Is Tasik Cermin or Mirror Lake a must-see attraction in Ipoh? What does this natural landmark have to offer besides enchanting views?
And is there an optimum time to visit Tasik Cermin? How much is the entrance fee and boat ride for Tasik Cermin?
Find out the answers to these questions in this post!
When Is The Best Time To Visit Mirror Lake In Ipoh?
At 10am on a weekday, there are many visitors already. And the deck starts to get sunshine around this time, so it is hot from then on.
The best time to visit Tasik Cermin is actually 8:30am, before the official opening hours as the lake only looks reflective then.
Evenings are also not ideal for visiting as the lake doesn’t get any sunshine (i.e., photos will turn out dark). If you come close to closing time (6pm), the staff will not operate the boats.
Note: If you see long queues at Tasik Cermin, it’s best not to join in as the viewing platform is small and it will not be easy to get a photo without strangers in.
Overcast days (and therefore wetter months) don’t make for great photos at Tasik Cermin either.
The staff advise going between hotter months. Like between April to June when there’s less chance of overcast and rain.
Facilities At Tasik Cermin
Once a former iron quarry and hidden gem of Ipoh:
Tasik Cermin is currently under the management of Majuperak Holdings Bhd by appointment by Ipoh City Council (MBI).
There are now facilities like 2 designated car parks, public toilets, a surau, a café nearby (another branch of Chang Jiang White Coffee), and signs.
Additionally, there are boats and life jackets, lights for the ~50m tunnel (now widened), and a ticket counter.
Our only interaction with the staff was during the purchase of tickets. Where a girl at the counter politely explained the difference in prices to us.
Note: Your phone reception may be affected here.
Opening Hours At Tasik Cermin
Opening hours and access to Tasik Cermin are now controlled. The opening hours are from 9am to 6pm daily.
Most of the staff are at the ticket counter and there are dedicated staff for the boats.
Entrance Fees For Tasik Cermin
When it was first reopened, it cost RM5 and RM10 respectively for Malaysians and non-Malaysians to enter Tasik Cermin.
Note: Ticket prices constantly change.
The current pricing for entrance fees to Tasik Cermin is RM5 for Malaysians or RM8 for non-Malaysians.
You don’t need to pay entrance fees for kids under 90cm or disabled members of your group.
It costs RM25 per pax for the 20-minute boat rides (boat tickets for those under 18 years old cost RM18) that go around the lake.
Parking At Tasik Cermin
As for parking fees:
The inner car park (closer to the ticket counter) is free for now. While the outer carpark costs RM5.
So if you want to save RM5 off parking fees, skip the paid parking outside Tasik Cermin and drive further in to park inside the park. Obviously, this will not work if you go during weekends and public holidays.
Signs for the open-air gravel carpark inside the park are not obvious. You need to drive further in and pass by a smaller lake before you get it.
Note: Currently, the road into Tasik Cermin is very rough (i.e., not a tar road) and more favorable to 4WDs.
This inner carpark is close to the ticket counter of Tasik Cermin and there are no parking fees imposed (yet).
What To Do In Ipoh Mirror Lake
When we went, parts of the park still look unfinished. The attraction map on the brochures suggests that there is more to come.
1. Go Through The Tunnel To Tasik Cermin
The actual viewing deck for Tasik Cermin is only accessible through the original tunnel. The original tunnel that leads to Tasik Cermin has since been widened.
You can find the entrance of the tunnel right behind the ticket counter.
LED lights light the sides of the tunnel so it’s not so dark.
It’s quite eerie inside the tunnel even with the lights but it’ll only take you a few minutes at most to walk through. You can see the greenery outside at the other end of the tunnel.
2. View Tasik Cermin From A Floating Platform
The deck is not very large and only faces one side of the lake.
There are benches on the deck so you can take in the views of the lake and surrounding limestone hills and greenery.
3. Observe The Fish And Water Quality At Tasik Cermin
You can see fish swimming around and underneath the deck. Close to midday, the water looks murky.
It can be very clear in the early morning.
4. Take A Boat Ride Around Tasik Cermin
Boats on one side of the floating platform at Tasik Cermin are for taking visitors around the perimeter of the lake.
Passengers are given life jackets before boarding the inflatable boats (they use portable electric motors).
During the boat ride, the staff will share some information and history of Tasik Cermin.
5. Hop On A Swing (Or See-saw)
The wooden see-saw is uncomfortable to use. But the swings can sit adults and are fun. You just have to be careful with how you sit.
Both the swing sets and the see-saw are beside the main ticket shelter.
6. Peek Into Snake Mouth Cave
Snake Mouth Cave is part of the karst landscape. And it is right before the carpark of Tasik Cermin. It’ll take you less than a minute to explore this small cave and its rock formations.
Since Snake Mouth Cave is on the opposite side of the gravel road when you enter Tasik Cermin:
It’s easier to visit this place if you choose to park at the inner carpark of Tasik Cermin. It will be on your left when you leave.
7. Explore The Grounds Of Tasik Cermin
There’s a pretty spot (with no signage) that is walking distance from the Chang Jiang White Coffee café at Tasik Cermin. It’s right by the giant Chang Jiang White Coffee sign on limestone cliff.
You can enter it between two high cliffs.
Note: Stay away from the cliffs as there’s no knowing when a rock will fall off.
Here, the trees and surrounding cliffs form a natural cavern of sorts. A barrier prevents visitors from straying deeper inside. This area will also take you a few minutes to explore.
8. Visit The Small Petting Zoo
Lastly, there’s a small petting zoo that you can access with the same entrance ticket to Tasik Cermin. There’s no clear signage for it so you may want to ask for some directions from a staff member.
They have budgerigars, rabbits, peacocks, chickens, pheasants, etc.
9. Have Coffee And Toast At Kin Loong Valley Chang Jiang White Coffee
Kin Loong Valley Chang Jiang White Coffee (健龍山谷) is the only place to eat at Tasik Cermin. Like other branches of Chang Jiang White Coffee however, this place has very slow service due to its popularity.
The food and drinks are not particularly good either. But the views are nice.
Personally, we prefer to walk around the café and have a look at the limestone outcrops. Rather than sit in the cramped café and wait more than 20 minutes for our order.
Other Ipoh Attractions Close To Tasik Cermin
If you have your own car, it’ll be easy to visit any of these places after visiting Tasik Cermin:
Conclusion
For the moment, it’s not worth visiting Tasik Cermin unless you can be there early (around 9am) and if there are favorable weather conditions (sunny with clear skies and little wind). Else the lake won’t look as pretty.
Crowds can also hinder the experience of your visit greatly. When it comes to pricing, we find the boat prices steep but because there’s nothing much else to do at the park, be prepared to pay for it if you plan to visit Tasik Cermin.
