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| Travel and Tours |
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Getting to Ipoh
The most practical means of reaching Ipoh is bus, although train services have sped up and increased considerably since the line from Kuala Lumpur was double-tracked. Ipoh is served by the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport (IATA: IPH). Firefly operates daily flights to and from the budget terminal of Singapore Changi Airport.
There are ten daily train services in each direction between the Ipoh Train Station and KL Sentral in Kuala Lumpur. The journey takes between three to four hours one way and costs between RM12 and RM40 depending on seating class. The first train departs KL Sentral at 5:30am and the last train at 10:30pm. Ipoh is on the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur-Penang-Bangkok route so there are also trains to and from Penang and all the way to Bangkok. See http://www.seat61.com/Malaysia.htm#Train times%C2%A0.
The main Ipoh bus terminal is located at Medan Gopeng. The station provides services to and from just about any location in the country. Most frequent routes are to and from Kuala Lumpur (Puduraya Station) and Penang. Larger bus companies like Transnational, Plusliner, Konsortium provide the most frequent, reliable and safe services. Bus companies also operate out of other locations including Jalan Bendahara for services to and from Singapore and Jalan Bercham for the YoYo [2] bus service to and from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
Ipoh is well connected to the North-South Expressway. You can get into Ipoh via Exit 137: Simpang Pulai, Exit 139: Ipoh Selatan or Exit 141: Ipoh Utara.
Getting around
Driving in Ipoh for the unfamiliar can be like going through a maze. The city centre has many one-way streets and road signs are somewhat lacking. On the bright side, city road maps are easily available at bookstore, tourist centres and even online. It is advisable to have a map handy. Ipoh's traffic is not as congested as other cities such as Kuala Lumpur. However, like any major cities, traffic slowdown is inevitable especially during heavy traffic such as the morning drive to work (around 8AM-9AM), (noon-1.30PM) during weekdays due to lunch-hour & school children being in/out of school and late evening return from work (around 5PM-6PM). Parking spaces are adequate although finding one may require some patience.
Public buses do ply certain routes but information about the routes are not published and buses are rarely on time. Consulting locals would be the best way to find out information about getting around on public buses.
Ipoh is a rather pedestrian-unfriendly city, but certainly better than KL. Walking within Ipoh city centre and Ipoh Old Town is feasible but walking long distance generally is not. New town and the outlying suburbs are not good at all for pedestrians.
There are no hard and fast rules for cyclists, but you are expected to observe road rules at all times. Cyclists are forbidden from riding on the sidewalk but often do. Helmets are optional but not common.
Some of the recognised car rental agencies have branches in Ipoh.
See
Ipoh Old Town has much character and contains many marks of its colonial past including:
- Padang Ipoh or Ipoh Field is located on Jalan S.P. Seenivasagam. The field is a well kept and surrounded by many historic buildings that feature classic colonial architecture, including the mock-tudor style Ipoh Club, FMS Bar, HSBC Building and the magnificent St Michael's Institution secondary school.
- HSBC Building Ipoh
- The Ipoh Railway Station. It bears similar architecture to that of the Old Kuala Lumpur Railway Station and is nicknamed the "Taj Mahal of Ipoh"
- Ipoh Town Hall located across the road from the Railway Station also features some interesting gothic architecture.
- Muzium Darul Ridzuan is an interesting historical museum of Perak, located in a pretty former tin-mining tycoon's mansion on Jalan Kuala Kangsar
- Kellie's Castle, the deserted mansion of an eccentric Scottish planter, is in Batu Gajah, half an hour's drive from Ipoh city centre. Its main appeal lies in the belief that it is haunted and that secret passages leading to hidden chambers exist. A taxi will cost you around RM 50 - 60 and they will usually wait for an hour (which is long enough to look around). There is an entrance fee to the castle.
- Perak Tong (Perak Cave) is located at Gunung Tasek and houses over 40 Buddha statues and many murals. There is a steep, tall staircase in the interior of the cave rising up to the top of its hill, where one is greeted by a beautiful and panoramic view of Ipoh and its surroundings. The statue of Buddha in Perak Tong is the tallest and largest of its kind in Malaysia. Perak Tong was built in 1926 by a Buddhist priest from China.
- Sam Poh Tong (Cavern of Triple Gems) is a Chinese temple located at Gunung Rapat near the Simpang Pulai Toll exit(less than 10 minutes drive from the toll). The temple is built within a limestone cave. It has a popular attraction: a tortoise pond which houses hundreds of tortoises and terrapins (a symbol of longevity) of various sizes. There are several other cave temples immediately next to Sam Poh Tong, for example Nan Tian Tong. They have been renovated recently and now stands colourful buddha statues and chinese zodiac animals for children and adults to ride on and take pictures. Right outside Sam Poh Tong is the infamous Pamelo stalls next to the main road.
- Kek Lok Tong (Cavern of Ultimate Bliss), a cave temple that lies on the other side of the same limestone hill as Sam Poh Tong, is accessible only through Gunung Rapat housing area. Hence, Kek Lok Tong has a cleaner, quieter and more cooling environment and has the best scenic view from the cave.
Shop
Ipoh provides numerous different shopping experiences, from malls to local markets:
- Pasar Malam or night markets are where many stalls set up their business selling a variety of food, groceries, toys, clothes and household items. The stalls move to various locations throughout the week:
- Monday: Taman Menglembu, Taman Ipoh Jaya (near Gunung Rapat)
- Tuesday: Ipoh Garden East
- Wednesday: Ipoh Garden (near Perak stadium), Bercham (Taman Pakatan
- Thursday: Taman SPPK
- Friday: Taman Pertama; Pekan Razaki (near Taman Ipoh Jaya)
- Saturday: Taman Rasi
- Sunday: Taman Cempaka (6pm-10pm only)
- Memory Lane is a flea market along Jalan Lim Bo Seng that takes places every Sunday morning. It is a good place to find imitation goods, antiques and other interesting local souvenirs. Be ready to bargain for the best price and be conscious of the fact that some stuff sold are probably stolen goods.
- Shopping Malls. The Kinta City Shopping Centre and Ipoh Parade are the two best malls within the city. Both have a fair range of branded stores, with good bargains during sale periods that could be of interest to keen shoppers.
- For a stretch of quaint boutiques, visit Ipoh Garden South.
Other Activities
- Caving. Gua Tempurung is the largest limestone cave in Peninsular Malaysia and is believed to have been in existence since 8000BC. Located close to the North South Highway's Gopeng Exit, it provides the opportunity to explore in detail the insides of a limestone cave. You can choose to experience a short tour of the cave or adventure into the deep ends of the cave that includes trekking in a cave river and other uneven terrain.
- Explore Tambun, once a small town north of the city, with city growth it is now a close suburb to the city centre. Tambun has been traditionally known for its juicy pomelo fruit and the Tambun Hot Springs.,Soaking in these hot springs is said to bring health benefits to the body because of the high sulfur content in the water. Also in Tambun, is Ipoh's only water theme park, The Lost World of Tambun. It provides great rides and entertainment for families and also organizes tours into the nearby limestone caves for those interested in eco-tourism
- Jungle Trekking - Trek up the one of the many trails up the Menglembu Hills in the Menglembu/Kledang area to enjoy the awe-inspiring view of the limestone outcrops that surround Ipoh. If unsure of how to get to these trails, just ask the many locals who trek up daily in the early mornings and late evenings.
- Golf at the many golf courses around the city. The Perak Royal Golf Club is the oldest of the golf courses located close to the city centre but there are also great golf courses at Clearwater Sanctuary in Batu Gajah and Meru Valley in Jelapang. Both Clearwater Sanctuary and Meru Valley provide accommodation that make a golfing holiday all the more convenient.
Cost
Restaurants often do not display prices. Tourists are advised to ask the price before having meals. Tipping is uncommon in Ipoh and even taxis will usually return your change to the last cent.
Ipoh is inexpensive by Malaysian standards, and even more so for visitors from most industrialized countries: RM50 is a perfectly serviceable daily backpacker budget. Food in particular is a steal, with excellent local hawker fare available for less than RM4 per generous serving. Accommodation is also inexpensive by international standards, with a bed in most hotels below RM100. Top hotels offer rooms at around RM100 to RM300.
Specialty Shopping
- Ipoh Fragrant Biscuit. Famous in Ipoh and Malaysia, these traditional biscuits feature a sweet paste within its flaky skin. Hands made ones are rare and you'll probably find mass produced ones to be widespread. Most popular brand is 'Yee Hup'
- Pottery. Often missed by most visitors is the fact that Ipoh produces pottery for export. A good place to shop is along Jalan Kuala Kangsar, where stores offer an ample selection.
- Ipoh White Coffee. If you have to get the sachet-packed type, try the brand 'Old Town' or 'Chek Hup'. If you want to try a cup of original Ipoh White Coffee, you can visit the old town kopitiam located at Ipoh Old Town itself. There, you can also get the 3in1 sachet Old Town White Coffee. This coffee shop is a corner shop with one side facing a 15-storey flat.
- Pomelo. Perak's most famous fruit, a large juicy citrus fruit. The best pomelos are reputed to be from Tambun, about 10 minutes drive east of Ipoh. There are stalls selling pomelos in front of the Sam Po Tong temple.
Drink
Ipoh does not have a large night scene, however there are a large concentration of pubs and bars at Bandar Baru Medan (behind the Kinta City Shopping Center) and at the Greentown Business Centre.. Rum Jungle at Sunway Ipoh is another new night spot with live band performances that could be checked out.
Stay Safe
Ipoh is in general a very safe city, certainly by international standards. There are however some irritants like beggars, especially at bus terminals. It is better not to attract any unwanted attention by giving money to the beggars as most of them are professional beggars operated by syndicates.
Perhaps not so much a safety thing per se, but at the Central Market in New Town, particularly if you are an orang putih (white person), don't let the traders rip you off (which they are likely to do, if you let them). If the prices are signed clearly, hold them to it! Furthermore, Ipoh is probably not as tourist friendly as publications, such as Lonely Planet, make it out to be.
The city centre is relatively safe, but again, pickpockets do work in the stations. If you are carrying a bag make sure that it's secured (all zipped up). If you have wallets in your pocket keep a hand near it while exiting the buses. It is however not advisable to leave your handbag dangling on your shoulder while walking next to main roads, as motorcycle snatch thefts happen.
Get out
- Pangkor is a 2 hour drive and ferry ride away. It is a quiet fishing village island with many beautiful beaches. This less well known island is significantly quieter than other more popular islands in Malaysia but still provides a wide selection of accommodation for backpackers and budget travelers as well five star hotels and world class resorts for those with money.
- Cameron Highlands, is Peninsular Malaysia's most famous highland destination, known for its vegetable, strawberry and tea farms as well as its cool weather and beautiful scenery. There is a toll-free road to Cameron Highland close to the Simpang Pulai Exit off the North South Expressway. The journey up is just about an hour long.
- Taiping, is about 1 hour North on the North South Expressway. Some of the most scenic views of mountain ranges and rain forests can be captured on the stretch of highway between Ipoh and Taiping. Taiping town is one of the oldest and most historic in the country.
- Bukit Merah, a family eco-tourist destination by a lake. Home to the largest water theme park in Northern Peninsular Malaysia and the only Orang Utan Island in the country.
- Penang is a 2 hour bus ride or drive away. The island is a UNESCO World Heritage site with some good beaches and great Malaysian food.
- Kuala Lumpur, the nation's capital is just a two hour drive by car or a three hour journey by bus or train.
- Singapore, the island city state is just an hour away by plane.
- Ulu Geroh, Be an ecotourist and experience the rainforest here. This is an Orang Asli kampung about one hour's drive into the hills east of Gopeng. The last half of the ride is along a rough road (4x4 preferred) through rubber, durian and oil palm plantations to the village on the edge of the rainforest. Guides from the Orang Asli community take visitors to see the parasitic Rafflesia flower (the largest flower in the world) and the Raja Brooke's Birdwing butterfly as well as other forest bugs, plants, etc. There's also a small but beautiful waterfall. The guides charge about RM50 per person. It's best to arrange for guides a day or two in advance. Call 017-3245200 to set up the tour. You will need your IC or passport number for the visitor log book. Accomdation is available in Gopeng town, or in a rural setting at My Gopeng Resort and Rumah Rehat Adeline. Apart from Rafflesia watching, jungle hiking, caving and white water rafting can be organized
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