Things to Do in Ipoh: Caves, Murals & Old Town

Most people come to Ipoh to eat, but the city has plenty to fill the hours between meals. The top things to do are the cave temples built into the limestone hills, such as Sam Poh Tong and Perak Tong; Tasik Cermin (Mirror Lake), a lake hidden inside a hill; a walk around the Old Town with its colonial buildings, Concubine Lane and street murals; the tin-mining story at Han Chin Pet Soo; and, a short drive out, Kellie’s Castle, Gua Tempurung cave and the Lost World of Tambun theme park.

This guide covers sights, not food. For white coffee, bean sprout chicken and dim sum, see our Ipoh food guide.

Ipoh at a glance

Sight	Where	Best for	Allow
Old Town walk and murals	City centre	Photos, history	2–3 hours
Han Chin Pet Soo	Old Town	Tin-mining history	About 1 hour (booked tour)
Sam Poh Tong and Ling Sen Tong	South of the centre	Cave temples, gardens	1–1.5 hours
Perak Tong	North of the centre	Cave art, hilltop views	1–1.5 hours
Tasik Cermin (Mirror Lake)	South of the centre	Scenery, a short boat ride	1 hour
Kellie’s Castle	Batu Gajah	History, families	1–1.5 hours
Gua Tempurung	Gopeng	Cave walks and adventure	1–4 hours by route
Lost World of Tambun	Tambun	Families, hot springs	Half to full day

Ipoh’s cave temples

Ipoh sits in the Kinta Valley, ringed by steep limestone hills full of caves. Over the past century, Buddhist and Taoist devotees turned several of these caves into temples. They are working places of worship, so dress modestly, keep your voice down and leave a donation if you wish.

Sam Poh Tong

Often described as the largest cave temple in Malaysia, Sam Poh Tong lies on the southern edge of the city at Gunung Rapat. Inside the cave are Buddha statues and shrines, and a passage leads through to a hidden garden courtyard surrounded by sheer rock walls, with a pagoda and a pond. It is calm, cool and atmospheric, and an easy first stop.

Ling Sen Tong

Next door to Sam Poh Tong, Ling Sen Tong is the most colourful of the group. The forecourt is full of brightly painted statues of deities and characters from Chinese legend, and children usually love it. Visit both temples together, as they share the same stretch of road.

Perak Tong

On the northern side of the city, Perak Tong is known for its large seated Buddha and the paintings that cover the cave walls, many by visiting artists. Behind the main hall, a long climb of steps leads up through the hill to a viewpoint over Ipoh. The steps are steep and can be slippery, so wear proper shoes and take water.

Tasik Cermin (Mirror Lake)

A short drive from the cave temples, Tasik Cermin is a still, green lake enclosed by limestone cliffs, reached through a tunnel cut into the hill. On calm days the water reflects the rock walls almost perfectly, which is how it got its name. A small entrance fee applies and short boat rides run on the lake. Come in the morning, when the light is soft and it is cooler.

Ipoh Old Town walk

Ipoh grew rich on tin in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and the Old Town on the west bank of the Kinta River still shows it. A loose loop of two to three hours takes in:

• Ipoh Railway Station, the grand white building often nicknamed the Taj Mahal of Ipoh, with the Town Hall across the road.
• The Padang and the colonial buildings around it, including the Ipoh Tourist Information Centre, where you can ask for a heritage trail map.
• Birch Memorial Clock Tower, one of the city’s best-known colonial landmarks.
• Concubine Lane (Lorong Panglima), a narrow lane of restored shophouses with souvenir stalls and snack shops. It is busiest at weekends, so go early.
• Market Lane and the streets around Jalan Bandar Timah, lined with old shophouses, coffee shops and small craft stores.

The Old Town murals

In 2014 Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic, famous for his Penang street art, painted a series of seven murals in the Old Town, showing scenes such as an old man with a cup of coffee and children playing. Other artists have since added more murals around the area. Sun and rain fade outdoor paintings, so a few are in better shape than others. Pick up a map at the tourist centre or look for the trail signs, and treat the murals as a fun way to explore the back lanes rather than a checklist.

Han Chin Pet Soo

This restored 19th-century clubhouse was once a meeting place for Hakka tin miners. Today it is a museum run by the heritage group Ipoh World, and its guided tours tell the story of the tin boom, the miners and the town that grew around them, with plenty of colourful detail about the club’s past. Entry is by booked tour only: the building is normally locked, and tours fill up at weekends and on public holidays, so book on the Ipoh World website before you travel. Tours are in English and last about an hour. There are steep stairs and no lift, so it is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Day trips around Ipoh

Kellie’s Castle

About half an hour south of the city near Batu Gajah, this is the shell of a grand mansion begun in the early 20th century by William Kellie Smith, a Scottish rubber planter. Building stopped after his death in 1926, and the unfinished house, with its arches, towers and rooftop terrace, has fed local ghost stories ever since. It is open daily for visits. Combine it with Gua Tempurung, which is in the same direction.

Gua Tempurung

Near Gopeng, south of Ipoh, Gua Tempurung is one of the longest limestone caves in Peninsular Malaysia. Visitors choose between dry routes on walkways, suitable for most ages, and longer guided “wet” routes that involve wading through an underground stream. Wear shoes with grip, bring a change of clothes for wet routes, and check the current tour times before you go.

Lost World of Tambun

On the eastern edge of Ipoh, set against limestone cliffs, this theme park combines a water park, rides, a petting zoo and natural hot springs. In the evening the hot springs and night park are a popular way to relax after a day out. It is a good choice for families with children. Opening days and hours vary, so check the official website and buy tickets online before you go.

A two-day plan

1. Day 1, morning: Old Town walk, Concubine Lane and murals, then a Han Chin Pet Soo tour.
2. Day 1, afternoon: Sam Poh Tong, Ling Sen Tong and Tasik Cermin, all close together on the south side.
3. Day 2, morning: Perak Tong and the climb to the viewpoint before it gets hot.
4. Day 2, afternoon: Kellie’s Castle and Gua Tempurung, or Lost World of Tambun if you have children.

Fit your meals in between using our Ipoh food guide.

Practical tips

• Start early. Ipoh is hot by late morning; do outdoor walks and temple climbs first.
• Dress for temples. Cover shoulders and knees, and take off shoes where asked.
• Carry small notes in ringgit for entrance fees, donations and parking.
• Plan around rain. Afternoon storms are common; caves and museums make good shelters.
• Foreign visitors need the MDAC before entering Malaysia; see our MDAC guide.

Getting around Ipoh

The Old Town is walkable, but the cave temples sit on opposite sides of the city, and Kellie’s Castle, Gua Tempurung and Tambun are out of town. Ride-hailing cars can be slow to find at the caves, so having your own car makes a big difference. With Luxway SGMY, a private car picks you up anywhere in Singapore, you stay in your seat through immigration at both checkpoints, and your driver takes you straight to your Ipoh hotel. For a full day of sightseeing, our hourly Day Trip Service keeps the same car and driver with you from temple to castle. Fares are per car, there is no deposit, and you pay the driver on arrival.

Many visitors add a night in the cool hills nearby. Our guide to Cameron Highlands strawberry farms and tea estates covers that leg of the trip.

Plan your Ipoh trip

See the route and per-car fares on our Singapore to Ipoh private car page; fares start from SGD 510 one way in a Toyota Innova, and the trip back costs the same. Then Whatsapp us your dates, hotel and group size, or book on our online booking page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 14 October 2026