Is Ipoh Worth Visiting? Here’s Our Honest Take
Ipoh is a charming Malaysian city with cave temples, street art, and famous local food. It often gets compared to Penang, but with a slower pace and a more authentic vibe, it leaves many travelers wondering if Ipoh is worth adding to their Malaysia trip.
HOW MANY DAYS | 2
BEST TIME TO VISIT | December to March
WHERE TO STAY | The Ranch
TOP THINGS TO SEE | Concubine Lane, Perak Cave Temple, Sam Poh Tong Temple
HOW TO GET AROUND | By Grab or by foot
Ipoh might not be the first city you think of when planning a trip to Malaysia, but that’s exactly why we loved it. This charming city offers a mix of colonial architecture, cave temples, street art, and some of the best food we’ve had in the country. It feels authentic, less crowded than Penang, and perfect for travelers who enjoy exploring at a slower pace. In this guide, we share what to see, where to eat, and the hidden gems that make Ipoh worth adding to your Malaysia itinerary.
PENANG VS. IPOH
When we visited Malaysia, Penang was one of our favorite cities. The street art in George Town, the incredibly delicious food stalls and restaurants, the mix of history and modern cafés made us fall in love with the city. We were always finding something new around every corner and was the kind of place that kept us on your feet all day.
Then we went on to Ipoh. We didn’t expect much, but it surprised us in the best way. The pace is slower, the streets are quieter, and somehow the food is just as good. It felt like a place where we could breathe a little, enjoy the moment, and not worry about “missing” anything. What we enjoyed most about Ipoh is how local and authentic it feels. It’s less touristy, less crowded, and has this charm of being a smaller, more relaxed version of Penang. You can stroll around without feeling rushed, sip your coffee without a crowd hovering for your seat, and actually take in the details of the streets and buildings. It’s the kind of place where you can slow down and really soak in the atmosphere.
If you only have a few days in Malaysia, you can still explore Ipoh on a day trip without staying overnight. Check out the link below.
THINGS WE LOVED TO DO IN IPOH
Hidden Caves and Temples
One of the things that surprised us most about Ipoh was how many beautiful cave temples you can visit.
One of our favorites was Perak Cave Temple, with its colorful murals and steep stairs leading to a hilltop view. The climb is a bit sweaty, but the panoramic view over Ipoh is worth every step.
Sam Poh Tong, Nam Thean Tong, and Ling Sen Tong sit right next to each other, so you can easily see them all in one visit. Each has a different style, though we found Nam Thean Tong and Ling Sen Tong a bit outdated and unusual. Still, they’re worth a quick stop before ending with Sam Poh Tong.
This one is definitely worth a visit as it is hidden deep in a limestone hill. We loved the beautiful and small chinese garden floating in a pond at the entrance. You can buy food at the entrance to feed turtles in the backyard where you will also find, what looked like an abandoned monastery surrounded by cliffs.
Locals recommended the Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple to us, but it was closed when we visited. There’s no update yet on when it will reopen.
BOOK | Cave Temple Tour with GetYourGuide
TIP | Remember to dress accordingly covering your shoulders and knees.
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Street Art and Heritage Spots
Most of Ipoh’s famous street art is concentrated in the old town, and the Ipoh Mural Art Trail is a great way to start. You’ll find works by Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic, the same talent behind Penang’s famous murals.
Concubine Lane might be touristy, but it’s still worth a walk. We enjoyed the colorful murals, rather than the souvenir shops. But it’s a great place to grab a snack while admiring the old shophouses.
Kong Heng Square is a nice spot for taking pictures in Ipoh. The heritage buildings here are partly restored and made shops, with vines creeping up the walls and art installations scattered around.
Han Chin Pet Soo Museum dives into Ipoh’s tin mining past and Hakka heritage. Inside, you’ll find recreated rooms from the old miners’ clubhouse, fascinating displays on mining life, and even stories about opium dens and gambling halls. To visit, you need to register for the guided tour beforehand. We actually went three times thinking it was closed, until we finally read the sign.
Right next to it is the Ho Yan Hor Museum, which focuses on the history of Chinese herbal tea. We popped in for a quick visit while waiting for our Han Chin Pet Soo Museum tour to start and enjoyed seeing how an old shophouse was set up. It’s an interesting stop, but not a must-see, as most of it centers on the life of the shop’s owner.
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WHAT WE DISLIKED IN IPOH
Tasik Cermin
It’s often called the “Mirror Lake” of Ipoh, hidden behind old quarry sites and limestone cliffs. The lake gets its name from the way the still water reflects the cliffs around it. Sounds dreamy, right? In reality, it felt like a tourist trap. You basically pay to walk in, look at the cliffs for five minutes, and leave. It’s a quick and pricey stop with a very limited view, especially if you visit on a crowded weekend.
Atmosphere
The city feels a bit abandoned and run down in places, showing signs of wear over the years. While this isn’t a deal-breaker for visiting, it did leave us wondering how so much is happening in Penang while Ipoh seems to have stayed more quiet and unchanged.
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WHERE & WHAT TO EAT IN IPOH
Ipoh is a paradise for food lovers, especially if you enjoy authentic local flavors. The city is famous for its silky smooth Ipoh white coffee, hearty bean sprout chicken, and flavorful curry mee. You’ll also find delicious dim sum. Eating in Ipoh feels more local and affordable compared to bigger tourist cities in Malaysia, making it easy to try everything without breaking the budget.
Shin Shiki Japanese Cuisine 新四季日本料理
This is one of the best Japanese restaurants we’ve enjoyed in a long time. From fresh sushi to comforting katsu curry, the menu is full of Japanese favorites, all bursting with amazing flavor. Definitely worth a visit.
Hibiscus Cuisine • Ipoh Dim Sum
It’s a small spot with an impressive variety of dim sum, all incredibly tasty. It’s a favorite among locals, and after trying it ourselves, we can see exactly why.
We love a hearty Asian breakfast, and if you do too, this is the place to be. If breakfast isn’t your thing, come for lunch or brunch instead. We enjoyed their toasts and drinks, and their colorful creations like the 7-color bread and 7-color nasi lemak are worth trying.
This fully vegetarian restaurant is all about homemade breakfast toast, and they do it perfectly. The toasts are heavenly, and their homemade drinks and coffee are just as amazing.
Mama Kim Wellness Kitchen Greentown Ipoh
We came here many times for their sauna mee, a mini hot pot-style dish with your choice of soup and fresh vegetables. They also serve Malaysian classics that kept us coming back.
WHERE TO STAY IN IPOH?
Look for boutique hotels or guesthouses in the Old Town or nearby zone to do all sightseeing right at your doorstep.
BUDGET | We loved The Ranch for its spacious and clean modern country house style rooms and nice common areas like a cozy living room and a kitchenette.
COMFORT | At the Sojourn Spa Hotel Ipoh you’ll be staying at a modern and stylish hotel with spa facilities, a lush garden, and an indoor play area.
HOW TO GET TO IPOH?
Ipoh is easy to reach and fits perfectly into a Malaysia trip. It is about 4 hours from Penang and 2 hours from the Cameron Highlands. You can also take the train, which stops at the beautiful historic Ipoh Railway Station. Tickets can be booked online through the official KTMB website. Most travelers arrive by bus, which usually stops at Amanjaya Bus Terminal, around 20 minutes by taxi from the old town.
BUS | Book your seats through 12.go here
HOW TO GET AROUND IPOH?
Ipoh’s old town is very walkable, and for places outside the center or the temples you can easily use Grab.
Getting around Ipoh is much easier when we can book our rides with our phones with an eSIM from Saily. Staying connected has made getting around in any city in Malaysia so much easier.
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Two days in Ipoh are enough to explore the old town, enjoy the famous food scene, and visit a few of the stunning cave temples around the city.
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The best time to visit Ipoh is from December to February when the weather is cooler and more comfortable for exploring.
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Yes, you can visit Ipoh on a day trip from Kuala Lumpur, but staying at least one night is better so you have time to enjoy the old town, cave temples, and food scene without rushing.
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