The earlier you arrive, the better it is to avoid the afternoon heat!

Morning:

Arrive for breakfast or brunch at Nam Heong White Coffee (or Kedai Kopi Sin Yoon Loong) – try egg tarts and Ipoh White Coffee.

Egg Tart And Dim Sum At Ipoh Nam Heong White Coffee – Photo by Travelswithsun

Explore Concubine Lane and Kong Heng Square.
Time Tunnel Musuem is worth a peep. So is the Yasmin Ahmad Museum (in Book Xcess Kong Heng).
Spot some Ipoh street art by Ernest Zacharevic at Old Town too.

Note: Tours for Han Chin Pet Soo Museum must be booked in advanced!

Afternoon:

Have lunch at Thean Chun but prepare for a long wait for the kai se hor fun.
Visit Han Chin Pet Soo museum (requires booking) for an eye-opener into Ipoh’s tin mining history. And while you’re here, check out Ho Yan Hor Museum next door.

Ho Yah Hor And Han Chin Pet Soo Museum Close To Concubine Lane — Ho Yan Hor And Han Chin Pet Soo Museum Close To Concubine Lane – Photo by Travelswithsun

Attempt the Ipoh Heritage Walk (e.g. Birch memorial clock tower, Ipoh railway station, Ipoh high court, St. Michael Old Building)
Go for some local desserts – tau fu fah at Big Mom Beancurd or cendol at Deen CT Corner Cendol
Or cool down at an Ipoh café (Pâtisserie BoutiQue or Aud’s Café)
See some murals at Mural Art’s Lane

Evening:

Pick up salted chicken at Ayam Garam Aun Kheng Lim (Main Branch) first
Shop for souvenirs (Sin Weng Fai Peanut Candy Shop, Guan Heong Biscuit Shop, Ching Han Guan 鍾漢元, Kedai Biskut Sin Eng Heong)
Have dinner in Ipoh – Lou Wong’s chicken rice or Restoran Tuck Kee

From 7 pm onwards, you can see the Gerbang Malam (night market)

Want to see something less touristy with a local Ipoh-born guide to show you the way?

You can book a Ipoh private tour with RayTheTour through WhatsApp.

Private Ipoh Tour With RayTheTour & Travelswithsun

3.2. Ipoh 2 Days 1 Night Itinerary

2 days is the sweet spot for exploring Ipoh!

The itinerary here is a continuation of the 1-day itinerary above.

On the first day (night):

Get supper or dessert (or both) at Tong Sui Kai
Go shopping at Ipoh Parade shopping mall
Check out Ipoh nightlife (Bricks & Barrels, Euro House, or Fei Bo Snow beer)

Fei Bo Snow Beer Ipoh Garden East 肥波雪花啤东区 – photo credits to sososoya (Instagram)

There’s a whole medley of places to check out at night in Ipoh actually.

On the second day:

Wake up as early as you can.