As the second-biggest state in Peninsular Malaysia, Perak had the distinct edge of being a tin-mining hotbed in the late 1800s. Meaning “silver” in Malay, the state’s name hint to the silver colour of the tin found in abundance at the time. Ruled at one point by the Dutch, then the British, agriculture became one of Perak’s primary industries, followed by the introduction of tourism, not at all astonishing given the state’s many attractions. For those considering a trip to Perak, here are the top 10 place to visit in Ipoh.
1. Gua Tempurung
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Gua Tempurung is a cave located 24 kilometers south of Ipoh. It is popular among visitor and is a must visit for caving enthusiasts. About 3 kilometers long, Gua Tempurung Ipoh is probably one of the longest cave in Peninsular Malaysia. A section of it has been developed as a show cave with walkways and electric lighting. Also, a fine river cave, the river passage measured about 1.6 kilometers through the hill. There are three very large chambers.the tunnel of the cave runs from the east to the west, covering a distance of about 2 kilometers. It is made up of 5 large domes and people believe it exists since 8,000 B.C.Gua Tempurung comprises of five huge domes with ceilings resembling coconut shells. Each of these domes has different calcium formations and marble there exists in differing temperatures and water levels. These caves are famous for its breathtaking gallery of stalagmites, stalactites, and other amazing rock formations.
2. Kellie Castle
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Kellie’s Castle was meant to be a home away from home for Scottish Planter, William Kellie Smith in the 20th century. Being distant away from home, Kellie desired his new house to be reminiscent of his house back in Scotland. The castle is perched on top of a hill in what used to be a rubber estate.William Kellie Smith was an interesting man who was famous with his South Indian workers. Kind at heart, he built a Hindu shrine for his workers on the castle premises. As a token of appreciation, his workers erected a statue of Kellie complete with a white suit and hat.construction of this unique castle began in 1915. However, it came to a sudden halt with Kellie’s sudden death in 1926. The solitary castle looks almost surreal in these wild plantations of Perak, it projects a strong personality and an aura of a riddle.recently, efforts have been made by the Perak State Government to save this superb structure from the encroaching foliage. Besides being haunted, the castle is believed to have hidden rooms and private underground tunnels.The road that leads to Kellie’s Castle follows the contours of the land in a dizzying, maze-like fashion, adding to the enigma and romance of the place.
3. Lost World of Tambun
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Lost World of Tambun located in Perak is one of the Malaysia’s top-most action and adventure family holiday destination. It offers you a great fun family experience that awaits you behind the gates of this majestically themed park. There is everything here that you can try and feel the wonderful experience from amusement park rides to eco-adventure thrills! This place also offers you Hot Springs and Spa by the night. It is the nice place to rest, relax and rejuvenate. Just immerse yourself in their 100 percent natural mineral hot springs after a long tiring day. One can also opt for packages with or without hotels near to the Tambun Lost World for a more relaxing holiday.You should go there at least once in your life or you will regret it.
4. Sam Poh Tong Temple
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Sam Poh Tong is a famous cave temple located in Ipoh. It is one of the biggest cave temples in the country and is an impressive work of art. The main thing to see here are the statues of Buddha interspersed among the stalactites and stalagmites. legend has it that the cave was discovered in 1890 by a monk from China who was passing through Ipoh. When he arrived there,he decided to make that place as his home and a place for meditation. He stayed there until he died for about 20 years. Till date, monks, and nuns who dedicate their lives to the Buddha and Buddhism still, occupy the Sam Poh Tong. The present temple facade dates back to the 1950s and is a stiff climb of 246 steps. It will lead you to an open cave with an excellent view of Ipoh. Other attractions that you can find at the temple is a beautiful Japanese pond which is full of Japanese carps and tortoises, which are symbols of longevity.
5. Ling Sen Tong Temple
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Ling Sen Tong is an attractive Taoist cave temple located at the foot of a limestone hill in Ipoh, Perak. The name is literally converted as the Rock of Heavenly Spirits. Ling Sen Tong cave temple is placed next door to Nam Thean Tong and Sam Poh Tong just off Jalan Gopeng on the southern outskirts of Ipoh.
6. Kek Look Tong Temple
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The Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple is a tourist attraction located in Ipoh. The cave temple is spread over a 12-acre site and has been used ever since 1920 as a place of worship. In 1960 however, the cave became one of the parts of an iron mining site in Perak. The temple is set in a huge cave in the limestone outcrops around 5 kilometres south of Ipoh.The Kek Lok Tong complex comprises of a central altar and a number of Buddhist figures as well as variety deities of the Chinese pantheon. The best thing about the caves is that their wonderful garden views once you look inside the caves. The award winning landscape garden also offers you a jogging path surrounding two lakes and probably the longest reflexology footpaths in Ipoh.
7. Han Chin Pet Soo Museum
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This is a one-off chance to step back in time, the four evils which persuade and tortured Hakka tin diggers, both affluent and poor, were opium, gambling, prostitution and the triads. These are explained in some detail in the museum.
8. Gunung Lang Recretional Park
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Gunung Lang Recreational Park is located off Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman Road and becomes one of attraction that must visit in Perak. Opened in October 2000, it covers an area of 30.35 hectares out of which 14.16 hectares consists of the lake. Gunung Lang Recreational Park is divided into two sections. The entire recreational spot is developed around a scenic backdrop of the limestone hills of Gunung Lang and Gunung Bilike.one of the main attractions of the park is the man-made cascading waterfall atop a limestone hill. Here,there is also a 2 kilometers broad walk over the swamp and lookout towers. There are also other facilities like children’s playground, campsite, mini zoo, a prayer room and washrooms.
9. Gaharu Tea Valley
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Gaharu tree or also known as the wood of the Gods is popular for its medicinal value since early times, including its tea, incense and perfumery products. Tourists will soon be taken to a place that is currently under erection, where the one tall trees surrounded by a white tree will reside.
10. Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge Ship
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Like a floating mill. This one, called Tanjung Tualang dredge no. 5, or tt5, weighs 4,500 tonnes and is supported by a pontoon of 75 meters in a linear measure, 35 meters in width and 3 meters in deepness. Tin mining and dredging activity which took place for over a hundred years have left behind of peninsular Malaysia.