Ipoh has many visitors during the public holidays. Many come for the delicious food but there are also plenty of things to do in Ipoh!
But because it is usually hot in the day, we advise that you explore at a slower pace when it comes to Ipoh.
Read on and find out what you need to see and try while you’re here.
1. Go Back In Time (Ipoh Tin Mining History)
Learn more about Ipoh’s rich (pun intended) tin mining history at these places:
1.1. Han Chin Pet Soo Museum
This museum is an eye-opener to be sure!
Multilingual guides for the daily tours are volunteers from local NGO called “Ipoh World”. We highly recommend going for these tours. They have English-speaking guides as well.
Read more about our experience taking the tours at Han Chin Pet Soo.
Note that you MUST make a booking online via Ipoh World’s website prior to visiting Han Chin Pet Soo. Entry is by appointment only and they have allocated slots for the tours.
- Cost: Donation of at least RM10 per person (solely to maintain the building)
- Recommended duration: 30 minutes to an hour
- Opening hours: 11am to 3.30pm daily (Closed on Mondays)
- Contact: +605-241 4541
- Remarks: Pop next door to Ho Yan Hor museum if you have time!
1.2. Ho Yan Hor Museum
A small but lovely museum (with air-con!) paying tribute to a famous tea brand in Ipoh. This place is next to the Han Chin Pet Soo Museum.
Learn about the history of the building and the founder Dr. Ho. And how he found success!
See photos of the gallery in our post on Ho Yan Hor Museum.
- Cost: Free admission
- Recommended Duration: About an hour
- Opening hours: 10am – 4pm (Closed on Mondays)
- Contact: +605-241 2048
- Remarks:
- Tea sampling included!
- Only small groups are allowed into the building at any one time
- No pushy sales here!
1.3. TT5 Tin Dredge
Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge No. 5 is now open after major repair works as the dredge is slowly sinking.
Please pay a visit to this precious Ipoh heritage landmark as proceeds go to the maintenance and salvation of the dredge!
See what the other attractions are at TT5 Tin Dredge.
- Recommended duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour
- Opening hours: 9am – 6pm
- Contact: +6017-755 7301
- Remarks: Visitor center has basic toilet facilities
2. Visit A Limestone Cave Temple
Unlike other temples around Malaysia, the ones in Ipoh are often built into the side of a limestone hill to form part of the temples!
If you don’t have a lot of time in Ipoh, these are the cave temples that you should check out:
2.1. Kek Look Tong
To start off this list, Kek Look Tong is a Buddhist and Taoist temple built into a large cave.
Visitors will find the temperature much cooler once they walk in!
The temple has its own gardens at the back. Locals love to come here for an early morning or evening jog.
Enter the cave temple and head to the back garden where the cave opens out to a lake. This is where you’ll find the newest attraction – paddle boats and bicycles that you can rent.
Note: Boat rides are not in operation on Tuesdays
- Opening Hours: 8am–4:30pm
- Contact: +605-312 8112
- Recommended duration: At least an hour
2.2. Perak Cave Temple (Perak Tong)
You can climb up to the top of this impressive temple for a good view of Ipoh! Careful, it’s steep and slippery.
Perak cave temple is cool inside compared to the scorching temperatures outside.
- Opening Hours: 8am–5pm
- Cost: Free entry (small donation fee may be expected before the steps to go up)
- Recommended duration: 1 hour or less (more if you want to climb to the top)
- Remarks:
- You cannot climb up past 4pm.
- Bring some drinking water
- There might also be somebody collect parking fees
- Monkeys will happily grab unattended food and bags.
2.3. Sam Poh Tong
Sam Poh Tong is the oldest cave temple in Ipoh. It has a charming decorative pond and garden in front of the temple!
The temple entrance features a large archway with exquisite white marble carvings of dragons and other mythical beasts.
Inside the temple is a cool tunnel that leads out to the back where the tortoise sanctuary is. You can buy some vegetables at the temple entrance to feed them.
Once you are out of the tunnel, you will see an abandoned pagoda structure that is breathtaking with the limestone hills surrounding it!
- Opening Hours: 8am–1:30pm
- Recommended duration: Less than an hour
3. Admire British Colonial Architecture (Ipoh Heritage Trail)
If you want to do this, start at 8am or in the evening as any other time is going to be hot! There’s a trail map available on ipohworld.
Ipoh may not have as many British colonial buildings as Penang or Melaka but the ones we do have are lovely all the same. It’s a shame they’re not in better shape.
Anyways, you will not miss spotting these large white buildings if you take on the Ipoh Heritage Trail! We have more photos and details about this heritage walk in a separate post.
- Ipoh Railway Station
- Ipoh Town Hall
- St Michael’s Institution
- Ipoh High Court (Architecture)
- Address: Starting point is at Ipoh Railway Station
- Recommended duration: 2 hours (leisurely pace)
4. Street Art
For starters, look for the street murals scattered throughout Old Town. Below are some locations you might want to check out!
Old Town Relieves Nostalgia with Trishaw: Location
Kids Riding a Paper Plane: Location
An Old Uncle Drinking Coffee: Location
Read more about where you can find even more street art in Ipoh.
5. Concubine Lane
It may be the most over-hyped spot in Ipoh, but it does have its charm. And you don’t need much time to explore it too!
The popular street is full of colorful shops and stalls selling an assortment of cheap trinkets and street food.
Read more about Concubine Lane.
- Recommended duration: Less than an hour
6. Kong Heng Square
Another shopping opportunity and a popular attraction:
Kong Heng Square is a short walk from Concubine Lane and within Plan B’s vicinity!
On weekends, there are some delightful handicraft treasures and snack stalls to be found here. At the very least, this shaded area is a good stop to catch your breath away from the heat of the sun.
7. Escape The Heat At 22 Hale Street Heritage Gallery
22 Hale Street Heritage Gallery is worth spending an hour at. The self-guided audio tours are in English, and the building is fully air conditioned.
There is a gift shop on the ground floor and 3 different themes for the gallery upstairs. Occasionally, there may be events upstairs too.
Check out our separate post for more photos and information about 22 Hale Street Heritage Gallery.
- Entrance Fee: RM10 (MyKad holders), RM20 (Foreigners)
- Opening hours: Wednesday to Friday, 10 am–1:30 pm, 2:30 pm–6 pm; Saturday to Sunday, 10 am–6 pm; (Closed on Monday & Tuesday)
- Recommended Duration: Around 2 hours
- Contact: +605-2413991
8. Enjoy Some Greenery (Recreational Parks)
Ipoh is blessed with gorgeous limestone hills. And it has its fair share of public gardens too.
8.1. Gunung Lang Recreational Park
With all the surrounding limestone hills and a small waterfall (most likely man-made), it’s very beautiful here!
The recreational park is great for joggers and families as well. The main attraction of this park is a large lake with a 5-minute boat ride to the other side.
Unfortunately, many of the facilities (like the lookout towers and mini zoo across the lake) are not in great shape.
- Opening Hours: 8:30am–6pm (on Fridays, there is a break for staff between 11am to 3pm
- Cost:
- Free if you don’t cross the lake or buy food to feed the fish.
- Boat ride is RM3/adult and RM1.50/child or senior citizen.
- Contact: +605-2083333
- Recommended duration: 1 hour
- Remarks: Beware of the monkeys.
Read more about Gunung Lang Recreational Park.
8.2. DR Seenivasagam Recreational Park
This beautiful park is less than 10 minutes’ drive from Ipoh Old Town and next to the Kinta River.
Apart from the kids playground and football/ soccer field, there is a small Japanese garden in this park.
Inside the Japanese garden, there are a couple of gazebos extend into the pond – you can walk across the bridges and raised walkways to get to them.
Or have a picnic in the shade of the huge trees there while you admire the view.
- Opening Hours: 8am to 7pm
9. Mirror Lake (Tasik Cermin)
Locals fondly refer to this scenic lake as Tasik Cermin. Which translates to Mirror Lake. When the conditions are right, this lake becomes a perfect reflection of the surrounding limestone karsts.
The area has recently been developed to make it more tourist friendly.
There are also now two mirror lakes that you can visit. Each have their own boat dock for the paid guided tours – we do recommend going for these as they are insightful and interesting.
See what to expect at Mirror Lake.
10. Spend A Day At Sunway Lost World Of Tambun
It’s relaxing to soak at the hot springs (6pm onwards) during the evening and night.
But there’re also plenty of other attractions at this theme park during the day:
These include a wave pool with a man-made beach in front, water slides, carnival rides, and the ever-expanding mini zoo.
Many visitors will opt to enjoy the water park in the day and go for the hotsprings at night.
- Address: No. 1 Persiaran Lagun Sunway 1 | Perak Darul Ridzuan, Ipoh 31150, Malaysia
- Opening hours: 11am to 11pm
- Recommended duration: 3 hours to a full day
Tip: Book online for some discount.
Remarks:
- Bring lots of sunscreen, a change of clothes and a towel!
- Crowded during long weekends and public holidays.
- Additional fees for float and locker rentals, along with some of the rides (like kayak, swan paddle boat, etc)
- No outside food is allowed
- The onsite spa, Crystal Spa has packages starting from RM269.
11. Tambun Cave
Prehistoric cave art can be found right in Ipoh! And these are only fading more as the years pass.
Unfortunately, the site has been left neglected with just a few dilapidated signboards to start you off.
The area is frequented more by horses from the neighboring polo club, rather than tourists.
It’s a short trek across a large field and up into the hillside via a staircase. The few thousand-year-old paintings are on the side of the cliff!
If you plan to visit this place, read more about Tambun Cave first. We have firsthand details on how to get here and more.
Note: Not suitable for elders or young children.
- Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 8am–5:30pm
12. Eat Tambun Pomelo (Limau Bali)
Depending on the season, you can try one of these juicy citrus fruits that Tambun is known for! There are bitter and sweet varieties.
You can also visit a plantation and learn more about how they are grown!
Tambun Pomelo GoChin Agro Farm: Location
- Opening hours: 9am to 6pm
- Contact: +6013-7654189
Tip: Buy them at Ampang – it’s cheaper here because the plantations are here!
13. Have A Cup Of Ipoh White Coffee
In the early morning, local favorites in Ipoh Old Town are Sin Yoon Loong and Nam Heong White Coffee. These are great if you want to sit down and slowly sip on your coffee in an authentic kopitiam atmosphere.
Read more on where you can get yourself a great cup of Ipoh White Coffee.
14. Cycle Around Qing Xin Ling Leisure And Cultural Village (Temporarily Closed)
Come here for the lovely scenery – limestone hills and the lake!
The old artifacts that are used to decorate the “village” give it a nostalgic and welcoming atmosphere.
Inside the park, you can use their bamboo hats, bicycles, and rickshaws for free and take as many photos as you want!
Or take a quick hike up the limestone hill! Read more about Qing Xin Ling Leisure And Cultural Village.
Tip: Go early in the morning on a weekday to enjoy the park without the crowds!
- Entrance fee: RM12/pax (including parking fee)
- Opening hours: 9:30am to 5pm (closed on Sundays & public holidays)
- Recommended duration: 1-2 hours
- Contact: +605-312 4140
15. Learn More About Malaysia At The Geology Museum
True, it is mostly just rocks on display:
But the air-conditioned museum is well-maintained with clear exhibits that are fun and interactive for kids!
Measuring tools and instruments are on display as well as rock samples from all over Perak.
Learn about the latest geology projects that the government is working on! Did we mention that entry is free?
- Entrance Fee: Free
- Opening hours: Daily from 9am–12pm, and again from 2:30pm–4:30pm; Closed on Saturdays & Sundays
- Recommended duration: Less than an hour
- Contact: +605-540 6000
- Remarks: Free parking in front of the museum
16. Go For An Evening Stroll At Kinta Riverfront Walk
Opposite Kinta Riverfront Hotel is a short stretch river that has been transformed into a small recreational area.
Colored LED trees on either side of the river and two short bridges make it a good venue for a night stroll.
There are food stalls, a café, and a variety of electric bicycles for hire – these are suitable for little children.
17. Check Out Little India
Everything from clothing, trinkets, halal meat, fresh vegetables, herbs, and spices is sold here.
You can get your eyebrows threaded at the Indian beauty parlors here. Other services might be waxing or a massage.
Of course, you can find great Indian food here. A good vegetarian option is Krishna Bhawan Restaurant.
- Address: 12, Jalan Lahat, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
- Remarks:
- It’s not easy to find parking!
- Come here during Diwali (Deepavali)!
- Most of the shops close early in the day.
18. Browse Through Book Xcess
Now the home of the Yasmin Ahmad Museum, this chic bookstore (Book Xcess Kong Heng) offers cool respite in the unrelenting heat of the afternoons:
Books are displayed on cinder block shelves, and you can head downstairs to the basement to access the book vault!
The neon lights and industrial interior inside make for an exceptional Instagram background!
- Address: 91, Jalan Sultan Yusof, 30000 Ipoh, Negeri Perak
- Opening hours: 9am to 8pm
19. Take A Break At A Cafe
There are so many to choose from!
Our personal favorite is Little Allegra. But we’ve been to plenty more and our recommendations are in this list of Ipoh cafes!
20. Seen Hock Yeen Confucius Temple, Chemor
Somewhere hidden in the town of Chemor (30 minutes’ drive from Ipoh), is a magnificent red and gold temple!
There are several deities worshiped in this Buddhist temple. If you’re interested in this temple, do read our full description of Seen Hock Yeen Confucius Temple.
Tips:
- You will also need a hat or umbrella to visit this place! As it gets hot during the day!
- If you go early in the morning (8am), the lotus flowers in the pond might still be open!
21. Explore Every Corner Of Kellie’s Castle
An abandoned manor in ruins, visitors can roam the building and grounds to admire the Moroccan-inspired architecture!
Read our complete travel guide to Kellie’s Castle.
- Driving time: If you’re coming from Ipoh, Kellie’s castle is only a 30 minutes’ drive (it’s ~7 minutes from Batu Gajah).
- Opening hours: 9:30am–5:30pm on most days (on Mondays, they open at 10am, and on Tuesdays, they close at 4:30pm)
- Contact: +605-3653381
- Cost: Admission fee is RM 5 for Malaysian adults. And RM 10 for foreigners. RM2 for parking
- Recommended duration: Less than 2 hours
- Remarks:
- Do try to go on a cloudy day if you can to avoid the heat.
- There are tours available
- There is a cafe (and toilets) by the carpark if you want something to eat.
22. Escape The City And Check Out Gopeng
Around 40 minutes out from Ipoh city center, Gopeng has a lot to offer, especially for adventure seekers!
22.1. Gua Tempurung
Admire a limestone cave up close and inside out at Gua Tempurung. If you don’t mind stairs, you will not regret going to this attraction!
It makes for a fun caving experience if you’re up for it. There are different trails and choosing one depends on how much time you have and if you are willing to wade through the underground river!
- Cost: ~RM30 depending on the tour
- Opening hours: 9am to 4pm
- Recommended duration: 30 minutes to 4 hours
- Remarks:
- Bring a change of clothes and a towel for the wet tours. And a dry bag to keep your stuff (camera gear and phone).
- Cover your knees and elbows to prevent scrapes!
- Moderate fitness would be best if you’re doing the grand tour.
- Bring drinking water.
22.2. White Water Rafting
If you’ve never been white water rafting before, this is a great start to getting your feet wet (pun intended)!
The rafting takes place at Kampar River.
We booked a one-night stay package at Adeline’s Villa. The package included 2 buffet-style meals, white water rafting and a jungle night walk.
White water rafting was a fun experience. But so was the jungle night walk. You can learn things like which plants will sustain you if you ever get lost in the jungle.
Besides these two activities, there is wet abseiling. We didn’t get to try this activity but it looked interesting.
22.3. HOGA Gaharu Tea Valley
For a slower pace in Gopeng:
Have a look at the unique and rare gaharu trees (also known as Agarwood) which are planted at HOGA Gaharu Tea Valley.
The tree is highly valued for its many beneficial and healing properties. You can see them up close and from far here in this large plantation.
There’s not much to do here and it is hot after 10am, but we still enjoyed being out in nature with so many trees around. The trees naturally repel mosquitoes too.
- Opening hours: 9:15am–6pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
- Cost: Tour fee is RM10 for adults and free for kid below 4 years old.
- Recommended duration: 1-2 hours
How To Get Around Ipoh (Without Your Own Car)
Below is just a short summary of available transport options in Ipoh. We have a separate more detailed guide on how to get around Ipoh.
- Hop on the city public bus – affordable but not reliable
- Taxi or Grab (not as many as in KL)
- Book an Ipoh private tour with RayTheTour via WhatsApp – includes transport and a personal guide! The itinerary is flexible, and you can choose 1 day or multiple days.
Conclusion
This list of things to do in Ipoh should keep you busy for more than just a weekend!
See historical landmarks, make time for some museums, visit some cave temples and enjoy some greenery at a recreational park or Mirror Lake.
Things To Do In Ipoh At Night
But are there just as many things to do in the daytime as there are in the nighttime? Here are our suggestions on what to do in Ipoh at night. And none of them involve clubbing since Ipoh doesn’t have a thriving club scene.
Ipoh Itinerary
Not sure how to make the most of your time in Ipoh? Here are some suggestions on how you can plan your itinerary for Ipoh. If you’re staying longer than 2 days, we’ve got some ideas on how to fill your day productively too.
Ipoh Travel Guide
Don’t know how to plan your trip to Ipoh? You can read our guide on everything you need to know about Ipoh before your visit. This post serves as an overview of all our Ipoh related posts, including some lesser-known locations that most tourists don’t see.
