You’ll be surprised that there are many unique places to visit outside of Ipoh. Here is a list of worthwhile road trips according to area and duration for anyone who’s passing through Ipoh.
Or for fellow Ipoh-rians looking for a quick weekend getaway or day trip with family and friends! See our suggestions below!
Half Day To Full Day Trips
1. Batu Gajah And Tanjung Tualang
It takes about an hour to drive to Tanjung Tualang village from Ipoh. And on the way, you’ll pass through Batu Gajah.
There are enough attractions in these areas to make a day trip out of this!
Kellie’s Castle
Kellie’s Castle near Ipoh is an abandoned mansion at Batu Gajah and 30 minutes’ drive from Ipoh.
Tourists come to admire its castle-like appearance. This was left incomplete due to the untimely death of the original owner, a Scotsman named William-Kellie-Smith.
We’ve been here a couple of times and while there are no guided tours on-site, it’s fun to explore the building as long as you can tolerate the heat and multiple narrow stairways!
- Malaysians: RM5 (Adult), RM3 (Child below 12 years old), RM4 (Senior)
- Foreigners: RM10 (Adult), RM8 (Child below 12 years old), RM10 (Senior)
Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge No. 5
This attraction is often overlooked but we think it’s worth going. We bet that you’ve never seen a tin dredge up close and personal!
There used to be guided tours to go on the dredge but no longer which is a shame since they were insightful! You can still enter the dredge today though and scan QR codes along the way to learn more about the dredge.
Besides the dredge and the attractive lake close to it, there’s a maze park to explore.
Entrance fees can only be bought online and cost RM21 per person (applicable for 4 years old and up).
Optional attractions At Batu Gajah And Tanjung Tualang
- Kinta Nature Park – There are a lot more birds to see if you can get here before 9am but facilities are lacking. And the road in is in horrible condition. There’s also an unsightly landfill on the side of the road on the way into the nature park (ironically).
- Kampung Boy Gallery – Anyone who’s a fan of the local cartoonist, Lat should check out this small but cool air-conditioned museum. It’s close to Silverlakes Village Outlet too. The outlet shops do not have much happening yet but it’s a nice place to stroll around. Especially in the evenings.
- Tanjung Tualang Village – This little village is famous for the big-headed freshwater prawns that they rear here. There are many seafood restaurants here (not halal) that are open for dinner.
- ESCAPE Ipoh – This new attraction is all about being outdoors. There are obstacles to challenge your fitness, and activities like riding ATVs or bikes. You can stay overnight here in tents as well!
2. Kuala Kangsar And Enggor
Kuala Kangsar is a 45 minutes’ drive from Ipoh. And it is home to many historical royal buildings of great architectural beauty. We personally haven’t been to Kuala Kangsar yet but these are the highlights that you should see if you go:
- Perak Royal Museum, Kuala Kangsar -Perak Royal Museum is a historical building of superb and unique architecture. Originally, it served as a temporary home for the royal family while the palace was being built. Locally known as Istana Kenangan.
- Ubudiah Royal Mosque – This is a lovely old mosque beside the Perak River in Kuala Kangsar. It is closed on Fridays but open on other days of the week within 3 different time slots.The mosque is free to enter and beautiful on the inside too. To fully appreciate the building, try to go to the other side of the river to see it from afar
- Istana Iskandariah – This is the palace for the Sultan of Perak. His alternative residence, to be exact. Entrane is free but you can’t exactly go in. You can only admire the incredible architecture from outside.Check before you go as the palace may sometimes be open to the public on rare occasions!
Victoria Bridge
Go further north from Kuala Kangsar for about 15 minutes, and you’ll get to see the Victoria Bridge at Enggor too!
The historic railway bridge is an interesting spot for photos since there is no danger of being run over by a train! Because of this, the bridge is very popular on weekends!
3. Sungkai Klah hot springs
A budget-friendly alternative to more pricey hot springs, Sungkai Klah is popular among locals. These are natural hot springs of varying temperatures!
Kids will especially love the water park (with cold water) with slides.
There is a mini zoo on site too, but it could use some sprucing up. As do other parts of the water park. For the admission fees charged (e.g., RM25 per adult), we do feel that it should be better maintained.
The facilities here are not in the best condition. There are food and drink stalls in the park (outside food is not allowed) as well as shady spots to stay out of the sun.
- Driving time: 1 hour 25 minutes’ drive
- Cost: RM25/adult, RM23/child, RM18/senior (above 60)
- Recommended duration: <3 hours
Remarks:
- Chicken eggs are sold at the park because there is one pool specifically meant for cooking the eggs in.
4. Tua Pek Kong Temple, Sitiawan
Come early to see the sunrise at this temple by the sea! There are huge and beautiful white statues of the many Taoist deities. Don’t miss the mangrove boardwalk too!
The landscaping around the temple is charming and worth a wander. While visiting here, sunscreen and an umbrella are a must!
Amenities on site consist of some souvenir and food stalls. Some sell cool desserts while others sell dried seafood snacks. So, the atmosphere here can feel a little touristy. It is very crowded during Chinese New Year!
- Driving time: 1 hour 43 minutes’ drive
- Cost: Free
- Recommended duration: 1-2 hours
5. Leaning Tower Of Teluk Intan
This is a magnificent structure with history (since 1885) but not worth a detour alone on its own. Hence, it’s probably best if you stop by here on your way to Kuala Selangor (further down the list) from Ipoh.
Visitors can go up the tower (3 levels) to check out the view from above. And visitors that choose that visit in the evening will be able to watch something of a light show at the tower.
If there are a lot of people visiting the tower, it can be very cramped inside the tower. This is because there is no maximum number of visitors imposed.
Note: If you’re hungry, there are several eateries (including hotpot restaurants) all around the tower.
- Driving time: 1 hour 44 minutes’ drive
- Cost: RM3 per adult
- Recommended duration: <30 minutes
6. Bukit Merah
There are two main highlights at Bukit Merah and it is possible to see both in the same day! You can also stay overnight at the resort.
Bukit Merah Laketown Waterpark
The resort is more affordable than Sunway’s Lost World Of Tambun and that is it’s greatest appeal. They also have team bonding outdoor activities besides the pools and slides.
Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island Foundation
If the lake levels are high enough, you can take a boat from a dock inside the resort over to the orangutan sanctuary. Staff will take visitors around sanctuary and share stories about the center, its work and of course, their resident orangutans!
Overnight Road Trips
7. Taiping & Kuala Sepetang
At Taiping, you can hop on over to the famous Taiping Lake Gardens, a charcoal factory, mangroves, bird-watching, fireflies, waterfalls and Bukit Larut (a.k.a Maxwell hill).
With all those attractions, it might be worth your while to stay in Taiping for at least a night.
Driving time: This nearby town is an hour’s drive from Ipoh.
Recommended duration: Day trip to a weekend, depending on what you’re doing
Bukit Larut (or Maxwell Hill)
The jeep fare to get up here is not expensive. You can stay overnight if you wish too.
For more information, you can check out our post, Bukit Larut and Burmese Pool – Taiping.
Kuala Sepetang Charcoal Factory
Kuala Sepetang is close to Taiping. And it is here, that you can see one of the largest traditional charcoal factories in Malaysia here.
As well as the mangrove reserve close by!
Read more about the Charcoal Factory of Kuala Sepetang.
- Cost: Free or RM3 if you take the guided tour
- Recommended duration: 1-2 hours
Taiping Lake Gardens
It’s free to stroll around these large gardens and admire all the trees and landscaping. We highly recommend seeing the huge rain trees here when you are in Taiping.
Taiping Lake Gardens is particularly popular with locals for the scenic jogging trails.
- Cost: Free
- Recommended duration: 1-2 hours
Remarks:
- On one side of the lake gardens, there are paddle boats you can rent out for a fee.
- If you do get bored, you can drive on over to the Taiping Zoo which is next door.
8. Pangkor Island
Pangkor Island has some beautiful beaches like Coral Beach and Teluk Nipah Beach. Calm waters make for great snorkelling and kayaking experiences. For history buffs, there is the remains of an old Dutch colonial fort to explore here.
Interestingly, there’s a Taoist temple and even a small Chinatown on Pangkor island too.
To get to Pangkor Island from Ipoh, you must first drive to Lumut Jetty or the newer jetty to Pulau Pangkor, Marina Island Jetty Complex. Then take a ferry over to the island.
Ferry schedule at:
- Lumut Jetty – Book via easybook
- Marina Island Jetty Complex
- Driving time: 1 hour 45 minutes to Lumut from Ipoh; But the ferry from Lumut to Pangkor takes another 45 minutes approximately.
- Cost: Accommodation will set you back the most. Prices are increased during the high season.
- Recommended duration: The weekend
Remarks:
- Best enjoyed during low season (i.e. avoid public and school holidays)
- Private Charter Boat/ Water Taxi costs ~RM300 and above
Best accommodation in Pangkor:
- Pangkor Laut Resort – Absolute comfort at around RM1000/night for 2 people; Book Pangkor Laut Resort:
- Nipah Guesthouse Pangkor – Chalets at walking distance to 2 beaches. Priced at RM230/night for 2 people; Book Nipah Guesthouse Pangkor:
- Pangkor Homestay – Different sized bungalows (with kitchenettes) priced from RM180 a night. Great for large groups. Car rental service is available. Close to Pasir Bogak; Book Pangkor Homestay
9. Pulau Sembilan
Note: Still closed to visitors
Pulau Sembilan is a bunch of small islands south of Pangkor Island and Lumut. They are famous because it is here that you can witness the “blue tears” phenomenon. We have a separate post on this – catching blue tears at Pulau Sembilan.
NOTE: They don’t let visitors stay on the island anymore due to over-tourism since April 2017. The tours will take you out to sea at night instead and show you the plankton by scooping some up in a net. There’s no announced date when island tours can resume.
- Driving time: You need to get to the jetty that is in a small fishing village in Bagan Datuk. Getting here involves a 2-hour drive from Ipoh.
- Cost: Around RM200-250 for the overnight package (including transport to the island, basic accommodation and food)
- Recommended duration: There are daily and overnight tours.
Remarks:
- It’s best to go with a tour for this one as the island is privately owned and requires a permit to visit.
- Book as early as a month ahead and check with the tour agency on the peak months to visit.
- There is less plankton to see during the rainy season. We went in September and didn’t see too many.
10. Penang Mainland
It should come as no surprise that Penang is on this list seeing that it’s only 2 hours away from Ipoh!
But we won’t touch on the usual attractions here. For that, you can read our suggestions for a classic itinerary for Penang!
Frog Hill, Tasek Gelugor near Bukit Mertajam
This place is still relatively new to tourists outside of Malaysia, but locals are quickly catching on to this local beauty! It is however, an isolated spot with limited to no facilities!
Check out our full experience here – Froghill, Penang, we actually got lost and have a few tips to share if you do decide to go here.
- Driving time: ~2 hours
- Address: Exact coordinates are in our post.
- Cost: Free
- Recommended duration: Less than 2 hours
Remarks:
- You will most definitely need to carpool or self-drive to get here but the views are worth it.
- The hike is manageable – easy for anyone who does regular exercise.
- Your tires and shoes might get a little coated in sticky red clay. Beware.
11. Cameron Highlands
The locals come here to escape the heat and to enjoy the fresh air. Ourselves included!
You can visit the mossy forest, farms and tea plantations, go hiking, play golf, have tea at a fancy British-styled cafe, etc. We have more details in our separate post on what to do in Cameron Highlands!
- Driving time: It is about 2 hours’ drive
- Cost: Farm visits are often free or affordable. The cafes can be on the pricey side. The most expensive entrance fees are at CH Flora Park (RM50 per person) or Hobbitoon (RM40 per person).
- Recommended duration: 1-2 days
Heading back to Kuala Lumpur? You might want to consider visiting these awesome places!
12. Kuala Selangor
Driving time: Kuala Selangor is about a 3 hours’ drive away from Ipoh and an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur.
Tip: Don’t take the North-South Expressway if you want a more scenic route.
Recommended duration: Day trip to a weekend
Sekinchan
This is where you can visit a rice factory, the paddy fields of Sekinchan and a fishing village.
Sky Mirror
The local tour companies often combine the “Sky Mirror of Kuala Selangor” (Sasaran salt flat) together with a chance to see blue tears, eagles or fireflies.
Bukit Melawati
See the silver leaf monkeys and the old fort after a quick hike up Bukit Melawati. This is also a good place to check out while waiting for your Sky Mirror tour to start. It’s close to the jetty if you have your own car.
- Cost: Free entry. Small fee if you want to take the tram or buy food for the monkeys.
- Recommended duration: 1 hour
If you’re going down to Kuala Lumpur from Ipoh:
13. Outskirts Of Kuala Lumpur
I City Theme Park in Shah Alam
If you’re going down to Kuala Lumpur from Ipoh, you can visit Shah Alam. It is also possible to combine your trip to Kuala Selangor with some sight-seeing in Shah Alam!
Shah Alam is home to i-City Theme Park. This theme park has numerous LED light displays, a water park and Malaysia’s largest indoor snow park!
You can read more about I City Theme Park as well as other things to do in Shah Alam here.
- Driving time: 2 hours 36 minutes from Ipoh
- Cost: Free entry but you may opt for the all-day package. They have different packages available.
- Recommended duration: 3 hours or more
Batu Caves
This is a must-see attraction that’s just outside Kuala Lumpur, this Hindu temple and shrine sits amid limestone caves. Its most striking feature is a massive statue of Lord Murugan. The steep steps up to the temple are painted in an assortment of bright colors.
This iconic landmark is on the bucket list of many tourists so do expect a crowd during your visit!
You can also see this place on your way out of Kuala Lumpur to Pahang (see next section in this post)!
- Driving time: 2 hours 25 minutes
- Cost: Free entry
- Recommended duration: <2 hours
Remarks:
- It’s 272 steep steps up to the top for a spectacular view of the surroundings.
- Ladies must cover their knees and shoulders. Not sure about gents – I guess you just keep your shirts on then.
- Beware of the mischievous monkeys. They will happily go through your bags.
- Bring drinking water with you
3-4 day road trips from Ipoh
Last on our list (and furthest away from Ipoh):
14. Bentong
Bentong is a small town that is famous for durian as well as ginger. It took us about 3 hours to drive from Ipoh to Bentong to meet up with family from Johor. The main highlight of this trip was a visit to a durian farm!
We only stayed for one night, but these are the places we visited during our trip (we stayed in a homestay in Bentong):
Day 1
- Fantasy Valley Restaurant – we stopped here for lunch after coming from Ipoh. The restaurant is by a river which makes for an interesting setting. Food is not bad either. Come before 12pm before the heat and crowds become obvious!
- Jimmy’s Durian Orchard – This was our afternoon stop on day 1. We highly recommend staying here if you have the budget for it. The plantation is beautiful and so are the grounds of the homestay! We enjoyed our visit here even though we were only here for an hour.
- Tauhu Auntie Mok – We stopped by this simple but very popular dessert shop for some nice tau fu fah and soya bean milk! There are a lot of dessert shops and kopitiams in this same area. We got some great coffee from a nearby kopitiam, Bentong’s Kopitiam.
Day 2
- Yuen Kee – This is an incredibly crowded breakfast spot that every outsider aims to try! It’s already got a long queue even at 7am! The coffee is not great, but the yong tau fu is very affordable and delicious!
- Sunday Morning Market – We visited this market in Bentong after our breakfast. And it was huge for local market standards! There were lots of things to see and we could not resist buying vacuumed packed durian to bring home!
- New Desa Restaurant – We found this place by chance while looking for dinner close to our homestay. The food (especially the steamed fish) was very tasty! It did take a while for the food to come though but we did go on a weekend and during peak hours!
And when it was time to return to Ipoh, our last stop was the World of Phalaenopsis at Ulu Yam!
If you can stay longer than just one night in Bentong, we would suggest checking out these places too:
- Chamang Waterfall
- Pineyard
- Bentong Gallery
3 To 4 days
15. Pahang & Port Dickson
This is a 4-day round trip we’ve done before that passes through two Malaysian states.
- Driving time: The journey from Ipoh takes 5 hours’ on the road each way.
- Recommended duration: 3-4 days
Sungai Lembing
For the novelty of sleeping in a capsule, you can book a container at The Time Capsule Retreat in Sungai Lembing. There are modern facilities in the middle of nature.
Star gazing is great out here. And there are facilities to have your own BBQ!
And it’s conveniently located for hiking up Panorama Hill (or Bukit Panorama) before sunrise:
- Cost: See our post on Pahang Road Trip
Lexis Resort, Port Dickson
The sea or beaches are not the best in Port Dickson, but the Lexis resort chalets are gorgeous! Especially on the inside. We even got an upgrade to a better room when we went!
The beach (open to the public) is just walking distance too!
Cost: We paid ~RM400 for a double room.
Book the Lexis resort in Port Dickson here.
Conclusion
It only takes a few days to explore Ipoh city. So, if you need a change of scenery, you can visit the other places around Ipoh and in the neighboring states of Pahang, Penang and Kuala Selangor.
Our list here is arranged by duration from the nearest to the furthest locations. It helps loads to have your own car if you want to see all of them!
