Embark on an immersive heritage tour of Ipoh, the gateway to Cameron Highlands in northwestern Malaysia. Discover the stunning Sam Poh Tong temple, the intriguing Kellie’s Castle, and the awe-inspiring Gua Tempurung cave.
Embark on an immersive heritage tour of Ipoh, the gateway to Cameron Highlands in northwestern Malaysia. Discover the stunning Sam Poh Tong temple, the intriguing Kellie’s Castle, and the awe-inspiring Gua Tempurung cave.
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Ipoh Town Hall and Old Post Office - Ipoh Town Hall is one of three colonial-era buildings in Ipoh designed by the renowned British architect Arthur Benison Hubback. The other two, Ipoh High Court and Ipoh Railway Station, are located nearby. Ipoh Railway Station is across the road, and Ipoh High Court is next door.
Ipoh Town Hall was completed in…
- Ipoh Town Hall and Old Post Office - Ipoh Town Hall is one of three colonial-era buildings in Ipoh designed by the renowned British architect Arthur Benison Hubback. The other two, Ipoh High Court and Ipoh Railway Station, are located nearby. Ipoh Railway Station is across the road, and Ipoh High Court is next door.
Ipoh Town Hall was completed in 1916 after an extended construction period of over three years due to material shortages during the early part of the First World War. Initially, the building served as the main administrative office in Ipoh, as well as the Post Office and, for a time, the District Police Office. The Post Office, City Government, and Police Headquarters have since relocated to different buildings within Ipoh. The Town Hall is now used as a function space for weddings and public events. This grand old building has proven too costly for the city to update and maintain in the long run and has been sadly abandoned in favor of newer, more cost-effective buildings.
- Ipoh Railway Station - Ipoh Railway Station is a Malaysian train station located on the southwestern side of Ipoh, the capital city of Perak. It serves as the main railway terminal for the state. Owned by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad, it offers KTM Intercity services and handles freight trains.
Designed by Arthur Benison Hubback, it was first constructed and opened in 1935, making it the second concrete station built in the town. The building also houses the Majestic Hotel. Affectionately known as the Taj Mahal of Ipoh by locals, it closely resembles its sister station in Kuala Lumpur.
As part of KTMB’s Rawang-Ipoh double tracking and electrification project, completed in January 2008, the Ipoh station has undergone rehabilitation to incorporate modern elements while preserving its historical look and accommodate the double track.
- Gua Tempurung - Tempurung Cave is a cave in Gopeng, Perak, Malaysia, popular among spelunkers or caving enthusiasts. More than 3 km long, it is one of the longest caves in Peninsular Malaysia.
The tunnel of the cave runs from east to west, covering a distance of about 2 km under the limestone hills known as Gunung Tempurung and Gunung Gajah. It comprises five large domes and is believed to have existed since 8,000 B.C., about 10,000 years ago.
Each of these domes has different calcium formations and marble, existing in varying temperatures and water levels. These caves are famous for their breathtaking gallery of stalagmites, stalactites, and other amazing rock formations that are unique to this part of the world.
- Kellie’s Castle - Kellie’s Castle in Perak’s Batu Gajah near Ipoh combines romance, tragedy, and mystery. Young Scotsman William Kellie Smith moved to British Malaya, now Malaysia, made and lost his fortune, and left an unfinished mansion to be reclaimed by the jungle. Here is the entrancing story.
William had a passion for the weird and wonderful. Kellie’s Castle combines several styles. Look closely and see Moorish, Indo-Saracenic, and Roman influences. He imported several Tamil workers, and bricks and marble from India. William had a dream. He wanted the biggest and most opulent mansion in Malaya to spite the other snobbish bureaucrats who once doubted his wealth and ability in more desperate times. And he dreamed big. The mansion itself was several stories high with a huge planned tower, an indoor tennis court, and even a rooftop entertainment complex to host parties. It almost had Malaya’s first-ever elevator. Almost. But William’s destiny wasn’t to be as once more his life turned on a dime. Poor investments dwindled his wealth and souring relationships with the other administrators made his future look bleak.
- HOGA, Gaharu Tea Valley Gopeng - Welcome to the HOGA Experience at Gaharu Tea Valley Gopeng. HOGA had a quiet and unofficial inception in 1992. At present, the plantation located within the quaint little town of Gopeng, has 200,000 trees of a special 12-in-1 super hybrid Aquilaria spp and other natural attractions that will leave you mesmerized.
The Gaharu tree, although listed as an endangered species by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), is not only organically cultivated here to further prevent its extinction but Gaharu Tea Valley Gopeng is the only plantation with 300 acres of the special 12-in-1 hybrid Aquilaria spp trees.
- Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple and Zen Gardens - Limestone cave temple on 12 acres with Buddha sculptures & a garden with a reflexology footpath.
The Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple is a tourist attraction situated in the natural and picturesque area of Gunung Rapat in the south of Ipoh, the capital of Perak state in west Malaysia. The cave temple sits on a 12-acre site and was used as early as 1920 as a place of worship. In 1960, the cave became part of an iron mining site, this temple is set in a huge cave in the limestone outcrops behind Gunung Rapat.
The Kek Lok Tong complex comprises a central altar featuring a number of Buddhist figures as well as various deities of the Chinese pantheon. The most unique aspect of the caves is the great garden view once you get inside. The limestone hill is made up of light grey to white crystalline Kinta limestone interbedded with about 5 mm to 1 cm thick argillaceous material bands. Primary iron can still be seen within the limestone. The award-winning landscape garden features a jogging path circling two lakes and one of the longest reflexology footpaths in Ipoh.
Entrance is FREE but there is a donation booth if you would like to leave a contribution towards upkeep.
- Perak Tong Cave Temple - Buddhist temple atop a scenic hill with a cave entrance featuring statues & painted walls.
In 1926, Chong Sen Yee and his wife Choong Chan Yoke, who came from Jiao-Ling province of China, discovered Perak Tong. With approval from the Perak State Government, they started to develop the cave. As Chong Sen Yee was mainly involved in the planning and development of the cave temple, his wife sought donations locally and internationally to carry out the plan. After more than 50 years of diligent and careful work in and around the cave temple, Perak Tong has become one of the best cave temples in Malaysia. Chong Sen Yee passed away in 1980 and his wife Choong Chan Yoke in 1983, handing the heritage to their son Chong Yin Chat. He put even greater effort into the temple, enhancing Perak Tong into an international tourist spot in Perak.
There are several major attractions at the temple, including a beautiful landscaped flower garden in front of the temple. Here you can feed the monkeys in the morning and late evenings. As you enter the temple, you will be greeted with a 40-foot tall Buddha statue. The inner part of the cave has natural limestone wonders and is decorated with statues of deities. There are also colorful paintings and calligraphic writings by Chong Yit Chat and others. A staircase of about 450 steps takes you to the top of the limestone hill, where you can have an overall view of Ipoh city and its surroundings.
Entrance is FREE but there is a donation booth if you would like to leave a contribution towards upkeep.
- Concubine Lane - In 2015, Ipoh Old Town was such a quiet town that travelers would call it a laid-back town with cafes, traditional coffees and food, and flourishing street arts. Not much was heard of the three Concubine Lanes. In July 2016, Lonely Planet listed Ipoh as one of the best Asian destinations to visit. Photos of the Concubine Lanes started appearing in news articles. The lanes were opened.
- Hotel pick-up & Drop-off
- English Speaking Driver
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Hotel pick-up & Drop-off
- English Speaking Driver
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Food and drinks, unless specified
Situated in the northwest of Malaysia, Ipoh is recognized as an access point to the hill station of Cameron Highlands.
Sam Poh Tong, a Buddhist temple, is nestled inside a limestone cave. Towards the south, an incomplete mansion erected by a Scottish farmer known as Kellie’s Castle can be found. Further southeast lies the enormous Gua Tempurung cave, renowned for its magnificent rock formations.
Situated in the northwest of Malaysia, Ipoh is recognized as an access point to the hill station of Cameron Highlands.
Sam Poh Tong, a Buddhist temple, is nestled inside a limestone cave. Towards the south, an incomplete mansion erected by a Scottish farmer known as Kellie’s Castle can be found. Further southeast lies the enormous Gua Tempurung cave, renowned for its magnificent rock formations.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.