Officially voted Asia’s most under-rated city, Ipoh is not on many tourists’ radar. This Ipoh day trip itinerary will show you why it’s worth visiting. Nestled in the foothills of limestone cliffs, Malaysia’s fourth largest city is charming with colourful mural filled alleyways, peaceful streets, historical sights and an awesome food scene. It makes for a fantastic day trip from Kuala Lumpur and Georgetown, or as pitstop on your way to the Cameron Highlands. This one day Ipoh day trip itinerary covers all the must see places, food recommendations and even what to do if you stay an extra day (it’s so good here, you might not want to leave).
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How To Get To Ipoh
Whether you’re in Kuala Lumpur or Georgetown, Ipoh is easy to reach by public transport. For a day trip to Ipoh the easiest and most comfortable way to get here is by train. It takes between 1 hour 55 minutes to 2 hour 30 minutes from Kuala Lumpur and 1 hour 40 minutes from Penang. Trains are frequent and comfortable, you can book tickets online.
Another option is bus, which although cheaper it takes longer, the journey from Kuala Lumpur is 3 hour 15 minutes and from Penang 2 hour 30 minutes. You can book bus tickets to Ipoh here.
Where To Stay In Ipoh
While this day trip itinerary can be completed in a day, if you decide to spend the night in Ipoh there are plenty of affordable accommodation options. I stayed in an apartment in the Octagon. The facilities were incredible, with a pool, gym, and walking track on the roof. The apartments are large, clean and located in a central area.
If you would prefer to stay in a hotel, Bedrock Hotel is highly rated with modern suites. It is located in the centre of Ipoh.
9 Fun Things To Do On An Ipoh Day Trip
Morning
1. Sam Poh Tong Temple (2 hours)
Sam Poh Tong Temple is the biggest cave temple in Malaysia. Although in need of some repairs, it is a beautiful temple to visit while in Ipoh. The surrounding landscape is serene, caves, lush green plants and a peaceful turtle pond.
The temple closes at 2 pm so you should come here first on your Ipoh day trip itinerary.
Located 6km outside the centre of Ipoh, its just a 20 minute bus journey (bus T34), it runs every 60 minutes.
Midday
2. Concubine Lane
Concubine lane is Ipoh’s most famous alleyway. This charming laneway is tightly packed with cafes, stalls, restaurants and souvenir shops. It’s always busy with people tasting the alleys delicious street foods.
Concubine lane has an interesting history, it was said that it got its name during the tin mining era when rich businessmen would put their mistresses up in a house here. Another theory is that Yau Tet Shin gifted this lane to his mistress. Whichever is true it’s a fun place to wander on your Ipoh day trip itinerary.
Food On Concubine Lane
- Kuma Rainbow Cheese Toast: the viral rainbow toastie
- Platform 9 1/2: a Harry Potter themed cafe
- Kedai Makanan & Minuman Ding Feng: try the Ipoh speciality of tou fu fa
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3. Market Lane
Taking a walk down market lane is one of the most colourful things to do in Ipoh, this was my personal favourite land in Ipoh. Known as the second Concubine Lane, this vibrant street features colourful ribbons, umbrellas, interactive street art, and fun drawings on the road.
Unlike Concubine lane, market lane does not have many shops or cafes. On the lane you will find Nam Chau Kopitiam which is a Chinese restaurant, Baba Nyonya Alley a new westernised Asian eatery, and Xi Yang Yang, place famous for its hotpot.
Aside from restaurants there are some fun murals, such as a 3D mural depicting a man loading bags on to a tricycle. It’s a fun place to stop for some nice photos to remember your one day in Ipoh.
4. Murals Art Lane
Georgetown might be known for its street art, but Ipoh has some cool murals to check out too. One of the most fun things to do when you’re in Ipoh for one day is to explore Murals Art Lane. It’s much quieter than Concubine lane.
Murals art lane is a short lane with murals that depict local Malaysian heritage. Some of the murals are interactive, so you can take some funny photos.
I recommend cooling off from the Malaysian heat with a Hokkaido Ice Cream Puff.
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5. Ho Yan Hor Museum
Ho Yan Hor museum is spread across 2 floor, the former residence of Ho Yan Hor, a local Chinese doctor and business man, it tells history and how he founded a herbal tea company.
At the end of the self-guided tour, you are invited to taste different types of herbal tea, at no cost. but if you enjoy them they have some available for purchase.
6. Take A Break At Chloe.co
Ipoh has no shortage of great cafes, one cafe that I highly recommend is Chloe.co.
The coffee is robust and creamy, and the pastries not only looked great but tasted delicious! I recommend the biscoff danish.
The museum is completely free; there was also no pressure to purchase the teas in the end, which was a nice surprise.
Afternoon
7. Heritage Trail
After our rest at Chole.co cafe, we are kicking off the afternoon on out Ipoh day trip itinerary on the Old Heritage Trail is a 4 mile long self-guided tour around Ipoh’s most beautiful and historic buildings. It takes a total of 90 minutes to complete. You can pick up a map of the Old Heritage Trail at Ipoh’s tourist office.
Highlights of the trail include, Ipoh Post Office, Birch Memorial Tower, Ipoh Railway Station, and F.M.S restaurant, the oldest restaurant in Malaysia.
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8. Take A Pitstop At Tin Corner 39
Tin Corner 39 is a self serve craft beer bar. The upstairs balcony overlooks the town, it’s a nice spot to chill out after a day of sightseeing and people watch.
Along with craft beer, Tin Corner 39 also serves delicious food, the menu has many German dishes but, I advise you to wait and eat in the next location.
Evening
9. Uptown Ipoh (night market)
Ipoh Night Market, or as its officially known “Ipoh Uptown” is a large market selling clothes, accessories, household goods and lots and lots of food!
Malaysian street food must tries are Apam Balik, a folded pancake stuffed with corn, peanuts and sugar; Char Kuey Teow, stir fried flat noodles with sausage, shrimp and veg with soy sauce; and Nasi Lemak, the national dish of Malaysia.
The night market is located 6km outside of Ipoh, you can take a 12 minute bus(F101A, F101B or T32) or a 15 minute taxi.
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What Do 2 Days In Ipoh
While this Ipoh day trip itinerary covers the essentials, extending your stay allows you to explore more of nature that Ipoh has to offer. I highly recommend hiking Kledang Hill. It’s a 2 hour hike to the top on a tarmac path, the scenery is beautiful as is the view at the top. You will also likely meet cheeky monkeys on the way so make sure to keep food out of sight.
You might also be interested in visiting Perak Cave Temple, tucked away in a limestone hill the cave has colourful murals, you can also climb up to a viewpoint.
Where To Eat In Ipoh
Ipoh has a fantastic food scene, you have plenty of options on your day trip to Ipoh from the night market, and gastro pubs to local restaurant, international cuisines and cute cafes. Here are a few places I enjoyed during my week stay in Ipoh.
Restaurants In Ipoh
- Aro Restaurant: delicious authentic family run South Indian restaurant. I recommend the chicken thali set, washed down with a refreshing mango lassi
- Miker Pizza: I am not exaggerating when I say this is the best pizza I had in all of Malaysia. Lots of unique flavours to choose from
- Pusing Public Restaurant: huge old style Chinese restaurant, the portions are large. It’s often busy and recommended to make reservations, especially during the weekend.
Cafes In Ipoh
- Aud’s: comfort food like sandwiches, cooked breakfast and great coffee. Have to say the owners are a super friendly and welcoming couple!
- Jln Theatre Coffee: the cheesecake is delicious as is the coffee
- Magical Beans Cafe: aesthetic cafe with local and Western dishes. Their pineapple bun is sooo good!
Ipoh FAQ
Ipoh is a walkable city, you can get to all the cities attractions on foot.
To get to the surrounding attractions, such as the caves, you will need to take a bus or taxi. Grab is a popular app here.
Yes you can see all of Ipoh in just one day, anymore time in Ipoh you might run out of things to do.
It’s easy to visit Ipoh as a day trip from Kuala Lumpur, you can reach Ipoh in just 2 hours and 30 minutes by train.
Ipoh is a safe city, but as with any destination you always need to be aware of your surroundings and if out at night opt for a Grab taxi rather than walking.
Ipoh is a charming historical town, it has a fantastic food and cafe scene along with colourful alleyways and interesting caves to explore.
