First Day
8am
KL Sentral – Ipoh Railway Station
Taking the KTM train to Ipoh in the state of Perak, Malaysia, is the best way to travel to this interesting town, as the Ipoh railway station is located in the “old town,” an easy 10 to 15 minutes‘ walk to hotels and budget accommodation close to the main tourist sights of the city.
Upon arrival, we took some photos at this historical building at Ipoh railway station. It is a beautiful example of colonial architecture in Ipoh of a bygone era. The railways station was built in 1935 and designed by Arthur Benison Hubback and it is widely known as the ‘Taj Mahal of Ipoh’ thanks to its amazing Mughal design features.
The tourist information office is on the right-hand side of the railway station and it offers a variety of leaflets, maps and information on Ipoh.
The government has planned to carry out an integrated development project at the Ipoh railway station and its surround areas, which will take between 10 and 15 years to be fully completed. The project includes the development of housing areas, hotels, educational institutions, commercial buildings, as well as green lungs.
11.30am
Brunch at Durbar at FMS (Pork-free)
The refurbished Durbar At FMS, which is run by a trained architect, Seow Wee Liam, brings back the good old memory of Ipoh during the British colonial era, reflecting the image of this historical old town. The place is adorned with antique timber furniture, classic hanging lights and vintage ceiling fans, with artwork and old photos also used to decorate the walls of the restaurant.
FMS stands for Federated Malay States and “durbar” is a Persian-derived term meaning a great ceremonial hall receiving visitors in audience, holding formal informal reception and gatherings by high society.
FMS Bar and Restaurant was first founded in 1906 on Market Street by a Hainanese immigrant and it was the archetypal European miners and planters bar. It has occupied the present premise, which is located opposite the Ipoh Padang here, since 1923 and has served thousands of patrons for over a century.
Highly recommended dishes include traditional Hainanese fried mee, classic chicken mornay, Hainanese chicken chop, banana fritters and kuay teow.
**Pork-free dining but alcohol is served.
Address:
2, Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, 30000 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Tel: +605-210 5115
Opening hours: 11am-10pm daily (Closed on Wednesday)
1pm
Mirror Lake (Tasik Cermin) tour
The still water perfectly reflects everything above it, as illustrated in its name Mirror Lake.
Famously known as Tasik Cermin or Mirror Lake in English, this mystical hidden lake in Ipoh is a not to be missed destination for your travel adventure to this city.
You can ask for directions at Da Seng Ngan Temple nearby the lake. Even though it takes a little bit of time to locate this lake, but it was well worth the hassle.
You will definitely need to go through dusty and muddy road ahead of reaching this picturesque lake. Please don’t give up in your search for this lake as it is like a hideout with the existence windows 10 activator of a tunnel surrounded the lake. It is such a serene quiet lake and it becomes a Instagram worthy destination for all people especially the youngsters to check in here.
Highly recommended activities here include having a picnic with friends and family, whereby all visitors are surrounded by limestones and trees while hearing the sounds of birds chirping and singing. To bring a boardgame along is recommended if it is good weather.
It is a precious moment for having a great time enjoying the beauty of the natural world. Admission is free. It is a perfect moment by immersing yourself in this oasis.
4pm
Explore Lost World of Tambun
*Check in Hotel
It is an amazing theme park! It might not of the same standard as other international theme parks but it is well-maintained with affordable entry price.
Surrounded by limestone hills, this theme park has the best backdrop as illustrated by its name “Lost World of Tambun”. Some key attractions for the theme parks are the water park, amusement rides, hot springs, tin valley and petting zoo. Even though we find it a bit rush with about two hours, however, we have lots of fun to here. The kids could not get enough of it for playing inside the big wave pool.
Visitors can choose to satisfy their taste buds here with fabulous Malaysian dishes found at the hawker centre as well as the “Ipoh Street”. It is totally an enjoyable experience to have ice balls here during hot afternoon.
It is easy to access to this theme parks from city area in Ipoh. We love this place so much and will definitely recommend it to your travel list in the Ipoh state for your next visit.
As it is a two-day one-night short trip for us, we straight away check in at the Lost World of Tambun Hotel here.
The hot springs are open for evening sessions from 6pm onwards and visitors can appreciate the hot springs at night to release stress.
Open: 11.00 am – 6.00 pm (Closed on Tuesday)
Address: 1 Persiaran Lagun Sunway, Sunway City, 31150, Ipoh
Website: https://sunwaylostworldoftambun.com/
7.00pm
Dinner at Warteg Ipoh
Have you ever tried lobster inspired with Javanese flavours? Restaurant Warteg, located at one of the oldest buildings in Ipoh, is definitely a top pick food heaven for every travellers as it offers a mixed of traditional Indonesian food and western cuisines. Signature seafood dishes include Java Lobster, King Crab and Java Seabass.
Apart from fresh seafood, you can also satisfy your taste buds with Big Platter Chicken/Fish/Lamb, pasta as well as chicken chop. This cozy restaurant also serves simple dishes such as fried rice, Nasi Liwet, Nasi Uduk, to name a few.
Address: 73, Jalan Raja Musa Aziz, Kampung Jawa, 30300 Ipoh.
Business hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 3pm-12am (closed on Mondays)
Website: https://www.facebook.com/wartegipoh/
Phone: +605-241 1644
8.30pm
A night market tour
If you stop in Ipoh, it’s not too late for you to visit one of the most popular and interesting places – the Night Gate (Gerbang Malam), operating daily from 8pm till 3am.
For anyone looking for a Night Gate position, it is located right on the Dato’ Tahwil Azhar Road. You can use Google Map or Waze software to get the exact location you want to get from your location.
It makes for a nice and interesting stroll at night. Look out for some local snacks, clothes, shoes, bags, makeup, toys, jewellery and more here! The price is highly affordable and you can bargain with sellers for the best price.
10.00pm
A night walk at Bulatan Amanjaya
Surrounded by a roundabout, Bulatan Amanjaya has been transformed into a recreational park with jogging track, water fountains, playgrounds, mini water theme park, skateboard and rock-climbing area with spacious fields and concourse areas for outdoor activities.
Managed by the Perak State Development Corporation (PNKP), the park is open 24/7, except for the water theme park with free admission. For those who prefer to do jogging or play recreational activities after dark, this place is also well-lit up and accessible for them.
Recreational equipment such as scooters, baby cars, ninebots, kick scooters, quadracycles and tricycles, to name a few, are also available to rent for a fee.
Second Day
8am
Breakfast at Hotel
9am
A morning tour to Memory Lane
Memory Lane or Pasar karat is the name of a renowned flea market in Ipoh, which occupies Jalan Horley and Jalan Lim Bo Seng. It is definitely a great location for anyone visiting Ipoh. Some roads will be closed to facilitate the operation of this market.
This market pops up every Sunday and starts in the morning until around 1pm. There are a variety of local antiques as well as souvenir and gifts can be purchased for personal collections. Here is a haven for collectors of old goods, whereby buyers can look for preloved items, including vintage bags and old model cameras, just to name a few.
It is also a favorite place for street photographers to capture the beautiful and bustling atmosphere of traders and visitors from all over the world.
Don’t be afraid to bargain and this is a wonderful tourist attraction for those who want a momento of their trip to Ipoh.
10am
Gunung Lang Recreational Park Adventure
If you love being surrounded by nature, this is the perfect place to take a visit as it is just about 15 to 20 minutes’ drive by car from Ipoh.
It was opened in October 2000, covering an area of 30.35 hectares out of which 14.16 hectares consists of the lake.
Admission to the recreational park is free. You have to take a 10-minute boat ride to reach the park which affords you the best views of the area.
But, it is chargeable for the boat ride. The park itself you will find an observation tower, gardens and a small animal farm that’s home to deer, monkeys and ostriches.
As we are just take a short trip here for sight-seeing, for those who wish to spend a longer time here, you can choose to have a picnic at the campsite here.
The main attractions of Gunung Lang are the man-made cascading waterfall atop a limestone hill, a 2km broadwalk over the swamp and lookout towers. The uniqueness of the limestone formation also attracts visitors as it is situated close to the Ipoh city centre.
Location: Jalan Damai, 30100 Ipoh, Perak Malaysia.
1pm
Lunch at Nasi Kandar Ayam Merah Ipoh
Dubbed ‘Nasi Ganja’ or Opium Rice, Nasi Kandar Ayam Merah Ipoh is operated out of a Chinese coffee shop called Yong Suan.
Whenever nasi ganja is mentioned, everyone understands you are referring it as nasi kandar. It’s a catchy name but rest assured there’s nothing illegal substance used in the cooking.
It is always long queue in this shop. Simply seat yourself at any free table and the staff will come and take your order. Service is efficient and the price is reasonable.
Top pick is ayam goreng merah – after all it is its signature dish. You can also satisfy your taste buds with fish curry, squid curry, salted egg, okra and homemade mint chutney. You can add more curries on the side and it is free of charge.
Address: Yong Suan Coffee Shop, 2, Jalan Yang Kalsom, 30250 Ipoh
Tel: +605-254 4314
Business hours: 9.30am – 6pm
2.30pm
Old Town Heritage Tour
Ahead of my trip to Ipoh, I was informed by my friends that Concubine Lane is comparable with Petaling Street in the capital city of Malaysia as well as Jonker Walk in Malacca.
Located at the heart of Old Town Ipoh, Concubine Lane sees many hipster cafe popping up in recent years. It is the most vibrant street on weekends and holidays where visitors can shop for their souvenirs or hunt for local street food here. During my trip here, I can see the lane is crowded and full of people, both locals and tourists as it was a weekend tour. Apart from the main Concubine Lane, you can proceed to Second Concubine Lane. Several 3D murals, created by Ernest Zacharevic, can be traced here. The redevelopment of this back lanes has not diminished the charm of the old town.
Located just a stone’s throw away from Concubine Lane is Kong Heng Square. Here, you also can it go through remarkable transformation. Anchoring the square is Plan B cafe, one of its earliest tenants that has become synonymous with the square. It is a relax moment where visitors can take a rest here by sipping a hot coffee either in the morning or afternoon. Kong Heng Square today is a major attraction for both locals and tourists who come to admire and enjoy its unique and atmospheric environment. It has become a new landmark that the Ipoh Mali is rightfully proud of.
6pm
Ipoh Railway Station to KL Sentral
Home sweet Home
Itinerary:
First Day
8am – KL Sentral – Ipoh Railway Station
11.30am – Brunch at Durbar at FMS, a historical restaurant
1.00pm – Mirror Lake (Tasik Cermin)
4.00pm – Lost World of Tambun (*Check in Hotel)
7.00pm Dinner at Warteg Ipoh
8.30pm – Night Market (Gerbang Malam)
10.00pm – Bulatan Amanjaya
Second Day
8.00am – Breakfast at Hotel (*Check out Hotel)
9am – Pasar Karat (Sundays only)
10am – Gunung Lang Recreational Park
1pm – Lunch at Nasi Kandar
2.30pm – Discover Concubine lane Be amazed by Street Arts
6pm – Ipoh Railway Station to KL Sentral