Malaysia
Ipoh
March–April & July–August
$ USD
Malay, Cantonese, English
About
Discover Ipoh
Ipoh wears its history like a badge of honour. Once one of Malaya's wealthiest cities, built on the fortunes of tin mining, this Perak capital has reinvented itself as one of Malaysia's most beloved destinations — a place where crumbling colonial architecture lines café-packed streets, limestone karst towers loom over Buddhist cave temples, and the aroma of freshly brewed white coffee drifts from kopitiam to kopitiam.
The city divides naturally into two halves on either side of the Kinta River. New Town holds most of the hotels and modern conveniences, while Old Town is where Ipoh truly comes alive. Stroll down Concubine Lane and you'll find a narrow alley of restored shophouses turned into boutiques, cafés and galleries. Wander further and the murals appear: hand-painted wall art that has become Ipoh's visual signature, drawing photographers and social-media travellers from across the region.
Beyond the urban heritage core, Ipoh rewards the curious traveller. The limestone hills that encircle the city are riddled with caves, and several have been transformed into extraordinary temples. Sam Poh Tong, with its tortoise sanctuary and lotus ponds, and Perak Tong, where 40 steps lead to a hilltop viewpoint over the valley, are among the most atmospheric religious sites in peninsular Malaysia.
For family adventure, the Lost World of Tambun delivers a full day of theme-park thrills — water slides, amusement rides, a petting zoo and natural hot springs — all set against dramatic limestone cliffs. Kellie's Castle, the unfinished colonial-era folly 15 km from town, adds a touch of mystery to any itinerary.
Food is central to Ipoh's identity. The local obsession with white coffee — brewed lighter and smoother than the standard Malaysian kopi — dates back decades to the Old Town kopitiam pioneers. Pair it with a bowl of bean sprout chicken, fragrant curry laksa, or a plate of salted chicken for the quintessential Ipoh breakfast. Hawker stalls in areas like Greentown, around Meru Road, and along Hugh Low Street offer street food from morning until late at night.
The best time to visit is during the drier months of March through April and July through August, when the heat is manageable and outdoor exploration is most comfortable. Ipoh sits roughly two hours by car or three hours by train from Kuala Lumpur, making it an easy weekend escape or a worthwhile stop on a journey north towards Penang.
Where to Stay
Best Hotels in Ipoh
Luxury Hotels
The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat
Malaysia's premier wellness retreat set within a 22-acre valley of limestone hills, geothermal hot springs, natural caves and rainforest. Private villas with plunge pools and full butler service.
WEIL Hotel
Ipoh's flagship city hotel connected directly to Ipoh Parade shopping mall, featuring a rooftop infinity pool, modern rooms with panoramic city views, and acclaimed dining options.
TUI BLUE The Haven Ipoh
An all-suite lakeside resort on the outskirts of Ipoh, offering spacious suites with lake views, a waterslide park, multiple pools, and easy access to Lost World of Tambun.
Impiana Hotel Ipoh
A centrally located four-star hotel in the heart of Ipoh, offering well-appointed rooms, a swimming pool, and convenient proximity to Dataran Ipoh and the Old Town heritage quarter.
Boutique Hotels
M Boutique Hotel
Ipoh's most iconic urban boutique hotel, housed in a restored pre-war shophouse with 93 eclectic themed rooms, a popular all-day café, a library, and a 24-hour gym near the Old Town.
Ipoh Bali Hotel
A charming 12-room Balinese-inspired boutique hotel with private balconies overlooking lush gardens, an in-house spa, complimentary breakfast, and a warm, personalised service ethos.
Sarang Paloh Heritage Stay
An intimate heritage guesthouse occupying a beautifully restored colonial shophouse in Old Town, steps from Han Chin Pet Soo Museum, Concubine Lane, and the Kinta River waterfront.
M Boutique Hotel Station 18
The Station 18 sibling of M Boutique, offering bold monochromatic interiors, a very popular all-day eatery on the ground floor, and great value for a stylish stay near Aeon Station 18.
Mid-Range Hotels
Travelodge Ipoh
A reliable four-star business hotel in central Ipoh with smart, comfortable rooms, a swimming pool, and strong ratings for its central location and attentive service.
Casuarina@Meru Hotel
A well-regarded four-star hotel in the Bandar Meru Raya commercial district, featuring spacious rooms, an outdoor pool, and proximity to Mydin Mall and the Movie Animation Park Studio.
Hotel Excelsior Ipoh
One of Ipoh's long-established four-star hotels, offering 197 well-appointed rooms, two restaurants, a fitness centre, and a convenient location near Ipoh Parade and Memory Lane Market.
IM Roof Hotel and Residences
A modern serviced hotel with a rooftop infinity pool offering sweeping city and limestone hill views, contemporary studio suites and a central New Town location suited to longer stays.
Budget Options
Cititel Express Ipoh
A no-frills three-star express hotel steps from Ipoh Padang and Masjid India Muslim, ideal for budget-conscious travellers who want a clean, comfortable base in the city centre.
Hotel Seri Malaysia Ipoh
A government-backed budget hotel near Concubine Lane and the Lost World of Tambun area, offering consistently clean, affordable accommodation and easy access to Ipoh's key attractions.
Sun Inns Hotel Ipoh Parade
A well-located budget hotel adjacent to Ipoh Parade shopping mall, offering clean and functional rooms at competitive rates, popular with domestic travellers and transit visitors.
Ipoh Backpackers Hostel
A sociable backpacker hostel in Ipoh Old Town, providing dorm and private room options, a communal kitchen, regular heritage walking tour recommendations, and a lively common area.
Experiences
Things to Do in Ipoh
Lost World of Tambun Theme Park Entrance Ticket
Ipoh's biggest family attraction combines a water park, amusement rides, a petting zoo, and natural geothermal hot springs — all framed by dramatic limestone cliffs. Book skip-the-queue e-tickets in advance for weekend visits.
Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple
The largest cave temple in Malaysia, Sam Poh Tong features a serene garden filled with tortoises, lotus ponds and gilded Buddha statues set inside a soaring natural limestone cavern. Free entry; donations welcome.
Ipoh Old Town Heritage Walk
Explore Ipoh's colonial-era streetscape on foot, passing the iconic Ipoh Railway Station, the FMS Bar mural, Concubine Lane and Mural Lane. Self-guided routes are freely available, and the walk is best done in the cool of the morning.
Ipoh White Coffee Kopitiam Tour
Taste Ipoh's most famous export at the legendary Old Town kopitiam. Sin Yoon Loong and Nam Heong are the two original establishments on Jalan Bandar Timah, each brewing white coffee since the 1950s alongside kaya toast and half-boiled eggs.
Concubine Lane & Street Art Discovery
Stroll through Ipoh's famous narrow lane of restored shophouses turned boutiques, cafés and souvenir vendors, then hunt down the hand-painted wall murals depicting local stories scattered throughout the Old Town streets.
Perak Tong Cave Temple & Hilltop Viewpoint
A Taoist and Buddhist cave temple 6 km north of Ipoh housing more than 40 Buddha statues. Climb the 385 steps through the cavern to reach a hilltop platform with stunning panoramic views over the Kinta Valley.
Kellie's Castle Guided Tour
The unfinished Moorish-inspired castle built by Scottish rubber planter William Kellie Smith in the 1910s stands as a romantic ruin 15 km south of Ipoh. Its mysterious history — Smith died before completion — and crumbling battlements make for compelling exploration.
Ipoh Street Food Night Tour
Join a local food guide for an evening walking tour through Ipoh's hawker stalls, sampling bean sprout chicken, Hakka mee, curry laksa, salted chicken and a variety of traditional Perak desserts unavailable elsewhere.
Banjaran Hotsprings Geothermal Spa Experience
Indulge in The Banjaran's world-class spa set within limestone caves and rainforest, combining geothermal hot spring soaks, steam cave therapy and signature Ayurvedic treatments in one of Malaysia's most extraordinary natural settings.
Han Chin Pet Soo Hakka Tin Mining Museum
Housed in the beautifully restored building of the Hakka Mining Club (est. 1893), this intimate museum presents the story of Ipoh's Chinese tin miners, their secret societies and the culture that shaped the city's identity. Advance booking required.
Ipoh Dim Sum Morning Experience
Ipoh's Cantonese heritage makes it one of the best cities in Malaysia for morning dim sum. Foh San, the city's most beloved dim sum restaurant, opens at 6 AM and serves over 100 varieties — arrive early to beat the queues.
D.R. Seenivasagam Park Cycling
Rent a bicycle and explore Ipoh's largest urban park, a lush green space with jogging paths, a boating lake, playgrounds and manicured gardens that provides a refreshing contrast to the heritage streets nearby.
Information