Ipoh

Ipoh, the capital of Perak state, is located between Kuala Lumpur and Penang in western Malaysia. This former tin mining city has preserved much of its colonial-era architecture, including the grand Ipoh Railway Station and the Birch Memorial Clock Tower. You can explore cave temples like Sam Poh Tong, admire street art by Ernest Zacharevic, or taste local specialties such as Ipoh white coffee and sar hor fun noodles.

Exploring Ipoh's Old Town

In Ipoh's Old Town, you'll find many buildings from the British colonial period. As you walk down narrow streets lined with shophouses, you'll see the Ipoh Railway Station, recognizable by its white domed roof and arches. The Birch Memorial Clock Tower stands nearby, commemorating the first British Resident of Perak. For examples of neo-Renaissance and Edwardian Baroque architecture from the early 20th century, visit the Ipoh Town Hall and Court Buildings.

Cave Temples Around Ipoh

The limestone hills surrounding Ipoh house several Buddhist cave temples. At Sam Poh Tong, founded in 1890, you can see statues and wall paintings inside the caverns. The temple grounds include a turtle pond and landscaped gardens. Kek Lok Tong has a large central chamber where natural openings allow light to enter. Behind this temple, you can walk along paths winding through a garden with a reflecting pond. In Perak Tong, you'll find over 40 Buddha statues and murals depicting scenes from Chinese mythology.

Street Art in Ipoh

In 2014, Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic painted several large murals around the Old Town, including "Old Uncle Drinking Coffee" and "Paper Plane." Since then, local artists have added their own works. Take a walk down Mural Art's Lane to see paintings depicting local culture and history. Look out for 3D artworks that create interesting photo opportunities.

Ipoh's Food Scene

Ipoh has developed its own unique dishes over the years. You can try sar hor fun (rice noodles in chicken and prawn broth) or Ipoh white coffee, which is made by roasting coffee beans with palm oil margarine. For a variety of local foods, visit the night markets and sample dishes from different stalls. If you want to try dim sum for breakfast, head to Ming Court Hong Kong Dim Sum on Jalan Leong Sin Nam, a street known for its concentration of dim sum restaurants.

Getting to and Around Ipoh

You can reach Ipoh by road or rail from other major Malaysian cities. Buses and trains run frequently from Kuala Lumpur, with the journey taking about 3 hours. If you're coming from Singapore or Johor Bahru, you can fly into the small Sultan Azlan Shah Airport. Within Ipoh, local buses serve main routes but don't run very often. For more convenience, you can use taxis or ride-hailing apps. The Old Town area is compact, so you can easily explore it on foot.