Ipoh

Often dubbed Bougainvillea City, Ipoh is one of Malaysia’s largest cities, full of interesting old buildings and pretty places to walk. Head to the Old Town to see some great examples of colonial architecture and walk along the banks of the Kinta River, which is also known as Sungai Kinta.

Ipoh is famous for its food, and there are a wide variety of dishes to try. People travel from as far away as Singapore to dine on delicious curries, noodle dishes and a huge range of local specialties. A good place to find cheap and tasty food is at the hawkers stalls that line the road and gather by busy markets, especially in the evening.

There is a lot to do just outside Ipoh and many visitors head straight to the cave temples of Perak Tong, which was established in 1926 by a Buddhist priest. This interesting temple complex consists of an impressive number of caverns and grottoes. Murals adorn the interior walls and the main chamber contains a number of Buddhist figures and a large bell.

The cave of Sam Poh Tong is located to the south of Ipoh and contains a turtle pond. Another interesting day trip is the temple of Kek Look Tong, which also features a cool cavern. Climb into the cave and walk through to the back, where you will discover the Chinese Buddha of Future Happiness. There is also an ornamental garden with ponds and pagodas behind the cave.

Travel to the nearby royal town of Kuala Kangsar to explore Kellie’s Castle before paying a visit to the Geological Museum to the east of Ipoh. This is a good place to learn about the history of the town and discover a wide range of interesting fossils.