ipoh travel service

See Ipoh Through Our Eyes

New to Ipoh? Explore Ipoh has everything you need for a wonderful visit to Perak’s capital city!

Prefer a local to show you around? This is one of the best (and fun) ways to get to know Ipoh better!

Ipoh Tour Packages

Explore Ipoh conducts private local tours that can be customized. Our transport services in Ipoh can cover morning to evening.

Popular tour packages that we offer include:

Ipoh Food Tour

Ipoh City Tour

Ipoh To Cameron Highlands Tour

Ipoh And Cameron Highlands Tour

Ipoh Transport Service

3D2N Ipoh Tour

Ipoh, Perak

Step back in time.

Despite recent developments, Ipoh is still a heritage gem. See relics of Ipoh’s tin-mining past, and sample the local cuisine from day to night!

Travel Guide

This is ipoh.

Delicious food, deep history, stunning limestone karsts and caves – Ipoh is a lot more than meets the eye!

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Where To Find Amazing Tau Foo Fah In Ipoh

Local-Approved Famous Spots For Breakfast In Ipoh

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Attractions

Where To Stay

Explore Ipoh

Read more about us and our services.

Colonial architecture stands side by side with rickety kedai kopi (coffee shops) in chameleonic Ipoh. The capital of Perak is flanked by towering white cliffs, some with magnificent cave temples pocketed in the limestone. Sliced into old and new towns by the Kinta River, Ipoh charms with its street art and street food – rather like a languid version of George Town.

Your next trip starts here

Go from dreaming to planning with trip planning options made to help you craft your ideal itinerary.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Sam Poh Tong

First discovered by a monk in 1890, this cavern, 5km south of Ipoh, is now a riot of religious statuary and pagoda tiles. The entrance pavilion is grand…

Kek Look Tong

With a craggy cave mouth beneath a towering cliff, Kek Look Tong (1920) has the most impressive approach of all Ipoh's temples. Three Sages dominate the…

Developed in 1926 by Chinese Buddhists Chong Sen Yee and his wife, this temple (7km north of Ipoh) is popular for its mesmerising murals and panoramic…

Birch Memorial Clock Tower

The clock tower, with a 1.95m-diameter bell, was erected in 1909 in memory of James WW Birch, Perak’s first British Resident. Birch was murdered in 1875…

Train Station

It's no wonder that locals compare it to the Taj Mahal: Ipoh's train station is a harmonious Moorish and Victorian architectural masterpiece, framed by…

Han Chin Pet Soo

This charming small museum charts the history of Han Chin Villa, a 1929 clubhouse for Hakka tin miners that became a hotbed of prostitution, opium trading…

Muzium Darul Ridzuan

North of the padang (field), this museum is housed in a 1926 villa built for a wealthy Chinese tin miner. The museum features displays on the history of…

Ipoh’s courthouse was completed in 1928 by AB Hubback, the same architect who designed Ipoh’s train station and the town hall.

Latest stories from Ipoh

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• Food & Drinks
• Backpacker Hostels
• Transportation
• Getting There

Getting Around Ipoh – 6 Best Options To Move Around Ipoh

• 4 minute read

When it comes to getting around Ipoh, there are several hassle-free options to choose from. Whether it’s by foot, public transport or rental vehicles, moving around Ipoh is pretty straightforward.

Here are 6 best transportation options for getting around Ipoh:

Getting Around Ipoh

Walking around ipoh, taking the bus, taking grab, hailing a local taxi, renting a bicycle (ipoh smart bike), renting a car or motorcycle, in summary: getting around ipoh.

While you won’t be seeing many locals walking around, the old and new town area of Ipoh can be covered just by walking. Most of the main attractions in Ipoh are within walking distance around Ipoh’s new and old town.

Getting a Map

You may visit the Ipoh Tourist Information Centre to get the map of Ipoh. Alternatively, you may download the digital map from their website or simply use Google Maps on your phone to navigate around.

Ipoh Walking Trails

There are two walking trails to explore on foot:

Ipoh Heritage Trail : A trail to explore 24+ heritage buildings from the British colonial period.

Ipoh Mural Trail : Explore mural art by the famous Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic. There are also several mural arts by other artists which portray the cultural beauty of Ipoh.

Buses in Ipoh are also a convenient and viable option for getting around Ipoh. The main bus station is known as Medan Kidd Bus Station , which is just a 7-minutes walk (or 5-minutes ride by Grab or taxi) from the Ipoh Railway Station .

Public Bus ( myBas )

Public buses are also easily accessible around Ipoh. The public buses in Ipoh are called myBas which is run by a company called PerakTransit .

myBas Routes

There are various bus routes in service from this bus station. The most common route which covers the main Ipoh town is Route F100 (Ipoh Town)

Other routes can be checked from PerakTransit’s official website .

myBas Schedule

The bus schedule varies among different bus routes. On average, the public buses would start its services as early as 6.00am and ends its services at 8.00pm. There would be buses every 20-30mins for the common bus routes.

Schedule for each route can be checked from PerakTransit’s official website .

myBas Fares

The bus fare varies based on distance traveled. It may amount up to RM1.40, RM2.00, RM2.70, RM3.40, etc.

Hop-On Hop-Off Bus (Weekends Only)

The Tourism Ministry of Ipoh introduced the Hop-On Hop-Off (HOHO) Bus in March 2019. The HOHO bus is an initiative to make it super easy for people to visit the key attractions in Ipoh. The bus operates only on the weekends and has 13 stops altogether.

Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Fares

The fares are slightly lower than the Kuala Lumpur and Penang’s Hop-On Hop-Off buses . Since it’s still in the beginning phase, the ticket prices are discounted as below:

*The discounted prices are said to be valid till 31st December 2019 * For up-to-date fares, check them on Perak Tourism Official Website

Ever since Uber was bought over by its South East Asia competitor (Grab), Grab car drivers has widely increased in Ipoh. If you are planning to go further away from the Ipoh town, Grab is the perfect option for you. Hailing a Grab is also perfect for short distance trips around Ipoh town.

Although Grab is widely used in Ipoh, the local taxi in Ipoh are still on the roll. When you could not find a driver on Grab, the local taxi is the option for you. You may find local taxis lined up at main attraction spots and supermarkets. Note that some taxis in Ipoh does not use a proper fare meter and charge extra for tourists. Just ask if the taxi is metered before taking one. If none, agree on a fare before entering the taxi.

Ipoh has its own bicycle rental service called Cycledios . You may unlock a bicycle from any of the designated parking stations. There are tons of Cycledios bicycles stationed around the Ipoh town area.

How to rent a Cycledios bicycle

• Simply download the Cycledios app from Applestore or GooglePlay
• Register for an account or sign-in if you already have an account
• Reload the wallet with some credits
• Find a bicycle from nearby stations and scan the QR code
• Complete the application process for insurance
• You can now ride the bicycle
• Once done, return the bicycle to any of the nearest stations and pull the lock manually to end the rental process

Renting a car or motorcycle is very uncommon for getting around Ipoh. The city can simply be covered by walking, buses, taxis and Grab. If you plan to stay for a longer time, you may rent a car or motorcycle from a few private services or Easybook website .

• Walk : If you’re exploring around Ipoh’s old and new town
• Bus : A wider coverage from Ipoh’s town area
• Grab : You may go anywhere
• Taxi : If there are no Grab drivers available
• Bicycle Rental : Within the town area
• Car/Motorcycle Rental : Uncommon but it’s your own preference

Where To Stay in Ipoh

5 Best Hotels In Ipoh (2019) M Boutique Hotel Ipoh : 6 Astounding Reasons To Stay Here

Where To Eat in Ipoh

5 Popular Local Foods in Ipoh 3 Delicious Locals Favourite Noodles in Ipoh

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extract from your website -https://theipohguide.com/getting-around-ipoh/

myBas Routes There are various bus routes in service from this bus station. The most common route which covers the main Ipoh town is Route F100 (Ipoh Town)

myBas Route F100 (Ipoh Town) ROUTE F100 (IPOH TOWN)

Please, would you know if this route cover some of the ipoh hop on hop off bus route (still operating only weeekdns???)

Hi Steve :), While myBas Route F100 and Hop On Hop Off routes are different, there are 2 stops which are identical in both routes. Its the Ipoh Railway Station and Ipoh Parade Shopping Mall .

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Explore Malaysia's Hidden Gem With This Ultimate Ipoh Travel Guide

Explore ipoh with our ultimate ipoh travel guide for top tourist attractions, things to do, best time to visit and places to stay..

By: Nikita Mazindar Baruah Published: Jul 11, 2023 01:00 PM UTC

Ipoh, the capital of Perak in Malaysia, is a breathtaking destination often overlooked by travellers. Adorned with quaint streets, rich history, stunning limestone caves and delectable local cuisine, it makes for a peaceful as well as adventurous getaway. Read our comprehensive Ipoh travel guide to include this gem in your itinerary.

From an exotic theme park named Lost World of Tambun to the majestic Kellie’s Castle, which is believed to be haunted, and the stunning Gua Tempurung caves, you can pick the things to do that best suit your interests. But don’t forget to add some of the best outlets serving sumptuous street foods .

How to plan a trip to Ipoh?

You can keep these pointers in mind while planning a trip to Ipoh:

• Determine the best time to visit according to the weather and local events.
• Research transportation options and book your flights or other modes of travel.
• Book your preferred accommodations in advance and keep your detailed itinerary handy.

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Ipoh weather and the best time to visit.

Ipoh experiences a tropical climate, with hot and humid weather throughout the year. Temperatures generally range from 23°C to 30°C, with the warmest months being of April and May. Rainfall is common year-round, but the wettest months are typically from August to November. Ideally, you can plan your trip sometime between December and February, which has pleasant weather.

During this period, you can expect bright sunny days and comfortable temperatures, perfect for exploring the city and nearby places. You must avoid visiting during the monsoon as thunderstorms and continuous rain may limit your sightseeing hours.

How to reach Ipoh?

The town is well-connected by road to other major cities in Malaysia, such as Kuala Lumpur, which is approximately a two-and-a-half-hour drive away. You can opt for a private car service or rent a luxury vehicle for a comfortable and convenient journey.

The Ipoh Railway Station is a major stop along the West Coast Line, connecting Ipoh with Kuala Lumpur, Penang and other destinations. For a luxurious train ride, choose from the ETS gold or platinum services.

Ipoh is connected to major cities in Malaysia by air via the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport (IPH). Located six kilometres away from Ipoh, the airport also welcomes international flights from a few select destinations.

Best places to visit in Ipoh

Qing xin ling leisure and cultural village.

Located twenty minutes away from Ipoh town, the Qing Xin Ling Leisure and Cultural Village is known for its spectacular views of the surrounding jungles and limestone cliffs. Get up close with the Malay way of life and culture as you explore the village on a trishaw, a rare sight in today’s time. This tourist spot is also known for its wishing tree — a majestic banyan tree where people tie red ribbons and make wishes as per traditional Chinese customs. A perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life, the village also features beautiful koi ponds, emerald-green lakes and lakeside cottages.

Kellie’s Castle

If you’re looking for something intriguing in Ipoh, head to Kellie’s Castle. Perched on a hill with a gorgeous backdrop, the unfinished ruins of the mansion tell the tale of an ambitious Scottish planter, William Kellie Smith. While there have been many stories of ghost sightings, nothing has stopped tourists from visiting the Gothic place. The interior and exterior have also been featured in several movies like Skyline Cruisers (2000) and Anna and the King (1999).

Lost World of Tambun

Once a tin-mining wasteland, the Lost World of Tambun is one of the most prominent theme parks in the world. Adrenaline-inducing roller coaster rides along with exciting eco-adventure excursions and majestic wave pools, this premium theme park is one of a kind. Cocooned within the lush tropical jungles and limestone cliffs, it is a must-visit for adventure seekers.

D.R. Seenivasagam Park

Spend a blissful day with your loved ones at D.R. Seenivasagam Park. Built-in honour of a well-known politician in 1960, the park offers many recreational activities. While here, check out the mesmerising Japanese Zen garden featuring an artificial carp pond. The nursery, play area and dedicated picnic zones make the park a fun place for young ones.

Gua Tempurung

Next on this Ipoh travel guide is the Gua Tempurung — the largest cave in the region of peninsular Malaysia. This three-kilometre-long cave has been retrofitted with walkways and electric lighting for tourists. The tunnel comprises five domes with ceilings that resemble coconut shells. The majestic stalactites and stalagmites are truly a sight to behold.

Funtasy House Trick Art

Head to Funtasy House Trick Art to add some magic to your trip to Ipoh. This unique art gallery is home to several trick rooms with different themes like upside down and circus. The gallery also displays 26 murals, along with several exquisite art structures and paintings which are a treat for art lovers.

Concubine Lane

Once a quaint corner of Ipoh, housing a few coffee shops, Concubine Lane is one of the most visited areas of the town today. Housing numerous cafes, dessert shops and souvenir pop-ups this lane is loved by tourists and locals alike for its aesthetic and trendy vibe. If you are visiting Ipoh during the time of Chinese New Year, exploring Concubine Lane must be on your to-do list. During this time, the street comes alive with red lanterns much like China Town and is a sight that must not be missed.

Yasmin Ahmad Museum

Named after the Malaysian film director, writer and scriptwriter Yasmin Ahmad, the museum and resource centre is an unconventional one featuring her life’s work. It is located in Kong Heng, Ipoh, a place close to the locales where most of Ahmad’s famous work was shot. The museum is a popular tourist spot in Ipoh created as an attempt to inspire people towards screenwriting and filmmaking. The highlight of the museum is that its contents are refreshed every six months or one year.

Rumah Lat Dan Galeri

If you are a comic aficionado, head to the Rumah Lat Dan Galeri — a gallery that provides a peek at the life of Malaysia’s most famous cartoonist — Lat or Datuk Mohammad Nor Khalid. Lat’s comic books are a common finding in Malaysian households. With over twenty graphic comics to his name, his museum was one of the most awaited ventures in Ipoh which finally opened its doors to the public in 2021.

The museum is a replica of the Kampung house from ‘The Kampung Boy’, one of his most renowned creations. At the museum, you can explore Lat’s belongings from his childhood, mostly from the World War II era. You can also check out all of his work spanning four decades, some of which dates back to 1964.

Bukit Kledang

Located thirty minutes away from Ipoh town, Bukit Kledang is one of Ipoh’s most picturesque hiking spots, with its summit at 800 metres above sea level. It has four trails, with different difficulty levels and the time required to reach the peak. While the tarred main route goes directly to the peak, others cut through the jungle and meet the main route at different spots. The jungle route encompasses a beautiful waterfall which is a sight to behold.

Things to do in Ipoh

Enjoy street art across the town.

Ipoh is known for its street art, specifically seven spectacular murals scattered across the town. These 3D wall paintings portray the history and culture of Ipoh. Some of the popular ones are as follows:

• Uncle drinking coffee at White Coffee Cafe, Old Town, Jalan Bandar
• Paper plane at Jalan Tun Sambanthan
• Five packets of kopi-O at Jalan Tun Sambanthan
• Hummingbird at Jalan Panglima
• Evolution at Jalan Bijeh Timah
• Trishaw garbage collector at Concubine Lane 3
• Girl and sparrows at Jalan Bandar Timah (replaced now)

Go for a river walk

What can be more peaceful than walking alongside a tranquil river and appreciating the beauty of nature? The River Kinta is one of the most-visited places where people can simply gaze at the illuminated river on a starry night as an escape from the hustle of everyday life.

Adorned with beautiful LED lights, the river bank gleams up with colours, making it a perfect romantic spot for an evening stroll with your partner. The area is also home to many restaurants and eateries for you to grab a bite by the river. The canopies on the riverside are studded with sapphire and white lights that create an illusion of a meteorite shower — a sight that you must not miss on your visit to Ipoh.

Visit the cave temples

The cave temples are a major attraction here and are heavily thronged by tourists from across the world. Having around 30 cave temples for Buddhist and Taoist deities, these places are unique and serene. Surrounded by lush greens with streams flowing through the rocks, it is an experience that should not be missed. Some of the most popular cave temples to visit during your trip are Perak Tong, Sam Poh Tong and Kek Lok Tong.

Explore Ipoh’s history in tin mining

Ipoh is often nicknamed The Town Built on Tin referring to its deep-rooted history in the tin mining industry. The Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge is one such example that speaks about the town’s glorious yesteryears. Once a tin mining dredge, it was built by F.W.Payne & Son in England in 1938. Today, it is the last remaining tin dredge and a popular tourist destination located at a 40-minute drive from Ipoh town. You can take a guided tour to explore the floating factory and its gallery that houses relics from the past.

Nightlife in Ipoh

Ipoh is filled with a range of activities that visitors can partake in after sundown. Whether you are looking to grab a drink, try sumptuous local delicacies or simply explore the beauty of the town at night — the options are endless. This Ipoh travel guide has some of the best ones to visit.

Head to Brick & Barrels with your friends and enjoy the live music with exotic drinks and food. If you’re in for the speakeasy vibe, Atas Speakeasy Bar is the place to be. With a wide range of board games, besides great food and drinks, this place is sure to keep you entertained.

When club hopping, don’t forget to try Ipoh’s uniquely served beer called snow beer. The chilled beer is poured over frozen mugs which causes the foam to crystallise, giving a unique texture and refreshing taste, especially on a hot and humid day.

You can also choose to visit the heritage buildings, including the Ipoh Railway Station, Ipoh Town Hall or Birch Clock Tower for stellar views.

What to eat in Ipoh?

Often termed the ‘lost food capital of Malaysia’, Ipoh has numerous culinary delights to offer to its guests. Tender chicken served with steamed rice and various sauces and condiments is a popular choice by locals and tourists alike and can be found at street stalls as well as posh restaurants.

Another much-loved delicacy is the nasi ganja , rice served in a medley of coconut sambal and spicy fried chicken. It is one of Ipoh’s top crowd-pullers nowadays.

When in Ipoh don’t forget to try their famous salt-baked chicken, locally known as ayam garam . The dish gets its name from its cooking process where chicken is marinated with Chinese herbs, wrapped and baked with rock salt.

Got a sweet tooth? Try the soya beancurd pudding, popularly known as tau fu fah . It is said that this dessert is made with the town’s spring water which gives it a unique taste and texture.

What to shop in Ipoh?

Ipoh doesn’t lag anywhere behind when it comes to providing a luxury shopping experience. Ipoh Parade is a premium mall in Perak and houses some of the best global brands and international stores. If you’re looking for local boutiques offering exquisite products, head to the AEON Mall Station 18.

Ipoh is renowned for its white coffee and it is a must-buy during your shopping sprees. Don’t forget to pick up a few packets from any of the town’s malls or shopping centres. As Ipoh is known for its art, why not pick a few handicrafts as souvenirs? Head to the Kong Heng Square Artisan Market and browse through their wide collection of local art and handicrafts.

Where to stay in Ipoh

Hotels in ipoh.

Hotel Excelsior Ipoh

Kinta Riverfront Hotel & Suites

WEIL Hotel Ipoh

Resorts in Ipoh

Meru Suites at Meru Valley Resort

The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat

The Haven All Suite Resort

Related: These Are Malaysia’s Best Hotels, Spas, Pools and More in 2023

(Hero image credit: Luke Ow/Unsplash; Featured image credit: John T/Unsplash)

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Answer: Two to three days are enough to explore Ipoh.

Answer: Since Ipoh has a tropical climate throughout the year, it is best to carry cotton, breathable clothes for your trip.

Answer: Yes, it is best to carry cash in local currency while travelling across Ipoh.

Answer: The cave temples, including Perak Tong, Sam Poh Tong and Kek Lok Tong, are some of the most famous historical places in Ipoh.

Answer: Ipoh Parade, Angsana Mall and AEON Mall Kinta City are some of the best malls in Ipoh.

• south east asia

Nikita Mazindar Baruah

An anthropology graduate, Nikita started her journey in writing and editing while she was still a student. She has worked with various agencies and brands, creating content in lifestyle, entertainment, travel and wellness space. She aspires to travel the world and explore food, culture and more while penning it all down to share with the world.

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PERFECT Ipoh Itinerary in 2024: Day Trip, 2 or 3 Day Itinerary!

Planning an itinerary to Ipoh, Malaysia? Worry not, we are here to help.

Though a small city compared to Kuala Lumpur, there are still many awesome attractions in Ipoh. From the interesting Hakka mining history to the spectacular natural cave temples surrounding Ipoh , visiting Ipoh without a planned itinerary can lead to much unforeseen waste of time and money.

After spending a week in Ipoh, we created the perfect Ipoh itinerary for anyone taking a day trip to Ipoh or spending 2 or 3 days there!

Let’s get to it!

Planning A Trip To Ipoh Last Minute?

Make sure you book your tours, places to stay, and airport transfers ahead of time to ensure availability!

Our recommended tours in Ipoh:

• Private Tour: Ipoh Secrets Full Day Heritage Tour (Must-do!)
• Cameron Highland Private Day Tour From Ipoh (Best day trip from Ipoh!)

Our recommended places to stay in Ipoh:

• The Haven All Suite Resort (Luxurious w/ EPIC views!!)
• The Tudor (AMAZING value-for-money)
• The Brownstone Hostel & Space (Perfect for backpackers)

How Many Days Is Enough In Ipoh?

Day 1 Morning

Aim to arrive in Ipoh as early as possible , ideally around 8 AM. If you are coming from Kuala Lumpur, it takes about 2.5 hours by car. If you are coming from Penang, it takes about 2 hours. Yes, that means leaving at around 6 AM!

Why are we arriving so early in Ipoh? You want to start your day trip in Ipoh right by having the famous Ipoh white coffee . For anyone that doesn’t know what that is, it is the coffee that put Ipoh on the map as one of the best coffee towns in the world .

In fact, the coffee in Ipoh is so amazing that  Lonely Planet has named Ipoh one of the top 3 coffee towns in Asia !

Ipoh’s white coffee is much sweeter and lighter than the regular kind, perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth!

There are several cafes in Ipoh known for their white coffee. The two I recommend are  Sin Yoon Loong  and  Nam Heong White Coffee . Though Nam Heong White Coffee is a little more popular, Sin Yoon Loong still follows the original recipe!

Don’t forget to grab some breakfast here as well. The food in Ipoh is some of the best and cheapest in Malaysia!

After an invigorating white coffee and some tasty breakfast, it is time to visit some of the most interesting places in Ipoh: the cave temples .

In the Perak region where Ipoh is located, there are over 30 different cave temples. With so many different options, it is difficult to decide which ones to go to, especially if you only have 1 day in Ipoh.

Luckily, you are reading our Ipoh blog post!

The  best cave temples in Ipoh  are  Perak Tong Cave Temple ,  Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple , and  Kek Lok Tong . You cannot go wrong with visiting any of them. I recommend visiting at least 2 of the 3 cave temples I listed above.

Take your time and admire the geological formations, the intriguing religious artifacts, and just enjoy the unworldly feeling of being in a cave temple!

Another unique attraction in Ipoh is Kellie’s Castle. An abandoned European-style castle built by a Scot, this  unfinished building is rumored to be haunted ! Including this place on your itinerary is going to be difficult, especially without a car.

Day 1 Afternoon

Ipoh has a rich history and it is difficult to grasp all of it on a short trip. The Han Chin Pet Soo Museum is the perfect place in Ipoh to start learning more about how the town became what it is today.

It talks about the early history of Ipoh when it was mostly a tin mining town . Information about the early Hakka miners and their lifestyles is also documented in the museum.

The best part about the Han Chin Pet Soo Museum? It is free and comes with a tour guide! However, there is a suggested donation of 10 Malaysian Ringgit to preserve this historical building.

You must reserve your spot on their  official site  before arriving. Note that the last 2 sessions of the day are at 2 PM and 3:30 PM. Han Chin Pet Soo Museum is closed on Mondays.

2. Ipoh Street Art and Murals

Everyone that travels to Malaysia knows that Penang is the city for graffiti, but we were surprised to find so many cool street art and murals in Ipoh as well.

Street art and murals fill the streets of both the Ipoh Old Town and New Town , and it is nearly impossible to not just randomly stumble upon them.

The amazing thing about Ipoh street art and murals is that they are not just about anything. Usually, they often depict the daily lives of the residents of Ipoh, offering glimpses of their lifestyle and history.

Travelers can find a large concentration of Ipoh street art at  Ipoh Mural  and  Mural’s Art Lane .

Eight of the total murals in Ipoh are done by a Lithuanian artist named Ernest Zacharevic. His most famous work is the “An Old Uncle Drinking Coffee” mural and the trishaw 3D mural which is properly called “Old Town Relives Nostalgia With Trishaw”.

Mural’s Art Lane is one of the most magical places for photography in Ipoh!

3. Concubine Lane

If there is one thing to do in Ipoh, it is to visit the  Concubine Lane . Why? Because this place summarizes Ipoh in just one tiny street.

The Concubine Lane was a street that the mining tycoon Yau Tet Shin gave to one of his three wives. The wife would make money by collecting taxes and profits from the vendors on her street.

Yau Tet Shin gave 2 more streets to his 2 other wives, namely Hale Lane and Second Concubine Lane, though they are not as lively as the Concubine Lane.

Nowadays, restored historical buildings are lined up on the side of the street. Buildings that were once used for brothels and other illegal activities have now become cafes, restaurants, and shops .

As one of the most popular places to visit in Ipoh, Concubine Lane can get very crowded. If it is possible, avoid visiting on the weekend or you will learn the concept of “invasion of personal space.”

4. Ipoh Railway Station

The  Ipoh Railway Station  is one of the most iconic landmarks in Ipoh. Locals love this building so much that they call it the Taj Mahal of Ipoh .

The beautiful transportation hub is used by travelers daily and has connections to many big cities in Malaysia, including Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

To see the Ipoh Railway Station at its finest state, you must visit at sunset. The golden hues of the sunset emphasize the colors of the building, making it one of my favorite places in Ipoh to watch the sunset (the other being Bukit Kledang but that involves a hike).

After the sun has set, there is a routine evening water show . Though it cannot compare to the one next to the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, it is a relaxing thing to do in Ipoh at night .

Though it is technically a water show, it doesn’t stop locals or travelers from jumping into the cold soothing waters!

Day 1 Night

If the weather is too hot, especially at midday, you can take a break at your accommodation, a cafe, or a shopping mall. From 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM, the sun is like a biological weapon that melts you like butter.

With the extra time, you can add a few more attractions to your Ipoh itinerary.

I would personally recommend a visit to the  BookXcess Kong Heng Ipoh  bookstore. Using old bank vaults to display their merchandise, BookXcess Kong Heng is one of the most unique bookstores in the world.

If you are taking a day trip to Cameron Highlands from Ipoh, you won’t be able to fully appreciate its beauty. I recommend staying a few days in Cameron Highlands!

There are still several notable attractions in Camera Highlands you can visit on a day trip.

One of the biggest tea plantations in Malaysia,  BOH Tea Centre , offers tours of their tea processing facility as well as close contact with the tea plants themselves. The maze of tea plants is almost as beautiful as the rice paddies in  Sekinchan  in the western part of the Malay Peninsula.

The  Big Red Strawberry Farm  offers strawberry picking, a caf e, and a gift shop. Due to the climate, the strawberries in Cameron Highlands are some of the best in the world. They do, however, come with a heavy price tag (even by western standards).

The strawberry milkshake at their cafe is very delicious and worth a try!

If you are visiting Ipoh with family and kids or just want to relax for a day, then consider visiting the Lost World of Tambun Theme Park.

This theme park is situated on the outskirts of Ipoh, and it is a theme park that has something for everything – from a water park to natural hot springs and even a petting zoo!

Kids can enjoy the family-friendly rides in Lost World Amusement Park or the wave pools at the Water Park, while adults can relax in the multiple natural hot springs inside the park. The park is on the foot of stunning limestone cliffs, so visitors can admire their views as they soak their aching limbs.

If you are tired of sightseeing, consider a day of easy fun at the Lost World of Tambun Theme Park!

Where To Stay In Ipoh, Malaysia

Best Hostel in Ipoh-  The Brownstone Hostel & Space

If you are looking for an affordable hostel near the center of Ipoh, look no further. The Brownstone Hostel & Space features mixed dormitory-style rooms, clean facilities, and a cozy decor. It is a true backpacker hostel where you can meet other like-minded travelers!

The accommodation is centrally located so it is literally within walking distance from everything you might need or want to see.

Best Budget Hotel in Ipoh-  D Eastern Hotel

With so many  budget hotels in Ipoh , finding the right one can be difficult. Luckily, D Eastern Hotel makes deciding much easier. Featuring comfortable big rooms at a low price, guests can enjoy great comfort without breaking the bank.

The hotel is located in the New Town of Ipoh, with many eateries and things to do nearby!

Best Luxury Hotel in Ipoh-  The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat

The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat is the ultimate luxury hotel in Ipoh. Nestled in the stunning limestone hills of the Perak region, guests can relax and promote their wellbeing with their ice baths, steam caves, and geothermal hot springs. However, it is located a little far away from the center of town. Having your own vehicle is a must if you decide to stay in this luxurious accommodation.

If you don’t want to stay here but would like to use its facilities, you can check out this day pass option that allows guests to use all of its hot springs and baths.

Best Time To Visit Ipoh

Because Ipoh (and most of Malaysia) has a tropical climate, it is best to visit Ipoh in the winter months, ideally between December and February. Not only will you encounter less rainfall, but the temperatures are cool enough to enjoy exploring the city on foot.

If you visit during the summer, you can easily encounter temperatures over 35 C, which is definitely a recipe for heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

Ipoh Itinerary FAQs

Is ipoh worth visiting, what is ipoh known for.

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This concludes our suggested Ipoh itineraries! I hope this guide helped you determine how what to do in Ipoh and how many days to spend! Any question? Leave them in the comments!!

Disclaimer: Some of the links above are affiliate links. That means if you book or make a purchase through the links, we will earn a small commission at  no extra cost to you ! The money will help run this site! Thank you !

World Traveler, Travel Blogger, Photographer

LivingOutLau

Sean is the founder of the travel blog, LivingOutLau. He has been to over 30 countries in over 5 years of travel. Every day, he is traveling and sharing his discoveries of the world through exceptional travel guides on his blog!

3 thoughts on “PERFECT Ipoh Itinerary in 2024: Day Trip, 2 or 3 Day Itinerary!”

Thank you livingoutlau… I shall be following your suggested itinerary.

Hi Sean, thank you very much for sharing and giving thoughtful tips n Ipoh. Will plan a 4-5 days trip to enjoy in Ipoh.

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Wander-Lush

Things to Do in Ipoh: The Perfect Ipoh Itinerary for Food, Art & Culture

My Ipoh itinerary covers Ipoh’s best attractions, the top things to do in Ipoh including street art, architecture and hawker food – plus how to get from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh.

Occasionally when I travel, I have a sensation that’s closer to experiencing a moment in time and less like visiting a physical destination.

Sight, smell, taste, sound and touch plus something else—a vibe, I suppose—combine to make a place feel all-encompassing. I become completely immersed. It’s like plunging into a different epoch rather than just ‘arriving’ at a new point on the map.

Ipoh is one of those places.

Also read: 30 best places to visit in Malaysia .

The biggest city in Peninsular Malaysia’s central Perak state, Ipoh is one of the country’s best-girded secrets. Sultans, Brits, tin miners, tea barons, Chinese merchants, street artists and entrepreneurs have all left their mark on Ipoh.

The city perfectly captures the multiculturalism and visible strata of history and custom that I so love about Malaysia, with an undercurrent of nostalgia and effortless old-school cool.

I spent a week wandering Ipoh’s streets, slinking in and out of cafes, sipping on white coffee and eating egg tarts. It was one of my top travel experiences of the year. This 3 days 2 nights Ipoh itinerary and Ipoh travel blog brings together everything I enjoyed most about the city, with a strong focus on food, architecture, culture and street art.

I’ve also included some practical travel tips to help you make the most of your visit to Ipoh.

Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more.

Why visit Ipoh?

I’ve had my sights set on Ipoh ever since Lonely Planet named it one of their top picks in Asia for 2017. Having spent a week there, I can confirm that Ipoh really holds its own as a destination for foodies and art connoisseurs.

Ipoh is often compared to George Town (Penang); both have street art, culture , hawker markets, and cute architecture. In my experience, Ipoh is much quieter and far less touristy than Penang (in terms of foreign visitors at least), which only adds to its appeal.

More than that, there’s something totally unique about Ipoh that I’m yet to find anywhere else in Malaysia . When I shared a photo gallery from Ipoh, one of my readers, who was born and raised in Malaysia, described it as ‘The KL of yesteryear’ .

Ipoh has a wonderful retro vibe and a close-knit community feel. It feels more like a big country town than a city.

Top things to do in Ipoh: Ipoh itinerary highlights

Many people consider Ipoh Malaysia’s culinary capital. Like every city on the peninsula, Ipoh has hundreds of restaurants.

At night, vast hawker food markets take over the streets and alleyways. There are a few notable specialty dishes that were dreamed up in Ipoh kitchens and that you can’t find anywhere else in Malaysia. Must-eats include Hakka mee , Chee cheong fun , Kai se hor fun , and Ipoh laksa. Keeping reading for more recommendations of what to eat in Ipoh.

Another claim to fame: Ipoh is the birthplace of Malaysia’s famous white coffee, which is served in retro cafes throughout the city.

Ipoh laneways

There are a few historic laneways in Ipoh Old Town that have been transformed into street art and culture precincts.

Concubine Lane is far and away the most popular. Ipoh’s lanes are the perfect place to wander, people watch, and cafe-hop an afternoon away.

Ipoh street art

Penang might be Malaysia’s street art capital—but did you know that Ipoh has a collection of murals by the same artist? Truthfully, I prefer the street art in Ipoh! For starters, you don’t have to queue to get a look in.

Ernest Zacharevic’s work spurred on a local street art scene, and now Ipoh is decorated with dozens of colourful murals done by local artists.

Colourful architecture

I love Malaysian architecture, especially Chinese shophouses with their five-foot ways and pretty shutters and tiles.

Ipoh mixes heritage shophouses and British Colonial architecture with modernist concrete monstrosities. If you’re a fan of the Malaysian city aesthetic, you’ll love Ipoh.

Ipoh cave temples

There are some truly magnificent temples nestled in the jungle and built into limestone rock formations on Ipoh’s outskirts. Sam Poh Tong, Kek Lok Tong and Perak Cave Temple are three of the most prominent.

When you need a break from the city, Perak’s lush landscapes are only a short drive away.

Ipoh travel essentials

How long to spend in ipoh.

While it’s possible to visit Ipoh as a day trip from Kuala Lumpur or Penang, I highly recommend staying for at least a few days.

We spent a full week in Ipoh and didn’t run out of things to do. 3 days and 2 nights is a good amount of time to spend in Ipoh if you’re a first-time visitor.

How to get to Ipoh

Finally, Ipoh’s location roughly halfway between KL and Penang means it’s perfectly positioned for a stopover and easy to incorporate into any Malaysia itinerary.

It’s possible to get to Ipoh in a few hours from Kuala Lumpur by car, train or bus, or to travel from George Town or the nearby Cameron Highlands.

Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh train

There are regular daily trains between Kuala Lumpur’s Sentral Station and Ipoh, starting at 8.30am and running until late. This was our preferred method of travel when we visited Ipoh. The journey is fairly unremarkable, but it must be said that Malaysian trains are a very comfortable way to travel!

And for under 10 USD per person, it’s also very affordable. The trip by train from KL to Ipoh takes around 2.5 to 3 hours.

View the latest train timetable and book your train tickets online here through 12GoAsia .

Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh bus

If you prefer to travel from KL to Ipoh by bus, there are a number of companies that make this journey. Express coaches depart from TBS Kuala Lumpur (centrally located in Bandar Tasek Selatan) or the airport and terminate at one of three bus depots in the Ipoh area.

Look for a bus that will take you to either Jalan Bendahara or Aman Jaya—both are not too far from the centre. You’ll need to take a taxi for the final part of the journey into town.

There’s no arguing with the price—a bus ticket will set you back as little as 5 USD per person. The bus from KL to Ipoh takes a little over 3 hours.

View the latest bus timetable and book your bus tickets online here through Bookaway .

Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh by private car

If you’re short on time or you just prefer to travel comfortably, a private transfer by air conditioned car (or minivan for large families and groups) is the fastest and easiest way to get from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh.

GP Global’s door-to-door service includes pick up from your KL hotel – and you can make as many rest stops as you like along the way.

Check prices and availability for private transfers here on Bookaway .

George Town (Penang) to Ipoh

It’s also possible to travel to Ipoh from Penang. The only option here is to travel by bus—but take heart, because the journey is slightly shorter (a mere 2.5 hours on the road).

A number of different companies run express buses throughout the day and drop passengers off at Aman Jaya station in Ipoh. A ticket for this service will set you back approximately 5-11 USD.

View the latest bus timetable and book your Penang to Ipoh tickets online here through Bookaway .

Cameron Highlands to Ipoh

There are six daily buses connecting Tanah Rata (the closest town to Cameron Highlands) with Ipoh. The journey takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes, and tickets cost 5 USD per person. This service also terminates at Ipoh’s Aman Jaya station.

View the latest bus timetable and book your Cameron Highlands to Ipoh tickets online here through Bookaway .

Can you visit Ipoh on a day trip?

It’s possible to visit Ipoh in a day from Kuala Lumpur, Cameron Highlands, or even Penang. If you have your own rental car , you can drive yourself to Ipoh and spend a day exploring.

If you don’t have a car, I recommend joining an organised day trip that includes transfers. If you try to visit Ipoh in a day using the train or bus, you’ll run out of time.

This private full-day trip from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh covers all the highlights and is incredibly good value for money.

Where to stay in Ipoh

For a city of its size, Ipoh has a great range of accommodation options in both the Old Town and New Town. As you’ll see, Ipoh is fairly walkable, so it doesn’t really matter which side of the river you choose to stay on.

Generally speaking, the new part of town is where you’ll find contemporary hotels and hostels, while the Old Town is home to Ipoh’s heritage inns and boutique accommodations. If you want to be right in the thick of it, I recommend choosing a hotel in the Old Town.

Budget accommodation in Ipoh

Beds in Garden Hostel | Newly opened in 2018, this is probably the best hostel option in Ipoh. Beds start from 14 USD/night. Check availability and rates on Agoda .

Mid-range hotels in Ipoh

French Hotel | Located in the New Town, this hotel is simple but clean with excellent air-con (so important!) and an on-site cafe. Doubles start from 32 USD/night. Check availability and rates on Agoda .

Ban Loong Hotel | Heritage accommodation in a restored Old Town shophouse. Rooms are modern and sparse; some have loft spaces. Doubles start from 40 USD/night. Check availability and rates on Agoda .

Boutique hotels in Ipoh

27 Concubine Lane | Another heritage hotel, this time located right on Ipoh’s Concubine Lane. Brace yourself for crowds and possible noise pollution. Private rooms with a shared bathroom start from 30 USD/night. Check availability and rates on Agoda .

Sarang Paloh Heritage Stay | An exquisite heritage building situated at the quieter end of Ipoh’s Old Town. Rooms are clean and modern, and the indoor-outdoor common spaces feature original floor tiles and loads of greenery. Doubles start from 65 USD/night. Check availability and rates on Agoda .

Sekeping Kong Heng | An uber-trendy warehouse conversion right in the heart of Ipoh Old Town. Some rooms feature sleeping lofts, and there are beautiful shared terraces that open out onto the treetops. Because of the location, it can get noisy (there are cafes and bars directly downstairs and next door), and the chic design isn’t kid-friendly nor accessible. The simplest single rooms start from 20 USD/night. More information and rates here .

Need more Ipoh inspiration? Check out my Ipoh street photography .

Orientation & getting around

Ipoh is split into two by the Kinta River. The west side of the city, the aptly named Old Town, is where you’ll find most of Ipoh’s shophouses, heritage buildings and museums.

The eastern side of the city, the New Town, was developed at the turn of the century. It’s the more ‘livable’ side of town, with parks, gardens, and most of the city’s best restaurants and hawker markets. The New Town area is less atmospheric but has an interesting mishmash of architecture.

I highly recommend taking the time to explore both sides of Ipoh. This Ipoh 3 days 2 nights itinerary includes the Old Town and the New Town.

Ipoh is pretty compact and generally walkable. It does get extremely hot though—and there isn’t a whole lot of shade—so it’s a good idea to avoid walking in the middle of the day. We caught one taxi during our week-long stay, and that was on a particularly blazing day.

Ipoh’s red and yellow metred taxis are generally reliable and can take you across town for a couple of dollars. Uber and Grab, Malaysia’s homegrown rideshare service, are both available in Ipoh as well.

Things to do in Ipoh: 72 hour Ipoh itinerary

72 hours is a good amount of time to spend in Ipoh if you want to see the main sights and sample the best Ipoh food.

Here’s a quick overview of my recommended 3 days 2 nights Ipoh itinerary:

Day 1: Heritage Ipoh Breakfast at a traditional coffee shop The Ipoh Heritage Trail Self-guided tour of Ipoh’s best street art White coffee & egg tarts Ipoh’s house museums Kong Heng Square Explore Ipoh’s laneways Beansprout chicken & snow beer Gerbang Malam night market

Day 2: New Ipoh Dim sum for breakfast Ipoh Flea Market Mural Art’s Lane Panglima Kinta Mosque ‘Dessert Street’ New Town architecture Tong Sui Kai Hawker Centre Cocktails at Tiga Bar

Day 3: Beyond the city Ipoh Cave Temples Mirror Lake

Ipoh itinerary Day 1: Heritage Ipoh (the Old Town)

Breakfast at a traditional coffee shop.

At the time of my visit, I remember commenting that Ipoh makes me nostalgic for a childhood I never had. There’s just something about Malay coffee shops ( kopitiam ) that’s so sentimental.

Maybe it’s the ambiance, or the fact that service staff tend to be older and approach their work with extreme diligence. Or it might be the fact that they serve iced Milo (I actually did drink Milo all throughout my childhood).

I love the addition of crackers on the side of every saccharine cup of white tea. Thick white toast with Kaya butter (coconut jam), which tastes a bit like vanilla or pandan, feels like something your mum would make for you when you were feeling under the weather.

My favourite old-school Ipoh coffee shops:

• Lim Ko Pi ⚑ This no-frills eatery embodies everything that’s great about a traditional Malay coffee shop. You can’t go wrong with a cup of sweet tea with crackers on the side (pictured above). The noodle dishes and dim sum are also tasty.
• 22 Hale Street ⚑ This cute cafe doubles as a heritage museum and souvenir shop . Their rendition of Kaya Toast (pictured above; note the Jenga tower of butter!) was the best we had in Ipoh. Don’t leave without visiting the restroom—the decoration is really something!

Walk the Ipoh Heritage Trail

As in other Malaysian cities, the British left a legacy of stunning architecture when they exited from Perak in 1957. Ipoh’s colonial buildings have since been overlaid with townhouses, mosques and municipal buildings in a range of architectural styles.

But it’s the well-preserved British colonial buildings and turn-of-the-century townhouses that steal the show.

Highlights include the white-domed Ipoh Railway Station and adjoining Majestic Station Hotel, which I’ve heard described as ‘The Taj Mahal of Ipoh’; the neo-Classical High Court ; the 1931-built Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank building ; and the Chung Thye Phin building .

Shophouses of note are the Dramatists’ Hotel (as the name suggests, it served to accommodate actors performing at Ipoh’s since-demolished Chinese Theatre); the Mikasa Photo Shop (famously used as a cover for a Japanese spy during WWII); and the Seenivasagam Brothers’ residence and offices , a row of gorgeous pre-war townhouses.

One of the best ways to explore Ipoh Old Town is using the Ipoh Heritage Trail map. Most buildings marked on the route are signposted and feature information plaques out the front. Ipoh’s tourism information office has a reputation for long queues—avoid that by downloading a PDF copy of the map instead.

If you would prefer to explore Old Town Ipoh in depth with a private local guide, this 8-hour itinerary focuses on the city’s Heritage Trail and includes a visit to Kellie’s Castle at the end.

Track down Ernest Zacharevic’s Ipoh murals

When Lithuanian street artist Ernest Zacharevic left his mark on Penang, he contributed in no small way to the city’s explosion in popularity. Can you blame Ipoh for wanting a piece of the action?

In 2014, Zacharevic was invited to paint a series of eight murals in Ipoh, each inspired by a different facet of local culture. Only seven remain visible today.

Zacharevic’s Ipoh murals are artfully woven into the Old Town and fit seamlessly with Ipoh’s heritage architecture. They really bring the history of the town to life. All the major murals are marked out on Google Maps and are pretty easy to spot from the street.

Ernest Zacharevic murals in Ipoh:

• Old Uncle Drinking Coffee ⚑ This mural, one of the largest in Ipoh, was commissioned by Oldtown White Coffee. The design on the cup is delightful—exactly like the painted china you still see in Ipoh’s cafes today.
• Kopi Break ⚑ You’ll have to come early if you want to see this large-scale mural without the parked cars in front. Coffee is often consumed this way in Southeast Asia, in small plastic bags that can be tied to the handle of a motorbike and sipped on the go.
• A Single Bag of Coffee The smallest of Zacharevic’s Ipoh murals, A Single Bag of Coffee is just that—a life-sized plastic bag of coffee with a drinking straw painted on a blue and white metal gate.

• Trishaw ⚑ Located in Market Lane, this 3D mural incorporates a metal trishaw frame mounted to the wall. My favourite Ernest Zacharevic mural in Ipoh.
• A Yellow Hummingbird ⚑ I love the colours in this piece, which really pop against the blue-wash wall where it’s painted.
• A Paper Plane   ⚑ This mural depicts two kids riding in a paper plane. It’s painted quite high up on the side of a rather weathered building. The child’s bright yellow shirt is the easiest feature to spot.
• Evolution   ⚑ This large-scale, monochrome painting on the northern side of the Han Chin Pet Soo house museum (see below) is an ode to Ipoh’s tin mining history.

Try Ipoh’s famous white coffee & egg tarts

No trip to the Old Town would be complete without a glass of iced white coffee and an egg tart. White coffee , an Ipoh specialty first developed by Chinese tin miners in Perak, is prepared with coffee beans that have been roasted in margarine.

The white colour comes from the copious amounts of condensed milk and creamer added at the end. It’s tooth-loosenly sweet. Pair a glass with a piece of Dan Zhi (toast with a soft-boiled egg) or even better, a Macau -style egg tart—another Ipoh classic.

Where to try Ipoh white coffee:

• Kedai Kopi Sin Yoon Loong ⚑ One of the oldest (if not the oldest) cafes in Ipoh that still serves white coffee the old way. Food stalls along the perimetre offer sweets and lunch meals. Always open, and always crowded.
• Nam Heong White Coffee ⚑ Located directly opposite Sin Yoon Loong, Nam Heong vies for the title of Ipoh’s original white coffee merchant. Try both and decide which one you prefer.
• Oldtown White Coffee ⚑ Malaysia’s biggest white coffee brand, with several branches located across the city.

Learn about local history at a house museum

There are two small house museums in Ipoh Old Town that I think are worth a visit. The first, Han Chin Pet Soo ⚑ , explores Perak’s tin mining heritage. The venue started out as the Hakka Miners Clubhouse, founded in 1893 by a miner named Leong Fee.

Once strictly off-limits to non-members, it reopened as a museum fairly recently, and now displays a collection of mining memorabilia and antiques donated by members of the Ipoh community. Entry is free; reserve online in advance .

The nearby Ho Yan Hor Museum   ⚑ is dedicated to one of Ipoh’s most famous residents, Dr Ho Kai Cheong. The herb magnate is the man behind one of Malaysia’s most prolific medicinal tea brands, and it all started at this little shophouse in Ipoh.

This museum really stole my heart—the family’s story is quite remarkable, and the museum staff are extremely sweet. Entrance is free (no reservations required).

Kong Heng Square

Ipoh’s hip new creative precinct, Kong Heng Square ⚑ , houses a few gift boutiques , a barbershop, and a museum dedicated to local film director Yasmin Ahmad. Plan B , probably the city’s trendiest cafe, is also located inside the industrial-chic complex.

Admittedly I didn’t love the food at Plan B, but the Melbourne-style lattes were fantastic. There are some cool street art pieces and independent shops scattered around as well, making it a nice place for a wander.

Discover Ipoh’s laneway culture

Back in 1892, a fire destroyed much of Ipoh’s Old Town. As part of the urban renewal project that followed, Ipoh was reconstructed in a more ‘orderly’ fashion, with gridded streets to make navigating easier, and laneways to organise the city’s various trades and merchants.

At the time, Yao Tet Shin, a local mining tycoon and land owner, is said to have gifted a lane to each of his three wives. These would go on to become Ipoh’s three most popular laneways.

Wife Lane (now known as Lorong Hale or 大奶巷), Concubine Lane (now known as Lorong Panglima or 二奶巷) and Second Concubine Lane (now known as Market Lane or 三奶巷) are all lined with townhouses that once served as opium dens and brothels.

Those illicit days are long gone—now, many of the historical facades along the lane have been restored and turned into cafes and shops. Add a few interactive street murals and some hanging lanterns, and you have yourself a picture-perfect laneway.

Concubine Lane ⚑ is by far the most popular laneway in Ipoh. It’s packed to the brim on weekends (verging on unpleasant in the afternoons). The other two lanes are probably awaiting a similar fate; but for now, they’re largely empty so you can still enjoy an unfettered stroll.

While you’re in the area, make sure you pop into BookXcess Kong Heng Ipoh ⚑ , a bank turned bookshop where novels are displayed in the old vaults, and the nearby Ipoh Heritage Barber ⚑ , a very photogenic men’s salon that channels those old-school Ipoh vibes. Both are walking distance from the western end of Concubine Lane.

Beansprout chicken and ‘snow beer’ in the Old Town

There are a handful of one-dish-specialty restaurants dotted around the western end of Concubine Lane. Try Restoran Tauge Ayam Lou Wong   ⚑ for a big plate of Ipoh’s famous chicken with beansprouts, and Kafe Sun Yoon Wah   ⚑ for a ‘snow beer’ (literally frozen beer).

If you want to keep the party going, there are a few open-air ‘beer gardens’ located in this area as well (just look out for the blue plastic chairs).

Wander through Gerbang Malam Night Market

If you have time, end your first day in Ipoh with a wander through the lively Gerbang Malam Night Market ⚑ , where dozens of small Gerai shops open up every night at 7pm and sell an array of clothing, accessories and knickknacks.

I wouldn’t necessarily do my souvenir shopping here, but it’s worth visiting for the local atmosphere.

Ipoh itinerary Day 2: Contemporary Ipoh (the New Town)

Dim sum for breakfast.

Do as many of Ipoh’s families do and start your second day with a breakfast spread at one of the city’s dim sum joints. I’ve never been a huge fan of dim sum, but I absolutely adored eating it in Ipoh. The ordering process can be a bit confusing; if in doubt, grab a seat and watch how other people do it.

Usually a waiter will take your drink order first (I highly recommend starting with a pot of jasmine tea). You’re then free to approach the different counters scattered around the dining room and pick out which bite-sized morsels you want to try.

At Restaurant Foh San (pictured below), there are two counters: One for baskets of steamed goodies, and another for sweets. Other restaurants serve dishes on wheely carts: You simply take a seat and wait for the servers to come to you. Everything gets marked off against a long docket, which you present at the cash counter to pay.

The best thing about dim sum restaurants is that they open bright and early, most by 6am. It’s a perfect way to kick off a big day of sightseeing.

Old-school dim sum joints to try in Ipoh:

• Restaurant Foh San ⚑ My favourite dim sum in Ipoh. The food is fantastic (try the tofu, steamed prawn dim sum and sesame balls), and the open-air dining room is very pleasant. Open from 6.30am (closed Tuesdays)
• Restoran Chef Fatt ⚑ More than 50 dim sum on offer, including a nice rendition of lau sar pau (salted egg custard buns) made with lotus paste. Open daily from 6am.
• Ming Court Hong Kong Dim Sum ⚑ Right across the road from Restaurant Foh San, this is another popular dim sum venue. Try the black sesame soup and fish balls. Open from 6am (closed Thursdays).
• Greentown Dimsum Cafe ⚑ Located at bit further out near Ipoh Town Square and open later, from 9am. We didn’t make it to this dim sum restaurant, but it gets consistently good reviews. It’s a little cheaper than other dim sum joints, too.

Browse the Ipoh Flea Market (Sundays only)

If you happen to be in Ipoh on a Sunday, you can take a stroll down Memory Lane —literally. On Sunday mornings, this laneway in Ipoh’s New Town hosts a colourful pop-up flea market . Dozens of stalls descend on the area, selling an eclectic range of vintage Malaya memorabilia and British-era goods, including melamine plates, tiffin boxes and old records.

There is also a fair amount of second-hand clothing on offer, as well as a sprinkling of food and drink stalls. See if you can spot the two dads who set up a little sex shop on a single trestle table—pretty hilarious.

Be dazzled by Mural Art’s Lane

Also in the New Town, Mural Art’s Lane   ⚑ is where you’ll find the city’s best contemporary street murals. There are literally dozens and dozens of paintings large and small dotted all throughout this area. It’s a visual feast! Some murals are the work of school or community groups; others can be attributed to local artists and collectives.

All blend in perfectly with the urban environment, conforming to the angles of doorways and window grills, and accommodating the sprigs of green emerging from the cracks in the concrete.

These artworks are more colourful than Ernest Zacharevic’s murals, which is why I personally prefer them. Many reference local festivals and traditions, so you can learn a bit about Ipoh as you go.

Pop into Panglima Kinta Mosque

Located at the end of Mural Art’s Lane, Panglima Kinta Mosque ⚑ is worth a quick visit. Dating back to 1898, the blue and white mosque was one of the biggest and most impressive in all of Ipoh when it was finished. Visitors are welcome to enter the mosque outside of prayer times.

Eat your way along Ipoh’s dessert strip

For an afternoon pick-me-up, head to Ipoh’s unofficial sweets strip. Some of the city’s best bakeries, cookie shops and sit-down dessert bars are spread across several blocks in the New Town area.

Start with an ice cream sandwich at Hokkaido Ice Cream Puff ⚑ before sampling some of Perak’s famous pastries at Chin Han Guan Biscuits ⚑ and Guan Heong Biscuit Shop ⚑ (takeaway available). An egg tart or two from Hong Kee Egg Tart ⚑ is also a must.

Check out the New Town’s eclectic architecture

If the Old Town is a well-curated landscape of heritage buildings, Ipoh’s New Town is a total hodgepodge of past and present. As someone who loves concrete, Brutalism and abandoned buildings, I’m a big fan of this style.

Aside from the 1950s theatres (such as the Ruby, pictured below) and a bevvy of dilapidated hotels, offices and banks, you’ll also see some incredible (and original) terrazzo floor mosaics, hand-painted shop signs and the like.

Ipoh has some lovely arched five-foot ways and forsaken buildings that nature has reclaimed. I spent several afternoons wandering around this part of Ipoh with my camera. It might not encapsulate everyone’s idea of beauty—but it’s a street photograph’s dream for sure.

Dinner at Tong Sui Kai Hawker Centre

Dinner at a traditional Malaysian food market is a must for any Ipoh itinerary. Ipoh’s best hawker centres are all in the New Town. Tong Sui Kai ⚑ (open from 6pm daily) is my pick of the bunch.

If you’re not familiar with the concept, a hawker centre (essentially a night food market) is comprised of many separate stalls, each specialising in one or two dishes which are cooked fresh to order.

The idea is to grab a table and rove the aisles, collecting as many plates as you can stomach (or carry) to piece together your own dinner spread.

Nasi Kandar, Ipoh Laksa (pictured above) and Ayam Garam (salted chicken) are among the Ipoh specialty dishes you should look out for.

For dessert, try a bowl of Ais Kacang (a mountain of shaved ice topped with fruit, coconut milk, syrup, and other goodies), or pop around the corner to Funny Mountain Soya Beancurd   ⚑ (open until 7.30pm) for a bowl of Tau Fu Fah (soy custard pudding).

Cocktails at Tiga Bar

Top off your second day with a drink at Ipoh’s coolest cocktail bar. Tucked away in a heritage building on Market Lane, Tiga Bar ⚑ serves imaginative drinks, many of them themed around Ipoh’s heritage and local ingredients. The Dr. Ho Remedy made with cognac infused with Ho Yan Hor tea is a must-try!

Ipoh itinerary Day 3: Temples, caves & lakes

Once you’ve had your fill of city activities, travel just 5km south-east of the city centre to discover Gunung Rapat, home to Ipoh’s best natural attractions.

You can comfortably fill a whole day exploring this area using taxis or rented bicycles to get around.

Ipoh’s Taoist temples

If you’ve been to Vietnam, Gunung Rapat will remind you of Ninh Binh or Halong Bay . The otherwordly landscape is made up of pockets of jungle, rock formations and shimmering waterways (except in Ipoh, you’ll find lakes instead of rice fields).

This area is known for its spectacular Taoist and Buddhist temples, nestled in caves or clinging to the sides of limestone karsts. Don’t miss Sam Poh Tong (Three Buddhas Cave), the oldest cave temple in the area and the largest of its kind in Malaysia (yes, it’s bigger than the Batu Caves Murugan Temple!). Beautiful views of Gunung Rapat can be found from the temple entrance, reached via 240-steps.

Perak Tong Cave Temple is another Ipoh cave temple you should visit. Behind the temple you can access a walking path that leads you to the top of a limestone formation for amazing views of the landscape.

Nearby, Nam Thean Tong Temple and Ling Sen Tong Temple are also worth seeing. A little further south, you’ll find the Buddhist temple at Guanyin Cave and further east, the incredible Kek Lok Tong Buddhist Temple .

Tasik Cermin (Mirror Lake)

Popular with locals, Tasik Cermin (Mirror Lake) is part of a network of waterways around Gunung Rapat. There are viewing platforms and restaurants nearby.

You can also do short walks or bike rides around the lake and up to Qing Xin Ling Leisure & Cultural Village , another popular tourist attraction in the area.

We didn’t get to go to Mirror Lake when we were in Ipoh, but Daphne’s guide includes everything you need to plan a visit.

Where to eat in Ipoh: More Ipoh restaurants to try

• Funny Mountain Soya Beancurd – for Ipoh tau fu far
• Deen CT Corner Cendol – for Malaysian cendol and other desserts
• Lou Wong’s – for delicious chicken and rice
• Yum Yum Restaurant – for authentic Nyonya food
• Sri Anandha Bahavan – for authentic Indian cuisine

More time? Here are the best day trips from Ipoh

If you have more time left on your Ipoh itinerary, try one of these day trips.

Ipoh to Cameron Highlands

If you have a day in Ipoh to spare, take the opportunity to visit Cameron Highlands. Spend a full day hopping between tea plantations, picking strawberries, or even hiking in the nearby rainforest.

The easiest way to travel between Ipoh and Cameron Highlands is by bus. The first bus from Ipoh to Tanah Rata (the closest town to the tea fields) departs Ipoh at 8am and arrives in Cameron Highlands at 10.45am. The last return bus departs Tanah Rata at 6pm.

Note that Cameron Highlands can get very busy on weekends with day trippers from KL, so it’s best to visit on a weekday if possible. I also recommend pre-booking your transportation from Ipoh to avoid disappointment.

Click here to view the bus timetable and reserve tickets online through Bookaway .

Ipoh to Kuala Kangsar

Kuala Kangsar, Perak’s royal town, is an easy half-day trip from Ipoh. It boasts a beautiful mosque (the Ubudiah Mosque, pictured), and is close to some of Ipoh’s cave temples. The train journey from Ipoh to Kuala Kangsar takes just 30 minutes.

Services depart regularly (every half hour during peak times) from Ipoh Railway Station, and a one-way ticket costs around 4 USD.

Click here to check times and reserve train tickets online through 12GoAsia .

Alternatively, you can join an organised day tour from Ipoh to Kuala Kangsar. This private tour includes hotel transfers by air conditioned car. As well as visiting the mosque, you’ll also participate in a hands-on pottery workshop and visit the historic Victoria Bridge.

Click here to check prices and availability on Klook .

Ipoh to Kellie’s Castle

For a slightly off-beat addition to your Ipoh itinerary, travel 20km south to Batu Gajah. There you’ll find Kellie’s Castle, an abandoned country home sponsored by a Scottish rubber baron in 1915 but never finished.

The Moorish-revival architecture is quite spectacular, and the castle is filled with history (tours are available if you want to learn more). Nowadays, most people visit to take selfies in front of the deteriorating brickwork, which is utterly ‘Instagrammable’. More details about Kellie’s Castle here .

More Malaysia inspiration

• Ipoh street photography gallery
• The best Malaysia souvenirs & where to find them
• Kuala Lumpur airport & layover guide
• 9 reasons to visit Kuching, Borneo
• The art of Malaysian batik painting
• How to spend a perfect 24 hours in KL
• My guide to George Town, Penang
• Why you should take a food tour in Penang

What are your favourite things to do in Ipoh? If you have any tips or recommendations to add to my Ipoh itinerary, please leave them in the comments below!

Ipoh itinerary: Pin it!

27 Comments

I used your blog so much last summer in Georgia. And everyone I met raved about it!! So nice to get some tips off you again on another adventure! You have a really nice writing style that doesn’t feel like it’s selling me something like so many other blogs. Thanks for your work!

Thanks so much Rhiannon, that’s so kind of you to say! I hope you had an incredible time in Georgia and enjoy your time in Malaysia! Safe travels.

Is it easy to travel from Ipoh to KLIA2?

Hi Jem – yes for sure, you can use the train.

I knew you would be the one helping me plan that (too short trip) to Malaysia!

Travel guides are helpful, but I was hoping to find a blog I could trust (which I hadn’t yet). I didn’t think you had been to SEA lately but I decided to take a look anyway after going through the Lonely Planet and reading the description of Ipoh. It reminded me of Haiphong, which we had decided to visit after reading your article and we all loved it so much. We will indeed absolutely put Ipoh on the top of our destinations for that short two week stay next July.

Can’t wait to read more of your suggestions for Malaysia. Thank you so much!

So happy to hear that Isabelle! Ipoh really is one of my favourite places in Asia… I really want to go back. It definitely reminds me a bit of Haiphong so I’m sure you will enjoy it too! Have a blast!!

Thank you for this article, it’s really helpful. Do you have more information about the eclectic architecture of the new town, like places to see (I love brutalist architecture) ? Or maybe, I’ll just have to walk around without a plan…

The old town is quite small so you can happily walk around and explore! That was my strategy and I had a great time!

that’s an amazing blog post. thank you for all the effort and informations.

Loved Ipoh. Great food, great street art and lovely people. Definitely worth a visit.

Agreed! Glad you liked my Ipoh itinerary, thanks for reading 🙂

Hello! Thank you for your complete guide it helped us so much to plan our trip to Ipoh!

So happy to hear that, Sofia! I hope you had a wonderful time!

I like to go to Ipoh for weekend getaway from KL. My favourite place to stay is Weil Hotel, they serve good spread of breakfast. Mostly local food. If tourist don’t have time to try local food while in Ipoh, don’t miss this one!

Thanks for the tip!

I am from Malaysia and Ipoh is often compared to Penang and has the best choices of food. You perfectly summed up the experiences of Ipoh, from the mural arts to the colonial past! A reminder for me to explore my country more 🙂 Thanks Emily.

Thanks for the kind words, Pashmina! Very glad to hear that!

Beautiful writing of my hometown, Ipoh

Thank you Teresa!

Beautiful post! BTW, the gourd-like vase on the bottom left of the photo for the flea market is the iconic Perak ‘labu sayong’ – a fired clay vessel for holding water and keeping it cool. It’s always dark, nearly black in colour. That one looks somewhat worn. One of the several craftwork unique to Perak. (Another is ‘tekat’, a Perak Malay technique of gold embroidery onto velvet).

I think one reason I have a soft spot for Perak, despite not being Perakian myself, is that there’s so much to discover in Perak, yet Perak doesn’t show herself off. She plays it cool, and it’s up to you to come find out. Or not. She doesn’t care!

What a beautiful way to put it, Teja! I love that.

Thanks for the information about the antiques, too. I recognised the tiffin boxes but I wasn’t sure what that vessel was used for!

Such a great guide about ipoh! Its right in my backyard but I haven’t spent any proper time there. Definitely need to now!

Thanks, Nadia! I hope you get a chance to visit soon—it’s a really cool city! I’d be very interested to hear your perspective as a local!

What a comprehensive article on Ipoh! I’be never been to Malaysia. For when I do, I’ve got to visit Ipoh and for that reason I’ll pin it for planning. BTW, I love street art too.

Thanks a lot, Jyoti! I hope you make it there soon! If you love street art, you’ll love Ipoh for sure!

I’ve never heard of Ipoh until today and now I want to go there. What a beautiful place! I especially love the murals and from what you describe, the food scene is pretty great too. One more for the bucket list!

Thanks, Bea! Definitely one for your travel wish list. The food is excellent! I only wish I had eaten more!

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Dive Into Malaysia

Ipoh Travel Guide

Ipoh is the capital city of the state of Perak in Malaysia’s north west, just a few hours by car from Penang and Kuala Lumpur.  While Ipoh is one of the less explored cities of Malaysia, it is definitely worth adding to your itinerary.  The city has gorgeous scenery, a beautiful Old Town with fun street art, as well as some of the best food in Malaysia.

Ipoh was once a small village, but thanks to the discovery of huge deposits of tin in the 1880s, it soon became one of Malaysia’s biggest cities.  Today, it is Malaysia’s third largest city and, thanks to it recent efforts to conserve its gorgeous British colonial architecture, has rapidly become a popular tourist destination. 

As well as its gorgeous old town, it’s also well known for its local natural attractions such as the surrounding limestone hills which feature various caves and Buddhist temples.

Located 180 kilometres north of Kuala Lumpur and 120 kilometres southeast of Penang, the city of Ipoh is easy to reach by car, bus and train. Public transport leaves frequently from Penang, Kuala Lumpur and the Cameron Highlands as well as other places in Malaysia.

Below, you will find our best guides to Ipoh in our Ipoh blog so you can have the best time possible in this gorgeous destination.

Ipoh Attractions

There are some great places to visit in Ipoh.  Read more about all these attractions in Ipoh below.

21 Best Things To Do In Ipoh, Malaysia [2024]

Ipoh Itinerary 2024: The Perfect Itinerary For 1 – 3 Days

Mixed Feelings About Sunway The Lost World Of Tambun: Review 2024

Ipoh acommodation.

There is a great range of accommodation in Ipoh from luxury resorts to cheap hotels and every price point in between.  Read our guide below to book the perfect Ipoh hotel for your trip.

Top 12 Best Hotels In Ipoh

Ipoh travel.

Ipoh is most easily reached by car from nearby Penang, Cameron Highlands or Kuala Lumpur.  However, public transport is available with buses and trains leaving Penang and Kualar Lumpur reguarly.  Only bus transport is available from Cameron Highlands.  Read our below detailed guides on how to travel to Ipoh.

EXACTLY How To Go From Ipoh To Taiping [2024]

EXACTLY How To Go From Ipoh To Cameron Highlands [2024]

EXACTLY How To Get From Melaka To Ipoh [2024]

EXACTLY How To Get From KL To Ipoh [2024]

EXACTLY How To Go From Ipoh To Langkawi🏝️[2024]

EXACTLY How To Go From Ipoh To Penang [2024]

You can find more information on other destinations in Malaysia across this site.

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Ipoh travel blog — The fullest Ipoh travel guide blog for a trip to Ipoh on a budget for the first-timers

Ipoh (Perak, Malaysia) is one of Malaysia’s most populous cities. This place attracts tourists with beautiful nature, multicultural, along with the ancient temples and buildings in British architecture from the 19th century… Ipoh has rivers, hot springs and a unique cuisine with white coffee specialty, only 200 km from Kuala Lumpur. Ipoh is an emerging destination of Malaysia, once listed in Lonely Planet’s top destinations in 2016. If you are planning a trip to Ipoh, don’t skip our Ipoh travel guide. Now, let’s check it out our Ipoh travel blog (Ipoh blog) with the fullest Ipoh travel guide blog for a trip to Ipoh on a budget for the first-timers from best time to visit, what to do in Ipoh, best places to visit in Ipoh to where to stay, what to eat in Ipoh below.

• Melaka food blog — Experience Melaka delicacies, arrived at by Trishaw
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Ipoh is the capital of Perak state, Malaysia, about 200 km from the north of Kuala Lumpur city and 130 km from the south of Penang. This is a familiar stop for travelers who want to explore both Penang and Kuala Lumpur by North – South highway or by train. Ipoh is surrounded by the famous Cameron Highlands in the east, so when you come here, you can also visit the vast tea hills in Cameron. The Kinta River divides Ipoh City into two, with Ipoh Old Town to the west and east to be the new city.

Ipoh is the third largest city in the country, after Kuala Lumpur and George Town. Ipoh looks peaceful and taciturn. In Ipoh Old Town there are many similarities with George Town. The streets are filled with Chinese-style old shops, frescoes are painted on old walls and there are many cafes serving Ipoh’s famous white coffee.

Ipoh blog: The best time to visit Ipoh?

The best time to visit Ipoh is from April to September every year. The temperature in this time around 29-35 degrees Celsius and there is no rain. If you visit Ipoh in June, although the weather is still hot, the price of hotels is not too expensive. Hotel room rates from $60/night.

The peak tourist season in Ipoh is from July to September, the prices of guesthouses and hotels surge during this period. From August to January is the rainy season in Ipoh, it rains a lot.

Ipoh travel blog: How to get to Ipoh?

From kuala lumpur.

Bus: You can travel to Ipoh by coach, express bus, let’s go to TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (Address: Terminal Bersepadu Selatan, Jalan Terminal Selatan, Bandar Tasek Selatan, 57100 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia / Phone: +60 3-9051 2000) station to catch the coach, there are many operators of KL-Ipoh route such as: Mega Star Transportation (Kejora Express), Konsortium (Malaysia), Kesatuan express, Transnasional, Plusliner, Perak Transit… The coach have comfortable, spacious seats and air-conditioned. You can refer to schedule and buy ticket online here .

Ticket: RM20-40 Travel time: 3 hours

Train: Go to Kuala Lumpur Sentral Station (Address: Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) or Old Kuala Lumpur Railway Station (Address: Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, Kampung Attap, 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) and catch the ETS Train. Modern train, super clean and comfortable. Ipoh Station is located in Old Town, very convenient.

Ticket: RM25-35 Travel time: 2.5 hours

From George Town, Penang

Bus: You can catch a coach at any point in George Town, only RM3 fee to transport to the bus station, and then move to Ipoh. Some bus operators you can refer to such as: Billion Star (Penang), New Asian Travel Komtar, C.S Travel & Tours (Amudi Express), Hee Enterprise. You can see schedule and buy ticket here .

Ticket: RM29 Travel time: 2 hours

Train: You can take the ETS Train to Ipoh Old Town but first you have to go to Butterworth Railway Station. If you want to go from George Town, we recommend you take the bus, it will be much easier.

From Cameron Highlands

Bus: The only option from Cameron Highlands to Ipoh is by bus and easiest from Tanah Rata. You can buy tickets from any transport service in the city and the journey begins from Tanah Rata bus station. Some bus operators you can refer to such as: Unititi Express, Perak Transit Express. You can check the schedule and buy ticket here .

Ticket: RM20 Travel time: 90 minutes

Ipoh travel guide: Getting around Ipoh

Ipoh has no taxi, you can traveling to tourist attractions, shopping and dining by bus, tricksaw, walking or renting scooters or bicycles, …

Ipoh Malaysia travel blog: Where to stay in Ipoh?

Like George Town, Ipoh has many options for accommodation for travelers. You can choose cheap, mid-range or high-end hotels. Here are some hotels with good reviews, room rates you can refer to.

French Hotel : This is a budget hotel but modern and clean located in the heart of the new Ipoh city. Surrounding the hotel is houses and just a 10-minute walk to the Kinta River bridge leading to Ipoh Old Town on the other side. You can also spend the morning enjoying cakes and coffee at the Jose and Deli Cafe on the first floor. The room rates from $30.19/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).

Address: 62, Jalan Datuk Onn Jaafar, Kampung Jawa, 30300 Ipoh, Negeri Perak, Malaysia

M Boutique Hotel : This is a mid-range hotel with unique furniture and “trending” that makes M Boutique Hotel an ideal place to stay in Ipoh. Conveniently located, just a 5-minute walk from Little India and a 10-minute walk from Ipoh Old Town. The hotel also serves white coffee on site. There is a gym, free laundry service and lots of airy space. The room rates from $24.87/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).

Address: 2, Hala Datuk 5, 31650 Ipoh, Negeri Perak, Malaysia

WEIL Hotel : A luxury hotel. If you have a good financial condition and want to stay in a luxurious place, then the 4-star Weil hotel will be a suitable choice. The hotel has a great reputation with large rooms, many restaurants, tea lounge, rooftop bar and infinity pool overlooking Ipoh old town. The hotel even has a private entrance to the nearby Ipoh Parade Shopping Area! The room rates from $65.87/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).

Address: 292, Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, 30000 Ipoh, Negeri Perak, Malaysia

Regalodge Hotel Ipoh (Address: 131, Jalan Raja Ekram, 30450 Ipoh, Negeri Perak, Malaysia), 3-star hotel, with room rates from $17.68/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).

Symphony Suites (Address: No 41, Lapangan Symphony Business Park, Jalan Lapangan Symphony, 31350 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia), 4-star hotel, with room rates from $31.49/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).

MU Hotel Ipoh (Address: 18, Jalan Chung On Siew, Taman Jubilee, 30250 Ipoh, Negeri Perak, Malaysia), 3-star hotel, with room rates from $38.38/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).

Ipoh Downtown Hotel (Address: 210, Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, 30000 Ipoh, Negeri Perak, Malaysia), 3-star hotel, with room rates from $33.64/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).

Casuarina@Meru (Address: No. 1-C, Jalan Meru Casuarina, Bandar Meru Raya, 30020 Ipoh, Negeri Perak, Malaysia), 4-star hotel, with room rates from $38.81/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).

Cititel Express Ipoh (Address: 2, Jalan S.P Seenivasagam, 30000 Ipoh, Negeri Perak, Malaysia), 3-star hotel, with room rates from $34.28/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).

Ritz Garden Hotel (Address: 88, Jalan Yang Kalsom, Taman Jubilee, 30250 Ipoh, Negeri Perak, Malaysia), 3-star hotel, with room rates from $25.87/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).

You can find, check rates, availability & booking for Ipoh hotels on Agoda.com or Booking.com .

Ipoh travel guide: Best places to visit and top things to do in Ipoh

Ipoh heritage trail.

Visit the Ipoh Heritage Trail – Ipoh Old Town full of 130-year-old historic heritage buildings of the town, since it was a small Malay village to this day. Let’s find a map that showing the most typical buildings on the heritage road about 6km long.

‘Golden Triangle’ – 3 destinations in the center

The west bank of the Kinta River is home to Ipoh’s most prominent historic buildings. Under British colonial rule, royal architecture was built throughout this land. The three destinations in the main center are the train station, the town hall, the court. These are 3 famous historical buildings that tourists cannot miss when visiting the beautiful city of Ipoh.

Ipoh Railway Station (The Taj Mahal of Ipoh) in the early 20th century is known by the name Taj Mahal thanks to the beautiful white roof arches.

Ipoh City Hall is opposite to Ipoh Railway Station. The building is designed in a luxurious classical French style. The Town Hall here is a good place to take photos.

Address: 2700, Jalan Panglima Bukit Gantang Wahab, 30000 Ipoh, Negeri Perak, Malaysia

Birch Memorial Clock Tower is a 5-minute walk from the City Hall, a place to commemorate the first British governor in Perak. On the monument is a clock tower and paintings showing the culture through different eras.

Address: 31650 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia Opened: 1909 Hours: Open 24 hours

Little India

Wander the streets of Little India to watching colorful shops, inhale aromatic spice bags, listen to melodious Indian songs through the loudspeaker and enjoy Indian food at one some restaurants.

Address: 12, Jalan Lahat, 30000 Ipoh, Negeri Perak, Malaysia Hours: Open 24 hours

Kong Heng Square

The old villas here have been built to become hotels, cafes and craft shops. Sekeping Kong Heng is the busiest place in the center of the Old Town. Along the hotels here are the handicraft stalls and cafes. Shop of Bits & Bobs sell ais kepa (snow cream) very famous. Nearby is Ipog Craftnerds, which sells handicrafts and jewelry, and Roquette – a gathering area filled with young people in eye-catching cafes.

Continued reading…

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Ultimate Ipoh Itinerary For 1-2 Days + Best Food!

Table of Contents

This post may contain affiliate links to things like tours, hotels, Amazon associates and products. These help me earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.

After my time in Yogyakarta and Ipoh, I have two new favourite Southeast Asian cities. That’s why I’m sharing my Ipoh itinerary, packed with colourful corners and tasty local food. Whether you take a day trip to Ipoh or stay overnight, I have plenty of suggestions! I was excited to get back to Malaysia as I’d had such a good time there in 2016. Last year, my sister visited and went somewhere I’d missed: Ipoh. It sounded interesting so, en route from KL to Georgetown, I paid it a visit.

IPOH ESSENTIALS E-sim data plan Copy of Lonely Planet Malaysia Getting there: flight, bus, train ( 12GoAsia ) Accommodation: Hotels on Booking.com // hostels on Hostelworld Tours: GetYourGuide / Viator

Related read: how to spend 2 weeks in Malaysia

Many visitors to Malaysia miss Ipoh but I don’t know why – it’s the perfect tourist city: colourful, friendly, easy to get around and a foodie paradise. What’s not to love? Add it to your Southeast Asia bucket list if you haven’t already.

Can you see Ipoh as a day trip?

If you just have one day in Ipoh, a good option is to take an Ipoh day trip from Kuala Lumpur. You can catch a bus or train in 2.5 hours from the capital . It’s a long day trip but possible since you can see the top Ipoh things to do during a short amount of time.

For an Ipoh day trip, I recommend GetYourGuide:

You could also consider taking a day trip to Ipoh from Penang . Once you’ve hopped on the ferry from George Town, the bus or train journey to Ipoh is just 1.45 hours from Butterworth. Use 12go to book journies in Malaysia .

Read next: 101 Asia travel tips

Ipoh one day trip itinerary:

• 8am – leave Kuala Lumpur and board a train or bus
• 10.30am arrive in Ipoh for a late breakfast
• 12pm – explore the best things to do in Ipoh (keep reading)
• 7pm – have dinner and board your return transportation
• 9pm – arrive back to your accommodation.

Staying overnight in Ipoh

Obviously I’d say the longer the better for your Ipoh itinerary as it’s such a lovely little city. I spent 2 days in Ipoh exploring at my leisure which I’d highly recommend if you have time. Consider staying over at… Brownstone Hostel – with a rooftop garden, TV room, coffee makers and more, this is a great budget backpackers base with dorm beds from $13 a night. M Boutique Station 18 – for an affordable yet stylish hotel with thoughtful details and quirky decor, check out this boutique guesthouse. Rooms start from $40. Ipoh Bali Hotel – splashing out on one of the most stylish hotels in Ipoh will only cost you around $50. This rustic Bali-inspired hotel has thought of everything, from carved elephant door handles to views over leafy gardens.

Things to do during an Ipoh itinerary

Where to start? The central city has gorgeous old-fashioned streets, spectacular street art and lots of authentic local restaurants. Dotted around the countryside are more Ipoh attractions including a few sets of cave temples.

After sharing the best things to do, I’ll run through my suggested Ipoh itinerary for day trip visitors, as well as those staying overnight for 2 days in Ipoh.

Read next: Solo female travel in Malaysia

The basketball court

There are definite Hong Kong vibes at this basketball court and symmetrical apartment building. Right beside Old Town White Coffee, one of the best restaurants in Ipoh on Jalan Bandar Timah , a visit is easy to work into your Ipoh day trip itinerary.

The colourful house street

So many rainbow-coloured houses on such a small hidden street, who knew? As a city of undiscovered gems, one of the best things to do in Ipoh is seek them out. This really is a hidden one because the street doesn’t even have a name. It’s very near Mural Art’s Lane so you’ll probably spot it straight away but if not, head to Cakchibow Cafe and find it in the alley beside.

Ipoh Booth Cart

There’s street art all over Ipoh but for an interactive experience, pop over to Ipoh Booth Cart . Outside you’ll find this awesome swing mural. Inside, there are even more interactive murals. It was totally empty when I visited but the murals are well worth checking out.

Mural Art’s Lane

Of all the attractions in Ipoh, none are more colourful or quirky than Instagram paradise, Mural Art’s Lane . Whole alleyways of stunning colourful designs – I spent ages taking photos and I’d love to do it all over again.

Concubine Lane

Named after the fact that British colonialists used to frequent ‘houses of the night’ on this street, Concubine Lane is completely different today. Cute markets selling jewellery and souvenirs pop up, flowers blossom, and even an English red phone box has a spot!

Market Lane (umbrellas and art)

Market Lane was once known as Second Concubine Lane because apparently one wasn’t enough for the British. Like the first one, it’s now bright, colourful and quirky. You can barely imagine it dimly-lit and full of seedy bars. The main reason people seek it out today is to get their ‘grams with the interactive street art: the Trishaw piece by Ernest Zacharevic is located here, as well as a cute tea party mural and one of some jumping kids.

Read next: my Ipoh street art guide with map

Panglima Kinta Mosque

This dreamy blue and white mosque is a great place to experience Malaysia’s rich culture. Nearby to Taoist and Hindu temples, it makes the city of Ipoh a real melting pot. It’s also gorgeous to photograph.

Ipoh railway station

This iconic station built by the British has become a well-photographed attraction in Ipoh. I arrived by train at night and came back (minus the luggage) for a photo in the daytime. It’s unlike much of Ipoh’s architecture so it’s worth seeking out.

Visit the caves around Ipoh

Another of the best things to do in Ipoh is explore the countryside, particularly the incredible cave temples dotted outside the city. Religious shrines are hidden away inside vast labyrinths within craggy limestone caves. Top Ipoh caves to visit include Perak Cave, Sam Poh Tong and Kek Lok Tong.

Read next: visiting the Ipoh caves

Day trip Ipoh itinerary

If you’re coming from KL or Penang and not staying overnight, follow this detailed Ipoh one day trip: 10.30am: After arriving into Ipoh, start your day with famous white coffee and an egg tart at Old Town White Coffee , a well-loved local establishment dating back generations. It’s also a food court known for its tasty Malaysian food so if you have time to return for a meal, do!

Don’t forget to visit the basketball court, right beside Old Town White Coffee. Take a few minutes to snap some photos before moving on.

12pm: Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple

During a day trip to Ipoh, you’ll probably only have time to visit one set of caves. I’d suggest Sam Poh Tong . I t closes at 2pm which is why I’m suggesting it for the morning (swap it for one of the other set slower down if you miss this window). Sam Poh Tong is super bright and colourful, home to pagodas, statues from Buddist mythology and a reclining Buddha statue. There are three temples beside each other so you can spend a couple of hours exploring.

Getting there: Jump in a Grab from Ipoh for 8 MYR.

3pm: Mural Art’s Lane / Ernest Zacharevic street art tour

Arrive back from the caves and head to Mural Art’s Lane, one of the best things to do in Ipoh for street art fans. Take a while to wander while snapping photos of world-class street art.

Depending how into street art you are, you might want to follow the Ernest Zacharevic Ipoh street art trail. After becoming famous for his street art in Georgetown, this Lithuanian artist completed similar works in Ipoh. They’re well worth finding.

4pm: Concubine Lane and Market Lane

Next, head to the colourful centre. Concubine Lane is a great place to shop for souvenirs but I preferred Market Lane’s quieter, rustic feel and street art murals. You can leisurely wander both streets in under an hour.

6pm: Dinner – Chinese food

Chinese food is a right of passage in Malaysia. Make sure to include a tasty meal before ending your Ipoh day trip. Chinese residents used to make up 50% of Malaysia’s total population, and the total is still around 20% today. For that reason, Chinese food is deeply ingrained in the culture and, thanks to the small size of Ipoh, none of it will be far away. I went to  Luo Wang  for their renowned chicken with bean sprout dish. It was delicious!

Ipoh itinerary for 2 days

If you have 2 days in Ipoh, add this day. Start with an adventurous hike or decadent brunch. I won’t judge you based on which you pick. Based on the fact I only have a photo of one, which do you think I did? 😉

Hiking option – Bukit Kledang

An adventurous thing to do in Ipoh is hike Bukit Kledang . There are four hikes you can do, the shortest taking one hour and the longest taking four. Bukit Kledang is 800m above sea level and my advice would be to go early or late to beat the heat.

Brunch option – Plan B Cafe

No Ipoh itinerary would be complete without brunch! Foodies should visit   Plan B and order the French toast with maple syrup, caramelised bananas, peanut butter, peanut brittle and ice cream. It was so indulgent but worth it. The coffee was great, too.

Afternoon – Kek Lok Tong / Perak Cave

For the afternoon, visit another set of cave temples, or two if you want. Set in 12 acres of gardens,  Kek Lok Tong  is pretty as a postcard. Visually, the surroundings of this cave temple remind me of China which is interesting since so many Chinese people moved here last century. They must have felt at home in these stunning surroundings. Take an hour to wander the limestone cliff-lined gardens. There are Buddha statues to admire inside but the grounds steal the show. Getting there: It’s easy to call a Grab in Ipoh but there aren’t so many drivers waiting near the caves. For that reason, I’d suggest asking your driver to wait. Often waiting time is free and they’ll just charge for the ride home.

Perak Cave Temple

A 20-minute drive from Kek Lok Tong is Perak Cave Temple . Built in the same era as Kek Lok Tong, these two cave temples are actually pretty different. This gorgeous red temple has no grounds and is all about cave paintings, Buddhist shrines and panoramic views from the top. An hour is plenty of time to see everything. Getting there: I got my Grab driver to take me to Perak Cave from Kek Lok Tong, then back to Ipoh. Book on Grab then arrange the rest of the journey when you meet. Swing by Ipoh railway station for photos before heading home!

Where to eat in Ipoh

Don’t forget to work some amazing meals into your 1 or 2 day Ipoh itinerary. As a multi-ethnic society, Malaysia is a great place to try Chinese and Indian classics as well as Malay-specific dishes. Ipoh may be smaller than KL and George Town but that only makes it easier to move between the abundant food courts and cafes. Eat local food and everything’s cheap! I managed to track down some of the best food in Ipoh and I hope you do too. As well as coffee and egg tarts at Ipoh White Coffee and French toast at Plan B , don’t miss these places. It wouldn’t be an Ipoh travel guide without food, right?

Sri Anandha Bahavan (authentic Indian)

Malaysian-Indian food will be good wherever you try it – Ipoh is no exception!  Sri Anandha Bhavan  is one of the best restaurants in Ipoh for Indian food, serving vegetarian and meat dishes including curries, dosa and banana leaf dishes. You can’t go wrong with any of it but I loved my serving of spicy palak paneer (cheese cubes in a spinach sauce). Don’t forget to order some Indian sweets for dessert! Jalebi is always a winner. These milk and pistachio squares above were also extremely moreish. Address: 7 Persiaran Bandar Timah.

Restoran Lou Wong Tauge Ayam Kuetiau

As I already mentioned earlier, Hainanese chicken with bean sprouts is what this local restaurant is known for. It’s a simple dish but well-worth worth trying. My fresh, generous serving was very moreish and doused in sweet soy sauce. Address: 49 Jalan Yau Tet Shin.

Thean Chun (shredded chicken noodles)

Another of the best restaurants in Ipoh for Chinese food is  Restoran Thean Chun . The shredded chicken noodles with prawns and a salty broth were tasty and cheap at 6 MYR. This busy restaurant is food court-style like many others so grab a shared table and order whatever takes your fancy. Address: 73 Jalan Bandar Timah. Opening times: 8am-4.30pm (only until midday on Sundays), closed on Thursdays.

Yoke Fook Mun (dim sum)

I’m always on the hunt for dim sum and I wasn’t disappointed in Ipoh. This old-school restaurant is run by a team of older ladies who can’t speak much English but make some excellent dim sum. A bit of pointing and guessing went my order but I was happy with what came out – a selection of pork and prawn dumplings and fried rice batter with spicy sauce. I paid 25 MYR for 3 plates and a drink – a bit on the pricey side for Ipoh but at least I was stuffed! Address: 65-69 Jalan Leong Sin Nam. Opening times: 6am-1.30pm and 6.30pm-10pm.

Ipoh essentials

These are the items that came with me to Ipoh and I would recommend using during your Malaysia trip.

• Copy of Lonely Planet Malaysia
• A handy bum bag with secure zip to keep your belongings secure
• Combination padlock (ideal for hostel lockers)
• A stainless steel reusable water bottle that you can fill up with filtered water (hotels in Ipoh will have these)
• Alternatively, a filtering water bottle that allows you to safely drink tap water
• Reusable coffee cup (collapsable) for hot takeaway drinks
• Travel luggage – I use the Mountain Warehouse Traveller Backpack (60l with 20l detachable backpack)
• A camera – I use the Sony DSC-HX350 Digital Compact Bridge Camera which I think is one of the most affordable options for a camera with such a good zoom
• A GoPro if you’re into making videos – I use the HERO8 Black
• Solo travel pick: a tripod or mini GorillaPod to get yourself in the shot – I use the Manfrotto tripod and Joby Gorillapod .

Thanks for reading my Ipoh itinerary!

I’m very jealous you’re visiting as I want to do it all again. There are so many things to do in Ipoh, including simply sipping white coffee and watching the world go by. Whether you choose an Ipoh day trip or spend a couple of days getting immersed, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Penang blogs:

• The best places to visit in George Town, Penang
• The top hawker food in Penang
• How to visit Kek Lok Si from George Town
• Penang digital nomad guide
• The best cafes in George Town, Penang
• Where to find healthy food in George Town

Kuala Lumpur posts:

• The ultimate KL itinerary for 2 days
• 5 cute cafes in Kuala Lumpur
• The top restaurants in Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur

Melaka posts:

• All the best things to do in Melaka
• The best food in Melaka
• 10 cute Melaka coffee shops
• Where to see street art in Melaka

Southeast Asia travel planning:

• 101 items for your Southeast Asia bucket list
• 101 backpacking Asia tips
• The perfect Southeast Asia travel route

Follow for more Malaysia content on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter and YouTube .

See you next time for more adventures,

Ps. Liked this itinerary for Ipoh? Pin it for later!

Malaysia quick links Flights – I use Skyscanner and search by month to see the cheapest dates. Stay connected with E-sim data plans that don’t require delivery or collection; just span the QR code. In my opinion, Lonely Planet offer the best guidebooks. Get the latest Copy of Lonely Planet Malaysia . For Malaysia buses and trains , I use 12GoAsia . The search feature allows you to compare prices and durations. I use Booking.com for accommodation. They have the best range of hotels and self-catering apartments, plus you can filter by review score and price to find the best-rated budget places. For hostels, I use Hostelworld . To save money on accommodation, I use Trusted Housesitters , a website that connects homeowners going away and travellers who can sit their homes & pets. For activities, I use GetYourGuide and Viator as they both have a huge range of affordable tours. Need travel insurance ? I use True Traveller (for UK & Europe residents) since it’s affordable but covers everything you’d need including various activities, valuables and pre-existing conditions. Unlike some companies, they insure you if you’re already travelling / don’t yet have your flight home booked. Get a quote . For travel insurance for other nationalities, I recommend Hey Mundo and for long-term digital nomad travellers, I suggest Safety Wing . Check out my resources page for more travel discounts and tips!

Rose is a solo traveller from the UK who has been on the road since 2015. She wants to show other women that solo travel isn't scary and doesn't have to be expensive! Rose has lived in Mexico, Canada and all over Asia, seeking out food, bubble tea and street art wherever she goes!

2 thoughts on “ Ultimate Ipoh Itinerary For 1-2 Days + Best Food! ”

Last year I decided to skip the mainland of Malaysia and only visit Borneo. Otherwise Ipoh would’ve definitely be part of my itinerary

Ah how did you enjoy Borneo? Hope you make it back to the mainland sometime!

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14+ Fun Things To Do in Ipoh (Best Ipoh Itinerary)

This Ipoh travel blog will show you 14+ fun things to do in Ipoh, Malaysia, and a suggested 3-day Ipoh itinerary to help you see as many Ipoh attractions as possible!

Ipoh is located in the Malaysian state of Perak but is surprisingly still under the radar as most people tend to overlook the city for Penang or Melaka . Needless to say, it’s the perfect off-beat destination to add to your Malaysia itinerary !

Famous for its old town covered with street arts, traditional shophouses, cave temples at literally every corner, and without forgetting the iconic white coffee, Ipoh should definitely rank high on your bucket list!

So, whether you want to break up your journey between Kuala Lumpur and Penang or just looking for an underrated weekend getaway in Malaysia , this Ipoh travel blog will show you exactly what to do in Ipoh, Malaysia!

*** This article may contain affiliate links, meaning each time you click through and make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you which helps a lot in keeping this website running. Thank you for your support :)

Table of Contents

How to get to Ipoh Malaysia?

One of the best ways to get to Ipoh is by taking the bus. I recommend the bus from Sri Maju Group since they are cheap and reliable.

Most buses will drop you off at Ipoh Amanjaya which is found about 20 minutes from the center, where you’ll most likely spend your Ipoh itinerary. From there, take a Grab for about RM 15 (US$ 3.45).  

Some buses might drop you off at Jalan Bendahara or the Sri Maju Group bus station, both of which are located within Ipoh center. 

Bus from Kuala Lumpur airport:  The bus journey from the airport (KLIA1 or KLIA2) takes approximately 4 hours and costs about US$ 10 ( Click here to book! )

Bus from Kuala Lumpur Center : The bus will leave from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan and will cost only about US$ 6 ( Click here to book! )

Bus from Penang:  The bus journey from Penang to Ipoh usually lasts for about two hours and costs about US$ 5 ( Click here to book! )

Bus from Johor Bahru : The bus will depart from Taman Ungku Tun Aminah and the journey usually lasts for about 7 hours ( Click here to book! )

Trains are also available from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh, usually taking about 3 hours. You can book tickets online from US$ 6. The train station is located less than 5 minutes from Ipoh Old Town.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK TRAIN TICKETS FROM KL TO IPOH

Scoot Airlines and Air Asia have flights from Singapore to Ipoh . Tickets for both airlines cost about US$ 60 one way without checked luggage. You can also get flights from Johor Bahru to Ipoh through Air Asia.

Private Tour

If you have limited time for your Ipoh trip, another option is to book a private guided tour from Kuala Lumpur . During the tour, you’ll visit Kellie’s Castle, walk the Heritage trail, taste the delicious food, visit Perak cave temple and more.

The tour price is inclusive of lunch, round trip transfers to and from your hotel in Kuala Lumpur , an English-speaking guide and the admission fee to Kellie’s Castle.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK AN IPOH TOUR FROM KL + LUNCH

Where to Stay in Ipoh?

Ipoh old town.

27 Concubine Lane : A beautiful Chinese shophouse that has been converted into a homestay. Because it’s found right in the heart of Concubine Lane, close to some of the best things to do in Ipoh, it can be a bit loud during the day but it’s mostly quiet at night. Prices start from US$ 25 for a double room with a shared bathroom.

CHECK LATEST PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

Dé Cafe & Rest House : This hostel has separate dormitories for men and women and costs only about US$ 10. The hostel is found just a few meters from some of the most popular Ipoh attractions such as Market Lane and Concubine Lane.

CHECK LATEST PRICE AND AVAILABILITY ON AGODA OR BOOKING.COM

Ipoh New Town

Hotel Pi : The hotel is located in the center of New Town, right opposite Memory Lane and less than a 15 minutes walk from the Old Town. Each room has a private bathroom and wifi. The price for a queen room costs about US$ 27.

Grayhaus Soho Ipoh : Grayhaus Soho is a great place to stay during your Ipoh trip and offers single and queen rooms with private bathrooms which cost about US$ 12 and US$ 16 respectively. Coffee and toast are available anytime during the day and night and laundry will set you back RM 15 (US$ 3.45) per load.

Abby by the River : The hotel is located along Kinta River and costs about RM 90 (US$ 22) for a superior double room with a private bathroom. Breakfast is also included in the price.

FIND THE BEST HOTELS IN IPOH HERE

What to do in Ipoh Malaysia?

If you’re wondering what to do in Ipoh, you’ve come to the right place! Below are some of the best things to do during your 3-day Ipoh itinerary!

Ipoh Street Arts

One of the most popular things to do in Ipoh is hunting for street art. The Lithuanian artist, Ernest Zacharevic who is famous for his murals in Penang and other parts of Malaysia, was appointed to paint the streets of Ipoh Old Town.

His paintings are reminiscing of the old days and provide an insight into the history and cultural heritage of Ipoh.

More of the street arts can be found along Mural Art’s Lane, behind Jalan Sultan Iskandar. Here, you’ll come across a whole lane covered with murals of kids playing, traditional lion dance, and Indian dance, which clearly showcase the different cultures of Malaysia.

Unlike Penang, the streets will be completely deserted, even in the middle of the day, so no waiting in line to get a picture!

Ipoh Travel Tip: You can find some colorful buildings just opposite Mural Art’s Lane.

Read more: How to spend 3 days in Penang?

Concubine Lane

The second best thing to do in Ipoh is visiting Concubine Lane. This is where the action happens! During the weekend, shop owners set out their stalls on the street and sell everything from souvenirs to jewelry and delicious food. You can also find a few street arts around here as well.

Market Lane

Market Lane is another little back road where the rainbow umbrellas are located together with a few interactive street arts. This is also where the painting of Ernest Zacharevic, “Old Town Relieves Nostalgia with Trishaw”, is found.

Kong Heng Square

Kong Heng Square is another shopping spot worth visiting. Located just a few meters from Concubine Lane, the buildings of Kong Heng Square have an industrial and almost run-down feel which gives a certain charm to the area. 

Ipoh White Coffee

Have you been to Ipoh if you didn’t taste the original Ipoh white coffee!? The drink is made from coffee beans roasted with palm oil and served with sweetened condensed milk.

It’s available either hot or cold and is bound to give you a major sugar rush (although, I much prefer the cold one which tastes less sweet).

Nam Heong White Coffee and Kedai Kopi Sin Yoon Loong , two of the most popular cafes in Ipoh, are said to serve the original Ipoh white coffee. Both are located opposite each other along Jalan Bandar Timah.

Make sure to get there early as they are always very crowded and don’t forget to taste the egg tarts, dim sums, and other traditional Hainanese dishes.

Perak Tong (Perak Cave Temple)

With an abundance of cave temples to visit, it’s not hard to see why it’s one of the highly-rated attractions in Ipoh!

Perak Tong is by far the most visited cave temple in the city . The walls are decorated with paintings of Chinese deities and mythical creatures and house several golden Buddha statues.

You can even climb up the 450 stairs for a breathtaking view of Ipoh! So, if you’re wondering what to do in Ipoh, make sure to visit Perak Cave Temple! 

Kek Lok Tong

Kek Lok Tong is another beautiful cave temple found in one of the most picturesque settings. The temple ground comprises of Buddha statues on the inside, while the outside features a beautiful lake garden which is perfect for a peaceful nature stroll.

You’ll also find a reflexology footpath and even encounter swans around the garden.

Sam Poh Tong

Just a few minutes drive away is Sam Poh Tong temple which was founded by a Chinese monk in the 1800s. Though smaller than the other two, the entrance features a beautiful garden and fish pond.

There are stairs leading to the upper floor but they seemed to be closed off at the time of my visit. There’s also a passageway leading to quite an impressive pagoda and a tortoise pond but unfortunately, they didn’t seem well maintained. So, if you’re on a tight schedule, you could skip this one if you wish.

Read more: 20 places to visit in Malaysia for a short trip

Walk the Heritage Trail 

One of the best things to do in Ipoh is walking the Heritage Trail. It’s a great way to get a glimpse of what Ipoh looked like back in the day and witness the beautiful colonial buildings and historical landmarks.  

The trail starts at the Railway Station and includes some notable stops such as the Birch Memorial Clock Tower, Town Hall, and Old Post Office. 

You can either DIY your own heritage trail itinerary by following this map or taking a private guided tour  which also includes visits to Kek Lok Tong, Sam Poh Tong, and Kellie’s Castle. 

CLICK HERE TO BOOK A HERITAGE TOUR OF IPOH

Gunung Lang Recreational Park

Gunung Lang Lake was actually a tin mining site back in the days but has now been transformed into a recreational park. The lake is very busy during the weekend and seems to be a very popular attraction in Ipoh, especially among locals. 

At the entrance, you’ll see an artificial waterfall made by hydraulic pumps with beautiful limestone cliffs in the backdrop. 

You can also take a boat to the other side of the lake for RM 3 (US$ 0.70) for adults and RM 1.50 (US$ 0.35) for children. 

Memory Lane Flea Market

If you’re wondering what to do in Ipoh, I recommend visiting the Memory Lane flea market. Every Sunday, Memory Lane comes alive during the early hours when locals sell everything from antiques to the usual knick-knacks found at flea markets.

Gerbang Malam Night Market

Gerbang Malam is open every night from 9 p.m. You won’t find much food here but rather a mix of clothes, accessories, and other random items for sale. If you’re hungry, I recommend heading to Hangout @ Ipoh for some delicious street food.

If you’re not eating out and thinking of cooking your own food, UTC market is where you’ll find fresh produce from 7 a.m to 10 p.m.

It can be quite overwhelming when you first enter the market since everything seems to be all stacked together. The vegetable stalls are located near the entrance while the fruit stalls are found upstairs, all the way back.

Funtasy House

Funtasy House is a small trick-eye museum found near Concubine lane. The entrance fee is RM 19 (US$ 5) for adults and RM 10 (US$ 2.5) for children.

CLICK HERE FOR DISCOUNTED TICKETS FOR FUNTASY HOUSE

Other Ipoh Attractions

• Lost World of Tambun : Family-theme park. Click here to book discounted tickets
• Go on a jungle trekking experience .
• Tempurung Cave Exploration
• Ipoh Parade: Shopping mall found in Ipoh New Town.
• Kellie’s Castle: An abandoned castle that’s supposedly haunted!
• Restoran New Hollywood: A popular local food spot located about a 10 minutes ride from Ipoh Old Town.
• Birch Memorial Clock Tower : Historical landmark in Ipoh (Apparently where most locals have their wedding photoshoot)!

3-day Ipoh Itinerary

Ipoh itinerary day 1.

• Start off your Ipoh itinerary by getting some Ipoh white coffee and egg tarts at Nam Heong White Coffee or Kedai Kopi Sin Yoon Loong.
• Visit Concubine and Market Lanes and see the colorful umbrellas and street arts in the area.
• Kong Heng Square.
• More street arts on Mural Art’s Lane.
• Dinner at  Hangout @ Ipoh  

Ipoh Itinerary Day 2

• Early morning at the flea market on Memory Lane (if visiting on a Sunday).
• Cave temples: start with Kek Lok Tong, then visit Sam Poh Tong and finally Perak Cave temple.
• Gunung Lang Recreational Park.

Ipoh Itinerary Day 3

• Walk the heritage trail using this map or take a  guided tour .
• Tour of Kellie’s Castle.
• Spend the afternoon exploring the New Town and maybe go shopping at Ipoh Parade.

Read more: Malaysia itinerary for first-time visitors

How to get around Ipoh?

Ipoh is a fairly walkable city, but keep in mind that it’s very hot during the day. If you want to visit farther out to the cave temples you can take a Grab for less than RM 10 (US$ 2.30). Buses are also available, though not quite frequent.

Best time to visit Ipoh

Ipoh is usually hot and humid year-round with the occasional rainfall and temperatures going up to 32 degrees Celsius. The wet season is from April to October, while November to February is usually the driest.

Although you might want to travel during the Chinese New Year, traffic will be a nightmare (from my personal experience, the bus ride took more than 6 hours from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh instead of 3-4 hours, even one week before the festivities). In addition, most shops will be closed and hotel prices tend to be higher.

I hope that this guide to the best things to do in Ipoh has given you some inspiration for your next trip. Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions and I’ll be happy to answer them! 

Need more help planning your trip to Malaysia? Check out these posts:

• Top things to do in Kuala Lumpur in 2 days
• Best hotels in KL with infinity pools
• Best things to do in Melaka
• Penang itinerary for 3 days
• Things to do in Langkawi in 3 days
• Malaysia itinerary for two weeks on a budget
• How to plan an epic Singapore Malaysia Itinerary?  
• Ultimate guide to Seven Wells in Langkawi
• 20 short trips in Malaysia

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Steph is an outdoor enthusiast who’s always down for adventure. When she's not traveling abroad, you’ll either find her exploring her own backyard or researching her next trip. She writes adventure travel guides featuring waterfalls, mountains, and beaches and shares her tips on how to travel on a budget without compromising on comfort and experience.

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How To Go To Ipoh From Kuala Lumpur (Complete & Easy Guide)

The journey from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh is uncomplicated. This is despite the bountiful limestone ranges that surround Ipoh! These same limestone hills make Ipoh geographically unique in Malaysia!

Electric trains run from KL to Ipoh via the West Coastline. While cars and buses can use the North-South Express highway.

Whichever mode of transport you choose to get from KL to Ipoh, you can expect at least 2.5 hours of travel time!

Table of contents:

Private Tour Service

• Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Best Way To Travel From Kuala Lumpur To Ipoh?

If you don’t have your own car (or you’re not willing to drive), the best ways to get to Ipoh from Kuala Lumpur are by train or bus. Trains are comfortable and more dependable than buses. They are not limited by heavy traffic but they are less frequent than buses.

Buses are the cheaper option between the two. They are often victim to heavy traffic on weekends and public holidays though. For private transport, there are tour services, charter taxis, and e-hailing services to consider.

Kuala Lumpur To Ipoh By Train

Going from KL to Ipoh by train is worth considering if you don’t have your own car. And if you want to travel during peak season (e.g. public holidays, weekends, school holidays, etc)!

Because the highway traffic can get out of hand! Particularly during the longer public holidays like Chinese New Year or Hari Raya!

Sometimes it takes more than 5 hours to reach Ipoh because of the traffic! And don’t forget the return journey too!

1. Type Of Tickets, Duration & Price

There are different categories for the train according to duration. Of course, the cheapest train (ETS Silver) will make a stop at every station! And it runs at night!

The priciest train (ETS Platimum) will only stop at a total of 4 stations ! But there is  Wi-Fi  onboard too!

• Tickets do sell out fast during peak season so keep that in mind and do not book last-minute!
• Ticket prices and durations listed here are subject to changes by the train operator!
• Prices listed above are based on a KL to Ipoh one-way trip
• There is food for sale and toilets onboard the train

The Electric Train Service (ETS) or KTM from KL to Ipoh has several departure points in Kuala Lumpur. But Ipoh Railway Station is the endpoint.

From KL, there are 4 stations to choose:

• Bandar Tasek Selatan
• Kepong Sentral
• Kuala Lumpur

1. Bandar Tasek Selatan

This is one of the main interchange stations in Kuala Lumpur for 4 different lines :

• KTM Seremban Line
• LRT Sri Petaling Line
• Express Rail Link (KLIA Transit)

The KTM ETS train departs from this station ( Bdr Tasek Selatan ) only twice a day! Once in the morning (~ 10am ) and another time in the evening (~ 5pm )!

• Journey duration: ~3 hours
• Cost: ~RM34 to RM40

2. KL Sentral

Many take the train from KL Sentral to Ipoh . KL Sentral is the largest transport hub in Malaysia.

And while waiting for the departure from KTM KL Sentral to Ipoh, passengers can browse or dine at the mall ( NU Sentral ) right inside the station!

Other facilities here include a luggage storage service and a counter for AirAsia flight tickets! Just be wary of pickpockets hiding among the crowds!

• Journey Duration: ~2.5 hours
• Cost: ~RM26 to RM37
• Frequency: 5 times a day, from 8:30am; last train is at 9:40pm

3. Kuala Lumpur Station

First-timers to Kuala Lumpur often make the mistake of alighting at this older station (Kuala Lumpur Station) rather than at KL Sentral.

The heritage building was once the main train station in Kuala Lumpur. Now, it’s quite empty so if you want to avoid the crowds at KL Sentral, then this is an alternative.

Recent upgrades have improved some of the facilities. Including an area for Wi-Fi connection.

There is no air-conditioning here as the station relies on natural breeze instead.

If you need to withdraw some money, there are ATMs just outside. One of the drawbacks of this station is the  excessive day parking fees !

• Cost: ~RM25-RM35

4. Kepong Sentral

With a frequency of  2-hour  intervals,

The ETS train has fewer stops here than at the KL Sentral or Kuala Lumpur stations. So do prepare for a wait if you decide on this departure point!

Facilities like the  ticket top-up machines, toilets and elevators  are often in need of repair.

• Journey Duration: ~2 hours, 15 minutes
• Cost: ~RM24-RM34
• Frequency: 5 times a day, from 9am; last train is at 10pm

2. How To Book A Train Ticket From Kuala Lumpur To Ipoh

You can buy tickets from the respective counters at the various stations. But it is advisable to book online instead (or book via easybook ). Especially if you’re taking popular dates and times!

As tickets for the more comfortable and modern trains are in high demand during peak season ! You should book weeks ahead if you’re visiting Ipoh during major holidays (Chinese New Year and Hari Raya).

Read more: Ipoh Travel Guide – What Makes Ipoh A Must-Visit City In Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur To Ipoh By Bus

Taking the bus is the cheapest way to travel from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh.

Unless you’re traveling on a public holiday or weekend, the KL to Ipoh bus usually takes ~ 3 to 3.5 hours to reach Ipoh. Depending on where you’re starting from in KL.

There are more than 20 bus operators that offer regular daily services for this route. There are buses almost every half hour and even at midnight!

Departure Points (Kuala Lumpur):

• Puduraya Bus Terminal
• Hentian Duta Bus Terminal
• TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan)

Popular bus operators are:

• Transnasional
• Konsortium Bas Express

Most buses from Kuala Lumpur are air-conditioned and will terminate at Ipoh Aman Jaya Bus Terminal which is 20 minutes’ drive from Ipoh Old Town !

Note: However, there is one bus operator ( Sri Maju Group ) that drops passengers closer to Ipoh Old Town & New Town at Jalan Bendahara .

Price Range: ~RM20-40 per person

It is advisable to book your bus tickets way ahead of any public holidays or weekends. This includes school holidays. You can get bus tickets on easybook.com .

Note: Since most buses do not have toilets onboard, the drivers will occasionally stop at rest stations along the route!

Self-Drive From Kuala Lumpur To Ipoh

Locals will choose this way if they have their own car .

It’s convenient , fast between 2-3 hours (depending on traffic and your driving skills), and not that expensive.

The best part is that you can travel at your own pace – stop at Batu Caves or Kellie’s Castle along the way to Ipoh!

Toll fees and petrol should come up to under RM100 one-way.

Read more: 27 Best Things To Do In Ipoh

Taxi From Kuala Lumpur To Ipoh

Don’t want to drive or take public transport?

Convenience and comfort come at a high cost!

A one-way 2-hour taxi trip from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh can set you back for close to RM500 !

Read more: Ipoh Trip Itinerary – How Long Should You Stay?

Contact RayTheTour via WhatsApp to book a Private Day Tour In Ipoh or a Private Day Tour In Cameron Highlands .

Pick ups are only from Ipoh. They do not pick up from Kuala Lumpur.

The private tours that RayTheTour offers run on a flexible itinerary with typical tour hours of 9am to 6pm . That means:

• You can choose where you want to go
• Or leave it to the experienced local guides! Including stops at local venues for meals!

Further reading: How To Get From Ipoh To Cameron Highlands

Frequently Asked Questions About Getting To Ipoh From KL

Q1: What is the driving distance between Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur?

A1: ~197km.

Q2: Why should you visit Ipoh?

A2: Natural beauty, colonial charm, delicious Ipoh food and rich history await you!

Q3: What Ipoh souvenirs can you buy?

A3: Ipoh white coffee, peanut candy, Ipoh biscuits like heong piah and kaya puffs! And more!

Q4: What is Ipoh famous for?

A4: Tin mining history, British colonial architecture, Ipoh Old Town, Ipoh white coffee , Ipoh food, cave temples , limestone hills, etc.

Q5: What can you do in Ipoh at night?

A5: For nightlife in Ipoh , do what the locals do! Indulge in hawker fare for supper or get a snow beer! Or find one of Ipoh’s hidden cocktail bars!

Finding transport from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh is straightforward with the use of daily buses and trains.

The route is popular among locals who crave a taste of Ipoh food and will drive to Ipoh just to go food-hunting on the weekends!

For international visitors, Ipoh is a perfect stopping point between Kuala Lumpur to Penang or Cameron Highlands!

Other posts you might like:

• 19 Best Hotels To Stay At In Ipoh (Budget To Luxury)
• 11 Exceptional Homestay In Ipoh
• Qing Xin Ling Leisure And Cultural Village – Another gem close to Gunung Rapat
• Gua Tempurung – Go caving In Gopeng!
• Perak Cave Temple: Stunning View Of Ipoh From The Top Of Perak Tong

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