Ipoh Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia)

Although the city of Ipoh has relatively few attractions for tourists, those that do exist celebrate the grand style of late 19th- and early 20th-century colonial architecture in a big way.

'Big' is the operative word, as the HSBC building, the Railway Station, the Town Hall, the Court House and St. Michael's School are all truly enormous structures. Offering something a little different and situated close to the city are a number of beautiful Buddhist cave temples, lakes, rainforest treks, hot springs and other great destinations suitable for eco-tourists.

Old Town

Ipoh's Old Town is separated from the city's New Town by the course of the Kinta River, and holds the majority of the magnificent colonial architectural gems for which the city is famous. These shining white-stuccoed mansions, with their Moorish and Gothic influences, include the Town Hall, the Railway Station and two famous schools, St. Michael's and the Anglo-Chinese School. All of these attractions are within easy walking distance of each other and even short-term visitors should find time to see them all. The Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank (HSBC) building is another stunning white colonial structure and was actually the bank's first branch in Malaysia, being built when Ipoh was a fabulously rich city due to its tin mining operations. Of interest, the Birch Memorial Clock Tower is especially close by.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Railway Station

Address: Old Town, Ipoh, Malaysia, MY
Known throughout Malaysia as the 'Taj Mahal of Ipoh' for its Moorish influence, this superb colonial building was constructed between 1915 and 1935, when this was Malaysia's 'second city'. Its design is reminiscent of the famed Old Kuala Lumpur Railway Station, whilst also incorporating some noticeable Victorian features. The Railway Station is bright white in colour and houses the aptly named Majestic Station Hotel, which is steeped in history and boasts around 100 guest rooms, floral gardens and a pleasant verandah area.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Padang Field

Address: Old Town, Ipoh, Malaysia, MY
Encircled by ancient casuarina trees and fine colonial buildings, the Pandang Field was the all-important cricket and soccer pitch for the British colonial expats, who administered and worked in the city during that long-departed era. This green expanse has been well-cared for and is still the focal point for local parents spending quality time with their children.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Royal Ipoh Club

Address: Old Town, Ipoh, Malaysia, MY
Another colonial-era treasure, the Royal Ipoh Club's black and white mock-Tudor clubhouse was once frequented by British administrators, planters and tin miners. Here they watched the cricket, sipped their sundowners and nibbled their cucumber sandwiches on the verandah, happily epitomising the carefree colonial life. The building was constructed at the end of the 19th century and enjoys views across the Padang Field.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Lost World of Tambun Water Park

Address: Tambun, Malaysia, MY
Tel: +60 05 542 8888
Located just a short drive from Ipoh, within the north-easterly suburb town of Tambun, this recently opened theme park is based on a mythical ancient civilization. Rides run around waterfalls and ruins, and there are plenty of watery things to enjoy, as well as natural hot springs and the Tiger Valley - where a group of tigers live in natural surroundings. Amongst the specific attractions at the Lost World of Tambun Water Park is the Adventure River - the longest of its kind in Malaysia, the Jungle Wave Bay - a large wave pool with fountains, the Cliff Racer - twin hillside water slides, and Explorebay - a water-themed play area for younger children.
Open hours: Monday and Wednesday to Friday - 11:00 to 18:00; Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 18:00; Friday and Saturday (hot springs only) - 18:00 to 21:00
Admission: charge

Town Hall (Dewan Bandaran)

Address: Old Town centre, Ipoh, Malaysia, MY
Yet another breathtaking colonial-era remnant, the Town Hall stands just across from the Railway Station and was built in 1916. The grand proportions of its white neo-classical structure match those of the station and the adjacent Court House, which was constructed a little later - in 1928, as all three were designed by the well-known colonial architect AB Hubbock.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

St. Michael's School / St. Michael's Institution

Address: Old Town, Ipoh, Malaysia, MY
Founded by Christian missionaries in 1912, this amazing neo-Gothic building is the largest and most spectacular of the colonial masterpieces in the city. Its magnificent facade features colonnades, arches, gables and verandahs that run its entire length. In its early days, the school had around 40 children, growing steadily over the years, and is now home to more than 2,000 students, along with four school halls, excellent sports facilities, and a lecture theatre.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

D R Seenivasagam Park and the Ipoh Tree

Located in the heart of the city, this park is the city's 'green lungs' and has been popular with locals and visitors for several generations. Beautiful landscaping includes a lake, a Japanese garden and one of the two remaining Ipoh trees in the city, its namesake species. The Ipoh tree is famous in Malaysia for its deadly poison, which was actually once used on arrow tips by ancient local tribes.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free