Ipoh Things To Do That Do Not Involve More Eating
What is there to do in Ipoh besides eating? Ipoh is known for more than food. Do not miss out on some Ipoh history as Ipoh was once known as the “City of Millionaires”.
Furthermore, Ipoh’s geography is unique because of its limestone hills. The best way to appreciate them is with visits to a recreational park and a cave temple or two. You can even go caving in one of these hills!
Read more about Ipoh’s top attractions!
1. Learn About Ipoh At Han Chin Pet Soo Museum
Don’t skip a visit to Han Chin Pet Soo Museum if you’re keen to learn more about Ipoh’s history. The tours are done by volunteers, so slots are limited.
You can make bookings for the tours on their website.
There are no entrance fees to go inside Han Chin Pet Soo Museum, or for the tours. If you want to, you can leave a donation (RM10 per person is customary) in the donation box by the door before you leave.
2. Get Inspired At Ho Yan Hor Museum
Ho Yan Hor Museum is beside Han Chin Pet Soo Museum. And hence, it is possible to see both museums on the same day if you plan right.
The highlight of a visit to Ho Yan Hor Museum is to learn about the founder’s interesting life and how he grew his business from scratch. The photo gallery takes up most of the building, including upstairs.
They do limit the number of people that can enter the aged building, so it is good to go early to put your name on the register.
This museum does not charge entrance fees either. The tours end at their tea counter where you will get to sample their signature teas. You can then buy tea if you want to, no pressure.
3. Go Boating
There are two places you can go boating in Ipoh. One of them is D R Seenivasagam Recreational Park. And the other is over at the back gardens of Kek Look Tong cave temple.
D R Seenivasagam Recreational Park has swan-shaped paddle boats and more room than the narrow stretch of water at Kek Look Tong.
4. Admire The Lights At Kinta Riverwalk
Kinta Riverwalk is a short stretch of small shops along one side of the river in front of Kinta Riverfront Hotel. There are 2 bridges and many trees.
Lights make this spot very romantic and besides having dinner or a coffee here, you can rent a fun electric vehicle (there are many sizes to choose from) to zip along the walkway.
5. Spot Street Murals And Heritage Landmarks In Ipoh Old Town
As long as you’re hanging around the main tourist spots (e.g., Concubine Lane and Kong Heng Square), you should be able to see street murals.
From Concubine Lane, it is not far to see the Birch Memorial Clock Tower, the Town Hall, and Ipoh Railway Station.
Ipoh Padang is an 8-minute walk from Concubine Lane too.
6. Check Out Concubine Lane (And The Other Mistress Lanes)
For many first-time visitors, a walk-through Concubine Lane is almost compulsory. Thus, this is the most touristy area of Ipoh.
And it is near impossible to find nearby parking during lunch time any day of the week. More so on weekends and public holidays.
Besides Concubine Lane, there are two other lanes that you can see (Wife Lane and Second Concubine Lane).
But unlike Concubine Lane, they are not filled with shops and stalls. You can read about the history of all lanes on the information plaques at their entrances.
And take some nice photos since cars don’t pass through them.
Note: On weekends, there is a handicraft market at Kong Heng Square close to Concubine Lane.
7. Go Cycling At Qing Xin Ling Leisure And Cultural Village
Qing Xin Ling Leisure And Cultural Village is not open on weekends as it is in a residential area.
But the park is beautiful with its lake, limestone karsts, and multiple exhibits of antiques and cultural items.
And if you can get there as the gates open, the weather is cool, and the lake is still and reflective. Moreover, there are entrance fees for Qing Xin Ling Leisure And Cultural Village which you can purchase at the entrance.
The fees include use of the bicycles in the park and access to all the exhibits.
8. Visit A Pomelo Plantation
The area of Tambun in Ipoh is famous for its juicy pomelos. There is one farm (Tambun Pomelo GoChin Agro Farm) that welcomes visitors into its orchards with their onsite tours.
They don’t charge entrance fees and are open from 9am to 6pm. Sometimes, even busloads of tourists drop off here for a visit.
You can buy guava, jambu (wax apples) as well as different types of pomelos here – pink and white varieties.
9. Stop By A Cave Temple
Even if you don’t practice Buddhism, you can still visit any of the cave temples in Ipoh. The most famous of them are Perak Tong (or Perak Cave Temple), Kek Look Tong, and Sam Poh Tong.
Sam Poh Tong is small but has other cave temples for neighbors, and an attractive oriental garden. Perak Tong has an impressive front and formal gardens.
On the other hand, Kek Lok Tong is more cave than building. And at the back of the cave is a spacious park. Unlike other cave temples in Ipoh, Kek Lok Tong is wheelchair friendly.
And if you want to visit a cave temple that doesn’t get as many tourists, make a detour Seen Hock Yeen Confucius Temple in Chemor.
Note: Seen Hock Yeen Confucius Temple is 30 minutes’ drive from Ipoh Old Town.
10. Make A Visit To Kellie’s Castle
Kellie’s Castle is in Batu Gajah which is a 30-minute drive out of Ipoh. Contrary to the name, Kellie’s Castle is a mansion, not a castle.
The original owner did not live long enough to stay in it. You can read more about his misfortunes at the site.
Today, many go to admire the unique architecture of the partially completed building.
11. Explore Gua Tempurung
Once you arrange how you are going to get here (and back), you can book any of 4 tours to explore Gua Tempurung.
The wet tours (Tours 3 and 4) do require a certain number of people to join before the tour can begin though.
You need good mobility and a fair level of fitness to make it to the top of Tour 1 or Tour 2. Or to crawl on your knees through the tunnels for Tours 3 and 4.
12. HOGA Gaharu Tea Valley
This expansive tea plantation is in Gopeng. Visitors are free to visit the gallery, gift shop, and café inside the main building.
There are also affordable paid tours with air-conditioned vans that will take visitors deeper into the plantation.
We recommend coming here if you want to be outdoors more, and for their in-house soft-serve tea ice cream! Read more about HOGA Gaharu Tea Valley.
13. Walk On A Real Tin Dredge At Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge No. 5
This is one attraction that you cannot see elsewhere in Malaysia. So, we recommend making the 40-minute detour out of Ipoh to see this historical floating factory.
There are scheduled tours (mostly in Malay) throughout the day for visitors to go onboard the dredge and learn about it.
Once here, you can rent a bicycle to explore the compounds (it’s quite large) or walk through the maze park.
Children will especially like feeding the fish in the lake. And there is also a playground, chicken coop, little rabbit enclosure, and to see the free-roaming goats.
Conclusion
See, Ipoh has a great number of things to do besides eating! There are more places we did not mention in this list. But if you’re in Ipoh for a day or two, this list should be more than enough.
Our recommendation is to do outdoor activities as early as possible before it gets hot. This includes places like Kellie’s Castle, the TT5 tin dredge, or Qing Xin Ling Leisure And Cultural Village. Leave museums and cave temples for mid-afternoon.