Before visiting Malaysia, I’d never even heard of Ipoh…
I only ended up stopping there because a friend mentioned that the train from Kuala Lumpur to Penang passes through Ipoh and insisted it was worth spending a few days exploring. After a quick Tiktok search and seeing videos of cave temples, limestone cliffs and hidden mirror lakes, I decided to add it to my itinerary.
I spent 3 nights and 2 full days in Ipoh, which felt like the perfect amount of time. You could probably squeeze most of the highlights into a single day if you’re short on time, but I prefer travelling a little slower and not feeling rushed from one attraction to the next.
What surprised me most was how different Ipoh felt from Kuala Lumpur. Swapping skyscrapers and busy city streets for limestone hills, cave temples and a much slower pace was exactly what I needed after spending time in KL. While I personally wouldn’t plan a week-long trip here, I think Ipoh is absolutely worth adding to your Malaysia itinerary for a few days.
One of the things I loved most was how easy it was to get there. I took a Grab from my accommodation in Kuala Lumpur to KL Sentral, caught the train to Ipoh (I booked my ticket online in advance) and then took another short Grab ride to my accommodation. Once in Ipoh, I either walked or used Grab to get around. The Old Town area is very walkable, but for attractions further out like the cave temples and mirror lakes, Grab was by far the easiest option.
If you’re wondering what to do in Ipoh, here are my favourite places to visit.
Explore Ipoh Old Town & Concubine Lane
If you’re staying in central Ipoh, the Old Town is the perfect place to start exploring. The area is filled with heritage buildings, cafes, street art and local businesses, making it easy to spend a few hours simply wandering.
One of the most popular streets is Concubine Lane, a little laneway lined with souvenir stalls, cafes and snack vendors. While it’s definitely touristy, it’s worth visiting for the atmosphere and colourful streets. Keep an eye out for the murals scattered throughout the Old Town too, as some of my fav discoveries were the pieces of street art tucked away between buildings.
What I enjoyed most about the Old Town wasn’t any single attraction, but simply walking around and soaking up the atmosphere. Compared to Kuala Lumpur, everything felt slower and more relaxed.
Visit the Time Tunnel Museum
If you’re interested in learning more about Ipoh’s history, I highly recommend stopping by the Time Tunnel Museum.
Before visiting, I knew almost nothing about Ipoh. What I learned was that the city became incredibly wealthy during the tin mining boom of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The surrounding Kinta Valley was one of the world’s largest producers of tin, attracting migrants, businesses and significant investment to the region.
The museum also explores Malaysia’s colonial history, including British rule, the Japanese occupation during World War II and the country’s eventual path to independence. While it’s a relatively small museum, I found it fascinating because it provided context for why Ipoh developed the way it did and helped me appreciate the city’s heritage buildings and multicultural influences even more.
Visit Sam Poh Tong Temple
Of all the temples I visited in Ipoh, Sam Poh Tong was probably my favourite!
Built within a limestone cave, the temple feels completely different from many traditional temples elsewhere in Malaysia. The cave itself is beautiful, with dramatic rock formations creating a unique setting for shrines and prayer halls.
The highlight for me was actually walking all the way through the temple to the hidden courtyard at the back. Emerging from the cave into a peaceful garden surrounded by towering limestone cliffs felt like discovering a secret world. There is also a pond filled with turtles, which you can buy little bags of veggies to feed them. I loved watching the joy of some old couples feeding them, it was so wholesome!
If you’re only visiting one cave temple while in Ipoh, this is the one I would choose!
Explore Nam Thean Tong & Ling Sen Tong
One of the best things about visiting Sam Poh Tong is that two other impressive cave temples are located right next door.
Nam Thean Tong and Ling Sen Tong can easily be visited on the same trip, making this area one of the best concentrations of attractions in Ipoh.
While Sam Poh Tong felt more peaceful and natural, Ling Sen Tong stood out for its colourful statues and dramatic mountain backdrop. Nam Thean Tong is smaller but still worth a quick visit if you’re already in the area.
Together, these three temples showcase the unique relationship between Ipoh’s religious sites and the limestone landscape that surrounds the city.
Take a Boat Ride at Tasik Cermin (Mirror Lake)
If I had to choose just one activity in Ipoh, this would probably be it.
Tasik Cermin, which translates to “Mirror Lake”, is hidden amongst the limestone hills outside the city. There are two separate lakes that visitors can access, but after doing some research beforehand, I chose to visit Lake 2 because I’d heard the boat ride was better.
The experience starts by boarding a small boat before entering a narrow cave tunnel carved through the limestone. At several points everyone had to duck their heads to avoid hitting the cave roof, which made the whole experience even more fun.
Then suddenly the cave opens up to reveal a hidden lake completely surrounded by towering cliffs. The water was incredibly still, creating beautiful reflections that explain how the lake earned its name.
I also paid to visit the other Mirror Lake afterwards, but honestly, I don’t think it’s necessary. If you’re short on time or budget, I’d stick with Lake 2.
Wander Through Kin Loong Valley
After visiting Tasik Cermin, I headed to nearby Kin Loong Valley.
This was one of those places I hadn’t seen mentioned as often online, yet I ended up really enjoying it. The towering limestone formations are incredibly impressive and make you feel tiny in comparison.
It’s not a place with lots of activities or attractions, but rather somewhere to slow down, appreciate the scenery and take in the scale of the surrounding landscape.
For me, Kin Loong Valley perfectly captured what makes Ipoh unique. The city isn’t necessarily packed with famous landmarks, but the combination of caves, cliffs and nature creates a landscape unlike anywhere else I visited in Malaysia.
Before heading back into town, I finished the afternoon with an egg tart and a local Ipoh white coffee – the perfect way to end a day of exploring.
So Is Ipoh Worth Visiting?
I think whether you’ll enjoy Ipoh comes down largely to your travel style.
If you’re someone who loves ticking off major attractions, filling every hour of your itinerary or spending your evenings exploring nightlife, Ipoh might feel a little quiet. Compared to Kuala Lumpur or Penang, there simply aren’t as many things to do.
But if you’re the kind of traveller who enjoys wandering without a plan, sitting in cafes for longer than necessary and appreciating a destination’s atmosphere as much as its attractions, I think you’ll really enjoy Ipoh.
What stood out to me wasn’t any single landmark. It was the combination of limestone hills rising unexpectedly behind city streets, cave temples built directly into the rock face and the feeling that life moved just a little slower here.
Ipoh also makes a fantastic stop between Kuala Lumpur and Penang. It’s incredibly easy to reach by train and breaks up the journey nicely, allowing you to experience a completely different side of Malaysia before continuing on.
For me, Ipoh wasn’t a destination packed with bucket-list attractions. It was just an enjoyable place to spend a few days exploring at a slower pace, and sometimes that’s exactly what you’re looking for while travelling.
– Alexx
Alex's Adventures 