If you feel like a little culture mixed in with friendly locals and finger-lickin’ good food, Ipoh is your perfect weekend getaway. With the many tourist attractions in and around Ipoh, there are always new things to do and new places to explore - and for every budget! WE GOTCHU!

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Road-tripping with the fam bam or your usual squad? Lost World of Tambun has juuuust the perfect action and adventure for you.

Have a splish-splashin’ fun at Lost World Water Park and a good swingin’ time at Lost World Amusement Park. Go back in time to Ipoh’s tin mining days at Lost World Tin Valley, discover an animal haven at Lost World Petting Zoo and push yourself to the extremes at Lost World Adventure Park.

Ssshh… When the night draws its curtains, that’s when the park comes to life. After a dip into the pools of natural hot spring water and spoiling yourself silly at the spa, stuff your face with street food along Ipoh Street or watch mesmerizing night performances.

Good news: We heard the mystical home to the Malayana tribe, Luminous Forest, will be opening its doors soon!

Asia’s First Animation Theme Park houses 23 interactive attractions, 15 thrilling rides and 6 thematic zones - in other words, you’ll spend hours in this park! Don’t worry about being hangry after all the rides and shows - recharge your energy bars (or the kids’) at the park’s themed food and beverage outlets.

The unfinished and ruined Kellie’s Castle documents the rags-to-riches tale of Scottish planter, William Kellie Smith. The four-storey tower has an aura of mystery shrouding it. Some of the living quarters have been furnished to give you a glimpse of what the rooms would have been like had the construction come to a success completion.

Psst... Rumor has it, Smith’s spirit still walks along the empty corridors and hallways, guarding his beloved mansion. Are you brave enough to ‘meet’ him? 👻

This one’s for caving enthusiasts! Take your pick from two categories - the dry and wet package. Walk deeper into the cave to view some fascinating rock formation or get wet in the underground river and crawl through holes, tunnels and slippery stones.

Parts of the cave have been developed as a show cave with electric lighting to highlight the amazing formation of stalactites and stalagmites.

Take a boat ride from the jetty to the other side of the park where there are various things to do - take the children to a playground, visit the petting zoo, climb to the top of the lookout towers or snap some photos at the traditional ‘kampung’ house.

The boat driver told us there are crocodiles in the lake. Hmm… We are not sure if that’s a joke or not. 🐊

Who can ever forget the legendary Petronas’ 2007 Tan Hong Ming television commercial?

Yasmin at Kong Heng is more than just a museum; the humble space at Old Block Apartments is a memoir that celebrates the life and work of the late Yasmin Ahmad. In one space is a lounge room where Yasmin’s TV commercials are screened and another space houses her personal belongings - her computer which stores recordings of her poetry and her rucksack filled with her notebooks. The walls are full of excerpts of her writings and photographs taken by her.

There’s one secret that Ipoh keeps very well, hidden by limestone karst towers, and that is Tasik Cermin. Go through a dark tunnel of about 50 meters before you’ll get to see the pristine oasis. There isn’t much to do here other than to soak in the chirping birds, listen to the flapping water and just admire the Instagram-able scenery.

Is herbal tea your cup of tea? Find out by paying a visit to Ho Yan Hor Museum. The two-storey shophouses preserve its pre-war building with a very antique staircase that can only be used by one person at a time. Traces of history are very much visible through the utensils, equipment, photographs and newspaper clippings.

Fun fact: At the end of your trip, you’ll be served four different kinds of herbal tea. We like the first one the best!

The long-lost twin of Penang Street Art Mural, Ipoh Mural Art Trail has over 40 murals all over the town. Rent a bike or stretch those legs to get around the town and strike a pose (or a few!) at the different backgrounds!

Make room in your tummy for food, food and more food at Concubine Lane. The narrow path at Ipoh’s Old Town is where pop-up stalls selling all kinds of everything are propped up - food and beverages, antiques, souvenirs and more.

Fun fact: In the old days, Concubine Lane was the residential area of rich Chinese magnate and British officers’ mistresses which was how it got its name.

Some locals may not be familiar with “Pasar Karat” because the morning market is otherwise fondly known as “Loken”. We were taken for a trip down memory lane, looking at the antiques that give us all our childhood feels - the old Milo tin, the vintage glass bottles and even the old dial-up Internet modem. Definitely not your typical morning market.

Retreat from the sweltering weather into the breezy Kek Look Tong, loosely translated as “Cave of Great Happiness”. Stand in awe of the spectacular formation of stalactites and stalagmites as well as a number of majestic Buddha statues. Walk down to a landscaped zen garden circling two lakes where you can walk on the reflexology path, jog or simply sit down and relax.

Looking for street food? Accessories? Clothes? Gadgets? Gerbang Malam has these and more! If none of those strike your fancy, there are a few well-known restaurants along the night market where you can have a late dinner. The market lasts well into midnight and even later on some days!

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