Ipoh by the Kinta River

Ipoh is the capital of the state of Perak in Malaysia as well as one of the largest cities in the country. At one time this city was one of the most important cities in the world since it was the center of the world’s tin industry. Today it has become an important tourism destination. There are many lovely and wonderful sights in and around Ipoh. 70% of the city’s population is of Chinese origin.

Built in 1909, the Birch Memorial Clock Tower has a 6ft. 6 in. bell. It honors the memory of James W.W. Birch, who was Perak’s first British resident. He was murdered in 1875 at Pasir Salak by local Malay chiefs. The friezes on the clock tower illustrate the growth of civilization and feature figures like Moses, Buddha, Shakespeare, and Charles Darwin. The road upon which the clock tower stands was renamed for one of Birch’s killers, who today are considered to be nationalists while Birch is remembered for his disregard of local custom.

Sam Poh Tong Temple was first discovered by a monk in 1890. This cave is located 5km south of Ipoh. Today it is used by nuns and monks for solitary meditation. The temple has a reclining Buddha surrounded by smaller statues.

However, the main highlight here is “Turtle Pond” where locals release tortoises in the hope of balancing their karma. A garden is adorned with granite pillars and small bridges.

At Kek Lok Tong you can see Buddha statues between shadowy stalactites. This is an out-of-the-way serene temple. Three Sages dominate the central cavern and toward the back, you can see a cheerful Chinese Buddha of Future Happiness sitting in the company of three Bodhisattvas. Outside behind the cave is an ornamental garden with ponds and pagodas.

In the Old Town west of the Kinta River you can see impressive architecture. The Old Town began as a village in the 1820s at the highest navigable point on the Kinta River. Among the notable buildings here are the Town Hall and the Train Station.

The Town Hall dates back to 1916. It has become a popular spot to take wedding pictures. Visitors can walk around inside and the upper floor offers good views of the colonial train station.

The Ipoh Railway Station dates back to 1914 and is known locally as the “Taj Mahal”. This is an impressive domed train station mixing Moorish and Victorian architecture, designed in the “Raj” style.

For a great day of family fun head for the Lost World of Tambun. This is Malaysia’s top action and adventure family holiday destination. It is so much more than just a theme park.

Among the highlights here is Tiger Valley, home to Siberian tigers. These tigers are reddish-rusty or rusty-yellow in color, have narrow black transverse stripes, and rank among the biggest living cats in the world. Their coats offer camouflage as no two tigers have the same stripes. A hungry tiger can eat as much as 60 lbs. or 27 kilos in one night. These cats are great climbers and swimmers. Visitors can catch the Tiger Feeding Show.

Kellie’s Castle was built to be a home away from home for Scottish planter, William Kellie Smith in the 20th century. The castle sits atop a hill in what was at one time a rubber estate. Smith was an interesting man and popular with his South Indian workers. He erected a Hindu shrine for the workers and in turn his workers erected a statue of Kellie in a white suit and hat. The castle appears to be haunted and is supposed to have hidden rooms and secret underground tunnels.

If you just want to relax then the place to go is Taiman D.R. Seenivasagam or simply D.R. Park as it is locally known. You can see families with children here in the late afternoons and weekend mornings. Children can enjoy the playground. There are football fields with teams that train and a skate park for teens. You can even see elderly people practicing tai chi. Enjoy the day and bring along a picnic.

A popular destination is Bukit Kledang or Kledang Hill. People enjoy hiking up to the peak that rises 800m in height for impressive and amazing views all around. You can find some well-marked jungle trails as well as a paved road that will lead you up to the summit. If you prefer you can drive up in a four-wheel drive vehicle to take some scenic photos.

Ling Sen Tong is a beautiful Taoist cave temple located at the foot of a limestone hill in Ipoh. The name translates as the Rock of Heavenly Spirits. The temple’s main compound is adorned with lots of statues in different designs such as various animal figures, deities, and other characters from Chinese folklore. In the garden in front, you can see colorful statues of characters from Chinese mythology like the Monkey King from the classic tale “Journey to the West”.

Gunung Lang Recreational Park opened in October 2000. It is divided into two sections and has a lake. It was designed around a scenic backdrop of limestone hills. It’ main highlights are the man-made cascading waterfalls atop a limestone hill, a 2km boardwalk over the swamp, and look-out towers. There is a children’s playground, a campsite, a mini zoo, a prayer room, and washrooms. To reach the park you take a boat ride from the jetty.

Take the amazing Kinta Riverfront Walk. The trees here are lit up with lovely LED lights and there are some wonderful restaurants offering views of the Ipoh River. The Kinta Riverfront Walk was completed in 2010 and is a most romantic spot by the river bank. The trees are all magically lit up and tt is a wonderful place for an evening walk.