15 Places to Visit in Ipoh: Explore the Enchanting Ipoh Attraction

If you’re hunting for the most exciting places to visit in Ipoh, your search ends here.

Behold, this is your guide to the top 15 places to visit in Ipoh.

Whether it’s dreamy Harry Potter and Initial D-themed cafes, a unique bookstore in an old bank’s basement, a serene hill that will take you back in time, a huge temple in a cave, a first-class hot springs retreat or some hidden gems, each Ipoh attraction in this guide promises to be your stepping stone toward an unforgettable journey.

Top 15 Places to Visit in Ipoh For Your Memorable Vacation

1. BookXcess Kong Heng Ipoh
2. Yasmin At Kong Heng
3. Fujiwara Tofa Shop
4. Platf9rm Coffee Cafe
5. Qing Xing Ling Leisure & Cultural Village
6. Perak Cave Temple
7. Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat
8. Tasik Cermin (Mirror Lake)
9. Gunung Lang Recreational Park
10. Pavilion Petting Zoo & Gunung Lang Climbing Park
11. Funtasy House Trick Art
12. Lost World of Tambun
13. Kinta Riverfront
14. Ipoh Town Hall
15. Market Lane

1. BookXcess Kong Heng Ipoh

Book Xcess Kong Heng Ipoh is one of the unique places to visit in Ipoh. This is not a typical bookstore because this store used to house one of the busiest banks in Ipoh.

The highlight of this Ipoh attraction is you can access the once-restricted basement that preserved many of the bank’s original state. You will find yourself in almost a different era when you visit the place.

You will see rooms with steel vault doors and many safe deposit boxes with books around them. There is also a section where Yasmin Ahmad’s museum is held.

This place is definitely an Ipoh attraction you cannot skip.

2. Yasmin At Kong Heng

Yasmin At Kong Heng is a memorial museum on the works and legacy of the late Yasmin Ahmad, an acclaimed Malaysian film and commercial director. Her works are well-known in Malaysia for being touching and humorous, especially some famous early 2000s Petronas advertisements.

There will be a 1-hour loop of the advertisements she has done over the years, and her movies will also be shown in another room. You can enjoy watching them while lounging on the bean bags provided.

Her quotes, photography and poetry are also displayed, as well as excerpts from her diary and the computer she used to do her work.

This museum is not an archive of her belongings. Instead, it aims to reveal the source of inspiration Yasmin was getting from and let you see life through her eyes.

One of the most asked questions she got was, “Where do you get your ideas for your commercials?” and this modest museum tries to answer it.

3. Fujiwara Tofa Shop

This Ipoh tourist spot is wonderful if you are an Initial D enthusiast and car aficionado. It’s a nice little cafe that evokes fond memories of Initial D goodness.

Fujiwara Tofa Shop is undoubtedly the most eye-catching Ipoh attraction. A refurbished Toyota AE86 is displayed proudly at its doorstep, waiting for you to snap some pictures.

The cafe had many car collections inside and some Initial D merchandise for sale. It’s a good spot for a light snack and some drinks surrounded by memorabilia.

You should try their delicious homemade black tofu and tofu pudding (tau fu fah). Definitely one of the unskippable places to visit in Ipoh.

4. Platf9rm Coffee Cafe

If you’re a big Harry Potter fan, you don’t want to miss out on this iconic Ipoh attraction: Harry Potter-themed cafe. You will fall in love with the dreamy interior that looks straight out of the movie.

It’s a very Instagrammable place. Add some spice to your photos by posing with the props provided, such as wands, broomsticks, and books.

Other than the interior, the highlight of this Ipoh attraction is its Non-Alcoholic Butterbeer. It tastes refreshing with a slightly fizzy texture and a butterscotch and caramel-like flavour.

To make it more tasty and delightful, add cinnamon syrup. You won’t regret it.

5. Qing Xing Ling Leisure and Cultural Village

Qing Xing Ling Leisure and Cultural Village is an Ipoh attraction you can still consider a hidden gem. Its name, when translated into Mandarin, means serene hill. And I must say its serenity will not disappoint you.

The landscape of this Ipoh tourist spot is simply scenic and magnificent, featuring caves, a lake, and lush greenery. It is the perfect location to soothe your mind.

With the very affordable entrance fee, you will have free access to both 2-seater and 4-seater bikes to explore the area. You can just grab one and ride around as long as they are available.

Along the road, you’ll come across a few small huts. As you enter, it will feel like going back in time as you will see various antiques displayed.

Besides riding around, you can hike a small lane and watch fish in a big pond. So clean and transparent is the pond water that your view of the fish and even the rocks at the bottom is clear.

You can also feed the fish with the prepacked fish food sold next to it. Considering the very affordable entrance fees, there is so much to see and do.

This Ipoh attraction is undoubtedly a must-visit. It’s worth every penny.

6. Perak Cave Temple

The Perak Cave Temple, also known as “Perak Tong”, is a well-known pilgrimage site and a unique Ipoh tourist spot that attracts locals and tourists worldwide. It is one of the best places to visit in Ipoh.

When you enter the cave, you will immediately notice the towering, 40-foot-tall, gold statue of Lord Buddha. You will also be greeted with colourful murals on the cave walls depicting scenes from Buddhist scriptures, offering a glimpse into the life and teachings of Budhha.

Beyond its religious and historical significance, this Ipoh attraction is surrounded by limestone hills covered with dense trees, creating a serene backdrop that complements the spiritual aura of the temple.

You can climb a flight of stairs to the top of the hill. At the top is a gazebo, providing a comfortable spot to relax and enjoy a birds-eye view.

From this vantage point, you will see a breathtaking perspective of the temple’s location and the natural beauty that surrounds it. It’s one of the few Ipoh tourist spots with one-of-a-kind natural beauty.

7. Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat

The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat is a luxury spa resort. This Ipoh tourist spot offers a first-class relaxation experience that will capture your heart.

You can purchase a day pass for ultimate savings. This day pass will allow you to enjoy all its world-class facilities without having to spend an exorbitant rate to stay overnight.

That includes the refreshing Geothermal Hot Springs Dipping Pools and Ice Batch, the tranquil Thermal Steam Cave and Meditation Cave, the enchanting Crystal Cave and Freeform Swimming Pool, the relaxing Garra Rufa Doctor Fish Pool, and the state-of-the-art Fitness Centre.

Not only that, the day pass also comes with a RM150 voucher per person to spend on dining. You can choose Pomelo, a relaxed-setting restaurant surrounded by trees and plants, or Jeff’s Cellar, a fine-dining destination in the depth of a 260-milion-year-old cave cellar.

8. Tasik Cermin (Mirror Lake)

Tasik Cermin, or “Mirror Lake,” is another one of the places to visit in Ipoh. This Ipoh attraction is truly a sight for you to behold.

Tucked away from the bustling city life, this pristine lake offers a simple yet magnificent and serene experience. Its most impressive feature is its pristine waters, reflecting the panorama like, as you guessed it, a mirror.

It is an absolute delight, making this small but stunning lake the perfect destination to experience solace and admire natural beauty.

9. Gunung Lang Recreational Park

Gunung Lang Recreational Park is one of the places to visit in Ipoh if you like being surrounded by nature and want to be away from the city. This recreational park is built around Gunung Lang and Gunung Bilike, which is dense with trees that provide an Instagrammable-worthy backdrop for photos.

There are two sections of this park. The first thing that will capture your attention as you enter the park is the man-made waterfall.

The second section contains even more attractions, such as a small cave. However, it is located across the first section, which is accessible by taking a boat ride.

As you cruise across the lake, this is a golden opportunity to admire the amazing surrounding hills and greenery.

10. Pavilion Petting Zoo and Gunung Lang Climbing Park

Pavilion Petting Zoo and Gunung Lang Climbing Park are other Ipoh tourist spots. They are located just outside the Gunung Lang Recreational Park.

You can see many outdoor and indoor animals at this Ipoh attraction. Outdoor, including raccoons, sheep, goats and ostriches. Indoor, including squirrels, sugar gliders, cats, corn snakes and guinea pigs.

At the climbing park, you can challenge yourself by climbing the limestone hills with proper gear and guidance.

But here’s the catch: you cannot visit this Ipoh attraction on the spot. You must book an appointment with Ventrex Outdoor Recreation 2 weeks before the climb.

Pavilion Petting Zoo:

Gunung Lang Climbing Park:

11. Funtasy House Trick Art

Funtasy House Trick Art is among the best places to visit in Ipoh with family or friends. This Ipoh attraction is a three-dimensional playground of optical illusions that will fool your eyes with its mind-bending effects.

There are 20+ trick arts for you to participate in and take photos together. This immersive approach is ideal for sparking creativity and igniting laughter with your family or friends, creating cherished memories to reflect on.

This trick house is less popular than in Penang, which means the chance to have the place all to yourself is quite high. (If you wish to travel to Penang, check out our article on the 20 places to visit in Penang.)

12. Lost World of Tambun

The Lost World of Tambun is an iconic Ipoh tourist spot. It is one of the best places to visit in Ipoh for a fun day with your family.

If you are a thrill-seeker, this is for you; however, if you enjoy some relaxation in nature, don’t miss out on this Ipoh attraction, too. Lost World of Tambun blends an amusement park with natural hot springs, making it a top-tier Ipoh attraction for all ages.

You will love the heart-pounding rides and adrenaline-pumping water slides if you’re looking for thrills. If you fancy relaxation, you can soak in the soothing warmth of natural hot springs that are believed to have therapeutic properties.

Beyond that, you can experience cultural performances, watch traditional dances, and savour authentic Malaysian cuisine, adding the cherry on top to your wonderful day out.

13. Kinta Riverfront

Kinta Riverfront is a great Ipoh attraction ideal for a romantic night stroll. When the sun goes down, trees along the riverbanks come to life as they are lit with bright, colourful LED lights.

Apart from enjoying the view, this Ipoh tourist spot has nearby restaurants and cafes you can stop by for dinner. You may also spot otters and monitor lizards, kingfisher birds, and catfishes along the way.

14. Ipoh Town Hall

Ipoh Town Hall is one of the most famous places to visit in Ipoh. This iconic Ipoh tourist spot is well-known for its majestic, huge, all-white building structure.

Ipoh Town Hall is a visual delight for tourists and locals alike and reflects Ipoh’s heritage and history.

It stood elegantly and majestically during the night for how well-lighted it is, transforming this Ipoh attraction into a magnetic focal point that will catch your attention even from afar.

15. Market Lane

Market Lane is another popular Ipoh tourist spot in this old town. Once covered in a vibrant canopy of umbrellas during pre-Covid, has now been redecorated with colourful fluttering ribbons.

Other than that, the walls along the lane are like big canvases. As you walk, you’ll see murals that beautifully depict the lives of the local people.

Conclusion

And there you have it: the 15 incredible places to visit in Ipoh. I hope this guide has convinced you to add these amazing destinations to your travel bucket list.

From the rich historical significance and stunning architecture to the breathtaking nature and delicious cafes, there is something for everyone in this beautiful city.

Whether you’re a history buff, an architecture enthusiast, a nature lover, a cafe hunter, or just looking for some fun, these 15 places will be waiting to welcome you with open arms when you decide to visit.

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